Staff
Our staff members have years of experience in their fields of expertise.
Kendra Caduff
3rd Grade
Ms. Caduff has a Bachelor of Arts in Ethnic Studies (concentration in Chicano and American Indian Studies); Master's of Science in Special Education (concentration in Emotional/Behavioral Disorders and Specific Learning Disabilities), K-12 Reading Specialist at Saint Mary's University of MN. She has taught at the elementary and middle school levels in the Farmington and Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Districts for the past 18 years.
Jess Castillo
5th Grade
Ms. Castillo has Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Education from the University of Notre Dame. She is currently a M.Ed Candidate through the Alliance Catholic Education (ACE) at the University of Notre Dame.
Susana Daugherty
City Connects Coordinator
Sarah Doherty
Kindergarten
Ms. Doherty has a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services from Bethel University. She is a graduate student at the College of St. Scholastica for a Master's in Teaching.
Sara Feinberg
Performing Arts Teacher
Ms Feinberg has taught theatre for more than 20 years both in schools, and in local and nationally known theatres, such as The Children's Theatre in Minneapolis. She has written countless plays for hundreds of groups of children and teens over her tenure as a teaching artist, and has designed, produced, and directed productions for students from preschool to adults. Ms. Feinberg graduated from Ithaca College with a major in music (voice), a minor in theatre, and has a Master's in Teaching from Hamline University.
Bridget Kirby Younce
1st Grade
Mrs. Kirby Younce went to the University of Minnesota Duluth for Integrated Elementary and Special Education. She has been with Ascension Catholic Academy since 2018 in a few different positions, including teaching 3rd Grade at Ascension Catholic School, Administrative Assistant at Ascension Catholic School and finally teaching 1st Grade at St. John Paul II Catholic School.
Elizabeth Larkin
Middle School Teacher
Mrs. Larkin earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities where she studied Sociology with a minor in Spanish. She has been teaching Faith Formation classes at St. Joseph of the Lakes in Lino Lakes and helping to prepare youth for Confirmation. Her experience also includes working with at-risk youth in the Anoka-Hennepin School District as a Student Education Advisor, Anoka County Probation Officer, and with the Saint Paul Fire Department in Public Education educating youth and adults in the community focussing efforts on assisting the immigrant population teaching fire and life safety skills.
Jennifer Lentz
5th Grade
Ms. Lentz began teaching at JPII in 2020. Her previous experience includes teaching in Mexico, Taiwan and Ireland. She has a Bachelors of Fine Arts from Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) and a Master's degree from the University of Limerick, Ireland.
Jenny Mejia
Preschool Assistant
Maddie Meza
Title 1 Reading
Ms. Meza has a Bachelor's of Arts in Elementary Education/Early Childhood Education from the University of North Dakota. She previously taught at a Jewish Day School for the past four years as a 1st grade teacher and an interventionist. She enjoys working one-on-one with students and helping them reach their full potential in literacy.
Jamie Michel
Kindergarten
Mrs. Michel went to Abilene Christian University for her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education. She also has a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of St. Thomas. This is her second year teaching at St. John Paul II, but she has been with Ascension Catholic Academy since it began. She taught for 10 years at Ascension prior to coming to JPII.
Christine Moore
3rd Grade
Ms. Moore has worked in both Catholic and public institutions for 36 years in positions of ministry and education. She holds a BA from the College of St. Benedict and earned a MAED from the University of St. Catherine. She has taught grades 3-12 and also is a licensed Reading Teacher with a graduate certificate from Hamline University.
Melissa Nelson
Title I Reading Teacher
Olivia Rettig
2nd Grade
Originally from Kansas, Ms. Rettig attained a Bachelor's degree at Azusa Pacific University in K-8 Education with a concentration in Spanish. During her undergrad, she also completed the Teaching English as a Foreign Language certification. After graduation, she spent four years teaching in an international school in Quito, Ecuador. She is passionate about teaching students about the love of Christ through daily activities and interactions in her classroom.
Maggie Schmidt
2nd Grade
Ms. Schmidt received her Associates in Communications from Inver Hills Community College in 2022. After spending the 2023-24 school year at St. John Paul II, Ms. Schmidt discovered her desire to become an educator. She is currently pursuing her Bachelors in Elementary Education at Minnesota State University Mankato as a part of their online teaching cohort. She is also becoming certified in Theology through The Catechetical Institute (The St. Paul Seminary).
Patricia Schneider
Art Teacher
Mrs. S. came to JPII in January of 2024 and hit the ground running to keep the new Visual Arts program thriving. After graduating from St. Kate's, she pursued a successful career in marketing, advertising and sales. Teaching art is a lifelong dream come true.
Christine Sullivan
Middle School (Grades 6-8), 7th Grade Homeroom
Ms. Sullivan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary/Middle School Education and Spanish Education from Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She also holds a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University. With a passion for middle school education, she has dedicated her career to teaching at this grade level and truly enjoys working with middle school students.
Stephen Vickers
4th Grade
Mr. Vickers has a BS in Human and Organizational Development from Vanderbilt University. He is a current M.Ed Candidate through the Alliance of Catholic Education (ACE) at the University of Notre Dame.