Faculty and Staff
Superintendent,
Fr. Raul Covarrubias |
Principal,
Carina VanPelt
Mrs. VanPelt has been the principal at Holy Rosary for 6 years. Before that, she taught 2nd through 8th grades in public, private, charter, and inner city schools. At Holy Rosary School, she takes time to help children academically and will take students or parents to Mass to help them feel more comfortable.She also loves to play 4 square, lightning, and build snowmen with the students at recess. Every Wednesday, she eats lunch with the students. Once a month she hosts a special birthday lunch for students. She hopes that all students, parents, faculty, and staff feel as though they are part of the Holy Rosary Family. Mrs. VanPelt feels inspired in her work by Saint Katharine Drexel who was an educator that always tried to include everyone.
Carina VanPelt
Mrs. VanPelt has been the principal at Holy Rosary for 6 years. Before that, she taught 2nd through 8th grades in public, private, charter, and inner city schools. At Holy Rosary School, she takes time to help children academically and will take students or parents to Mass to help them feel more comfortable.She also loves to play 4 square, lightning, and build snowmen with the students at recess. Every Wednesday, she eats lunch with the students. Once a month she hosts a special birthday lunch for students. She hopes that all students, parents, faculty, and staff feel as though they are part of the Holy Rosary Family. Mrs. VanPelt feels inspired in her work by Saint Katharine Drexel who was an educator that always tried to include everyone.
Business Manager,
Music Teacher Mary Lund Mrs. Lund has been working at Holy Rosary School for seventeen years, but since her daughter started school here when she was three, Mary’s been around the school for 24 years! Both of her children attended Holy Rosary for their elementary education. She is the business manager and choir director for the school. Through the years she has done various jobs including lunch & recess monitor, computer teacher, music teacher, drama and art. Her degree is in Business Management, but she has a passion for technology and even more so for music. Mary has worked many jobs, but it wasn’t until she started at Holy Rosary that she truly felt that she belonged. She considers this her second home – her “school family”. She feels privileged to work here and to serve the students. |
Assistant Business Manager,
Technology Teacher, Leona Kelly Mrs. Kelly holds a Master of Science Degree in Physiology from the University of Wyoming. She has several years of experience in business management, marketing and technology. She currently has 2 children that attend Holy Rosary and served as the PTO President prior to joining the Holy Rosary School team. As a part of HRCS, she enjoys growing in her own Catholic faith and sharing it with her students. She is inspired by St. Isidore the Patron Saint of Technology, as well as St. Joseph Cupertino, the Patron Saint of Test-takers. |
Faculty
Preschool/Pre-K Teacher, Alicia Johnson
Mrs. Johnson has 18 years of teaching experience. She enjoys attending conferences and learning about best practices in child development to incorporate into her classroom. According to Mrs. Johnson, “Everyday is a new adventure in my classroom.” Mrs. Johnson is inspired by Saint Teresa of Calcutta because of her compassion and because she has appeared in her life at times when she was needed. |
Kindergarten Teacher,
Karianne Earnest Mrs. Earnest holds a Master of Arts Degree in teaching. She creates a caring, friendly and safe environment for all students; and, partners with families to meet the unique needs of each child. According to Mrs. Earnest, “Learning through stories, games, songs and hands-on activities makes Kindergarten fun every day.” Mrs. Earnest is inspired by St. John Bosco because he had a special love for children and used the fun of magic tricks to teach them about the faith. |
1st Grade Teacher,
Sarah Atwell Ms. Atwell has been a teacher at Holy Rosary for 5 years. She has a degree in Child Development and a Master of Arts in Teaching. She loves the first graders’ excitement for learning and watching them make huge growth in their reading skills throughout the year. Ms. Atwell is inspired by the saints for her namesake. Saint Sarah is known as "one who laughs," which reminds her to laugh with the children in her class. Ms. Atwell’s middle name is Joan, and she loves the quote from Saint Joan that says, "I am not afraid, I was born to do this." This reminds her to teach and live fearlessly. And then as a mother of five children and a Catholic school teacher, she is also inspired by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton who had five children and founded Catholic schools in America. |
2nd Grade Teacher,
Beth Fuscher Mrs. Fuscher has her degree from Loras College in Dubuque, IA and was the religious education director at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Washington DC for 100 catechists and 750 students. |
3rd Grade Teacher,
Jillian Mock Mrs. Mock is finishing a Masters of Education Degree in Education and Technology. She taught 1st & 2nd grade in Las Vegas, NV, before moving to Idaho Falls in 2016. As a new Idahoan, she enjoys the cold weather, especially shoveling snow! According to Mrs. Mock, "I love to learn new things and I strive to inspire such in my students." Mrs. Mock is inspired by Saint Jude who is the Patron Saint of Hope and impossible causes and one of Jesus’ original twelve Apostles. |
4th Grade Teacher,
Rebecca Scheunemann Mrs. Scheunemann has a degree from Idaho State University and loves history. She is excited about teaching Idaho History and the 4th grade field trip. |
5th Grade Teacher,
Anita Garcia Mrs. Garcia attended Holy Rosary Catholic School as a child. She has a B.S. in Animal Science and a Teaching Certification through the American Board. She coordinated a school-wide coat drive and has volunteered for our parish religious education program for over 10 years. She has also served on an accreditation team. Mrs. Garcia is inspired by St. Bernadette of Lourdes who the saint that she chose at her Confirmation and has come up in her life since she was young. In France, the feast day of Saint Bernadette falls on February 18th, which is also Mrs. Garcia’s birthday. |
6th Grade Teacher,
Mercedes Shirts Mrs. Shirts is a graduate of St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX. She taught for 3 years at St. Luke Catholic School in San Antonio. She has a strong English background and is an advocate for Catholic education. |
Staff
Administrative Assistant,
Heather Geib Mrs. Geib has worked at the Holy Rosary Catholic School for 6 years. Prior to working at Holy Rosary, she worked in a Pediatric office for 4 years and then the NICU for 6 years. She has 4 children attending Holy Rosary and loves working with children and their families. Mrs. Geib finds inspiration in St. Philomena, for the healing of infants and youth. She is inspired by her because being a part of the healing, physically, emotionally and spiritually of children is one of the greatest services. |
Administrative Assistant,
Vanessa Prairie Born and raised in Idaho, Mrs. Prairie loves being outdoors with her family. As a part of the Holy Rosary family, she loves the privilege of working in an environment where the focus is all about our children and God. Being able to make a positive impact within the community is made easy when our actions are Christ like and our intentions are as pure as children. As I continue to serve as the Safe Environment Coordinator and as a part of our marketing team, my wish is that everyone who enters will experience the Greatness of Holy Rosary School. She finds inspiration in her work from Saint Meinrad. |
Counselor,
Myah Gillespie Mrs. Gillespie will be receiving her Counseling degree from Idaho State University. She currently coaches Volleyball at Shelly High School. One of her goals in life is to bring Animal Therapy into schools. |
Faith Formation,
Deanne Slaughter Originally from Texas, Mrs. Slaughter has lived in Idaho Falls for almost 5 years and has two children that attend Holy Rosary School. She has been passionate about "owning" her Catholic faith since high school and has been active in a variety of faith development programs since then. As faith formation coordinator, her goal is to help your children better understand their faith so they can take ownership of it as well. |
Physical Education Teacher,
Mitchel Moore |
Art Teacher,
Marilynn Koelsch Mrs. Koelsch started her teaching career in Ridgecrest, California and joined the Holy Rosary Staff in 1993. She retired from 30 years of teaching but has kept active at Holy Rosary School with first being the Title I Tutor for half a year and now as an art teacher. She has always liked being able to talk about God in all subjects being taught in the classroom and enjoys teaching kids how to love reading with a variety of good books. |
Para-educator: Daycare,
Anita Allred Mrs. Allred has been working at Holy Rosary School for 10 years. She has a granddaughter attending school here. She loves working with the children, being able to attend weekday Mass, and talk about God; and, she enjoys all the people that she works with. |
Para-educator: PS/PK Aide,
Karen Duenes Mrs. Duenes is the aide in PS/PK. She has had all 4 of her children attend Holy Rosary, and has worked at the school for 10 years. She loves all the sweet hugs and funny stories from the children. She looks forward to each and every day in the PS/PK classroom. |
Para-educator: Aftercare,
Yolanda Birch |
Para-educator: Aftercare,
Tina Moye |
Para-educator: Aftercare,
Laura Alatorre |
Cafeteria,
Cassie Fell |
Cafeteria,
Michelle Gonzalez |
School Nurse,
Elizabeth Conrad |
Custodial & Maintenance,
Gary Vigil |
Club Volunteers
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Art Club: Art Museum of Eastern Idaho
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Chess Club: Tom Walters
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Fishing Club: Tom Walters
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Robotics: Deacon and Mrs. Reilly, Matt Kress
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