Welcome to Middle School! Please use this presentation as a way to familiarize yourself with many of the guiding expectations for our students. Teachers believe that our best successes rise from high expectations, a partnership with parents, and continual communication between home and school. Thank you for sharing your students with us!
English
Katie White
I was born & raised in Norwalk, attended Christ the King School, and graduated from Dowling Catholic. I received my Bachelor of Arts in English—Secondary Teaching along with a Coaching minor from the University of Northern Iowa (gooooo Panthers!).
I worked in public, private, and charter schools as a substitute, classroom teacher, small group instructor, and athletic coach for a variety of grade levels in central Iowa, southern Indiana, and Minneapolis, but was ready to come back home after 7 years away. After a program restructure at my previous school, several interviews, moving back to Iowa on faith, and offering up many prayers, a family member’s friend’s mother mentioned that Saint Theresa was seeking a middle school Language Arts teacher. And here I’ve stayed. God is good all the time! While I’ve never had to “hide” my faith, I love being able to actively share and participate in it with the Saint Theresa community.
Faith Formation
Jane Ann Becicka
For nearly a decade I’ve had the privilege to teach Middle School Faith Formation. Growing up in a faith-centered home, I spent much time at Christ the King Church in Dayton, IA. I graduated high school from St. Edmonds and went on to earn a BA degree from Creighton University. My teaching license spans English/Language Arts and American & World History for 5th-12th grades. Additional endorsements include 7th & 8th grade math and science. You may rightly guess that I love to learn!
While raising eight children with my husband, Brian, it has been easy to see God’s benevolent action in all aspects of learning and life. Experiencing God’s grace through others is what makes partnering with parents to teach faith formation to the middle school students of St. Theresa Catholic School such a joy. Your children are a blessing! Let us hold each other in prayer as we strive to raise young saints!
Math
Jen Hoben
I am Jen Hoben, a graduate from Iowa State University and Western Governors University. I am married to Bill and have three children. I am very excited to be back teaching at a Catholic School. We have been across the midwest with my husband’s position. I have taught math, science, business, and keyboarding across Indiana and Iowa. I look forward to working with parents, students and the St. Theresa community.
In my spare time, I enjoy reading, camping, NASCAR races, and my all time favorite – SCRAPBOOKING!
Science
Theresa Hogan
I am Theresa Hogan. I’ve been a lifelong member of St. Theresa. I attended school here, got married here, and now my four kids are students or alumni of St. Theresa.
I graduated from UNI and I worked in Des Moines Public Schools for 10 years before moving into substitute teaching. It’s been great to be part of St. Theresa in a new capacity by substituting in various classes and grades over the last several years to get to know the staff and students.
Social Studies
Patrick Williams
I don’t have the words to describe how wonderful it is to be back at St Theresa’s School. I’m a 1980 graduate of St Theresa’s and a 1984 graduate of Dowling High School. I graduated from Drake University in 1988 with a BS in Political Science. After 15 years in the private sector, I decided it was time for a change. I completed my BA in Secondary Education at Upper Iowa University in 2005 and hold the All Social Studies endorsement.
From 2005 to 2018 I taught in Des Moines at Lincoln High School. There is no blessing in life quite like pursuing your passion in the work place. There is no parallel to opening a wider world to students and introducing them to that world. Forgive the cliché, but children are the future and to have a small part in preparing them for that future in a safe, faith based environment with the outstanding support of parents and the best staff I’ve ever worked with makes every day special.
My wife Patti were married here at St Theresa’s more than 30 years ago. We have four children and are awaiting our second grandchild. In my spare time I enjoy fishing, reading political and military history and of course watching the Kansas City Chiefs and any team playing baseball. The church is a little different, the school is a little different but it is definitely home.
Classroom Associate
Rebecca Klocke