Directory

Kathy has almost 40 years of involvement in early childhood education. Prior to starting at Community in 2006, she was the Coordinator of Preschool for the Ladue School District, a position she held for fifteen years. She has worked as a teacher and administrator in various other preschool settings in the St. Louis area and Richmond, Virginia. Kathy received her B.A. degree in Early Childhood Education from Stephens College and has done graduate work at Webster University. She has also studied early childhood education in England and Italy. Kathy has served as a member of the Advisory Committee for the Early Childhood Department at Fontbonne University.

Jonelle graduated from St. Louis University with a B.A. in Communication, and earned an M.S.A. in Marketing from Lindenwood University, as well as a Master's of Teaching in Early Childhood Education from Webster University. Her teaching career began in the St. Louis Public School District where she taught first grade. Outside of school, Jonelle enjoys spending time with family and friends, working out, and volunteering at her church. In addition to teaching junior kindergarten, Jonelle is also Community School's Director of Diversity and Inclusivity. 

Donna has worked in the accounting field for more than 30 years. The first 22 years were spent working for profit-driven organizations. Eight years ago, Donna made the conscious decision to move to the nonprofit accounting field with the desire to work for mission-driven organizations. Most recently, Donna was the Chief Financial Officer with Connections to Success. Prior to Connections, Donna was the Controller with the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. She earned her Bachelors in Business Administration from the University of Missouri–St. Louis and her MBA from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri. Donna was also a board member with United for Children and is a current board member with Men of Valor. Outside of work, Donna’s favorite hobby is quilting. 

Joe earned a B.A. in History with minors in Education and Social Science at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO. Joe then was hired as Technology Director and Computer/History teacher at St. Angela Merici in Florissant in January 2008. In 2011, Joe earned an M.S. in Computer Science from Fontbonne University. Joe is a big fan of films, especially foreign and cult cinema and he owns many movies and lots of movie memorabilia. He also enjoys classic rock music and still plays vinyl records! In the summers Joe and his wife travel a lot with antique shopping, hiking, and riding the biggest and fastest roller coasters usually on the agenda. Joe and his wife Chantel reside in South St. Louis.

Tricia received her master of science in nursing from the University of Missouri St. Louis, completing the family nurse practitioner program. She received her bachelor of science in nursing from the Catholic University in Washington, DC. Recemtly, Tricia was a finalist for the Excellence in Nursing Awards sponsored by St. Louis Magazine. Tricia and her husband Dan have three children who attend Community School. In her free time, she enjoys reading, home improvement projects, and spending time with her family.

Before coming to Community in 2012, Lori taught at the Clayton Child Center for 26 years. She has also worked as a parent educator through the Parents as Teachers program. Lori enjoys spending time with her three children, as well as boating, traveling, and attending sporting events.

Jonelle graduated from St. Louis University with a B.A. in Communication, and earned an M.S.A. in Marketing from Lindenwood University, as well as a Master's of Teaching in Early Childhood Education from Webster University. Her teaching career began in the St. Louis Public School District where she taught first grade. Outside of school, Jonelle enjoys spending time with family and friends, working out, and volunteering at her church. In addition to teaching junior kindergarten, Jonelle is also Community School's Director of Diversity and Inclusivity. 

Kara graduated from Saint Louis University with a bachelor in elementary education and is certified in elementary education and early childhood. She recently earned her master's of education in special education from Webster University. Before joining Community School, Kara taught kindergarten and first grade at Better Learning Communities Academy. Outside of school, Kara enjoys running, reading and playing with her daughter.

Kristin Howard is a First Grade Teacher at Community School. Kristin was born in Little Rock, Arkansas and moved to Saint Louis in 2016 to attend college at Washington University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She is currently working on her master’s in reading education. Kristin has worked in Community School’s Extended Day program and the school’s summer camps for the last three years. Outside of school, Kristin enjoys running, traveling, spending time with family, and trying out new recipes.

Jessica graduated from the University of Missouri-St. Louis with a bachelor of science in elementary education. She also completed her masters in elementary education from University of Missouri St. Louis. Jessica began teaching first grade here in 2004. She and her husband, Jason, have one son, a student at Community.

Marty came to Community in 1988. She completed her undergraduate work at Southeast Missouri State University and received a master's degree in education in counseling from Washington University, and her elementary and early childhood certification from the University of Missouri. Marty is a 2004 recipient of the "ISSL Teacher of Distinction" and the "Emerson Excellence in Teaching" awards. In 2005, her book Under Three Flags was published, which is about the early history of St. Louis. Marty’s hobbies include dancing, bicycling, hiking, yoga, traveling, and reading. Read more about Marty in her Faculty Friday feature.

Nikki received a masters degree in educational leadership from Wright State University and a BS in elementary education from Miami University, Ohio. Nikki taught First and Second Grades and coached high school boys/girls tennis and girls basketball in Englewood, Ohio, for five years. Nikki then moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, to help open a new school and become the second grade lead teacher. After marriage, she moved to Augusta, Georgia, where she was a math coordinator for Sylvan Learning Center before relocating to St. Louis. Nikki has been the co-director of Simply Mathematics in Webster Groves, has made presentations for Teach for America's teachers, and substituted for Community School before joining the staff in 2010. She was a Lowenhaupt Award winner in 2016. Nikki enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, being outdoors, playing various sports, and playing the piano.

Nicole graduated from Webster University with a bachelor's in environmental and special education, as well as a master's in teaching. She maintains dual certification in special and elementary education. Her teaching career began with Americorps and she has since worked in public, charter, and private schools across St. Louis from kindergarten through sixth grade. In 2011, Nicole was chosen for the Master Teacher Fellowship at the St. Louis Art Museum. She loves gardening, cooking, hiking, biking, poetry, art, music and reading. She and her husband have four children.

Sarah graduated from University of Missouri-St. Louis with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She has been teaching for fourteen years. Sarah began her teaching career in the St. Louis Public Schools and then spent eight years teaching fifth and sixth grades at Premier Charter School. Sarah grew up in St. Charles and now resides in Chesterfield with her husband and two children. In her free time she enjoys singing, refinishing furniture, and spending time with family and friends.  Read more about Sarah in her Faculty Friday profile.

Jen Gosnell has joined Community School as our Academic Technology Specialist and Advancement Database Manager for the 2020-2021 school year. She received her bachelor’s degree in Russian Language and Literature from Middlebury College, and her master’s degree in Library and Information Sciences from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She spent twenty-three years working at John Burroughs School, first as a librarian, and then as a computer teacher and academic technology specialist.

Jen is connected to Community School in many ways. Her daughter Maggie is a recent graduate, and Jen and her mother Judy Tisdale are alumnae, as well. Jen’s mother was Community School’s science teacher for thirty-eight years. In her spare time, Jen loves to garden and sit on her screened porch with a good book. She and Maggie have three cats. A fun fact: Jen spent five years working in Moscow as an interpreter and translator.

Sandra has her bachelor's degree in elementary education and her master's in special education/curriculum development from Boston College. She has been at the school since 2003, and has won Community's Lowenhaupt Award. Sandra enjoys traveling with her husband, John and visiting family in Boston. She and her husband have one son, a student at Community. Read more about Sandra in her Faculty Friday feature.

Veronique was born in Marseille, France, and moved to the United States in 2001. She joined the Community faculty in 2010. She began her studies at the Catholic Institute of Paris where she studied English. Veronique is fluent in French, Spanish, and English. Veronique and her husband Cyril have two children - Thomas and Sebastien. Veronique enjoys traveling, cooking, and scuba diving. Learn more about Veronique in her Faculty Friday profile.

Debbi has been a Community School librarian since 1999. Her undergraduate degree is from Saint Louis University and she has done post-graduate work in Library Science at the University of Missouri. After a career in banking, Debbi spent 15 years as a homemaker and community volunteer, particularly enjoying those hours spent helping out in school libraries. Her hobbies include gardening, tennis, travel and reading, and she is always ready to learn something new, or to go outside and play with her grandchildren.

Kathy is the Upper Division Science Teacher. Kathy received her Bachelor of Science degree in education from the University of Missouri Columbia and her M.A. in education from the University of Missouri St. Louis. She began her career teaching seventh grade science for nine years in a public school setting, then taught 4th-6th grade science for six years at Chesterfield Day School. Kathy lives in St. Charles with her husband Jason and daughter. During her free time, Kathy loves to travel, spend time outdoors, volunteer at church, and enjoy the company of her family and two cats. Read more about Kathy in her Faculty Friday feature.

Before coming to Community in 1994, Lori taught at a local high school. She received a bachelor of arts in French and education from St. Louis University and completed her master of arts in teaching at Webster University in 1998. In addition to her French credentials, she is a certified reading specialist. Lori was selected to participate in the New Technologies Institute at Iowa State University, as well as the FLES Institute sponsored by Concordia College. Lori has also shared her knowledge of French as an instructor for St. Louis Community College’s Continuing Education and College for Kids Programs. Lori and her husband have two children, one a Community graduate and the other a current student. She currently serves on the board of directors for the St. Louis Language Immersion School.

Abby holds a Masters in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Missouri - Columbia and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Missouri Baptist University. In 2019, she completed a Certificate in Advanced Educational Leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education. Her teaching experience in independent schools spans multiple years at the elementary level, having taught junior kindergarten, second grade, third grade, and fourth grade. In addition, Abby was the 2014 recipient of the Yvonne Banks Caring Teacher Award while working at Lake Forest Country Day School in Lake Forest, IL. She is also a teacher trainer for the Math in Focus program and facilitates professional development for schools across the country. She began working at Community School in 2015 in second grade and transitioned to the math specialist position in 2017.  

Nancy holds a B.S. in Exercise and Sport Science from Colorado State University, and joined Community in 2002. Nancy has taught P. E. both in the Webster Groves and Clayton School Districts. She has coached five different sports at the high school level (at five different high schools!). In addition, Nancy is a varsity Field Hockey coach at John Burroughs and a certified high school lacrosse official. She and her husband, Frank, have a daughter and a son, both graduates of Community School. In her spare time, Nancy enjoys playing and watching sports, coaching and photography.

Wayne joined Community in 2011 after five years at John Burroughs School, where he was a middle school P.E. teacher, as well as basketball, volleyball, and track and field coach. He remains the head JV Volleyball coach there. He has a masters in health and physical education from Northwest Missouri State University and an undergraduate degree in recreation and administration from Oral Roberts University. Wayne was born in Negril, Jamaica, and is a professional beach volleyball player, and represented Jamaica in Olympic qualifying beach volleyball. When he isn't training, Wayne enjoys playing volleyball, basketball, and going camping.