Kindergarten

Carol Obenauer - Kindergarten Teacher: 

"St. Patrick's School provides a supportive environment, all the way from administration to parents, students, and teachers," says Carol Obenauer, one of our kindergarten teachers. "Encouragement is always available. Parents are very receptive and always willing to help! The students are bright and hard-working. I love being able to share my Catholic faith with such an eager audience!"

Carol has been teaching on and off since 1984 and has been with St. Patrick's School since its beginning. After her second child was born, Carol took a break from teaching to do some grant-writing, open an after-school program, and be a stay-at-home mom. Now she is delighted to be back in the classroom. "I believe every child is created good, and all children can learn!" Carol says. "It is my job to help them remain good children and to help establish a foundation to grow into good Catholic adults. I need to challenge each child and provide a variety of teaching styles so I can meet each child's learning style. I want to help each child become the best he or she can be -- spiritually, emotionally, physically, and academically."

 In her free time, Carol enjoys reading and spending time with her family, especially in outdoor activities.

Mary Jane Smith - Kindergarten Teacher: 

I have been a member of the St. Patrick's School family since 2004.  I am thrilled to be a part of this strong, faith-filled community!

I have been teaching since 1978.  Twenty-three of those years have been in Kindergarten at a Catholic School in Bellevue.  Prior to that I taught second grade in a small, rural school southwest of Lincoln.

The Kindergarten classroom is the place to be!  It is filled with God's presence, new challenges, new friends, and plenty of fun and excitement.

The eagerness of a kindergartener to learn is very contagious.  This year the children will be exposed to different learning strategies that will  help them grow academically and socially.  Our Catholic environment allows us to have the Lord present in every part of our day and to grow to be compassionate, caring children of God.

Originally from Lincoln, my husband and I have raised our family in West Omaha.  We have two sons, Logan and Will.  Our family enjoys going to sporting events together, especially Nebraska football games...we're Big Red fans.  In my spare time I love to read and work around our house.

Ashley Vandyke - Kindergarten Teacher: 

I am so excited to be a part of St Patrick’s School. Everyone has been so welcoming; I couldn't ask for a better place. I am looking forward to meeting all my little Kindergarteners and their families!

I graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University in May of 2003. Since graduating I have been a third grade teacher, a nanny, a substitute teacher in Lincoln Public Schools and Waverly, and also been working towards my masters in Curriculum and Instruction.

In my spare time I like to hang out with my friends and family, exercise, attend sporting events and movies.

 Jen Mezzacasa - Kindergarten Teacher's Assistant

I have known that I was called to work with children since my own childhood...it has always been my passion!  Growing up in Kansas City, Missouri, I immediately sought out the Child Development program at Penn Valley College to start reaching my goal.  I moved to Omaha in 2001 and created a nanny placement agency, NannySource.  At NannySource, I was able to assist over 340 families in locating quality childcare for the little ones.  I also worked directly with our nannies teaching them to crate lesson plans, developmental plans and discipline strategies.   

I felt truely blessed to be a part of so many important familial decions through my business, but I missed working directly with children.  When my daughter began attending St. Pat's in August of 2006, I knew that this was a wonderful environment and found myself volunteering for everything under the sun just to be here!  Before I knew it, I had closed my business and took a position as a teacher's assistant.   

Working so closely with all of these little guys and gals is really my dream come true.  I believe that each child is special and wonderful in their own unique way.  As a parent, I know how important these early years are and I love that I get to be a part of the lives of so many children!   

Joni Powers - Kindergarten Teacher's Assistant:

Our family joined St. Patrick’s Parish 5 years ago after moving to West Omaha from Denver, Colorado.  We were immediately impressed by the warm welcome we received from this amazing Catholic community!

I graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Early Childhood Development, and have also worked towards my Elementary Teaching License.  I have been a stay-at-home Mom to our 3 children for the past 9 years, and look forward to joining them at St. Patrick’s School this 2007 school year as a full-time Kindergarten Teacher Assistant.   I have also enjoyed volunteering for various school committees as well as parish ministries.

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work alongside our talented teachers and staff as well as be a part of the growth and development of our school.  I love the excitement of the Kindergarten class and seeing all the new Kindergartners grow and learn each and every day!

Dana Gerten - Kindergarten Teacher's Assistant