St. Wendel Catholic School

I received my Bachelor's of Science Degree in Elementary Education (1-8) and minored in Generic Special Education (K-12).  I was granted a Lifetime License through the State of Texas at Southwest Texas State University and have had additional training in Catholic Youth Ministry and Early Childhood Education.  Currently, I am a Member of 4C Southern Indiana, Inc. where I am continuing my course work in Early Childhood Education and am an active member at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church.

Biography:

I have been teaching in a wide variety of eductional and spiritual areas since 1987.  For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be in a position where I can help and serve others.  Both my parents were great role models in serving others through their career choices and community involvement.  In my sophomore year in college, I choose the field of elementary education.  My first teaching position was as a Vocational Teacher of Autistic Children and Adults at Children's Learning Center in San Antonio, Texas.  I taught two years there and then returned to school and received my certification in both Elementary Education and Generic Special Education.  Upon completion, I taught at Holy Rosary Catholic School as the Fifth Grade Teacher for one year and then was offered a position with the Northside Independent School District.  My first placement was at Mackey Vocational Training School for three years.  After that, I went to Meadow Village Elementary as the Inclusionary Teacher for first, second, and fourth grade students.

During my 11 years of teaching, I was also very involved with the youth ministry at St. Mark's Catholic Church as an adult volunteer.  This is where I heard God calling me into youth ministry full-time.  I resigned from teaching and became the Director of Youth Ministry for St. Luke's Catholic Church for three beautiful years.  Towards the end of my third year, I met and married my husband Kerry Kippes.  Shortly thereafter, we were blessed with our wonderful son, Joseph Lee.  After much discernment, I returned to teaching but in the private setting of St. John Bosco Catholic School whereI was the First and Second Grade Teacher and Team Leader.  But once again, God had other plans for me,  and I was given a position at St. Matthew Catholic School and the First GradeTeacher and After School Care Provider.  Both were wonderful opportunities. 

In January of 2005, my family and I moved to the great state of Indiana where I was a stay at home mom for about nine months and then ventured out and was hired as the Lead Teacher of the TwoYear Olds and the Pre-K2 Classrooms at Royal Child Care and Kindergarten.  In 2007, I was offered the teaching position at St. Wendel to begin its first Pre-School an d Pre-Kindergarten Programs and just recently, have been nominated for the Who's Who Among American Teachers.

I reside in Evansville, Indiana with my loving husband, Kerry.  We have one super son, Joseph Lee and two active dogs, Chewy age 12 and Lucky 10 months old.  Trust me they are more human than dog, so really we have three sons.  Both my husband and I are active parishioners at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church where we serve on the Men and Women CRHP Retreat Teams, Eucharistic Ministers, Knights of Columbus Officer, VBS Teacher, and where Joseph attends Pre-K.  As one might be able to tell, The Kippes Family, has made Indiana our home. 

Fun Fact:

You can take the girl out of Texas, but you can't take the Texas of the girl, especially the San Antonio Spurs, a stroll on the San Antonio River Walk, the Texas Two Step, and real Tex - Mex Food.  I love hot off the grill homemade, tortillas and fajitas.  It's a match made in heaven or at least in South Texas. 

         Preschool Newsletter 

            June 3, 2010