Kelly Alfieri
Assistant Athletic Director | Kelly has served as the assistant athletic director since 2011 and the CYO athletic director since 2008. She earned an athletic scholarship to Oregon State University where she competed in track for four years. Kelly earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology and worked in the Human Performance Laboratory for OHSU before becoming a full-time mother. She was an active volunteer parent in the Valley Catholic grade school before becoming involved in the athletic department. All six of her children have attended Valley Catholic.
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Amy Andrus
First Grade Instructional Assistant | Amy Andrus joined Valley Catholic in 2022 as a First Grade Instructional Assistant. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Cincinnati, where she was born and raised. Amy moved to Oregon in 1995 from Charlottesville, Virginia, where she worked as Program Manager for the UVA Darden School Executive Education program, a job that had Amy working with executives from every corner of the globe. Amy moved to Vaxjo, Sweden, in 1997 for a year of adventure. After returning to Portland, Amy met her husband, Derek. They welcomed their son, Finnegan, in 2009. Finnegan is a 7th grader here at VCMS. In her free time Amy enjoys writing stories and poems, baking, destination half marathons, traveling the world, seeing live music, the ballet, swimming, hiking, reading, and making memories with her beloved family and friends. Amy is very happy to share this time at Valley Catholic with her son and has appreciated the warmth and kindness from the entire VCES community.
Email: [email protected]...Zach Bromert
Julie Canoy
Administrative Assistant | Julie Canoy joined the front office staff at Valley Catholic Elementary School in April 2022. Before that she was an instructional assistant for 10 years in first grade and kindergarten. Before joining Valley Catholic, Julie was a full-time mom, raising her two children with her husband. Both children also attended Valley Catholic. Julie also spent more than 10 years in human resources, most recently with a major medical device company in Beaverton. Her interests and hobbies include traveling, crafting ceramics, painting, photography and spending time with her family: Robert, Stephanie, and Martin.
...Tricia Croy
Third Grade Teacher | Tricia Croy has enjoyed teaching at Valley Catholic Elementary School for more than 20 years. She currently teaches third grade. Her favorite subjects to teach are math and science. Tricia received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Portland. Tricia grew up in Lake Oswego, Oregon. She enjoys reading, hiking, cycling and spending time with her family. One of her goals is to visit all of the national parks.
...Caroline Custino
Sydney Davies
Social-Emotional Learning and Behavior Specialist | Sydney Davies is a proud member of the Beaverton community and excited to continue getting to know all the students at VCES. She attended Pacific Lutheran University and continued at Central Washington University where she earned a master's degree in Family and Child Life. She is passionate about working with children to find different ways to reduce stress and anxiety in a school environment. She loves getting to know kids at lunch and recess, and can be seen going into classrooms during religion, art, and SecondStep lessons. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her dogs and getting outside to go running, skiing, or biking. With the combination of her passion for kids, education, and faith, Sydney is excited to continue supporting the students of Valley Catholic Elementary School.
...Sarah Davis
VCES Vice Principal | Sarah Davis earned her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Linfield College (now Linfield University) in McMinnville, Oregon, and her Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Utah. Sarah taught grades 1-2 in the Greater Albany Public School District 8J. She then taught children with dyslexia and language processing disorders in grades 3-12 at Park Academy in Lake Oswego. At Park Academy, she was an Assessment and Data Specialist, created a school-wide assessment protocol, served as a liaison for local public school districts, and coordinated student profiles, education mapping plans and service learning experiences. She then became a principal for hospitalized youth and children in long-term care and treatment. Sarah is thrilled to be a member of the Valley Catholic community.
[email protected]Erin DeClark
Sally Delplanche
Spanish Teacher | Sally (Deans) Delplanche became the Valley Catholic Elementary Spanish teacher in the fall of 2012, after 17 years of teaching English as a Second Language and Spanish Immersion in the David Douglas and Beaverton School Districts. She first joined the Valley community as a substitute teacher in 2010, and prior to that had been a Valley parent and volunteer since 2001. Sally came to Oregon from her hometown of Billings, Montana, to attend and graduate from Pacific University with both a bachelor’s degree (Spanish language and international studies) and a master’s degree in education. Sally has also studied abroad, having lived in Huancayo, Peru, and Guayaquil, Ecuador. Sally serves as a extraordinary minister in her parish, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Aloha. Sally is married to Dr. Remy Delplanche, O.D., and together they have four children: Remy, graduate of VCMS in 2012, and Claire, graduate of VCMS in 2013, and Olivia, graduate of VCHS in 2020, and Gabriel, a future graduate in 2025. In 2017, Sra. Delplanche was awarded the VCES Spirit award by her fellow staff, and she continues to love being a part of the VCS community.
...Melissa Doxtator
VCES Principal | Melissa Doxtator is a K-12 alum of Valley Catholic who graduated in 2002. After graduating, she attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, where she earned a BA in History and Education in 2006, and began teaching at St. Anthony School. She attended Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee and earned a MS in Educational Leadership and Administration in 2010. She then became an assistant principal at St. Anthony School. In 2013, her family decided to relocate back to Oregon, and she was hired at St. Joseph School in Salem as principal. After three years at St. Joseph School, a position at Valley Catholic became available and she could not pass up the opportunity. She and her husband have three children, who are all currently attending Valley Catholic and are thrilled.
...Melissa Efstathiou
P.E. Instructional Assistant | Melissa Efstathiou came to Valley Catholic Elementary School from Holy Trinity Parish School in Beaverton, where she worked for 18 years as an extended care director, instructional assistant, and in library media. She also worked one year at Cathedral School. Melissa is not new to the Valley Catholic family; she was the varsity volleyball assistant coach from 1996-2011. She was the varsity volleyball assistant coach at Westview High School from 2012-2016, before returning to Valley Catholic as the head coach for JV volleyball. Melissa’s two sons graduated from Valley Catholic High School. Her youngest son is a teacher in the Valley Catholic Middle School.
...Kelsey Griswold
Kindergarten Teacher | Kelsey Griswold joined the Valley Catholic community in August 2014 as a first-grade teacher. In 2017, she moved from first grade to Kindergarten. Kelsey grew up in Portland, attending All Saints School and Central Catholic High School. She then moved to Eugene for college where she earned a bachelor's degree in sociology with a minor in special education from the University of Oregon. After graduating, Kelsey remained in Eugene to earn her master's degree in elementary education with an English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) endorsement. Kelsey enjoys hiking, baking and spending time with family and friends. She has a love of children and is inspired by their curious minds and sweet hearts.
...Connie Heger
Fifth Grade Teacher | Connie Heger enjoys teaching fifth grade at Valley Catholic Elementary. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from St. Cloud State University and a master's degree in teaching from Pacific University. While teaching at Valley Catholic, she was awarded “Teacher of the Week” sponsored by K103. Throughout her teaching career she has taught second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eight grades in Minnesota, California and Oregon. Her interests and hobbies are traveling, hiking, photography, exercising, gardening, cooking, biking, arts and crafts, reading and spending time with family and friends.
...Eric Holstrom
Physical Education Teacher | Eric Holstrom has served as the elementary physical education teacher at Valley Catholic since 1986. He has been the head coach for the Valley CYO swim team for the since 1989 and also enjoys coaching cross country and track. Before coming to Valley Catholic, he worked for the Evergreen School District in Washington state as their assistant outdoor school director and as the program director for the YMCA’s Camp Collins. Eric is a runner and outdoor enthusiast. He does search and rescue as a member of the Mt. Ski Patrol’s Nordic Patrol. He has led numerous backpack and canoe trips throughout the Western United States and Canada as a Boy Scout leader. Eric holds a degree in human development and performance from the University of Oregon. Eric’s wife Ann is also a teacher.
...Monique Ierardi
Second and Fourth Grade Instructional Assistant | Monique Ierardi came to Valley Catholic in 2012 as an instructional assistant. Before that she was an IA at St. Mary Catholic School in Stayton, OR. Monique completed the teacher education program and received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from St. Anselm College. After graduation, she volunteered as a youth minister in Hawthorne, CA, worked as a youth minister at St. Joseph and Queen of Peace Parishes in Salem, OR, and was blessed to be a stay-at-home mom for 11 years. Monique’s husband, Doug, is a teacher and coach at Valley Catholic High School. Their three children, Allison (2016), Matthew (2018), and Joseph (2021), all graduated from VCHS.
...Carrie Keeler
Akhila Madhusudan
Second Grade Instructional Assistant | Akhila has been with Valley Catholic Elementary School for 10 years. Before joining the Valley Catholic community, she gained valuable experience working in K-5 and preschool classrooms. She loves the energy and joy that comes from being with children. She holds a master's degree in Commerce and worked in the banking industry for 10 years before becoming an educator. Akhila volunteers extensively by providing meals to homeless shelters and family support groups. She has also coached for Portland Girls on the Run. She loves the Pacific Northwest and enjoys taking walks, hiking and biking. She and her husband are parents to a son who is a software engineer and a daughter who is studying biology in college.
...Cindie LoCascio
Tom Losch
Fourth Grade Teacher | Originally from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Tom earned his bachelors degree from Penn State University where he majored in hospitality management and minored in theater arts. He earned his master of arts in teaching from the University of Portland. When he is outside of the classroom, Tom enjoys spending time with his family and dog, reading, coaching basketball, cooking, road trips, camping, running, paddleboarding, listening to music, and movies.
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Audrey Muller
MJ Nickless
Jillian Bell Nelson
Jessica Norton
Anna Parker
Eric Pennick
Emily Pockat
Music Teacher | Emily Pockat went to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and graduated with a degree in instrumental music education. After graduating in 2007, she moved to Las Vegas where she taught for thirteen years teaching elementary general music, middle school and high school orchestra, high school band, choir, mariachi, and guitar. In 2015, Emily earned her masters in curriculum development and instruction with Walden University. She moved to Beaverton in 2019, where she accepted the position of elementary music teacher at VCES. She feels very blessed to be given the opportunity to work at this amazing school.
...Deidre Pribula
Second Grade Teacher | Deidre Pribula joined Valley Catholic in January 2017. She has worked for Catholic schools for 11 years. Pribula received her degree in early childhood education from Western Governors University and has taught pre-K, kindergarten, first and now second grade. Her favorite things are teaching, her family and her faith. She is excited about sacramental preparation formation and loves her parish at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. She and her husband, Paul, have two adult children. When not at school she loves gardening, traveling, hiking, trips to the beach, knitting and crocheting, and spending time with family and friends.
...Christine Rhoney
Daniel Rodriguez
Catherine Sand
Kim Smith
Learning Support Specialist | Kim Smith is a learning specialist at Valley Catholic Elementary School. She joined the Valley Catholic School community in 2014 after relocating to the Portland area from Columbus, Ohio. Kim grew up in Ohio, attending Catholic schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. She comes from a long line of educators. In 2002, Kim earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Bowling Green State University. She spent the next 10 years as a Catholic school teacher in a third-grade classroom working with students and families from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. With the desire to learn the most effective strategies to meet the needs of all learners, Kim went on to earn her master’s degree in special education from The Ohio State University in 2011. Upon completion of her master’s degree, Kim transitioned from teaching third grade to working as an intervention specialist for third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students. In addition to loving her career as an educator, Kim is happily married to her high school sweetheart, Nick. They have two boys, both who attend Valley Catholic School. When not at work, you can find Kim at the ice rink where both of her boys are busy with hockey!
...Megan Smith
Second Grade Teacher | Megan Smith joined the Valley Catholic Community in 2014. She was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. She attended Catholic schools from Pre-K through 12th grade. In 2011, she earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Concordia University. In the summer of 2018, she returned to Concordia University to receive her master’s in curriculum and instruction in reading. Megan currently lives in North Portland and enjoys reading, boating, playing games, cooking, cruises, going to Bend, and spending time with friends and family.
...Anne Storm
First Grade Teacher | A native of the Portland area, Anne Storm graduated from Central Catholic High School and the University of Portland, where she earned her undergrad and graduate degrees. Before coming to Valley Catholic in 2016, she worked with youth in Santiago, Chile, for a year. She also taught at St. Luke School in Woodburn and at Holy Cross Catholic School in Portland. She is married with two children. When not at school, Anne enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, gardening, and spending time in nature. She feels very blessed to be part of the Valley Catholic community.
...Angela Tuck
Kindergarten Instructional Assistant | Angela Tuck is in her 2nd year at Valley Catholic. She received her bachelors degree in Human Development and Early Childhood Education with a minor in business administration from Oregon State University. She has most recently worked as a preschool teacher. She and her husband Jeff have 3 daughters; one attending college in New Mexico, one a senior at Jesuit and one in 7th grade at Valley Catholic Middle School. As a family, they love sports. Angela has assisted her husband in coaching basketball and softball for many years and they enjoy watching their kids play sports.
...Karen Tucker
Jessica Walther
Administrative Assistant | Jessica Walther joined the front office staff at Valley Catholic Elementary School in August 2014. As a graduate of Valley Catholic High School (1998), she enjoys being back on campus and being a part of the Valley Catholic community. Prior to this, Jessica was a stay at home mom, then moved into billing for the medical field once her children entered school. Jessica’s interests include spending time at the beach and at the barn, golfing, watching her son compete in Drum Corp, her daughter compete with her equestrian team and spending time with her husband, Jason.
...Kathryn Welsh
Math Specialist | Kathryn Welsh joined Valley Catholic Middle School in December 2016 as a part-time math teacher. Currently, she is the math specialist, providing support for Kindergarten through Fifth grade. Previously, she has taught at Mt. View Middle School and substituted for both the elementary and middle school. She completed her master’s degree in 2013 at George Fox University earning a master’s degree in education. Outside of teaching, Kathryn enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling to see her children, attending sports events, and crafting.
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