Kimberly Koch, School Administrator / Principal
Kim is beginning her 30th year at St. Mary’s Academy and her 18th year serving as school administrator. She is passionate about “instilling strong morals and values while providing an excellent academic education.” One of the things Kim enjoys most about her role is the close collaboration among students, staff, and families.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Linfield College and a Master of Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University.
Kim and her husband, Brian—a St. Mary’s alum—are the proud parents of two SMA alumni: Ethan and Emma.
Wendy Palmer, Development Director / SMA Foundation Executive Director
Now in her 23rd year at St. Mary’s Academy, Wendy leads the school’s fundraising efforts and coordinates with the St. Mary’s Academy Foundation of The Dalles Board. With the support of dedicated volunteers, she manages multiple projects and events throughout the year. “What I appreciate most about my work is the strong sense of family and community that surrounds St. Mary’s,” she shares.
Wendy and her husband, Bob, are parents of two SMA alumni. Jordan is an actor who graduated in 2019 from The Boston Conservatory at Berklee with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, and Emily is a wildland firefighter with the USFS and a 2022 graduate of the University of Idaho.
Angela Jones, SMA Foundation Marketing & Alumni Cultivation Coordinator
Angela joined the SMA team in 2023 as the Foundation’s Marketing & Alumni Cultivation Coordinator, bringing both her marketing expertise and strong community connections. She earned her Marketing degree from Eastern Washington University and works at Columbia Gorge Community College, where she previously served in the Nursing and Health Occupations department and now serves as the AHA Training Center Coordinator.
A proud alumna and parent of two current SMA students, Angela and her husband are raising their family in the Gorge, continuing the SMA tradition.
Amy Dabulskis, Secretary
This is Amy’s second full year in the SMA family. She was raised in Sherman County and graduated from The College of Idaho in 2021; where she studied History, Spanish, Natural Science and Business.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time in the outdoors hunting and fishing, as well as spending time with family and friends.
Amy loves working at SMA because every day is a chance to learn something new.
Extended Care & Pre-School
Kristin Chambers, Extended Care Coordinator / Pre-School Teache
Ginger Ranslam, Extended Care Coordinator
Ginger has been a part of the SMA team since 2015. She was born and raised in The Dalles and has been working with children of all ages since graduating high school. She attended Eastern Oregon University where she studied Psychology and Theatre.
Her favorite part of working with kids is that they always keep her laughing.
Primary School
Renee McCabe, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Renee celebrates her 20th year here at St. Mary’s Academy as our Pre-Kindergarten teacher. Renee came to SMA with many years of experience teaching preschool in The Dalles.
Renee and her husband Dale have two children; Austin and McKenzie, who both attended and graduated from Oregon State University – Go Beavers!!
Yessi Michaels,Pre-Kindergarten Aide
Jody Brace, Kindergarten Teacher
Jody begins her 23rd year at St. Mary’s Academy as our kindergarten teacher. Jody graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from Oregon State University and received her Master’s Degree from Portland State University. Jody enjoys working with the kindergarteners because they are so curious and eager to learn.
.In her spare time, Jody enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with her husband Dan, two daughters, Josie and Brandi, who are SMA Alums.
Jessi Bennett, First Grade
Jessi begins her 8th year as our first-grade teacher. She graduated from Western Oregon University with her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education. Before leaving to work on her degree, Jessi worked for seven years in our extended care. She is excited to be back with the St. Mary’s family!
Kelsey Wallace, Second Grade
Kelsey is beginning her 12th year as a teacher at St. Mary’s. This will be her tenth year teaching 2nd grade. Kelsey graduated from Oregon State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Sciences with an Early Childhood option and completed her Master’s of Education at the University of Grand Canyon.
Candice Polehn, Third Grade
Brittany Drewett, Third Grade
Our Third Grade team is beginning their second full year together. Brittany’s more than 10 years of teaching experience, with a Master’s of Arts in teaching and an ESOL Endorsement will continue to support Candice as she works toward her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and transitions her Washington license to Oregon.
This partnership allows both teachers to grow professionally while supporting their young families.
Mindy Lenardson, Fourth Grade
Mindy Lenardson begins her second year at St. Mary’s Academy as the fourth grade teacher, bringing eight years of classroom experience and a strong connection to the school—both of her children are SMA alumni.
A native Oregonian, Mindy has lived throughout the state and earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Eastern Oregon University and a DVM from Oregon State University/ Washington State University. In 2017, she returned to pursue her passion for education, completing a Master of Education at Eastern Oregon University. Before coming to St. Mary’s, she taught 2nd and 3rd grades at Dry Hollow Elementary.
Mindy and her husband are proud of their two children: Megan, a lance corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, and Everest, a senior at The Dalles High School who plans to pursue engineering in college.
Catherine Powell, Fifth Grade
Catherine begins her second year teaching fifth grade at St. Mary’s Academy. She is originally from New Hampshire, where she obtained her Bachelor’s from Thomas More College of Liberal Arts. Catherine is currently pursing her Master’s in Elementary Education from Western Governors University.
Catherine moved to The Dalles six years ago from eastern Kansas with her husband and two children. When she is not teaching, Catherine and her family enjoy camping, hiking, paddleboarding, reading, baking, cooking, and playing board games.
Ginger Ranslam, Physical Education
This is Ginger’s second year as our Physical Education teacher. Her favorite ways to stay active are playing volleyball, disc golf, and pickleball. Ginger graduated from EOU with a degree in interdisciplinary studies.
Middle School
Carrie Seitz, Language Arts / Math
Carrie is the Language Arts teacher for the middle school. Her favorite reasons for teaching at SMA include the great kids, small classes, and wonderful staff; this is Carrie’s 27th year teaching at SMA.
Carrie holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Masters in Teaching, from Eastern Oregon University. Carrie and her husband, Tim, have two wonderful children: Hanna age 27, and Michael, age 19. In her spare time, Carrie enjoys reading, baking, and putting together puzzles.
Darcey Hodges, Social Studies / Math
Darcey is beginning her 9th year at St. Mary’s Academy as our Social Studies teacher. Darcey graduated from WOU and holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching form EOU.
Darcey coaches soccer for TDHS girls soccer team and has three very active kids. They love playing sports, hiking, and fishing and are always looking for their next adventure.
Greg Johnson, Science / Math
Greg is beginning his 12th year at St. Mary’s Academy as our Middle School Science teacher. Greg moved to The Dalles in May of 1985 after receiving his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Washington State University.
Greg owns a farm on Three Mile Road where they grow sweet cherries, and raise pigs and goats. Greg has played, refereed, and coached soccer since he was seven years old. Greg also coaches our SMA Cross Country Team and is a Director at Northern Wasco PUD. He enjoys playing pickleball and vacationing on the coast.
Greg has two children: Laura, age 34, and Mark age 31, both attended St. Mary’s Academy.
Rebecca Gooch, Choir
Rebecca begins her fifth year on the St. Mary’s Academy staff. Rebecca grew up in The Dalles. She has spent much of her adult life involved in music. She has taught piano and voice for many years, participated in community musicals, and choirs, and as lead singer for the ensemble Europatopia.
She is married to Marty and has three adult children, three grandchildren, and a sweet little rat terrier named Ronnie. She enjoys CHOIR! calligraphy, all kinds of music, dancing, reading, hiking, kayaking, oh many things! Her favorite color is bluish-green, and her favorite treats are salted caramel or rosemary almonds.
Ann Scherzinger, Band
Our band teacher, Ann, is an alum of SMA and begins her fourth year here at St. Mary’s. She has a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Oregon and over 30 years of experience teaching all types of music in both the classroom and private settings.
A recent returnee to The Dalles, Ann enjoys playing her flute in The Gorge Winds and spending time working in her garden. Most of all, she treasures the time she gets to spend with her dad.
Father Rene Labrador, Pastor / Religion
Father Rene begins his fourth year as Pastor at St. Peter Church and his third year as Middle School Religion teacher at St. Mary’s Academy. Born in Marinduque, Philippines, he was ordained a priest on May 18, 1991, and has over 31 years of ministry experience both in the Philippines and across the United States.
Before coming to St. Peter, Father Rene taught philosophy and served as a seminary formator and spiritual director, and has ministered in parishes in Texas, Kansas, and California. He is passionate about guiding students in their faith, helping them grow spiritually and academically, and building a strong, caring community.
Father Rene enjoys greeting students and families in the mornings, joining PE classes or sports practices when his schedule allows, and playing guitar to sing and share music with students in the classroom or during school Mass.
Environmental Services
Jose Elizarraras, Environmental Services
Jose begins his 8th year at St. Mary’s Academy. We are thrilled to have Jose on our team.
Araceli Perez, Environmental Services
Araceli begins her 8th year at St. Mary’s Academy. We are so lucky to have Araceli on our team.