Spark center

Meet the Faculty

Quick Facts

What is the Spark Center?

THE SPARK CENTER FOR ACADEMICS IS SJA’S ACADEMIC CENTER. THE SPARK CENTER IS FOCUSED ON MEETING STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE ACADEMICALLY AND FOSTER A POSITIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCE. WE ARE OPEN EVERY CLASS PERIOD, LATE START WEDNESDAYS, AND THUNDERBLOCK. STAFFED BY A MATH TEACHER, AN ENGLISH TEACHER, AND FOUR SPARK PLUGS (STUDENT MENTORS), STUDENTS CAN STOP BY ANYTIME FOR ENRICHMENT, COLLABORATION, AND LEARNING. PLEASE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE YOUR SCHOOL WORK TO THE NEXT LEVEL! CHECK OUT THE VIDEO!

70% OF STUDENTS VISITED AT LEAST ONCE

4,600 visits in 2022-2023

Spark visits show Statistical improvement in ACT scores

Spark Faculty

Samantha Hendrix
Coordinator of Spark Center | Technology Teacher & Coach

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Samantha Hendrix
Coordinator of Spark Center | Technology Teacher & Coach | St. Catherine | Boys Swim

"Don't worry about tomorrow, you have enough to worry about today." - Matthew 6:34

Education

Emporia State University: Secondary Mathematics Education

Emporia State University: Instructional Design & Technology

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Ian Jones
Student Services Support/College Explorations Teacher

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Ian Jones
Student Services Support/College Explorations Teacher

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Evan Bradfield
English Teacher

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Evan Bradfield
English Teacher | Gregory | Coach, Science Olympiad; Coach, Scholar's Bowl; Sponsor, Vinyl Club

Mr. Bradfield seeks to vibrantly live out his vocation as husband and father. He loves being "Dad" and enjoys working around the house, writing, and cycling. Mr. Bradfield's passion for God, literature, and people intersect perfectly in his job teaching at SJA!

"Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name." Psalms 86:11

Education

Benedictine College: English and Secondary Education, Minor in Theology

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Jacqueline Kopitke
English Teacher

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Jacqueline Kopitke
English Teacher | St. Teresa

"Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect" -- Romans 12:2

Education

Benedictine College; Bachelors Secondary Education and English, Theology Minor

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Olivia Martin
English Teacher

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Olivia Martin
English Teacher

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Justin Snell
Math / P.E. Teacher

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Justin Snell
Math / P.E. Teacher | Dean of St. Gregory | Head Girls Basketball Coach, SPARK & Sophomore Seminar

Mr. Snell is a proud husband to Kressa, and father to Julius and Adriana. Mr. Snell is a fan of almost all sports and in his spare time enjoys playing basketball and hanging out with the family.

Mark 11:22-24 - “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Education

Newman University: Business Administration

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Lauren Surface
English Teacher

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Lauren Surface
English Teacher

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St. James the Greater cartoon icon with thunder storm in background
Sheridan Mahoney
Math Teacher

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St. James the Greater cartoon icon with thunder storm in background

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Sheridan Mahoney
Math Teacher

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Stacey Rains
English Teacher, World Languages

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Stacey Rains
English Teacher, World Languages | Catherine

Romans 8:28

Certifications

Certification in Youth Ministry through Franciscan University of Steubenville

Education

Benedictine College: English and Secondary Education

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Hether Lytton
English Teacher

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Hether Lytton
English Teacher

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Anna Kayser
Math Teacher

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Anna Kayser
Math Teacher

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Lindsey Dermer
Math Teacher

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Lindsey Dermer
Math Teacher

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Spark Plugs (Students)

Spark Plugs are students in the Spark Center chosen to help others with the academic questions they come in for help with.

First Name Last Name Recommended Subject
Malori Ard Math
Frankie Book English
Lakyn Bradley English
Adrianna Brady English
Grace Burns English
Ella Culliss English
Reagan Davis Math
Matthew Free Math
Claire Green English
Andrew Hartegan English
John Jacobson Math
Leah Johnson Math
Bella Jurado English
Gemma Klassen English
Ellie Lopeman Math
Blake Mathy Math
Emma Mestemacher English
Amelia Miller English
Sophia Neat English
Gabriella Nguyen English
John Niesen Math
Jacob Oberrieder Math
Robert Ochs Math
Paloma Piencka English
Kendal Radke English
Abraham Rome Math
Ty Roshau Math
Andrew Saville Math
Sophy Saykally Math
Lexi Sher Math
Bri Simms Math
Lauren Stanley English
Gabriel Sydzyik Math
Salvador Valldeperas English
Aly VanNievwenhuyse English
Jenna Wilken English