ST MARY - Key Persons

Ben Vattanonta

Job Titles:

Member of the Faculty and Staff

Miss Miller grew up and still resides in Solvang. She attended Cal Poly, SLO for a BA in Liberal Studies with a Music Minor, then went on to Chapman University to receive her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Her first full time teaching experience was at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in Montecito where she taught 2nd Grade for 6 years.

Miss Julissa Diaz

Job Titles:

Assistant
Instructional Assistant, Grades 2 & 3

Miss Julissa Diaz is the instructional assistant for first and second grade. She has been working at St. Mary's since 2020 and has grown a huge appreciation for the school since. She has been dedicated to working and helping kids since 2017. She loves helping and assisting the students she gets to work with in their education and any aspect of life. Outside of working at St. Mary's she spends her free time with her son and working on her own education. She enjoys taking trips to the beach, discovering new places with her son and being out in nature.

Mr. Albert Andrade

Job Titles:

Seventh Grade Teacher

Mr. Colton Senter

Job Titles:

Fourth Grade Teacher

Mrs. Anita Tubbs

Job Titles:

Teacher

Mrs. Celene Chavez

Job Titles:

Kindergarten Instructional Assistant

Celene Chavez is the new after care attendant. She has dedícated her past six years working around children. Celene has two kids of her own, one who is also a student at St. Mary's.

Mrs. Christina Miller

Job Titles:

Eighth Grade Teacher

Mrs. Christina Miller began her teaching career in 1999, and started at St. Mary's teaching 6th grade in 2011. In 2022, Mrs. Miller moved to teach 8th grade and continued teaching middle school science. Mrs. Miller was born and raised in this area and both her parents' families are Santa Maria pioneers, so she has lots of family here. She graduated from Allan Hancock College, then received her Bachelor of Science in Human Development from Cal Poly, and her teaching credential from Chapman University. Her newest hobby is beekeeping and she looks forward to sharing information about bees with her students.

Mrs. Diana Fernandez

Job Titles:

School Secretary

Mrs. Diana Fernandez started working here at St. Mary's School in late April 2022. She is the Office Secretary. She enjoys being able to help and assist students and families in any way that she can. Outside of work, Mrs. Fernandez loves to spend time with her daughters and husband. On her free time, she enjoys to get creative and work with her Cricut Machine and DIY! She is looking forward to this year!

Mrs. Erica Stevens

pr..@stmarysschoolsm.com

Job Titles:

Principal
Principal / Principal Stmarysschoolsm.Com

Mrs. Kathy Blessing

Job Titles:

After - Care Director
Director of the After School Program

Mrs. Blessing is the director of the After School Program. She has worked for St Mary's School for several years and has been a part of the St. Mary's community as a parent and staff for over 25 years. She is married and has two daughters both graduated from St. Mary's School. She is looking forward to a new school year.

Mrs. Laura Diaz

Job Titles:

Fifth Grade Teacher

Mrs. Diaz attended San Francisco State University. She participated in track and field and upon graduation, returned to Lompoc to attend Brandman University. She first taught at La Purisima in Lompoc for 3 years and coached high school track. She then became part of the St. Mary's family and this will be her 7th year teaching at St. Mary's. She has 2 young boys who are in preschool and 3rd grade.

Mrs. Margarita Arriaga

sc..@stmarysschoolsm.com

Job Titles:

Office Manager

Mrs. Arriaga has been the office Manager for St. Mary's School since 2019. She brings administrative experience in Office Management of over ten years. She feels blessed being able to work where she is able to practice her faith and watch children grow spiritually and academically. She enjoys spending time with her family and cooking. She has two children; one attending St. Mary's School and one attending St. Mary's Preschool.

Mrs. Mary Beth Wilburn

Job Titles:

Third Grade Teacher

Mrs. Wilburn is the 3rd grade teacher at St. Mary's. This is her 6th year of teaching in Catholic Schools and she recently earned a Master's Degree in Education. She spends her free time with her son who is in preschool, and her husband who is the Youth Minister at St. Louis De Montfort Catholic Church.