CATHOLIC SCHOOL - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Athletics Director, Safety Coordinator
Ann Quinlan has been at SJPII for seven years and she welcomes all comers. She started on this journey when her son was in the first grade. She worked in aftercare her first year at this school and then moved into our first grade TA position. She enjoys assisting the children with reading, writing, math, and other tasks. Ms. Quinlan is married and has one son, their family living right here in Southern Pines. They all have a love for the area and the community here.
Mr. Laughlin comes to us with a background in public service after having studied political science at Western Carolina University and philosophy under Dr. William Beidler, director of the Non-Western Studies Program at Guilford College, Greensboro. He retired from the United States Postal Service after thirty years in 2014, and he now enjoys spending time with us here as caretaker and handyman. Alongside his wife Patty and his son Chris, other valued members of our community, Mr. Laughlin additionally pursues an enthusiasm for studying epistemology.
Job Titles:
- Position: 1st Grade Teacher
Education Background: BA in Philosophy and Latin St. Bernard College, Cullman, Alabama
Experience:
Teacher of Latin, Economics, and English at Norfolk Academy
Business Officer for 4 NAIS Schools in the Southeast
Owner of The Barter Authority in Norfolk, Virginia
Bookkeeper for St. Anthony
Educational Background: Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Human Development and Family Studies - Auburn University Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (PBC) in Birth through Kindergarten Initial Licensure - University of North Carolina Greensboro
Currently pursuing a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Educational Leadership - Wheeling University
Job Titles:
- Parochial Vicar, Sacred Heart Church
Job Titles:
- Pastor, Sacred Heart Church
Job Titles:
- Pastor, St. Anthony 's Church
Job Titles:
- Art Teacher, Pre - K - 8th Grade
Educational Background: Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications and Master of Education degree specializing in elementary education
Years of Experience: This will be Jenny Peters' ninth year in education and her fifth year teaching art at SJPII
Favorite Quote: "Peace begins with a smile." -Mother Teresa
Job Titles:
- Support Staff Member
- Aftercare Director
Originally from Iowa, Kendra Tranel and her family moved to North Carolina in 2012. Ms. Tranel holds an associate's degree in paralegal studies, as well as a bachelor's degree in political science from Iowa State University. Prior to moving to North Carolina, Ms. Tranel worked for many years as a paralegal before taking advantage of the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom. Ms. Tranel is a wife and the proud mother of four children. Her three sons have graduated from SJPII, and her daughter is currently a student in SJPII's middle school. Ms. Tranel's time at SJPII began as a library volunteer and has since transformed into many years as a middle school aide. During the day, you can find Ms. Tranel in any number of middle school classrooms, helping in multiple capacities with multiple academic subjects.
Job Titles:
- Financial Secretary
- Business Office
Marian Kajfez is a lifelong learner with 45 years of experience as an educator. Mrs. Kajfez encourages all to be respectful of others as you would like to be respected. Her background includes elementary education, early childhood, mathematics, and she is certified as an administrator with a master's degree from the University of Dayton. Mrs. Kajfez has been married to her college sweetheart for 45 years and has two daughters, two sons-in-law and five grandchildren (three girls and two boys). She thanks God daily for His gifts. Mrs. Kajfez feels blessed for the opportunity to become part of SJPII family and to do as astronaut and teacher, Crista McAuliffe, said: "I touch the future, I teach!"
Educational Background: B.A in Early Childhood Education, B.A in Elementary Education, Wilson Reading Certified Specialist, and Wilson Foundations Specialist
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Second Grade Assistant
Stop by our second grade classroom and you will find teaching assistant Meredith Richard helping our second graders with their reading, writing, and math, or perhaps find her tying shoes, checking homework folders, or turning the jump rope on the playground. Mrs. Richard earned a bachelor of arts in Spanish literature from Tufts University and subsequently worked as a technical writer for various software companies including IBM until the birth of her first child in 1999. Mrs. Richard was then a stay-at-home mom for many years to her five children, all of whom graduated from SJPII. Mrs. Richard volunteered in our school library for several years before officially joining our staff as a teaching assistant in 2016.
Having received her degree from St. Andrews University in education, Pamela Francis additionally holds a North Carolina professional teacher's license. She has been teaching for about twenty years. In 2022-2023 she will be teaching fifth- and sixth-grade math, science, and social studies. This will be her fourth year teaching at St. John Paul ll Catholic School.
Job Titles:
- Director of Communications
- Office Staff Member
Job Titles:
- Third and Fourth Grade Assistant
Originally from Massachusetts, Ms. Marsh achieved her BA in psychology at Ave Maria University in sunny southwest Florida. In 2020, Ms. Marsh moved to North Carolina to be near family. Currently a classroom teaching assistant, Ms. Marsh also coaches boys soccer, girls soccer, and girls basketball for SJPII. Ms. Marsh is looking to start her master's in education at UNCP in the fall. Ms. Marsh is also lucky enough to have one brother, one niece, and one nephew here at SJPII.
Job Titles:
- Physical Education Teacher
Educational Background: Bachelor's of Arts in Physical Education (K-12), The Florida State University; 1994
Education: Bachelor's of Art in Elementary Education. Currently pursuing a Master's in Educational Leadership. Certified K-6 in the state of North Carolina.
Experience: This will be Samantha Robinson's 7th year in education.
Favorite Quote: "Do ordinary things with extraordinary love." - St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa)
Job Titles:
- Resource Specialist, Fourth ELA, Sixth Co - Teacher
- Resource Teacher
Originally from New Jersey, Mrs. Pellasce is a true Northeaster. She graduated from Pennsylvania State University with her undergraduate degree in special education. In addition, she completed her masters of education for curriculum and instruction from Johns Hopkins University.
In the past, Mrs. Pellasce has taught students all over the world. She began her teaching journey in Otavalo, Ecuador. There she taught English as a second language. Soon after, Mrs. P taught ESL in Accra, Ghana. Previously, she has taught special education in Tulsa, Oklahoma and second grade and kindergarten in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In the past, she has taught third grade at SJPII.
Mrs. P is excited to join SJPII for another academic year of faith and fellowship. It is a blessing that God has given her the beautiful vocation of teacher. She truly believes that the SJPII has many opportunities to grow each child and his/her faith.
Job Titles:
- Middle School Science Teacher and School Nurse / AAS Sandhills Community College
Educational Background: BS Information Technology / Computer Science from National University, LaJolla, California