Meet the people dedicated to the success of your children

Our teachers are the heart and soul of our school, the people who have dedicated the better part of their lives to providing a safe, challenging, exciting, Christ-centered learning environment for your children. We’d like you to meet them.

Meet Our Faculty and Staff

Donna Couture, Preschool Teacher

Preschool teaching is an incredible opportunity to lay the groundwork for all future learning… St. Paul has prepared my own children to be people with strong values, compassion for others, and extraordinary work ethics…

• Master of Education in General Education, Early Childhood concentration
• Bachelor of Arts in English, Elementary distributed minor and a Language Arts concentration
• Continuing education workshops: Violence and prevention in the schools; Early childhood literacy; Sensory Integration Disorders and Adaptive Technology;
• Current graduate student, Grand Valley State University, The Preschool Special Needs Child

Joanne Hoolsema, Kindergarten teacher

-As a teacher at St. Paul, I am given this wonderful opportunity to provide a God-centered educational experience to each child. Our parents at St. Paul provide many volunteer hours to help achieve this goal… they truly make a difference.

• Master of Arts, Michigan State University
• Bachelor of Arts, Michigan State University
• Continuing educating workshops, Kent Intermediate School District
• Twenty-three years spent teaching Kindergarten and first grade

Jennifer Abid, Kindergarten teacher

-As a teacher at St. Paul I am looking forward to helping each student grow and learn as persons of character in a faith-filled environment. I feel privileged to teach in a community that has a God-centered educational approach and high expectations for each student!

• Bachelor of Arts- Aquinas College
• Major in Language Arts, Minor in Early Childhood Education
• Professional Development, NAEYC Conference, Behavior Management

Melissa Klunejko, First Grade teacher

-I enjoy sharing my knowledge and experiences with the children to help them become enthusiastic about learning. I love helping them on their daily path with Jesus. I appreciate the fact that high expectations and standards are the norm here at our school.

• Master of Arts, Reading Specialist Endorsement, Grand Valley State University
• Bachelor of Arts, Early Elementary Education, Early Childhood Endorsement, Central Michigan University
• Continuing educating includes DIBELS workshops, an assessment that Michigan public schools are using for detecting early childhood reading levels and diagnoses
• Love and Logic

Kathleen Swain, Second Grade Teacher

-In a Catholic school, a God-centered education is primary to the learning experience. Expectations are high spiritually, socially and academically. The children rise to the challenge. I cherish teaching second grade because I have the privilege of preparing the children for two Sacraments.

• Graduate studies, Western Michigan University, Grand Valley State University
• Bachelor of Science, Grand Valley State University
• Majors in Psychology and Special Education
• Minor in Elementary Education
• Highly Certified Religious Education recipient
• Orton-Gillingham certification
• K-12 Mentally impaired, Emotionally impaired endorsements
• Professional Development in religion, technology, science, discipline, language arts and RIT workshops
• Former tutor, Severe Learning Disabilities Center

Suzanne Gamsby, Third Grade Teacher
- It is a pleasure and a privilege to be able to work with the students and parents of St. Paul the Apostle School. Third graders experience a remarkable faith journey throughout their school year and I love being able to share it with them.

• Master of Arts, Western Michigan University, Teaching of Reading
• Bachelor of Science, Western Michigan University, Elementary Education
• Religious Education Certification, Diocese of Grand Rapids
• Continuing education, computers, discipline, creative drama, “Handwriting Without Tears”
• Instructor, Severe Learning Disabilities Center

Natalie Jackson, Fourth Grade Teacher

-I have been a part of the St. Paul community, as a teacher and a parishioner, for a long time! It has been a privilege to be a part of so many young lives! My own faith has grown and deepened because of the interaction I have had with these wonderful children and their parents.

• Continuing Teaching Certificate
• Bachelor of Arts, Aquinas College
• Member, Michigan Reading Association
• Professional Development, Kent Intermediate School District and Diocesan workshops

Peggy Greshaw, Fifth Grade Teacher

-St. Paul is a very nurturing and engaging school. The parents are involved, and help in many ways. The students are top-notch and make it easier to teach the curriculum. I like being involved with the students and knowing more about them as individuals. With smaller class sizes, that is definitely possible!

• Master of Education, Aquinas College
• Bachelor of Arts, Hope College
• Continuing education, Reading and Writing

Kathleen Lowing, Junior High Language Arts

- The unique family experience of St. Paul is what I love. Teaching here means we know the student we have in our own class and all of his/her siblings as well, because of the size of the school and the special routines of the building. It is really different than any building I have taught in before and creates a very loving atmosphere.

• Continuing Teacher Certificate; University of Portland, Portland State University, Grand Valley State, and Aquinas College
• Bachelor of Arts, Central Michigan University

Dan O’Rourke, Junior High Math and Science Teacher

- Having previously taught in a public school system, I immediately noticed a difference at St. Paul. What an immense joy it was to be able to concentrate on the curriculum. The parents’ involvement at St. Paul has been outstanding and very helpful; they have been very supportive in coaching our Science Olympiad teams throughout the years.

• Master of Arts, Grand Valley State University
• Bachelor of Science, Eastern Michigan University
• Coordinator, Science Olympiad
• Continuing Education, Diocese of Grand Rapids, Grand Valley State University
• Science Olympiad Training, Phoenix, AZ

Suzanne Petz, Junior High Advanced Math Teacher
-Having taught in public schools, it is a very comforting feeling to know I am in a place where you can stop and pray with the people you are with anytime there is a need. I enjoy sharing my love for mathematics. It is evident that St. Paul students are here to learn as is apparent by the large number of our students who achieve Honor Roll. It is the cooperative spirit between parents, students and teachers that make us successful in our mission to educate the whole student; mind, body and soul.

• Bachelor of Science Degree, Mathematics major, Business Administration minor, cum laude, Aquinas College, Elementary Certification
• Social Science endorsement, Aquinas College
• Professional Certification, Western Michigan University
• Diocesan Catechetical Certification, Diocese of Grand Rapids
• Graduate level mathematics and science classes
• Currently have 35 credits towards a science endorsement
• Numerous technology teaching and learning workshops/classes
• Member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics for over 20 years

Erica Emelander, Junior High Social Studies and Religion Teacher
-Teaching here at St. Paul is the ideal job for me. Not only do I get a chance to teach a great group of kids, I also get a chance to discuss the Catholic faith with them, which is something I have always wanted to do. I am looking forward to being a member of the St. Paul community.