St. Joseph School Faculty and Staff

Marcia Diamond

Principal

Marcia Diamond joined the St. Joseph staff in the summer of 2011 as Principal, and she is very excited about being in the South! She has a strong passion for Catholic education and loves to share with others the benefits to the child as well as the family, which she believes are unmatched. She is originally from Maine and received her B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Maine at Farmington and her Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of Maine in Orono. She worked for four years for U.S. Senator George Mitchell in his Washington, D.C. office as Assistant Press Secretary, which is where she met her husband, John, also originally from Maine. She then taught middle school reading and language arts for seven years in public school in Maine and another four years at All Saints Catholic School before becoming Principal there. She also was an adjunct faculty member at the University of Maine, teaching Law for Maine School Leaders for eight years. After nine years as Principal at All Saints, Mrs. Diamond moved to Fayetteville with her husband, John, who works at the University of Arkansas. They have three adult children, two of whom are in college in Maine. In her spare time, Mrs. Diamond loves to read, participate in Bible Study, walk on the Botanical Garden Trail and visit Major League Baseball parks around the country with her husband. She and Mr. Diamond are members of St. Joseph Parish.

Mark Wilburn

Assistant Principal & Middle School Reading, Writing and Literature

Mark Wilburn began teaching in the St. Joseph middle school in the fall of 2008. His current teaching responsibilities include fifth, sixth, and seventh grade Literature and Writing. In 2011 he was also named the school’s Assistant Principal. Mr. Wilburn’s classroom is known for its creativity, energy, laughter, and real-world learning. Mr. Wilburn enjoys working with students outside the classroom as Ambassadors Club advisor, spelling bee coordinator, student-lector trainer, Washington, DC fundraising chairman, and intramurals coordinator. He is passionate about helping students to discover and use their God-given talents and gifts in serving others. A Missouri farm boy, Mr. Wilburn began his career in education by leading a national champion FFA (Future Farmers of America) chapter in Ohio where he taught agricultural communications, business and leadership. He also worked as a Leadership Specialist for the National FFA Organization. He enjoys sports (he loves the Mizzou Tigers and the Chicago Cubs), reading, grilling and taking care of his lawn. Mr. Wilburn lives in Fayetteville with his wife, Chrissy, and three daughters, Madeline, Ella and baby Audrey. Madeline and Ella both attend St. Joseph Catholic School and the family are members of the Parish.

Barbara Lupton

Secretary

Barbara Lupton joined the staff in 1992. She and her husband, Paul, moved here from Memphis in 1977 and found their way to St. Joseph Church soon after. When their children Jessica and John began school, there was never a question that they would attend the very best school in the city, St. Joseph. Their family has been blessed to be a part of St. Joseph School since Jessica began Kindergarten in 1984. Both of their children are SJS graduates. While her children were students, Mrs. Lupton served on the school board, worked as a substitute teacher and volunteered in several positions. She also was a substitute teacher and held an aide position in a special education classroom in the public schools. This gave her an inside view of “both worlds” which confirmed daily that she had certainly made the right decision for her family! She knew that this was the place she wanted to be and when she was offered a position in 1992. Mrs. Lupton's positions at St. Joseph include Kindergarten aide, 2^nd grade science and phonics teacher and the first PE program teacher. In 1994 she took the position as school secretary and she has been happy to be here ever since!

Ashley Orlicek

PRE K3

Ashley Orlicek began teaching at St. Joseph in 2006 after graduating from the University of Arkansas. She taught other grade levels for several years at St. Joseph School, and she currently teaches preschool. When asked about her impressions of teaching she commented, "I love children and I love preschool; it’s my dream job! The children here are so incredibly smart and respectful." Mrs. Orlicek has found it rewarding to use her skills to help children grow academically, spiritually and emotionally. When not at school, Mrs. Orlicek enjoys spending time with her husband, Mark, and her children. She also loves to water ski and shop. Mrs. Orlicek says she has a special appreciation for the wonderful parents and very supportive staff at St. Joseph. She and her family are members of the Parish.

Mimi Blackwood

PRE K4

Mimi Blackwood is a longtime resident of Fayetteville, where she received her B.S. in Early Childhood Education right here at the University of Arkansas. Mrs. Blackwood has taught first, sixth and PreK4 classes at St Joseph for many years. For the last few years, she has worked with the PreK, and she describes it as her specialty. Mrs. Blackwood is involved in many community activities and is on the Friends of the Fayetteville Public Library Board. She is married to Mark, and her son Jimmy graduated from St. Joseph School many years ago. Mrs. Blackwood’s new hobby is babysitting for her baby grandson, Connor. She is a member of St. Joseph Parish.

Lynda Starr

PRE K4

Lynda Starr is a graduate of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She has a B.S. in Business Administration and her teacher certification in Elementary Education. Ms. Starr started working for St. Joseph as a first grade teacher in 2005. She realized that she enjoyed working with the younger children, and she has been working as a teacher in our PreK4 program since 2008. Ms. Starr loves the bright and creative questions and thoughts that her PreK students so often vocalize to her. During her free time, she loves walking, playing with her dog, and spending time with her young daughter.

Shannon Johnson

Kindergarten

Shannon Johnson graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Masters of Arts in Teaching, where she also received her BA. She began teaching Kindergarten at St. Joseph’s Catholic School in 2005. She loves the excitement that comes along with teaching Kindergarten, and she believes that Kindergarten should be filled with hands-on learning. She loves to read, hike, canoe and live an active lifestyle. She and her family are members of St. Joseph Parish.

Robyn Neumeier

Kindergarten

Robyn Neumeier earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood/ Elementary Education from Arkansas Tech University. She spent 16 years teaching in the Arkansas Public School System before joining the St. Joseph faculty in 2002. After experience in both first and third grades, Mrs. Neumeier found her special niche as a Kindergarten teacher. Robyn’s teaching experience has been focused at the kindergarten level since 1988. She loves the excitement for learning this age group displays. Mrs. Neumeier wants her students to love school and wake up each morning looking forward to another day of fun learning activities! Robyn’s family consists of her husband, Tim and a fury canine named Sadie. She enjoys flower gardening, watching wildlife, camping with friends and trout fishing on the White River. Mrs. Neumeier and her husband are members of St. Joseph Parish.

Toni Been

First Grade

Toni Been graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in Education and had 8 years of previous teaching experience in public school before she made St. Joe's her permanent home. Since 2000 she has had the good fortune of teaching her most favorite students - SJS 1st graders! Her ultimate goal is built around helping her students succeed in a fun and challenging environment. Mrs. Been and her husband, Dennis, have three children. She enjoys reading, shopping and spending time with her family and friends. She and her family are members of St. Joseph's Parish.

Kristi Maurer

First Grade

Kristi Maurer is a graduate of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She began teaching at St. Joseph Catholic School in 2005. Prior to that, she taught at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School in Rogers. She just loves working with the first graders and believes that their curiosity and eagerness to learn, along with their enthusiasm, makes her job so much fun! When she is not working with the first graders, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading and watching movies. She and her family are members of St. Joseph Parish.

Amanda Johnson

Second Grade

Amanda Johnson is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point with a B.A. in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Johnson's first calling was to The Arkansas Better Chance preschool program where she spent eight years fueling young children with the desire to learn and stay on the path of education. As a second grade teacher at St. Joseph's since 2002, she feels fortunate to teach children who, are by and large, above the national average in student performance. She believes children should possess a strong sense of self and faith in their abilities. Her most rewarding part of teaching second grade is helping to prepare the students for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion. In addition to her career at St. Joseph's, she moonlights as a Pampered Chef Independent Consultant. Ms. Johnson’s family in Fayetteville is her dog, Winston. Ms. Johnson enjoys watching movies and listening to smooth jazz. She has been a member of a Bible study group since 1998 here at St. Joseph.

Ivy Leahy

Second Grade

Ivy Leahy began teaching elementary school after graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Arkansas in 2003. After teaching kindergarten for six years, Ivy joined the faculty of St. Joseph School in 2009 as a Second grade teacher. Because Ivy and her two daughters were already members of St. Joseph’s Parish, they felt right at home in St. Joseph Catholic School. Teaching second grade is especially important to Ms. Leahy because she gets the opportunity to participate in the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion each year. You can catch her smiling proudly as she watches former students take communion at mass. Ivy and her family enjoy walking their dog, Sally, who was rescued from an animal shelter. They also love to attend the Fayetteville Farmers’ Market and visit Ivy’s hometown, Eureka Springs. Ms. Leahy loves to teach using hands-on methods whenever possible, utilizing almost anything for math games to enhance learning and interest in school. And, if they are a little loud during literacy, they are probably just playing Baseball Spelling!

Sharon Busteed

Third Grade

Sharon Busteed graduated from Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and a Minor in Middle School. After marrying her husband Rob, she decided to stay home for a while to care for their four children. Mrs. Busteed has previously taught Middle Math and Science at Seton Catholic Middle School in Menasha, Wisconsin and has been educating our bright third graders at St. Joseph’s since 2007. She feels that being a parent has helped strengthen her skills as a teacher. One thing she is known for is her “Classroom Themes”, which always has the upcoming (and even her previous students) wondering what she’ll come up with next! Mrs. Busteed has a great love for Technology, and she feels that it is very crucial that her students get exposed to a variety of modalities. The Busteed family have been members of the St. Joseph Parish family since they moved to Fayetteville in the summer of 2006.

Keda Steinert

Third Grade

Keda Steinert has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Hendrix College. Since 1993 she has dedicated herself entirely to the education of third grade students attending St. Joseph Catholic School. Miss Steinert is passionate about teaching her students not just facts but to love and value learning. Miss Steinert taught at a private elementary school for eleven years, where she ran a summer program. She now runs a similar home based summer program where she can work more closely with just a handful of children. As a member of St. Joseph Parish, Miss Steinert has also served as an EMC and RCIA sponsor, and participates in a small faith group. Her interests include gardening, photography, cooking, running and hiking. Miss Steinert has found herself hiking the trails of many wild areas of Arkansas as well as visiting more alluring locations, such as Hawaii, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, Japan and Bolivia.

Moira Foltz

Fourth Grade

Moira Foltz has a Bachelors of Science in Education from the University of Arkansas. Her teaching career started here at St. Joseph in 2008. She taught her first year in second grade and then moved up to fourth grade, where she has been since 2009. Mrs. Foltz was born in Rhode Island but has lived in Fayetteville for most of her life. Many of her family members still live in New England. She loves her summer vacation when she gets to go back home to visit her family and eat her favorite kind of food: seafood. Her family here in Fayetteville includes her two sisters, mother, husband and 16 year old son Alek, who attends Fayetteville High School. He has future goals of attending the University of Arkansas. She and her family live by the faith and values of God.

Jenny Krier

Fourth Grade

Jenny Krier has a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Oklahoma. She has been teaching fourth grade at St. Joseph since 2009. She began her teaching career in 1990 in Texas, teaching first, second, and third grade for nine years. After some time at home with her two children, she returned to her teaching career while living in Alaska. She remains in close contact with a fourth grade teacher there by having her class exchange pen pal letters with them. The students love learning about the different life experiences in AR and AK!! Her extended family brought her to Fayetteville, where she spent one year with the Fayetteville Public Schools as a math interventionist before joining the staff at St Joseph. After attending Catholic Schools for most of her life, Mrs. Krier was thrilled at the chance to become a teacher in one. She and her family are members of St. Joseph Parish.

Middle School - Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Grade

Lee Anderson

Middle School Social Studies, Spelling/Vocabulary

Lee Anderson began teaching at St. Joseph in 2008, where he has taught both Social Studies and Math. This year, he will be teaching U.S. and World History. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University with a double major in History and Political Science; he also completed the University’s Honors Program. Mr. Anderson served four years in the U.S. Army before going to college. He has also taught in the Rogers School District and at Vista Health. He lives in Lowell with his wife Lori and his daughter Sarah. Mr. Anderson loves music, especially classic rock and roll. He also loves and owns two german shepherds, and has a keen interest in geo-politics and security issues.

Erin Lowrie

Middle School Science

Erin Lowrie is a graduate of the University of Arkansas where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science and her Masters Degree in Secondary Education. She began teaching at St. Joseph School in the fall of 2004. Walking into her classroom is a reminder of so many Science classrooms from the past. With the long, black, rectangular desks that hold 4-6 students, the room is surrounded with bones, rocks, beakers and test tubes. Ms. Lowrie says she enjoys seeing the students’ excitement when they are truly tuned in to the results of an experiment and are surprised by what they see. She enjoys games, watching movies, reading, crafts, and of course, grading all that homework.

Lisa Tice

Middle School Religion, Grammar

Lisa Tice holds the distinction of being at St. Joseph Catholic School longer than any other teacher. She began teaching in 1981 and has given unselfishly of her time by dedicating most of those years to St. Joseph School. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point and is known around the school for teaching hands-on lessons. Lisa has taught 5th through 8th grade in a variety of subjects. If it's a matter of being resourceful, Lisa will get what is needed to challenge or excite her students. She has been married to “a wonderful husband" since 1982 and has twin boys born in 1984 and another son born in 1993; all three sons graduated from St. Joseph School. Mrs. Tice has also been a tireless champion for St. Jude's Hospital for Children by leading our students in a yearly Math-a-Thon that supports the hospital. Her hobbies include reading and sewing. She is a member of St. Joseph Parish.

Christi Welcher

Middle School Math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra

Christi Welcher started teaching at St. Joseph School in the Fall of 2011. She graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1998 with a bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering. After graduating, Christi worked at the Exxon/Mobil refinery in Baytown, Texas as a mechanical engineer. Before graduating from college, Mrs. Welcher completed several engineering internships at Arkansas Nuclear One and at an engineering firm specializing in the design of mass production machines. In completing her degree in engineering, Mrs. Welcher has taken many math courses including Algebra I and II, Trigonometry, Calculus I, II and II, Differential Equations and Numerical Methods. She offers a special insight into the field of engineering and showing how important math is in everyday life. Besides being a math enthusiast, Mrs. Welcher enjoys running and exercising as well as completing remodeling projects in her home. She is married to Richard Welcher, who is a structural engineer, and is the mother of five children: Sarah, Peter, Luke, Jacob and Clare. The Welcher family are members at St. Joseph Parish.

All School Specialist

Jenny Brown

Librarian

Mrs. Jenny Brown began working as the Library Media Specialist at St. Joseph in the fall of 2009. She graduated with her B.A. in English Literature from the University of Arkansas. She then went on to receive her M.S. in School Library Media from Northeastern State University in Broken Arrow, OK. She was born and raised in Siloam Springs and currently resides in Fayetteville with her husband. She believes that teaching students how to read as well as teaching students how to use the library will create “lifelong learners.” When she is not working, you can find Jenny curled up in her favorite chair at home reading a book.

Dykes 2010

Dewey Dykes

Physical Education

Dewey Dykes likes to make P.E. fun! With a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Southeast Missouri State University and a Masters of Education in Physical Education/Exercise Science from the University of Arkansas, Mr. Dykes is uniquely qualified to know how the body works and moves from both the inside and out. He has taught at St. Joseph's since 2000. Mr. Dykes has had to be inventive in his Physical Education program over the years. He has always made the PE program possible using the outside areas, but he will be able to do even more with our new gym opening this year! Mr. Dykes is married and has three children and one grandchild. His hobby is learning the Linux operating system and command line.

Veronica Farfan

Spanish

Fish 2010

Kay Fish

Music

Kay Fish started her teaching career in Houston, Texas in 1979 after receiving her BA in music at Stephens College and working on her Masters in Operatic Performance at the University of Missouri, Columbia. She moved to Northbrook, Illinois in 2001 and continued teaching music at St. Norbert Catholic School for 10 years before coming home to Arkansas. Ms. Fish started here at St. Joseph in 2008, teaching music to students in Pre-K through fifth grades using the Orff-Kodaly method. In addition she prepares the students for Masses, directs drama productions throughout the year, works with Mrs. Molina in Angel Choir and directs the St. Joseph Catholic School Band. She also teaches private piano, guitar and voice lessons in St. Joseph's enrichment program after school.

Missy Gocio

Reading Specialist

Missy Gocio received her undergraduate degree from Hendrix College and a Master’s Degree from the University of Arkansas. She has two wonderful grown children, and she enjoys painting, music, hiking, kayaking and reading. After teaching in a private reading clinic for four years, Missy began helping students with reading and other necessary skills at St. Joseph School in 2006. Her primary goals include building confidence in students, helping them function better in the classroom, and fostering a positive learning environment. Although officially employed by the Fayetteville School Department to be a Title One teacher, Mrs. Gocio is very much a member of the St. Joseph Catholic School family.

Martha Molina

Art

A native of Northeast Arkansas, Martha Molina received her BA and Master's in Education from Southeastern Louisiana University. Mrs. Molina began at St. Joseph's in 2001 as the "Artist in Residence". Mrs. Molina is listed as a multi-disciplined artist on the Arkansas Arts Council Artist Roster and has been an active member of the arts community in Northwest Arkansas since moving here from California in the 1990’s. Mrs. Molina is a charter member and artist in the Fayetteville Underground and currently serves as the President of the Boston Mountain Potters Association. She has worked with many arts organizations locally and throughout the state. As a licensed pilot, Mrs. Molina enjoys both flying and owning her own plane and belongs to the AOPA, Women in Aviation, and the Arkansas Chapter of the 99’s. She is a member of the Nocturnal Adoration Society and has been an active member of St. Joseph's Parish since 1993.

Ann Porta

Technology

As a graduate of St. Joseph School, Mrs. Porta knows the value of a Catholic education. The location and the buildings have changed, but the focus of teaching children in a Catholic environment has remained. Mrs. Porta is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and holds a Bachelor of Science in Education. She began her teaching career in 1980 at Columbia Catholic School in Missouri. After teaching in Catholic schools in Omaha, NE, for 15 years, she returned to Fayetteville and joined the staff of St. Joseph School in 2001. Helping students learn to be good digital citizens is the main focus of her classes in the Computer Lab. Using Twenty-first Century tools in a responsible manner is part of “Mrs. Porta’s Perfect World.” Mrs. Porta has one daughter who is planning to become a lawyer in New York City. She loves to travel, read and help all our students improve their knowledge in the world of computers. She is a member of St. Joseph Parish.

Support Staff

Shelley Overbey

Shelley Overbey works as a 1st grade aide, and she has worked at St. Joseph since 2001. She completed her BA at Northern Oklahoma College in 1984. She began volunteering at St. Joseph when her daughter started Kindergarten in 1997. Her first job at St. Joseph was in the cafeteria, followed by work as a PreK aide. She graduated to 1st grade in 2005. Before she worked at St. Joseph she worked at JB Hunt. Shelley has been married to her husband of 23 years, James, with whom she has four children. The family has attended St. Joseph since 1988. Their two youngest attended school here and it gave them a good grounding for Jr. High and High School. She feels very blessed they were able to attend a Catholic school where they would be able to attend church and learn more about God! St. Joseph's has always made them feel at home!

Accredited by ANSAA Arkansas Nonpublic School Accrediting Association