Faculty & Staff

	Hello, I am Carole Anne White, Principal at Saint John Catholic School. This is my ninth year here and I consider it “my dream come true” school. Here I am able to accommodate students in small classes, providing for continuous progress in an inclusive environment. We are able to focus on each child and do our best to meet individual needs. I have been in Catholic education for 45 years (22 as teacher and 23 as principal). Most of these were in Catholic schools around the state, with a few years in New Jersey Dioceses. For thirty years I was a member of the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy Community. I am a native of Charleston born into a family of 10 children. I attended Cathedral Grammar School and Bishop England High School. My bachelor’s degree is from Glassboro State College in New Jersey and I earned my master’s degree in Catholic School Administration from Manhattan College. In my spare time I enjoy sharing time with family, extended family and close friends. Recently I adopted the cutest Bichon Frise alive. His name is “Happy” and that is exactly how he makes me feel. I also enjoy reading, music, walking the beach and word puzzles.

	My name is Mary Dodge and I teach 4 year old and 5 year old Kindergarten at Saint John Catholic School. I earned my BSW at Salem State College in Massachusetts. I have taught here at Saint John for 6 ½ years. I have a husband, Peter, and two children that are attending college. PJ attends The Catholic University of America and Bethanny, a Saint John Catholic graduate, attends Lander University. We were an Air Force family so I had many opportunities to work in many other countries and states. I believe Kindergarten is a time to establish social skills, manners, develop fine and gross motor skills and independence along with beginning academic skills. In my spare time I like to spend time with my Yorkie-poos Sydney and Simon, swim, read and travel visiting family, friends and new places. I love teaching at Saint John Catholic. Everyday the children try to do their best, take pride in all they do and learn from each other and their mistakes. They are the Little Engines That Could!

	Mrs. Dawn Kerr I began teaching 16 years ago and the past 9 years have been at St. John Catholic School. Presently, I am teaching 2nd and 3rd grade. I am also currently coordinator for the Box Tops and Campbell's Labels for Education programs. After graduating Bishop England High School, I received my Bachelor's degree from the College of Charleston with a minor in health and I have 18 post-graduate hours in the area of learning disabilities. My certifications are in the areas of Early Childhood and Elementary Education. I've been married to my husband, David, for 15 years & we have 3 children---Brandon, Ryan, and Kristina. Our four-legged family member is a Shih-Tzu named DJ. We reside in West Ashley and are members of St. John Catholic Church. Our musically talented twin boys (Brandon plays trumpet and Ryan plays baritone) began their musical endeavors in 4th grade while in attendance at St. John from K4-5th grade. They currently attend Charleston County School of the Arts and enjoy playing on a recreational basketball team. Kristina began attending St. John last year as a K4 student. She enjoys coming to school to learn and play with her friends. When she had to stay home on the one and only day she was sick, she cried because she would miss her friends and they would miss her. A few of my favorite things are dolphins, iced tea, Extreme Home Makeover, American Idol, and the smell of the beach. I love to listen to the sounds of the ocean, performances by my sons, and my daughter's infectious giggle.

	Sr. Joella Marie Ruffing, SND I am a member of the Sisters of Notre Dame. I graduated from Notre Dame College of Ohio with a B.A. in Elementary Education. I received a M.A. degree in Elementary Education from the University of Toledo. I have been teaching primary grades for 27 years in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and now in South Carolina. This is my fifth year here at Saint John Catholic School teaching 2nd and 3rd Grade. I was attracted to this school because of the statement in the philosophy that says we will encourage each student to do his or her best in an inclusive, non-competitive environment structured around Gospel Values and our Peace Pledge. I enjoy helping students learn in a cooperative way. I want them to like coming to school so I try to include something fun in each day’s plan. My hobbies include art, music and reading. I get plenty of chances to use all of these in my classroom and throughout the school.

	My name is Lisa Jones. I have been teaching for 23 years and at Saint John Catholic School for the past four years. I received a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree from the College of Charleston. I am certified in the areas of Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and Special Education for the Mentally Disabled and the Learning Disabled. This upcoming year (2008-2009), I'll be teaching 4th & 5th grades. I serve as a School Board member and officer of the Home School Association at Saint John and work on various other committees to improve the quality of the school and to advertise the school throughout the community. I have been married for 16 years to a teacher / coach. Our son Avery attends Saint John Catholic School, and our son Ian graduated from Saint John Catholic School in 2008 and now attends high school at the School of the Arts. We live in North Charleston and are active members of St. John Catholic Church. In my spare time I enjoy watching movies with my children and reading.

	My name is Tina White, and I have been teaching at SJCS for eight years. Currently I have a sixth grade homeroom, and I also teach seventh and eighth grade history. I graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a degree in history, then received my master's degree in History from the University of Virginia. After the birth of my son Westcott, who has Down Syndrome and is a former student at SJCS, I earned an MAT in Special Education from the University of Charleston. My husband Stephen and I have four other children besides Westcott, aged 21- 16. Three are in college, while two still live at home. In my spare time I enjoy reading and swimming. I have loved teaching at SJCS for the last eight years and am looking forward to another great year of reaching for the stars.

	My name is Eleanor F. Jacobs. I am originally from Massachusetts. I grew up and was educated in the Diocese of Boston. I attended Catholic Schools through grade 12. After graduation, I attended the American Institute of Banking. I was employed as an IBM Supervisor for the Shawmut Bank of Boston for 7 years. After marrying my husband, Paul, I moved to Charleston, SC, his hometown. We have been married for 40 years and raised 2 children and are now enjoying our 3 grandchildren. I have been an active member of St. John’s Parish for 40 years. I have served as a member of the Parish Council for 3 terms. I have also been President of the Home School Association while my children attended school at Saint John. Currently I am employed by the school as the Religion teacher for the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. I have been actively employed in the school and/or parish for about 29 years. Outside of my family, sharing my faith with my students has become my highest priority in life.

	Joanne Davis, English Literature (Bio & photo coming soon!)

	My name is K.C. Kramp. I have been teaching at Saint John for 8 years. I teach Math for grades 4 - 8 including high school Algebra. Math is Fun! I also teach 7th and 8th grade Science. I received my Bachelor’s Degree from Northeastern Illinois University and a Masters of Art in Teaching Math from The Citadel. I am also known as the “LEGO Lady.” My husband, Steve, and I have coached the LEGO team for the last 6 years. I have been married to Steve for 28 years and we have four children. We are very active in the Knights of Columbus. In my spare time I like to read and I am trying to organize pictures, making scrapbooks with both digital and printed photos.

	Jeannette Dangerfield, School Secretary
Other Faculty and Staff include:	Sr. Leonie Maigret - Teacher's Aide, Office Assistant
	Mrs. Rosa Haynes - Extended School / Summer Program
	Ms. Mary Anne Williams - Music
	Mrs. Kitty Erickson - Art
	Mrs. Provost - Physical Education
School Mascot:	Happy