Staff
Our staff members are dedicated to the mission of Ascension Catholic School and to our scholars.
Shamir Brice
Sixth Grade Reading and Social Studies
Master's Degree in Secondary Education from Creighton University. Bachelor's of Arts Degree in History and Political Science. I appreciate that Ascension Catholic School is a unique community built around the ideals of hard work, continual improvement, and devotion to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Ascension has welcomed me to Minneapolis and is overall an inviting and supportive community.
Amy Brown
Grade 2
Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education from University of Northwestern - St. Paul Master's Degree in Curriculum & Instruction from University of St. Thomas
Tracy Carpenter
Grade 2
Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of St. Thomas. Master’s Degree in Catholic School Leadership from St. Mary’s.
Dr. Sousada Chidthachack Grande
Assistant Principal
Dr. Sousada Chidthachack Grande has worked in the field of education for more than a decade: the first five years as a licensed high school mathematics teacher, and recently as a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Teacher Coach. Dr. Grande’s educational work has included being a University of St. Thomas Mathematics Instructor, a Minneapolis Public School District teacher, a University of Minnesota STEM Education Teacher Coach on a National Science Foundation Grant, and recently, the STEM Education Coordinator at University of San Francisco. Dr. Grande was born in a refugee camp in Thailand, but was raised in north Minneapolis for over two decades. She is a graduate of Minneapolis South High School, University of St. Thomas, and University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Pure Mathematics, a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in STEM Education. Dr. Grande came to Ascension Catholic School in August 2017 to serve as the Assistant Principal. She enjoys mentoring and tutoring scholars in the area of mathematics and working closely with families to ensure a holistic approach to education.
Theresa Culpert
Grade 1
Education: Michigan State University, bachelor’s degree in International Relations with a specialization certificate in African Studies. 1 year overseas studies at the University of Zimbabwe. Currently in the Advanced Pastoral Spanish program at the University of St. Thomas. I am grateful for the opportunity to pray with my students! I value the diversity we have at Ascension, which allows us to learn from one another and prepares our scholars to compete in our global economy.
Jason Daisy
After-School Coordinator
Bachelors in Business Management from the University of Northern Iowa
Michael Depass
School Secretary/Latino Family Liaison
Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology, minor in Spanish, from Louisiana State University.
Patrice DeRosier
IT Director
BS Elementary Education - University of North Dakota BA Psychology - University of North Dakota Masters in Curriculum and Instruction - University of St. Thomas
Richard Eddy
Jr. High teacher
Education: Bachelor of Arts in History and Secondary Education from Marquette University Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of St. Thomas. I appreciate the opportunity I have to interact and get to know eighty scholars and their families every year.
David Hoffmann
K-6 Visual Arts
Bemidji State University – Bachelor of Science in Elementary K-6 Education. I love helping scholars explore and develop their creative skills.
Meg Hoye
Grade 1
BA Elementary Education 1-6, Southwest State University MA Reading K-12, University of St. Thomas Dyslexia Practitioner, International Dyslexia Association
Stephanie Isola
General Music K-3rd, 6th – 8th and Choir Director
Education: Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Minnesota I love working with the talented and creative students at Ascension School.
Dominique Junes
7th grade math and 8th grade science
Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from St. Cloud University and currently working on a Masters Degree from University of St. Thomas in Educational Studies.
Laura Justin
8th Grade English and Social Studies
Master of Education degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Middle School Communication Arts and Literature Education from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Ben Justin
Data and Assessment Coordinator
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Minnesota, Masters of Education in Mathematics Education from the University of Minnesota.
Bridget Younce
Grade 3 #2
Degree in Elementary (grades K-6) and Special (grades K-12) Education from the University of Minnesota - Duluth
Michele Klein
Kindergarten
BA in Elementary Education with Kindergarten Certification College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, Minn. MA in Curriculum and Instruction University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, with English as a Second Language Certification.
Johnny Kunst
Grade 6 Math, Science, Religion
BA Theology from the University of Notre Dame; M.Ed Education from ACE at the University of Notre Dame
Alicia LaCroix
ELL
BA in ELL Education (K-12) from University of Northwestern, St. Paul; Additional licensure in Bilingual Education and Elementary Education (K-6) from Hamline University
Natalie Major
Grade 3
BA Elementary Education - St. Catherine University Masters in Education/Reading Instruction -St. Thomas University
Benito Matias
Principal
Benito Matias has worked in the field of education for nearly 25 years, the last eight of which have been as a school administrator. Benito’s educational work has included being a Dunwoody College of Technology Instructor, a Minneapolis Public School District teacher, the Manager of the Youth Career Awareness Program (YCAP), and the Executive Director of MetroTech Career Academy. Benito was born and raised in Minneapolis; he’s a graduate of Patrick Henry high school, Dunwoody College of Technology, and Bemidji State University, where he earned a BA in Industrial Technology. Benito came to Ascension Catholic School in 2013 to serve as the Dean of Students, and was named Principal of Ascension Catholic School in January of 2016.
CJ McGowan
School Counselor/City Connects Coordinator
BS in Therapeutic Recreation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI MA in School Counseling, Adler Graduate School, Richfield, MN.
Jamie Michel
Kindergarten
Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Abilene Christian University. Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of St. Thomas.
Jill Miller
Grade 5
Associate Arts Degree-North Dakota State College of Science, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education-University of North Dakota, Masters of Arts Degree in Curriculum and Instruction-University of St. Thomas
Cathy Minear
Title I K-5th
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Augsburg College.
Joy Moeller
Music, MacPhail
BA, Education and Language Arts, Ottawa University, Ottawa KS Graduate Studies, Child Development, Language Arts, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Suzuki Talent Education Violin Pedagogy Training, registered with Suzuki Association of the Americas I love being part of a community that embraces diversity — not just of ethnicity, but of culture, gender, age, life experience, education, spiritual gifts — all within the strong arms of the Christian faith.
Kelly Wagenbach
Grade 4
Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Language Arts and certification in American Sign Language from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
