Kelly Aranowski

I am honored to serve at St. Agnes Catholic School, where our goals for our students are both College and Heaven. Before becoming Principal, I had many leadership experiences, including sports marketing, instructional coaching, lead teacher, and vice principal. My educational background includes a BA in both Communications and Marketing from Arizona State University, a Master’s of Education from the University of Phoenix, and a Masters of Educational Leadership from the University of Notre Dame. I have been in Catholic education for more than ten years, where I have had the privilege to make God known, loved, and served.

I am proud to lead St. Agnes Catholic School and the many talented teachers, staff, and students here! I am blessed to be a wife and the mother of three children, Bella, Sydney, and Avery. They are the loves of my life. I have the same expectations for my children as your children, who I care for as if they are my own. I want to see them be Disciples of Christ with hope to bring the world. I want them to excel and be well-rounded individuals with ample opportunities to dream big and accomplish their goals. 

Jessica Otero

Jessica has worked as a volunteer and employee in the Diocese of Phoenix for the past twenty years. Although she has only been working at St. Agnes for a short time, she expresses that she has enjoyed working and helping this blessed community.

Olivia Rivera

Mrs. Olivia has worked few years for the Diocese of Phoenix as Administrative Assistant. She enjoys working at St. Agnes because of the welcoming nature and sense of community and faith from parents and staff. She has two kids both in college. Her daughter is attending Loyola Chicago and her son is attending SDSU. Both of her kids attended OLPH Glendale. She knows the importance of Catholic education and the spiritual formation.

Virginia Chavez

Mrs. Chavez is the Preschool teacher at St. Agnes Catholic School. She was born in Los Angeles, California. She is married with one child. She is a parishioner at St. John Vianney Catholic Church. St. Jude Thaddeus is the favorite saint of Mrs. Chavez because he is the patron saint of impossible causes and of hope. Mrs. Chavez enjoys teaching at St. Agnes because each person contributes something special to the community that makes the school unique. She treasures education because teaching the very young allows her to work with the most exciting and most interesting people who make every day a new day of discovery.

Kim Davison

Kim began working at St. Agnes Catholic School a few years ago. First, in aftercare, a position she held for 2 years. Now, she is working as Preschool Assistant. Her two children attended St. Agnes Catholic School and have since promoted to high school and college.

Desarae Perez

Desarae is the Pre-K teacher. This is her first year working at St. Agnes Catholic School. She has over ten years of experience in early childhood education. Desarae is married to her high school sweetheart and has three children. She loves working in Pre-K because she has the privilege of shaping the minds of the next generation.

Julia Houk

Mrs. Houk has been working at St. Agnes Catholic School for several years. First, in the Pre-K classroom, where she enjoyed working so much that she returned to school to complete a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Mrs. Houk was blessed to receive a Catholic education while growing up and she believes that she can now serve her community.

Alejandra Aguirre

Mrs. Ale was born and raised in Jalisco, Mexico. In 2006, she emigrated to the US with her parents and two siblings. She is married and has two wonderful kids. Mrs. Ale's favorite saint is Saint Faustina of Kowalska, "The Secretary of God's Mercy." The life of this saint has taught Mrs. Ale many things; one of them is her humbleness and how, during her daily life, Saint Faustina was compassionate and willing to offer her illness and suffering as a voluntary sacrifice. Since she was a child, Mrs. Ale grew up looking at these words on the image of Our Lord of Divine Mercy that remained in her heart: "Jesus, I trust in you. Amen."

Juliauna Ryan

Juliauna is a Tucson native who moved to Phoenix in 2018. She has been the first grade teacher here at St. Agnes Catholic School for several years. She graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. Juliauna has been teaching for several years and more than half of them here at the school.

Victoria Smith

Mrs. Smith was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and received a BA in Psychology from Arizona State University in 2004 and an M.Ed in Early Childhood from Grand Canyon University in 2019. She is also a certified teacher in the State of Arizona. Mrs. Smith enjoys teaching at St. Agnes Catholic School because it is here that she gets the chance to contribute the same feeling of community and faith that she experienced when attending catholic school both in elementary and high school herself. She treasures education because it gives her the opportunity to continue to learn and grow alongside her students while providing meaningful experiences in social interactions, academic growth, and fostering faith-based education. St. Francis of Assisi is the favorite saint of Mrs. Smith because of his commitment to charity and helping those in poverty.

Claudia Almazan

Mrs. Almazan is the 3rd grade teacher, RCIC instructor, and Elementary Lead teacher at St. Agnes Catholic School. Mrs. Almazan received a BA from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln in 2004 and a MA from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln in 2010. She is a certified elementary teacher in the State of Arizona. Mrs. Almazan has been married for 17 years to her wonderful husband James. Their family includes three toy poodles; Kiwi, Piña and Gudetama. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta is her favorite saint because she embodied the heart of service for the less fortunate and provides guidance to show love through small acts. Mrs. Almazan enjoys teaching at St. Agnes Catholic School because the community is so welcoming. She treasures education because it allows her to witness achievement in the face of adversity; even through challenges, students and families daily prioritize their education and that is cause for celebration. 

Andrea Perez

Andrea was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ. She has been teaching fourth grade at St. Agnes Catholic School for several years. Andrea has taught Elementary Religious Education for five years and Preschool/Pre-K for three years in the Diocese of Phoenix. She graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Bachelor’s Degree and is currently completing her Master’s Degree in Education and Psychology. Andrea enjoys volunteering outside of school to help the environment by planting trees with the organization “Tree Matters” and runs to help fight childhood cancer.

Tracy Morris

Mrs. Morris was born in Chicago, Illinois. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Quincy College in 1988 and a Master's Degree in Education. – Grand Canyon University Reading. She is a certified teacher in the State of Arizona. Mrs. Morris is married and has three children. She is a parishioner of St. Mary Basha. Saint Francis of Assisi is Mrs. Morris's favorite saint for his values and the simplicity of his life. Mrs. Morris enjoys teaching at St. Agnes Catholic School because the families, students, and staff are warm and welcoming. She values education because seeing children make a connection with the world around them through what they are studying is the most wonderful experience.

David Hentges

Born and raised in Fargo, North Dakota, David Hentges attended Nativity School and transferred to the public school system for eighth grade through high school. In hindsight, he realized that staying in the Catholic school system would have been better! Mr. Hentges earned a B.S.B.A. in Management at the University of North Dakota, an M.A. in Education; Human Development at The George Washington University (D.C.), Certification in Catechesis from the Archdiocese of Washington, and additional graduate courses in education at Trinity College. Mr. Hentges has served in a variety of ways to advance Catholic values. In Catholic schools and parishes, these include: 6 th grade teacher, high school religion teacher and department chairman, elementary principal, campus minister, RCIA catechist, pro-life coordinator, pastoral associate, and director of parish evangelization. As a freelance writer, he has authored books published by Aquinas Press—infant Baptism, prayers, and Lives of the Saints. (the latter to be published in 2024) Mr. Hentges is grateful and delighted to join and serve within the Saint Agnes School community!

Tessa Lamb

Mrs. Tessa Lamb is the Reading Intervention teacher at St. Agnes Catholic School. She was born in Denver, Colorado. Mrs. Lamb earned a BA and MA in Education from Arizona State University. She is a certified teacher in the State of Arizona with an endorsement for Structured English Immersion. St. Francis Xavier Cabrini  is a favorite saint of Mrs. Lamb because as a child, she remembers visiting Mother Cabrini’s shrine in Colorado. Mrs. Lamb enjoys teaching at St. Agnes because of the community - the students, the staff, and the families. She treasures education because it is new every day since every person learns in his or her own way and sees the world differently. While each day presents new challenges, it also provides celebrations as children learn and share.

Jorge Zavala

Mr. Zavala’s adopted hometown is Scottsbluff, Nebraska. A town that is about 200 miles northeast of Denver, Colorado. He moved from Denver, Colorado, to Phoenix in October of 2021. Most of his teaching experience encompasses K through 5th grade. Mr. Zabala received his Associate of Science Degree from Western Nebraska Community College. And his Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Metropolitan State University. He has also attended Regis Jesuit University and the Community College of Aurora for one year, respectively. Mr. Zabala enjoys playing tennis, reading, and playing card games.

Veronica Torres

Ms. Torres was born in Chandler, Arizona. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from Arizona State University in 2013 and a Master's Degree in Mathematics from Grand Canyon University in 2016. Ms. Torres is a parishioner of Holy Cross. Her favorite saint is Our Lady of Guadalupe because of how much she has helped guide her in her life. Ms. Torres enjoys teaching at St. Agnes Catholic School because the families and staff are so welcoming. She treasures education because it gives her an opportunity to help the younger find themselves while realizing they can accomplish anything they put their minds to.

Terry Kucera

Mrs. Kucera is an Arizona native, and has worked at St. Agnes Catholic School as the librarian for over a decade. She received her Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Arizona State University. She is married with three children, all of whom are St. Agnes alumni. As a librarian, her goals are to improve reading skills and foster a love of books. She encourages students to read what they like, as well as to explore new interests. 

James Hollins

Coach James was born in Phoenix, Arizona. He enjoys travel, fashion, sports, and values mentoring young people. A fun fact about Coach James is that he is an alumnus of St. Agnes Catholic School, class of 2004. Coach James feels that being back at St. Agnes has been a great blessing for him. Because of this, he will be able to use some of the greatest talents God has given him to give back to the students here at St. Agnes. After graduating from High School, he earned a degree in psychology at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. While studying psychology in College, he focused his studies on Sports Psychology, “Mental Toughness in Athletes.” At St. Agnes Catholic School, he will be the Physical Education teacher and Athletic Director.

Marisa Jordan

Marisa is the school counselor. She is a Phoenix native and has taught in the Diocese of Phoenix for 28 years. Marisa attended St. Agnes as a student, St. Mary’s High School, and Arizona State University. She received her Master’s Degree in School Counseling and Preventive Mental Health from Creighton University. Marisa is the proud mother of five daughters and one son. She is blessed to be here working at St. Agnes and looks forward to meeting everyone!