Faculty & Staff
Meet Our Team
Meet the exceptional faculty and staff of Cathedral School. This accomplished group of educators share their passion, commitment, kindness, creativity, and reverence with our students and families on a daily basis.
Staff
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Msgr. Gerard O'Connor
Rector
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Mrs. Amy Biggs
Principal
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Mrs. Susan Hatley
Administrative Assistant
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Ms. Anne McCarthy
Business Manager + Admissions
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Mrs. Kiki Hanover
Marketing + Development
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Mr. Jim Russell
Maintenance
Pre-Kindergarten
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Ms. Justina Fitzgerald
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Ms. Fitzgerald is a passionate early childhood educator with eight years of experience working with students from preschool to 9th grade—the last six years teaching exclusively in early childhood classrooms.
Ms. Fitzgerald has a BS in Education, Secondary ELA from University of Nevada and a M.Ed Literacy, Language & Culture from the University of Washington.
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Ms. Fernanda De Clercq
Pre-Kindergarten Instructional Assistant
A native of Belgium, Ms. De Clercq first came to Oregon as a college student, graduating from Reed College with a degree in Political Science. She earned her Postbaccalaureate in Accounting from Portland State University. Ms. De Clercq spent five years working as a Financial Analyst before taking a career break to raise her five daughters. She joined the Cathedral School staff in 2013, spending seven years as the school receptionist before joining the Pre-Kindergarten classroom in the fall of 2020.
Ms. De Clercq enjoys spending time with her five daughters. She loves teaching Iconography, being involved with the Legion of Mary and the Our Lady of Fatima Apostolate.
Kindergarten
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Mrs. Claire Feigenbaum
Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Claire Feigenbaum has 9+ years of experience in PK, K, 1st and 3rd grade. She is a member of All-Saints parish and has two small children (ages 3 and 15 months). Mrs. Feignebaum has a B.S. in Liberal Studies and her M.A. in teaching from Santa Clara University. She has recently relocated to Portland from San Francisco.
We are very excited to have Mrs. Feigenbaum join our Cathedral community!
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Mr. Chago Akles
Kindergarten Instructional Assistant
Mr. Chago Akles assisted Mrs. Hanf in the First grade classroom for the 2023-2024 school year.
Mr. Akles was previously at Christ the King as an instructional assistant and extended care supervisor. He is a member of St. Mary’s Cathedral parish and has five children. He has a great love for the Lord, spending time with his family, gardening and automotive restoration.
1st Grade
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Mrs. Stacey Hanf
1st Grade Teacher
Mrs. Stacey Hanf has 15+ years experience teaching in the primary grades. Mrs. Hanf taught 5th grade for the 2022-2023 school year and moved into First grade for the 2023-2024 school year. Mrs. Hanf has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of California Davis and a Masters of Arts in Education from the University of Washington.
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Mr. Chago Akles
1st Grade Instructional Assistant
Mr. Chago Akles assisted Mrs. Hanf in the First grade classroom for the 2023-2024 school year. He is excited to be back with Mrs. Hanf!
Mr. Akles was previously at Christ the King as an instructional assistant and extended care supervisor. He is a member of St. Mary’s Cathedral parish and has five children. He has a great love for the Lord, spending time with his family, gardening and automotive restoration.
2nd Grade
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Ms. Kau’I Ho’Opi’I
2nd Grade Teacher
Ms. Kau’I Ho’Opi’I gradutated from Gonzaga with a B.A. in Special Education as well as holds a Master of Education from the University of Portland. Ms. Ho’Opi’I has taught second grade for the last 5 years and we are beyond lucky to have her as part of our teaching staff.
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Mrs. Aloysha Ricards
2nd Grade Instructional Assistant + Extended Care Director
Mrs. Aloysha Ricards has a BS in Biology and Conservation. She has an extensive background including working in the research field, a daycare provider and a produce lead at New Season’s Market for the past 14 years. She loves working with children and is excited to be using her extensive experience and knowledge in the classroom.
She is also a master gardener and loves spending time in the outdoors with her family and german shephard .
3rd Grade
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Miss Emma Daniels
3rd Grade Teacher
Miss Daniels has her B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Portland. Miss Daniels has student taught at Holy Family in Third grade as well has experience at Alameda Elementary School in Kindergarten and Fourth grade and has assisted at James John Elementary School in grades K-5. She is excited to join Cathedral School and bring her Catholic upbringing and schooling to our students.
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Mrs. Tracey Niedermeyer
3rd Instructional Assistant
Mrs. Niedermeyer has been a part of the Cathedral Community as a parent since 1997, and joined the school staff in 2005 as an instructional assistant. After several years in the position of Development Coordinator Mrs. Niedermeyer happily returned to the classroom as the Fifth Grade Instructional Assistant. She has supported the school through her work as hot lunch coordinator, Advisory Council member and Parents’ Association President.
4th Grade
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Mrs. Madison Kraft
4th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Madison Kraft joined the Cathedral School staff in the fall of 2020. A Montana native, Mrs. Kraft graduated in May 2020 from Montana State University with a degree in Psychology. Mrs. Kraft completed her Masters in Teaching program at the University of Portland and was a student teacher in 4th grade with Miss Anneberg for the 2022-2023 school year. Prior to that Mrs. Kraft was the instructional assistant in Third grade for two years.
5th Grade
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Miss Bella Baksay
5th Grade Teacher
Miss Bella Baksay is excited to be teaching Fifth grade at Cathedral School. Miss Baksay has been a long-term substitute at Cathedral since January 2024, teaching 7th grade math and 8th grade science. We are looking forward to having her full time in the fall!
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Mrs. Tracy Niedermeyer
5th Grade Instructional Assistant
Mrs Niedermeyer has been a part of the Cathedral Community as a parent since 1997, and joined the school staff in 2005 as an instructional assistant. After several years in the position of Development Coordinator Mrs. Niedermeyer happily returned to the classroom as the Fifth Grade Instructional Assistant. She has supported the school through her work as hot lunch coordinator, Advisory Council member and Parents’ Association President.
Middle School
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Mrs. Valarie Marrs
6th Grade Homeroom + 6th grade Language Arts + 6th grade Religion
Mrs. Valarie Marrs has a Bachelors of Science in Liberal Studies from Portland State University and a Masters of Arts in Education from University of Portland.
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Ms. Lauren Anneberg
Middle School Social Science
Ms. Anneberg joined the Cathedral School staff in the fall of 2019 . She is a graduate of the University of Portland and has taught 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and now Middle School Social Studies. Ms. Anneberg comes to us with a strong background in teaching and learning at a Catholic School and has her Master's degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University.
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Mr. Mitch Overley
Dean of Students + 7th Grade Homeroom + 7th & 8th Grade Language Arts
Mr. Overley attended Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory High School, Ball State University, and Wabash College, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in English. At Wabash, he played collegiate baseball, and received the 2015 Outstanding Future Teacher Award by IACTE and the Caleb Mills scholarship/Outstanding Teacher Candidate by the university.
His desire is “to inspire students to express themselves creatively, think critically, and perform to their highest ability. Encourage them to take these abilities into their future academic and professional endeavors. Challenge students to push themselves intellectually, mentally, and socially so that they may better understand themselves and how they interact and impact the world around them.”
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Mrs. Dianna Flaig
8th Grade Homeroom + 5th - 8th Grade Math
Mrs. Dianna Flaig joined the Cathedral staff in the fall of 2021, as the 8th grade homeroom teacher and middle school math. Mrs. Flaig comes to Cathedral from Holy Trinity Catholic School, where she taught fifth through eighth grade math. Mrs. Flaig has a Masters of Arts in Teaching in Advanced Mathematics and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Oregon State University. She has a wealth of knowledge and an extensive teaching background including having taught math at Jesuit High School.
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Mrs. Hadley Holden
5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Science
Mrs. Hadley Holden is excited to be teaching 5th - 8th grade Science. Mrs. Holden has recently finished her masters in teaching program at Tigard High School. She has a deep science background, both in the classroom and in research labs at OHSU and Curtis Thompson & Associates. She graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Science, Biology and her Masters, Art of Teaching from the University of Portland.
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Mrs. Barb English
1st, 4th, 7th & 8th Grade Religion
Mrs. English has been teaching at Cathedral School since 1980. Before joining the Cathedral Staff, she taught at Our Lady of the Lake in Lake Oswego and at St. Mary’s in The Dalles, Oregon. While at Cathedral Mrs. English has taught Second Grade, General Math, Music and Computer. In 2012 Mrs. English returned to the music room as our Music Specialist. In 2021 Mrs. English, retired as our Music teacher and now teaches Religion to First, Fourth, Seventh, and Eighth Grades. Mrs. English received her Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education from Western Oregon University. Mrs. English loves her guitar, reading, rainbows and spending time with her husband and two grown children.
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Miss Emma Miller
5th - 8th Grade Math
Miss Emma Miller has her B.S. in Mathematics from Oregon State University. She is currently a Master of Arts in Teaching candidate at the University of Portland. Miss Miller joined the Cathedral staff in December 2023 as the Kindergarten Instructional Assistant. She is excited to move up to middle school and follow her passion for mathematics.
Specialists
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Mrs. Nicole Selis
Art Specialist
Mrs. Nicole Selis joined the Cathedral School staff in the fall of 2020. She attended Catholic schools in her native Chicago before attending the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she received her degree in Architecture with a minor in Art History. She spent her final year of architecture school in France where she attended the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture in Versailles. She received her masters degree in design from Domus Academy in Milan, Italy. She has worked for Wieden + Kennedy and as a freelance designer/artist.
Mrs. Selis has four children, three of which have attended Cathedral school.
Art class at Cathedral focuses on the elements of art and multiple techniques with many different mediums. Students are taught a world wide range of art history spanning many years, and introductions to artists from different cultures. Students also learn about the basics of graphic design and architecture.
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Mrs. Cecilia English
Librarian
Mrs. Cecilia Lopez has an undergraduate degree in English from the University of Oregon, MEd from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia and is a graduate from St. Mary’s Academy. Mrs. English has 18 years teaching experience from Kindergarten through Eighth grade. She has a wealth of experience working in Literacy and Language Arts with elementary and middle school children.
Mrs. English has three adult children who graduated from St. Ignatius, Central Catholic High School and St. Mary's Academy. Her husband is currently teaching AP Government and Economics at DeLaSalle North Catholic High School. Her hobbies include reading, sewing, gardening, cooking, and Oregon Ducks football!
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Mrs. Wendy Goodwin
Music Specialist
Mrs. Wendy Goodwin joined the Cathedral School staff in the fall of 2021. Her passion for music began at the age of three when she began study of the violin. She holds a Master of Arts in Music Performance from Portland State University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from George Fox University. Mrs. Goodwin has extensive professional experience in the music industry. She has released several albums of original music, performed on national and international tours and collaborated with musicians around the globe on various creative projects.
Mrs. Goodwin’s favorite job is that of proud girl mom with 4 daughters including three currently attending Cathedral School.
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Mrs. Hedy Foley
P.E. and Health Specialist
Mrs. Hedy Foley joined the Cathedral School staff in the fall of 2021 as the middle school health and Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade P.E. teacher. Mrs. Foley has her bachelor’s degree in PE & Health from Gonzaga University where she played volleyball and her Masters of Education in PE and health from Concordia University. Mrs. Foley taught PE & health and was the athletic director at Holy Redeemer School as well as taught art at All Saints Catholic School. Mrs. Foley has coached numerous soccer, volleyball and basketball teams and is very excited to join the Cathedral community.
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Ms. Shelby Walker
Spanish Specialist
Ms. Walker joined the Cathedral Staff as a Spanish Teacher in the fall of 2013. Before relocating to Portland, she taught Spanish to multiple grade levels at St. Andrews Episcopal School in Ridgeland, Mississippi. Ms. Walker received her Bachelors of Arts with an emphasis in Spanish Language and Literature from Kalamazoo College. She received her Masters of Teaching from the University of Southern Mississippi and her Master of Education from Marylhurst University.