As the 2024-2025 school year at St. Dominic High School commences, students might notice some unfamiliar but friendly faces at the front of their classrooms or walking through the halls. This semester, St. Dominic welcomes nine new recruits to its teaching staff, including a campus minister and a full-time substitute. 

All nine staff members are ecstatic to join the big Crusader family and get to know their students. Several of them have taught in other schools before arriving at St. Dominic, but for others, this is their first foray into education.   

“St. Dominic is the first school I’ve taught at, other than some student-teaching in Springfield, Missouri. I feel exceptionally lucky to be welcomed into the St. Dominic community. First time’s a charm,” English teacher Ms. Dessa Outman said.

Among the other English teachers, Mrs. Jen Vogler has taught eighth grade ELA in the Wentzville School District for seven years, while Mrs. Elizabeth Tarrant-Oliphant used to teach at Frontier Middle School as well as two other high schools. St. Dominic alumna Mrs. Christina Harisberger’s lucrative career has led her to work in five different schools!

“I think that I decided in middle school that I wanted to be a teacher. I helped the teachers in their classrooms and was inspired by two of my own middle school teachers,” Mrs. Harisberger said. She will teach Revelations to five classes of freshmen this year. 

Even though the decadence of summer break is over, these teachers still keep up with the exciting hobbies they enjoy outside of school hours. Mr. Zach Gronemeyer now teaches the popular Intro to Business course, and he collects sports cards and sneakers in his spare time. Math teacher Mrs. Kaitlyn Holcomb has recently developed a passion for reading. Mrs. Kathryn Guzman, a new Honors Spanish teacher, likes to hang out with her kids, go on long walks, and is currently learning to play the piano! 

In addition to the seven new core-subject instructors, there are two other notable additions to the teaching staff this year. Mrs. Darby Peters, who was previously a long-term substitute for Mrs. Honerkamp, will now fill a full-time substitute position. She graduated from St. Dominic in 2020, and she is excited for the unique opportunity to experience a fresh start in an familiar place.

”I love the people and the atmosphere here. It’s a great place, filled with great people,” Mrs. Peters said. 

Lastly, it would be remiss to discuss new teachers without mentioning Ms. Morgan Hanson, the brand new campus minister at St. Dominic. Having recently graduated from Mizzou with a degree in journalism, this will be her first teaching position, and she is elated to be able to fulfill the priceless role of facilitating youth ministry at school.

“I’m most looking forward to retreats and getting to know everyone! I can’t wait to be a part of forming disciples here at St. Dominic,” Ms. Hanson said. 

As school kicks into high gear during the next several weeks, do not forget to give all of these wonderful new teachers a warm welcome!