St. Patrick Grade School Staff
Name: Toni Ross
Teaching Grade/Class: Principal
Year started at St. Pat’s: 2021
Education/Degree (Where and in what): Bachelors in Education grades 1- 8 (MC-EA), minor in mathematics from UW-La Crosse; Masters Educational Leadership from Viterbo
Number of Years teaching: 10 years in the classroom, 4 years in administration
Number of Years teaching at St. Patrick’s: 4
Why you chose to work at St. Pat’s:I wanted my kids to have a Catholic education. God put me here at St. Patrick’s because he knew what I needed. Each day is an adventure and blessing. I am thankful to get to share that with the families of St. Patrick’s school and parish.
Favorite memory at St. Pat’s: My favorite memories at St. Patricks are the Trivia nights, staff in-service activities, getting to work with the students, and so much more!
“I greatly enjoy working at St. Patricks and the family atmosphere. It has been a blessing to work with the staff and students here!”
Years at St. Patrick: 7
“It is amazing to work at St. Pat’s. The students, parents and staff are wonderful and it is an absolute pleasure to be here.”
Name: Bailey Hammon
Teaching Grade/Class: 3K
Year started at St. Pat’s: 2024/2025
Education/Degree (Where and in what): Bachelor of Science in Elementary/Middle Education with a math minor from UW-La Crosse
Number of Years teaching: 4
Number of Years teaching at St. Patrick’s: 1
Why you chose to work at St. Pat’s: Mrs. Ross had reached out asking if I would be interested in teaching the brand new 3K program. I came and saw the school and met some of the families and I loved it immediately!
Favorite memory at St. Pat’s: My class was eating lunch and Father was by the kitchen talking to the staff. One of my students saw Father and said “God’s here. I see God!” It was so cute!
Name: Toni Stoughtenger
Teaching Grade/Class: 4K/PreK
Year started at St. Pat’s: 2000
Education/Degree (Where and in what): Early Childhood Education from UW LaCrosse
Number of Years teaching: 30
Number of Years teaching at St. Patrick’s: 25
Why you chose to work at St. Pat’s: I love teaching at St. Patrick School because I can integrate faith into teaching for a Christian-centered education. My passion for teaching allows me to make a positive difference in the lives of my students so they feel happy, loved, and safe.
Favorite memory at St. Pat’s: Having students in Pre-K and following their accomplishments all the way through high school graduation and beyond. It is so rewarding as a teacher to see them succeed and achieve their goals.
“I love to see my students learn and grow every day. Watching their faces light up when they accomplish something new is the greatest reward for a teacher.”
Name: Lisa Vinopal
Teaching Grade/Class: Kindergarten
Year started at St. Pat’s: 2015
Education/Degree (Where and in what): UW Stout, Menomonie, WI; Early Childhood Education
Number of Years teaching: 19
Number of Years teaching at St. Patrick’s: 10
Why you chose to work at St. Pat’s: St. Patrick school has always had a special place in my heart as I attended this school as a child. When I heard that my own kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Van Pee, was retiring I felt that it was meant to be for me to apply for the position! I was fortunate enough to get the job and have loved every minute of being back here!
Favorite memory at St. Pat’s: As a student at St. Pat’s school I loved going on our field trips especially our 8th grade ones and participating in the Brains and Brawns (cheering on my team) competitions and of course Catholic Schools Week! As a teacher here at St. Pat’s, I always love seeing the students’ excitement as a whole when they have reached their goals for fundraising activities and get their rewards (getting to pie the teachers in the face, limo ride, pool parties, etc.) and the friendly competitions between the grades during Catholic Schools Week activities!
“My favorite things about teaching are working with the kids and watching their progress from the beginning of the year until the end. I enjoy seeing their smiles and their faces light up when things begin to click!”
Name: Amber Czys
Teaching Grade/Class: First Grade
Year started at St. Pat’s: 2021/2022
Education/Degree (Where and in what): University of WI- Stevens Point (Business, Dance and Teaching)
Number of Years teaching: 6
Number of Years teaching at St. Patrick’s: 4
Why you chose to work at St. Pat’s: After subbing in schools for many years, I found that teaching was my calling and I wanted to do it full time. I went back to school and got my teaching degree. I love working at St. Patricks because I can teach children to read and share my love for Jesus at the same time!
Favorite memory at St. Pat’s: Mrs. Vinopal and I busting out songs in the lunchroom to cheer people up…it may have happened more than once! Another reason I love my job is we have a great team here at St. Pats, all the staff is AMAZING!
Name: Bridget Bollig
Teaching Grade/Class: 2nd Grade
Year started at St. Pat’s: 2022
Education/Degree (Where and in what): Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education at Western Technical College and Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at Viterbo University
Number of Years teaching: 3
Number of Years teaching at St. Patrick’s: 3
Why you chose to work at St. Pat’s: I love the family and faith based atmosphere. So many of my childhood memories stem from the friendships and things I was a part of at St. Pat’s. Although there is a lot of behind the scenes work that goes on to make this school a success, being a part of it is all worth it in the end!
Favorite memory at St. Pat’s: As a 2nd grade teacher I love to see my students grow in their faith and to receive two very important sacraments in the Catholic faith. Also one of my favorite class memories was during my first year when we won the Walk for Virtues pledge fundraiser and got to go in a Limo for a pizza party!
Name: Gina Boppart
Teaching Grade/Class: 3rd Grade
Year started at St. Pat’s: 2022
Education/Degree (Where and in what): B.S. in Environmental and Public Health, UW-Eau Claire
Number of Years teaching: 3
Number of Years teaching at St. Patrick’s: 3
Why you chose to work at St. Pat’s:I love our small school with its rich history of academic and spiritual formation. It really is one of the happiest places to work!
Favorite memory at St. Pat’s: When my children attended St Pat’s I loved being able to join them weekly for Mass on Wednesdays. I’ll never forget our very first School Mass after moving here, some of the decorations on the altar lit on fire from one of the candles! Thankfully, Father Valentine was quick to put it out but the incident made a lasting impression.
Name: Lacey Stark
Teaching Grade/Class: 4th Grade
Year started at St. Pat’s: 2022/2023
Education/Degree (Where and in what):Western Governors University-Elementary Education & Special Education K-12
Number of Years teaching: 5
Number of Years teaching at St. Patrick’s: 3
Why you chose to work at St. Pat’s: I truly love St. Pat’s. Everything about this place is amazing, from our students to our staff, to the families that we serve. I love being able to study the word each day, helping students to achieve their learning goals, and building personable relationships with each student. St. Patrick’s is truly an amazing place to be.
Favorite memories at St. Pat’s: I would have to say having a pie thrown in my face by Olive L. at the Walk 4 Virtues Pep Rally and my surprise birthday party. My favorite part of every year is awarding the Candy Bar Awards on the last day of school.
Name: Dani Larkin
Teaching Grade/Class: 5th Grade
Year started at St. Pat’s: 2001
Education/Degree (Where and in what):Viterbo University with a Bachelors of Science
Number of Years teaching: 24
Number of Years teaching at St. Patrick’s: 24
Why you chose to work at St. Pat’s: I appreciate being able to work with smaller class sizes to ensure more individualized attention to each student, as well as the support I feel from the families here.
Favorite memory at St. Pat’s: I love going on field trips to various places such as Camp Randall Stadium, Brewer Game, Cave of the Mounds, Upham Woods, and many more each year with all my students.
“I enjoy St. Pat’s. Working with the parents, students and staff makes me feel at home.”
Name: Cathryn Catterson
Teaching Grade/Class: 6th Grade
Year started at St. Pat’s: 2005
Education/Degree (Where and in what): UW-Eau Claire, Middle Childhood-Early Adolescence
Number of Years teaching: 20
Number of Years teaching at St. Patrick’s: 20
Why you chose to work at St. Pat’s: I chose St. Pat’s because they had a first grade position open and I was excited to teach first graders.
Favorite memory at St. Pat’s: My favorite memories include changing the students’ opinions regarding math. Sometimes students come to my class with a dislike of math and I really enjoy being able to change their mind!
“Teaching enables me to reach so many different students. I am able to help them discover their passions and become respectful, responsible adults.”
Name: Tom Dorsch
Teaching Grade/Class: 7th Grade
Year started at St. Pat’s: 2022/2023
Education/Degree (Where and in what):BA International Relations / One year graduate work in World Politics
Number of Years teaching: 3
Number of Years teaching at St. Patrick’s: 24
Why you chose to work at St. Pat’s: Due to the chain of unusual events that led me to St. Pats, I believe the Hand of God was at work.
Favorite memory at St. Pat’s:
Name: Julie Whitney
Teaching Grade/Class: 8th Grade
Year started at St. Pat’s: 2018
Education/Degree (Where and in what): BS in Speech Communications – UW- Platteville. Teaching Degree – St. Mary’s Winona
Number of Years teaching: 7
Number of Years teaching at St. Patrick’s: 7
Why you chose to work at St. Pat’s: St. Patrick is the best of all worlds. We have high academic standards, a strong sense of community, and supportive leadership all while allowing me to be immersed in my faith.
Favorite memory at St. Pat’s: Making the 8th grade slideshow and watching how each student has changed both academically and socially.
“I teach because learning will change a child’s life. I want to help children to understand themselves, the world, and to help them find their place in it.”
Name: Patrice Minick
Teaching Grade/Class: Music
Year started at St. Pat’s:
Education/Degree (Where and in what):
Number of Years teaching:
Number of Years teaching at St. Patrick’s:
Why you chose to work at St. Pat’s:
Favorite memory at St. Pat’s:
Name: Rob Demeuse
Teaching Grade/Class: Computers/Tech
Year started at St. Pat’s: 2023
Education/Degree (Where and in what):Master of Arts in Teaching (Business Education/Computers) UW- Eau Claire
Number of Years teaching: 7
Number of Years teaching at St. Patrick’s: 2
Why you chose to work at St. Pat’s: I retired from Public Schools in 2022 after 31.5 years and this position opened up. It seemed like a great post-retirement fit for me.
Favorite memory at St. Pat’s: 7th and 8th grade trip and playing dodgeball and volleyball against the students…
Name: Cecelia Steen
Teaching Grade/Class: Gym/Phy Ed
Year started at St. Pat’s: 2021
Education/Degree (Where and in what):MSTC-Wisconsin Rapids/ Associate in Applied Science
Number of Years teaching: 4
Number of Years teaching at St. Patrick’s: 4
Why you chose to work at St. Pat’s:I liked the aspect of the small class sizes and being able to build relationships with the students.
Favorite memory at St. Pat’s: My first year teaching I taught the students a new dance called the Virginia Reel. I wasn’t sure if they would like the dance unit, but when one of the classes asked to do it again because they loved it! It was very rewarding to me.
