Mrs. Christina Rice - Principal
Welcome to Prince of Peace Catholic School! My name is Christina Rice and it is an honor to join this school community. At Prince of Peace School we have a commitment to caring for and educating your children each and every day. I have a passion for creating a welcoming school environment where all students are accepted and encouraged to grow academically as well as spiritually. I will celebrate their successes both large and small. I can not wait to share with you the great things they do throughout their day here at Prince of Peace.
I come to Prince of Peace as a seasoned elementary and mentor teacher with over 20 years of experience, but in addition to my role as an educator, I am first and foremost a mom. As of this week, I have two Simon Kenton Graduates (Zhouhana and Wenqiang), one Junior (Toby) and one Sophomore (Lili) in high school. I also have a five year old (Mairi) who will be joining the Kindergarten class here at Prince of Peace in August.
I attend Mass and sing in one of the music groups at St. Barbara Parish. In my free time I love to be in nature. You can often find me hiking, ebiking, or traveling to a National or State Park. I look forward to getting to know each of you as well.
Email: crice@popcov.com
KAREN MIDDENDORF – ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
I’m the Administrative Assistant at Prince of Peace Catholic School. I’m a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University and have spent most of my career in the Early Childhood and Montessori environment. I’ve been a teacher, Director, District Manager, and Trainer for the state of Kentucky.
This is my 4th year at Prince of Peace with over 40 years of experience with children and families. I have been married to my husband, Dave, for 40 years and we have three grown children.
I’m a proud grandmother of two, so far! I enjoy decorating, reading, traveling and my favorite pastime is visiting the beach. I truly love working with all of the families at Prince of Peace School and watching the children develop a love of learning.
Email: kmiddendorf@popcov.com
Melissa Royse - Pre-K Montessori Teacher Preschool-Kindergarten
Mrs. Melissa Royse received her Bachelor’s Degree in Montessori in 2002 from Xavier University and has been teaching 3-6 year olds ever since! She believes the Montessori Method is beneficial to all children. She is married and has two children. She has a strong sense of faith in God. Her home parish is St. Dominic in Cincinnati.
Email: mroyse@popcov.com
Mrs. Marilyn Birmingham - Pre-K Montessori Preschool-Kindergarten
Welcome Back, Mrs. B!!!
I’m married, the mother of 5 sons who are scattered all over the world. I have two precious granddaughters who are long awaited blessings!
I love to travel, anywhere and anytime.
South Korea, Tunisia, Paris, London, Ukraine, Hawaii, Charleston and more! Last year, I taught Preschool in the mountain town of Copan Ruinas, Honduras.
I excited to be back to Prince of Peace which has become a second home for me. The students and families are wonderful and I love being “school grandma”!
Email: mbirmingham@popcov.com
Christy Burke - Preschool-Kindergarten Aide
I graduated from Xavier University. While the beginning of my career was spent in business, I have spent the past twelve years working with children in various jobs including teaching Pre-K.
I have a twelve year old son and my husband and I enjoy doing things as a family. I love to travel whenever possible and I’m a member of the St. Timothy Parish.
Email: cburke@popcov.com
Mrs. Jodi Klaiss - Primary Teacher
I am thrilled to be this year’s new first and second grade teacher! After receiving a Master’s in Inclusive Early Childhood from Mount Saint Joseph in 2002, I was later trained in the Orton-Gillingham method of reading instruction. I taught using the OG method while working over six years as a Reading Specialist, one of which was at POP! I look forward to being surrounded for years to come by sweet students, hard-working families, and the peaceful environment that Prince of Peace never fails to deliver.
I have a wide variety of teaching experience that includes working with children of a variety of ages, and families of different backgrounds. This has strengthened my flexibility and knowledge as an educator, allows me to see things from many perspectives, and has taught me how to relate and understand students and their families on a deeper level. Having the invaluable experience of working in Catholic and public schools, both large and small, has given me sincere gratitude for being blessed to teach at a small, Catholic school that is led by an excellent principal and group of educators.
I have been married for twenty years to my husband Nick (whom I keep very busy fixing things around my classroom!). We have three children that attend Catholic schools in the Diocese of Covington. Lily is our youngest and is in the fifth grade at Prince of Peace. Feel free to stop by the classroom to meet me, or visit the first and second grade this year at any time!
Email: jklaiss@popcov.com
Mrs. Arlene Truitt - Intermediate Teacher
I’m back for my second year at Prince of Peace Catholic School. I have 28 years of teaching experience, especially in the intermediate grades. I am married with two children and we have a wonderful but “crazy” family dog named Sona.
After moving to KY, I attended Catholic schools for elementary, high school, and college. At Thomas More College (now Thomas More University) I earned my B.A. in Elementary Education. Later I attended Northern KY University where I earned my Master’s Degree and Rank I. I have learned throughout my education and teaching career that we learn best by asking questions. I still learn best this way. I lead by example to help guide my students towards this principle in their own learning.
Teaching religion comes first in my classroom. I love Jesus in the Eucharist, my parish (St. Patrick’s in Taylor Mill), reading science fiction, and rabbits. Our class cares for, Hershey, the school pet! Whenever a student needs anything, he hops right up to assist!
Email: avtruitt@popcov.com
Mrs. Rebecca Schaffer Wells - Choir & General Music Teacher
REBECCA SCHAFFER WELLS – CHOIR & GENERAL MUSIC TEACHER
Rebecca Cecilia Wells- has served as a music performer, minister, and educator for over 25 years. She enjoyed beginning to sing in choirs in grade school and has remained a chorister ever since. Inspired by her parents, both degreed organists and well-known church musicians, Rebecca returned to church music from a career in Jazz/Commercial and a Masters degree in clarinet performance in 2014. She is excited to bring these world experiences to our students through music, languages, and an open perspective inclusive of all people, under God, to our students. “What keeps me enthused is that moment when we teachers see ‘the lights go on’ – when a student comprehends a world-truth which was right in front of him or her and they finally grasp it!”
Rebecca is the Music Minister for St. Cecilia Church in Independence and serves as Music Teacher at the school there.
Mrs. Wells has worked with Dave Brubeck, Sadao Watanabe, Peter Cetera (of “Chicago”), and Frankie Valli; the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra (favorite memory is playing the sax solo on The Wizard of Oz when the tin-man was revived and wished, “If I only had a heart…”), the Blue Ash-Montgomery Symphony Orchestra (under the wonderful baton of Maestro Michael Chertock, also keyboardist for Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and former classmate at CCM). She has served as Music Minister with Bobby Fisher and ensemble onstage at Music Hall for “Answer the Call” Men’s Fellowship Conference and at major events at the National Pastoral Musicians’ national conventions. Rebecca’s first love in playing music is the choral, orchestral, and organ music of Johann SEBASTIAN Bach, but as a pro, she loves music of all styles. “It is MOST wonderful when people ask me to help them choose music which is most appropriate to the Readings, Antiphons, and direction of the Mass.”
Rebecca loves being available for her husband, Devon, and their twin daughters (recently graduated from undergrad and serving as Catholic Missionaries in the USA), and helping him to maintain their beautiful, simple home in Northern Kentucky. Rebecca includes her middle name for 2 reasons: she was given the middle name at birth by her parents for the patron saint of music, and, “Rebecca Wells” is a REALLY common name!
Email: rwells@popcov.com
Karen Kleman - Library
Mrs. Kleman returns as our School Librarian again this year. She is always excited to share her love of books and literature with the students at Prince of Peace Catholic School! She absolutely loves watching them get excited about books and reading.
She attended Xavier University for both an undergraduate a Bachelor’s Degree in History and a Master’s Degree in Education. Go Muskies!
She has mostly been a stay at home mom to her four children: Josie, Georgia, Lucy and Fritz. Her husband, Chris and she enjoy hiking, cooking and just hanging out with their kids. Isn’t that just the best!! Her favorite hobby is Reading, of course!! She is looking forward to sharing her love of books with our students this year. What a spectacular gem she is!
Email: kkleman@popcov.com
Donna Moreland - School Counselor
Donna has worked at Catholic Charities for the past 20 years and has provided school counseling services at Prince of Peace for the past 14 years and at St. Agnes for twenty-two years.
She meets with students for any type of mental health concern related to behavior, educational struggles, social skill needs, emotional issues, family and adjustment issues, etc.
Donna received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from UK and her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from NKU. She also has an Associate’s Degree in Executive Secretarial Studies from Southern Ohio College. She has worked in the Social Service field for 24 years and enjoys helping children increase their life satisfaction and learn to cope with difficult feelings.
Donna is a mother of two children: Kyla who is a college junior and Brady who is in the eleventh grade. She enjoys spending time with them biking, traveling, going to festivals & fairs, chasing adventures, and play with her dogs Sophie and Little Red.
Email: dmoreland@popcov.com
Technology Teacher & Webmaster
I’m so excited to be returning to Prince of Peace Catholic School /for my 4th year. I began as a teacher’s assistant, was a classroom teacher for the intermediate students, and last year I provided technology assistance for Prince of Peace students, staff and families. This year, I’m especially thrilled to be providing technology lessons for K-8 students as one of our specials. During my 32 years in education, I have been a regular classroom teacher, a Technology Resource Teacher, and have a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education, a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts & Art Education, as well as National Certification in Elementary Education (Rank 1).
I have felt blessed to have an Elementary and High School Catholic Education. I taught 5 years at St. Joseph Elementary in Cold Spring, KY and believe strongly in having a Catholic Education.
In my free time, I play in a country music band, tune pianos, and enjoys painting and drawing. I’m an amateur conchologist (collecting and studying shells). My collection contains sea shells from all over the world!
Email: ccool@popcov.com
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