Abby Cahoe

Junior Kindergarten Teacher

I grew up in LaGrange Ky and attended Immaculate Conception. I went to Mercy Academy and then graduated from Campbellsville University with my Bachelors degree in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education. I worked at Christian Academy Rock Creek for five years as a lead teacher. I have been married to my husband Chad for four years now and we have a beautiful daughter, Collins. We are parishioners at St. Joseph in Butchertown. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, crafting, fishing, hunting, and cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats and Cincinnati Reds.
You can reach Abby at acahoe@ascension-parish.com

Donna Jackel

Science Teacher Grades 1 – 5

Donna is the elementary science teacher. She has a degree in Biology from the University of Louisville and is currently working on her Masters there. She has a lifelong passion for science. Donna has been married to Bruce for twenty-eight years and they have three daughters. Donna is a parishioner at Ascension. In her spare time she enjoys reading, knitting, going out to eat. During the summer she can be found enjoying the lake.

You can reach Donna at djackel@ascension-parish.com

Ann Sinkhorn

3 Year Old Teacher

Ann is the three-year-old preschool teacher. She has been working in preschool for 30 years. She attended the University of Louisville, and has continued her education at JCC in the early childhood development field. She and her husband Kurt are parishioners at Ascension and they have a daughter Molly that is in 7th grade. She enjoys gardening, sewing, crafting, and spending time with her family.

You can reach Ann at asinkhorn@ascension-parish.com

Lindsey Ackerman

Kindergarten

Lindsey Ackerman, originally from Owensboro, KY., graduated from Owensboro Catholic in 2003. Attended Murray State University where she was a student worker at Ruby Simpson Headstart program. She graduated in 2009 with her bachelor’s in Integrated Sciences with an emphasis in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education. She has been teaching for five years, three of which have been with Ascension. She is a board member of Ascension’s Emergency Management Planning Committee. She enjoys going to her brother’s SaintX games and attending all UofL sporting events.

You can reach Lindsey at lackerman@ascension-parish.com

Haley Jenks

1st Grade

Haley Jenks is originally from Savannah, Georgia. She moved to Kentucky at an early age and attended Ascension Grade School. Haley recently graduated with honors from the University of Louisville. She received her bachelor’s of science in Early Elementary Education with a minor in English. In addition to her passion for children, she enjoys yoga, hiking, reading, and cooking. Haley has a progressive and enthusiastic teaching style that will make children eager to learn!

You can reach Haley at hjenks@ascension-parish.com

Mary Herriott

Gr’s. 2-5 Handwriting and Religion

Mary Sinclair is a brand new resident of Kentucky! She just recently packed her bags and moved from Burbank, California. She grew up attending Catholic schools and graduated from California State University, Northridge with a Bachelors degree in Child and Adolescent Development with a Minor in Art Education. She also holds a Masters Degree in Education from Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles. Mary’s experience includes teaching both the Kindergarten and middle school students at Christ the King School in Los Angeles.
Mary is excited to begin exploring the city of Louisville and the beautiful surroundings. Day trips, reading, and spending time outside are pastimes that she enjoys. Mary and her fiancé Josh, who is a member of the United States Coast Guard, are delighted to be a part of the Ascension Community.
You can reach Mary at msinclair@ascension-parish.com

Amy Dixon

Gr’s. 2-5 Writing & Grammar

Amy holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Kentucky and a Master’s Degree from the University of Louisville and has been teaching for 18 years. Her first seven years of teaching were at Thomas Merton Academy where she taught first grade. When Amy first came to Ascension, she taught Kindergarten for three years and then moved to third grade.

Amy and her husband, Scott have two children: Molly, 8 years old and Mallory, 6 years old. When not at school, Amy likes to spend time with her girls, read, relax and go to the lake.

You can reach Amy at adixon@ascension-parish.com

Trinity Shell

Gr’s. 2-5 Math

Trinity Shell is from Louisville Kentucky. She graduated from Eastern High School in 2012. Trinity attended the University of Louisville where she graduated in 2016 with her bachelor’s in Early Elementary Education with an emphasis in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education.  Trinity has worked at Ascension in KidsTime and the Summer Program for 4 years. She enjoys traveling and just recently returned from teaching in Red Bank Village, Belize. She enjoys being outdoors, kayaking and camping! Trinity is excited to be a full time teacher in the Ascension Community!

You can reach Trinity at tshell@ascension-parish.com

Casie Disselkamp

Gr’s. 2-5 Social Studies

Casie grew up in Clearwater, Florida and attended the University of Central Florida where she received her Bachelor’s Degree. She went on to obtain a Masters of Art in Teaching from the University of South Florida and started her career at St. Peter Claver Catholic School in Tampa where she taught fourth grade and served as the Spirit Girls advisor. In the four years to follow, she taught fourth and fifth grade at Edison Elementary where she was selected to serve as team leader and contact for reading and writing, the principal leadership council and the district curriculum alignment task force.

Upon meeting her husband, a native Louisvillian and St. X graduate, she moved to Louisville in August of 2016 and worked as a guest teacher at Lincoln Elementary for the 2016-2017 school year.

Casie has a passion for teaching and helping her students grow to reach their full potential.

You can reach Casie at cdisselkamp@ascension-parish.com

Eileen Soeder

6th Grade

Eileen attended Holy Family School and graduated from Mercy Academy. She has a Master’s degree in Education with endorsements in Special Education and Administration from the University of Louisville.
Eileen has been both a teacher and a principal for 36 years.
Though she has always considered herself a dog lover, Eileen is currently serving as a staff member to several rescued cats. She loves spending time with animals and enjoys reading, especially mystery novels.

You can reach Eileen at esoeder@ascension-parish.com

Emily Brown

7th Grade

Emily Evans grew up in Louisville and attended Male High School. She recently graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education. In her spare time she enjoys spending time outdoors, biking, reading, and spending time with her family and fiancé. Emily is so excited to become a part of the Ascension family this year!

You can reach Emily at eevans@ascension-parish.com

Kelsey Fox

Middle School Social Studies/LA

Kelsey Fox grew up in California, and spent time living in Michigan and France before finding her way home to Kentucky. Before beginning her teaching career in 2014, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Politics from Hillsdale College. When she is not teaching, Kelsey is writing, traveling, and volunteering with a local bully breeds dog rescue.

You can reach Kelsey at kfox@ascension-parish.com

Barbara Wagner

Librarian / Computer Teacher

Barbara is the new Librarian / Technology teacher.  She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Louisville.  She also has an Associate’s Degree in Data Processing Technology from Speed Scientific School at UofL.  She was a volunteer in Ascension’s Library for 12 years and a substitute teacher.  She has been married to Tom for 21 years and has two children, Lauren and Madison.

You can reach Barbara at bwagner@ascension-parish.com

Cassie Frantz

Counselor

Cassie has been the Guidance Counselor at Ascension for 22 years. Cassie says, “It is truly rewarding watching students grow from preschool to adolescence.” Her education includes a B.A. in Social Work from the University of Kentucky and a M.A. in Counseling Psychology and Psychological Assessment from Spalding University.

She is the proud mother of a 29 year old daughter who received her PhD in Micro-biology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics. She is a professor at the University of Texas North. Her son, who will turn 28 this year, graduated from U of L and is an Industrial Engineer Supervisor for UPS here in Louisville.

At home is her Boxer/Hound mix “Derby” who is her constant companion! Cassie is an avid boater and spends a lot of time on her houseboat at Dale Hollow Lake. She also enjoys hiking, swimming, workouts at the YMCA, reading everything and anything from her Kindle and cooking.

You can reach Cassie at cfrantz@ascension-parish.com

Alicia Bloos

Spanish

Spanish teacher Alicia Bloos is excited about her second year of teaching at Ascension. Previously, she taught Spanish and English in Indiana public high schools for almost 30 years. She holds a BA from Hanover College and an MS from Indiana State University where she served as a graduate assistant instructor. Her experience in the Hispanic world includes study in Mexico and Spain, a visit to Puerto Rico, and leading numerous student trips to Mexico and Costa Rica. In addition, she has taught adult education Spanish classes as well as instructing ESL classes with her husband.
Mrs. Bloos enjoys swimming, reading, knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, dancing, traveling, genealogy, gardening, oil-painting, exploring Louisville, and time with family and friends. She also has a strong commitment to volunteer work. She is active in her church, Bardstown Road Presbyterian Church, its choir and handbell choir, and its local mission work as well as traveling with a work team to help in areas devastated by tornadoes and other disasters. Her husband Kris is an adjunct instructor and academic advisor in the School of Business at Indiana University Southeast. They have four grown sons who are their pride and joy.

You can email Alicia at abloos@ascension-parish.com

Darla Radcliff

PE Teacher

Mrs. Radcliff is the physical education teacher. She has a Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in education from the University of Louisville. She was previously a fourth grade teacher here at Ascension for 12 years before deciding to make a change. Her focus is on fun and teaching the skills needed for a healthy lifestyle. When not at Ascension she is playing tennis, reading or walking her new rescue dog! She has 3 grown children.

You can reach Darla at dradcliff@ascension-parish.com

Ann Smith

Art

Ann Smith is in her 22nd year of teaching art at Ascension. She taught art at Sacred Heart Model School in Louisville and Boyle County Elementary School in Danville, KY.
Ann was born in Bardstown, KY. She and her five siblings grew up on her parent’s farm. She attended St. Joseph’s Elementary School and Bethlehem High School. She received her bachelor’s degree in art education from Eastern Kentucky University. She went on to get her master’s degree in elementary education from the University of Louisville.
Ann has been married to her husband Michael for 24 years. Their son Drew is 16 years old and attends Trinity High School. Their daughter Audrey is 12 years old and is a student at The Meredith Dunn School. Their dog Tilly is 5 years old and loves everyone she meets.
In her free time Ann enjoys spending time on the patio at home with her family and friends. She also enjoys watching her husband cook and tasting the results, listening to her son tell funny stories, shopping and going to lunch with her daughter, taking time to paint and experiment with all forms of art in her home studio, attending outdoor festivals and practicing yoga.

You can reach Ann at asmith@ascension-parish.com

Betty Jaggers

Teacher Assistant

Betty has been with Ascension for the past 17 years helping with Kindergarten through 5th grade. This school year she will be the 1st grade assistance, while also helping Susie in the office and overseeing the yearbook committee. Betty is a Louisville native, having attended St. James School and graduated from Mercy Academy. She has previously tutored with the Shedd’s Dyslexia Foundation for 4 years. Betty has been married 46 years to Brent E. Jaggers Sr. She has 2 sons and 7 grandchildren, with two of them attending Ascension, Jaylynn and Destiny. When not at school Betty loves to vacation with her family.

You can reach Betty at bjaggers@ascension-parish.com

Holly Smith

Music

Holly Smith spent part of her childhood in Mesa, AZ and the rest in southwestern, SD where her family raises beef cattle. After high school, she served in the United States Marine Corps as a musician. This job gave her the opportunity to travel and learn many things, as well as begin her college career at the University of Hawaii – Manoa where she studied vocal performance. After leaving the USMC, she continued her college education at the University of Kentucky. She graduated in 2013 with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music Education and Music Performance, bassoon. She jumped right into graduate studies and completed her Master of Education degree in Music Education in 2014. Holly moved to Louisville in 2014 with her two dogs to begin teaching Pre-K through 8th grade General Music at Ascension School, along with Band, Choir, and Musical Theater.  Holly became the Worship Director at Ascension, in addition to teaching music, in 2015. That same year, Holly completed the Dalcroze Pedagogy Certificate from the University of Kentucky followed by her National Certification in Dalcroze Eurhythmics in 2016.  Holly also completed her Rank 1 in Music Education from the University of Kentucky in 2016.  Holly has presented professional music education workshops at the state and regional level.  In her free time, she enjoys outdoor adventures, playing the bassoon and piano, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

You can reach Holly at hsmith@ascension-parish.com

 

Leah Lancaster

Learning Coordinator

Leah is the Special Needs teacher. She attended Ascension grade school and Sacred Heart Academy. She has a Bachelor’s degree with a dual major in Elementary Education and Learning and Behavior Disorders from the University of Louisville and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University Southeast. She starting teaching in 2006 in the public school system in both the regular and special education classrooms before taking a couple of years off to stay at home with her children. She and her husband, Rob, have four children, Kayla, Anna, Kate, and Patrick. The three oldest currently attend Ascension school while the youngest will join them next year. In her very limited free time she likes to read, swim, and quilt.

you can reach Leah at llancaster@ascension-parish.com

Dr. Michael Shell

Middle school Trivium

Dr. Shell teaches philosophy, logic and ethics at Jefferson Community and Technical College here in Louisville and earned his Ph.D. in Education from the University of Kentucky.  He earned two Master’s degrees at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Biblical Languages and Archeology and did his undergraduate work in Bible and Biblical Languages at Southwest Baptist University in Missouri. Michael and Valerie have three children: Trinity (who is well known to the Ascension family), Autumn, and Justice. Dr. Shell also pastors a small church in the west end of Louisville. In his free time, he enjoys reading and the great outdoors.

you can reach Michael at mshell@ascension-parish.com

 

Nancy Gatewood

Jr. K Assistant

Nancy Gatewood, has been married for 27 years to, Mark Gatewood. She has three children; Megan, Jake, and Ryan. She is a member of Saint Puis X Catholic Church where she and her husband volunteer for the ‘Marriage Encounter’ program, counseling couples receiving the sacrament of marriage. Nancy has worked for the Archdiocese of Louisville for eleven years. She enjoys going to Trinity games, UofK football and basketball games, and boating at the lake with her family.

Valerie Shell

Kids Time Director

Valerie grew up in St Louis, Missouri. She attended college at Southwest Baptist University where she obtained a bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education. She has worked in the field of early childhood for 25 years. Valerie and her husband Michael have three children; Trinity, Autumn and Justice. In her free time she enjoys shopping with her girls, hiking in the woods with her little man, Pinterest projects, DIYing around the house and hanging out with friends and family.

You can reach Valerie at vshell@ascension-parish.com

Rachel Skaggs

Assistant Director Kids Time

Rachel Skaggs grew up in Grayson County, Kentucky, near Rough River Lake. She has a degree in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education and has been working with children for 15 years. She has been married 12 years. She has 3 beautiful daughters; Hannah, Kaelyn, and Rebekah. As a family they love to spend time at the lake boating, swimming and fishing.

You can reach Rachel at rskaggs@ascension-parish.com

 

Susie Thomas

School Secretary

Susie attended St. Edward School and graduated from Jeffersontown High School. She has two sons, Bradley Thomas, Jr. and Troy Thomas. When her boys entered school at St. Edward, she took the secretary position at Ascension School in 1987 allowing her to be home when they were home.
When not at school, Susie enjoys the lake, boating, fishing and skiing. She also enjoys the beach and golf.

You can reach Susie at susthomas@ascension-parish.com

Jessica Wimsatt

Gr’s. 2-5 Reading

Jessica holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Kentucky in Elementary Education.  She is also finishing her Masters this year as a Literacy Specialist from the University of the Cumberlands.  She taught fourth grade at Ascension for two years.  She grew up in Louisville and attended Ascension and Mercy Academy.  In her free time, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and reading.  She is excited to be back at Ascension!

You can reach Laura at jberry@ascension-parish.com

 

Jim Grider

Custodian

Jim Grider attended Chenoweth Elementary and graduated from Waggener High School. He has three children, Mary Ann, Patricia and Sid, Jr. and eight grandchildren. Jim has worked as the maintenance supervisor at Ascension since 1999. When not at Ascension, Jim enjoys Nascar Racing and spending time with his grandchildren.

Patricia Shaughnessy

Cafeteria Manager

Patricia was born and raised in a small town in Illinois. She comes from a good Catholic family and has four brothers and three sisters. Her high school years and college degree were completed in Illinois. Patricia moved to Louisville Kentucky in 1976 after her marriage. She raised three children and has one grandson. She has worked in a doctor’s office, retail merchandising, and optical manufacturing. Patricia has been working in the school cafeteria for over 6 years. Outside of work and besides her time with her family and friends, Patricia enjoys the outdoors, reading, crocheting and computer games.

You can reach Patricia at pshaughnessy@ascension-parish.com