Faculty/Staff

Sharon Vroman

svroman@sjsdavis.com

Sharon Vroman is a graduate of the University of Southern California with degrees in History and Spanish. She was credentialled through UC Davis and holds credentials in both Elementary and Secondary Education with a Bilingual Educator Certificate. Ms. Vroman has been in education for 50 years! She has been a teacher since 1974, working in elementary, middle school, and high school settings. She also served as an educator in the Migrant Education and Adult Education Program. She is currently one of our two principals and has been a principal at both St. Anne School in Sacramento and St. James School. Her three children attended St. James.

Ms. Vroman chose education because of her deep desire to share her passion for History and the Spanish language with young people. She was drawn to Catholic education because of her interest in teaching in a faith-filled environment. She states, “It has been an honor working in the Sacramento Diocese, especially at St. James School. It is my second home!”

Susan Perry

sperry@sjsdavis.com

Susan Perry attended St. Mary's College of California where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal and Civic Studies with a minor in Sociology. She earned her California Teaching Credential and Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Grand Canyon University.

Mrs. Perry has been in education for 20 years as an instructional aide, substitute teacher, classroom teacher, and is currently one of our two co-principals at St. James School.

Mrs. Perry was drawn to Catholic education because of her love of working with children. As one of six children and the only girl, she grew up babysitting and always knew she wanted to teach. She loves the idea of being able to talk about God, morals, and values, and being able to pray everyday with the students. She loves the St. James community!

Mrs. Perry finds inspiration from Mother Teresa’s quote: “Not all of us can do great things. But we can all do small things with great love.”

Kathryn Baggarly

kbaggarly@sjsdavis.com

Kathryn Baggarly received a Bachelor of Arts in English and Literary Criticism from UC Irvine in 1988 where she graduated Cum Laude from the Humanities Honors Program. She received her California Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Cal State University, Fullerton in 1989 and her Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from Azusa Pacific University in 2000. She also holds a Supplemental Secondary Education Credential in English and Drama and a CLAD Credential.

Mrs. Baggarly has been in education for 36 years. She taught Fourth and Fifth Grades for 10 years in the Fullerton Joint Unified School District, was the Junior High English Language Arts and Eighth Grade Homeroom teacher at St. James for 15 years, and has been the Vice Principal and Advancement Director at SJS for three years. Her four children attended St. James School. Mrs.Baggarly has also served on the board of the National Catholic Board for Full Inclusion and the Eleanor J. Marks Holocaust Project. Mrs. Baggarly is a third generation educator, a product of 12 years of Catholic education, and always wanted to be a teacher. She chose Catholic education because she loves being able to share her faith and values with the students and families.

Beverly Juhnke

bjuhnke@sjsdavis.com

Bev Juhnke, St. James School’s Administrative Assistant, earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in History with a minor in Education from Mount Marty’s College. She has taught high school and has been at SJS for 41 years!

Mrs. Juhnke’s children and grandchildren attended St. James School, and she credits her longtime involvement in Catholic education to a love of working with children.

Allison Torok

Allison Torok currently teaches Transitional Kindergarten (TK) at St. James School. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from UC Davis and a Master of Arts in Education from National University, San Diego in 2019.

Mrs. Torok has over 15 years of educational experience where she tutored in core subjects, test preparation, and English Language skills for students. She also has experience in program management and developing educational and community support programs and expertise in curriculum development, classroom management, and student progress tracking.

Mrs. Torok is dedicated to facilitating equitable and inclusive educational programs. She was drawn to Catholic education because she values the fostering community, leadership, and love of learning rooted in values and faith-based education.

Robin Ramos

Robin Ramos, St. James School’s Kindergarten teacher, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from San Francisco State University in 2002 and her California Teaching Credential with a CLAD certification in 2003 from the same institution. She has been in education for 16 years as a classroom teacher and private tutor. Ms. Ramos was drawn to Catholic education because it allows her to intertwine the morals and values of Jesus’ teachings throughout all curricular areas.

Ms. Ramos has three children who all attended St. James School. She has been part of the school community since 2015 and loves the close knit family feel and community at SJS. It is important to Ms. Ramos to create a meaningful, fun, and positive learning environment for all types of student learners.

Donicia Hernandez

Donicia Hernandez, our First Grade teacher, has been in education for 18 years with six years as a classroom teacher. She worked at Our Lady of Grace for 12 years, Sacramento Montessori for two years, and has been part of St. James School’s staff for four years. Ms. Hernandez is currently working on her teaching credential and has her Catechist Certificate.

Ms. Hernandez was drawn to education when she read Hosea 4:6: “ My people perish for lack of knowledge.” As a lifelong Catholic, she felt God was calling her to enter teaching. She is passionate about helping children develop a strong academic foundation and to learn how to believe in themselves. She loves Catholic education because it allows her to share her faith, the power of prayer, and the traditions we share as a Catholic community.

Margaret Stanton

Margaret Stanton has been an educator for 37 years and is St. James School’s Second Grade teacher. Mrs. Stanton received her Bachelor of Arts in Child Development from Sacramento State University in 1986 and her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Specialist Instructional Credential in Special Education from Sacramento State in 1988. Mrs. Stanton has always enjoyed working with children and has worked at the Sacramento Diocese summer camp for 22 years where she helped develop programs, led trainings, and worked in fundraising for the camp.

Mrs. Stanton received the Dandy Award from the National Catholic Board of Full Inclusion in 2016 and has taught children with Down’s Syndrome and the hearing impaired.

Mrs. Stanton attended Catholic schools and she loves working in Catholic education where she can share her faith with her students.

Trudy Connolly

Trudy Connolly, St. James School’s Third Grade teacher, received a Bachelor of Science in Applied Behavioral Sciences with an emphasis in Counseling from UC Davis in 1983. She earned her teaching credential from Cal State TEACH at California State University, Fresno in 2016.

Mrs. Connolly has been a teacher for 20 years. She also worked as a peer counselor in the Applied Behavioral Department at UC Davis.

Mrs. Connolly loves children and seeing them have that ”a-ha” moment when learning. She is a product of Catholic education and all five of her children attended Catholic schools. Mrs. Connolly’s faith is very important to her and her family. She chose Catholic education because she loves to share her faith with others

Jean Rodriguez

Jean Rodriguez attended Western Washington University where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree. She earned her Elementary Teaching Credential at Sacramento State University. Mrs. Rodriguez has been in education for 13 years as an instructional aide and teacher. She also taught for six years at the graduate school level. Mrs. Rodriguez is currently one of St. James’ two Fourth Grade teachers.

Mrs. Rodriguez was drawn to Catholic education for a variety of reasons including to foster a love for learning, to continue to be a lifelong learner herself, and to work with other people who love to learn. Her daughters attended St. James School and her family drew her to work at a Catholic school.

Mary Gibbons

Mary Claire Gibbons was awarded her Bachelor of Arts in English with a specialization in Elementary Education from UCLA in 1998 and an MEd Masters in Education from UCLA in 2000.

Mrs. Gibbons has been in education for 20 years where she was a Kindergarten teacher at Foshay Learning Center in Los Angeles from 1999-2003, a First Grade teacher at Addison Elementary School in Palo Alto from 2004-2008, and St. James School’s Librarian and Fourth Grade teacher since 2019.

Mrs. Gibbons' three children attended St. James School, and she was drawn to Catholic education because she loves reading, sharing books with young people, and watching children learn and grow in their development.

Amy Whiteford

Amy Whiteford, St. James School’s Fifth Grade teacher, received her Bachelor of Arts in Literature with a Minor in Spiritual Formation from Vanguard University in 2003. She earned her Master of Arts in Biblical Studies and Theology from Fuller Seminary in 2013.

Mrs. Whiteford has been in education for 12 years. She began teaching as an adjunct Writing Instructor at Vanguard University in 2003. She moved to teaching middle school Literature, History, Religion, and Performing Arts. Before joining SJS, Mrs. Whiteford taught AP Language and Composition, AP Literature, and British and American Literature to high school juniors and seniors. She has additional experience in Advanced Placement Instructional Training.

Mrs. Whiteford chose Catholic education due to her own Catholic school experience at St. Philip Benizi. Her years there were incredibly formative. Mrs. Whiteford loves having the opportunity to not only continue the traditions she experienced, but to also be able to share her love of Christ in the classroom and school communities. Mrs. Whiteford also loves the ocean, camping, and having adventures with her four children.

Ashlee Chen

Sonia Mezger

McKenna Purdy

McKenna Purdy is St. James School’s Fifth-Eighth Grade Science teacher and the Seventh Grade Homeroom teacher. She graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science.

Prior to joining St. James School, she was an educational summer camp instructor and a Marine Science educator at Mission Bay in San Diego for two years.

Miss Purdy chose education because of her love of working with young people. As the daughter of a Catholic high school educator, Miss Purdy witnessed her dad’s love of working in a Catholic environment. She especially loves our tight knit and supportive community.

Janet Whitmore

Janet Whitmore received her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from UC Santa Barbara in 1984. She has been in education for 27 years as an instructional aide, substitute teacher, and teacher. She currently teaches Junior High English Language Arts and is the Eighth Grade Homeroom teacher. Mrs. Whitmore chose Catholic education because she wanted to help others. Her two boys went to St. James School and, in her words, she “never left”.

Jack Dapkewicz

Jack Dapkewicz received his Associates Degree from Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, his Bachelor of Science degree from UC Riverside, and his Administrative Credential from Sacramento State University.

Mr. Dapkewicz, also known as “Mr. Dap”, has 20 plus years in education as a teacher, math specialist, and vice principal. He is St. James School’s Junior High Math teacher. Mr. Dap has three children and enjoys swimming, running, and biking. Teaching is a second career for him. He started out of college as an investment banker, but was drawn to teaching. Interestingly, Mr. Dap says he was “a poor math student who had to work harder than most.” This experience gives him insight into and compassion for those learners who also struggle. Catholic education is his third career and he loves it!

Kevin Saunders

Kevin Saunders is St. James School’s Physical Education teacher and Athletic Director. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UC Davis in 1991. He attended National University for his teaching credential.

Mr. Saunders has been in education for 18 years as a substitute teacher in the Roseville School District and ten years as the Athletic Director at a private TK-8 school in Roseville.

Mr. Saunders was drawn to Catholic education because he wanted to work with children in an athletic environment as sports were always important to him growing up. Go Falcons!

Michael Schwagerus

Michael Schwagerus, better known as “Mr. S”, is St. James School’s Music Director. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Music from UC Santa Barbara in 1999 and his Master of Arts in Music from San Francisco State University in 2001. He has been teaching music since 2001 and has 24 years of education experience.

Mr. S conducts Concert Band and Choir while teaching music to St. James School’s TK-Eighth Grade students. He is also a Lecturer at UC Davis’s School of Music. An accomplished String Bass and Double Bass player, Mr. S joined the North State Symphony in 2001 and continues serving there as Principal Bassist. He has also performed with the Sacramento Philharmonic, Modesto Symphony, Sacramento Choral Society, Sacramento Chamber Music Society, and was the Principal Bassist for Townsend Opera.

Mr. S maintains a private lesson studio of 45 students and teaches a variety of instruments including piano, guitar, and woodwinds. His Bass students have been accepted into the Manhattan School of Music, Berklee College of Music, and Brubeck Institute Jazz Colony.

Mr. S’s two children attended St. James School, and he believes teaching music at our Catholic school is his true calling.

Courtney Voskuhl

Courtney Voskuhl is St. James School’s Art teacher for grades TK-8. She has been on staff for four years. Before becoming the Art teacher, she volunteered for six years as a monthly Art Docent and Teacher at SJS.

Mrs. Voskuhl earned her Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Childhood Development from UC Berkeley in 2001. She obtained her CTE Arts, Media, and Entertainment Teaching Credential from Sacramento State University in 2025. Prior to education, Mrs. Voskuhl worked for ten years in the public sector as the Education Executive for L’Oreal where she developed curriculum for national employee trainings.

Mrs. Voskuhl is passionate about STEM fields and hands-on, project-based learning approaches that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and innovation through designing and tinkering. She belongs to a Maker Education group that meets once a month at Folsom College to explore ways to introduce and build maker spaces for children.

Mrs. Voskuhl chose Catholic education for her three sons because she wanted to nurture their faith and instill strong character traits. She believes, as Pope Francis expresses, that creative work makes perceptible “the world of the spirit and of God”. She believes that a Catholic school provides children with a safe, academically enriching environment that values both faith and the Arts. This environment allows all children the opportunity to grow, create, and engage with the world in a meaningful way.

Shelly Dirksen

Shelly Dirksen received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a Minor in Reading Instruction from Dordt University, Sioux Center, Iowa in 2001. She has been in education for 23 years serving as a Special Education paraeducator, teacher, reading and writing tutor, substitute teacher, and Children’s Ministry Director grades TK-12 for Christ Church in Davis. Mrs. Dirksen is our Education Achievement Specialist (EAS), a position she has held for 3 and a half years. She is currently working toward her California Clear Teaching Credential.

Mrs. Dirksen has always known her skill set was geared toward teaching and working with children. She loves to help students reach their goals and realize how capable they truly are. She feels it is a true privilege to participate in the moment a child learns something new.

St. James is Mrs. Dirksen’s first experience teaching at a Catholic school. She loves Catholic education and finds it a joy to combine her two loves: faith and teaching.

Kari Fisher

Kari Fisher received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Sociology from UC Davis in 1995 and her Masters in Counseling from UC Davis in 2002. She has over 20 years of experience as a psychotherapist working in private practice, community, and school settings. She has additional training in emotionally focused therapy, trauma therapy, and therapies with children and families.

Mrs. Fisher is in her first year as our School Counselor. She chose Catholic education because her son attended St. James and she fell in love with the community as a parent. She has always loved working with children as a psychotherapist and feels blessed to be able to combine her work with a community she holds great fondness for.

Hailey Pruett

Hailey Pruett, St. James School’s Technology Specialist, Yearbook, and Student Council Moderator, has worked in education for four years. She graduated from Dixon High School and attends Solano Community College. Prior to joining our staff, Ms. Pruett worked in the medical field and she holds several medical certifications. Ms. Pruett chose the education field because of her love of working with young people. She chose Catholic education due to the tight-knit and supportive community she found at SJS. 

Barbara Makin

Maggie Warren

Emily Putnam

Jordan Zuniga

Maddie Spangler

Kate Woodard

Lexy Mann

Staci Forrest

Chris Payne

Liz Silveira Pio

Kelly Williams