All Day TK

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.

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.

Kate Woodard

Liz Silveira Pio