Old Mission School - San Luis Obispo

Tess Barket

Principal

My name is Tess Barket and my history at Old Mission School began as a 1st-grade student many years ago. I graduated from Old Mission and Mission College Preparatory. Before I had to declare a major in college, I found myself volunteering in classrooms and in child-centered activities. I loved my faith-based elementary education and wanted to share that love of learning with students of my own. After attending the College of St. Benedict in Minnesota and receiving a “Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential” from Cal Poly in 1992, I received a phone call from Old Mission School’s former principal, Dr. Jim Gentilucci; he asked me to “come home to teach” at Old Mission and I emphatically agreed. It is a gift to spend my days with children who are filled with curiosity, enthusiasm, and love for all things good. As a teacher and administrator, I work with the OMS community to develop “socially responsible citizens who are spiritually empowered, academically enriched, and morally accountable for their actions.” I continued my education and received my Master’s Degree in Instruction and Curriculum in 1997 and my Catechist Certificate in 1998. I enrolled at Cal Poly in 2019 and received a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration and an administrative credential. Outside of the classroom, you can find me spending time with my family, hiking, gardening, and reading. I have been volunteering with Get On the Bus since it began bringing children to the CMC in 2006 and with Girl Scouts since 2010.

Lindsey Pereira

Assistant Principal, 7th-8th Grade Accelerated Math

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BJ Woods

Administrative Assistant

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Leslie Colvin

Transitional Kindergarten Teacher

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My name is Leslie Colvin, and 2021-2022 will be my 13th year teaching transitional kindergarten. I am a business graduate from Cal Poly and received my teaching credential from Santa Clara University. I am passionate about this age level and love to see the growth and development my kiddos make throughout the year. I strive to develop independent learners who can communicate their needs and work cooperatively with others. When I am not teaching, I enjoy cooking, gardening, exercising and most importantly, hanging out with my husband and two amazing kids.

Betty Ann Daughtry

Kindergarten Teacher

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My name is BettyAnn Daughtry and this is my sixth year teaching kindergarten here at OMS. Prior to coming to OMS I was a first grade teacher for the Central Unified School District in Fresno for 15 years. I especially love teaching here at OMS because I am able to share my faith in God with my students, while academically preparing them for first grade . When I am not teaching I like to bake, garden and be artistic, but my favorite thing to do is to spend time with my family and precious grandchildren.

Maeve Brigantino

1st Grade Teacher

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Mrs.B graduated from Cal Poly in 2016 with a Degree in Business and returned in 2019 to receive her teaching credential.

In 2018 she married her husband (Mr.B), who she met at their local church. Mrs.B loves spending time with family, traveling, and serving youth at their church.

Mrs.B is passionate about giving students the tools they need to learn, grow and reach their potential in every area of their life. She can’t wait to watch our OMS first graders blossom this year!

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Leslie Monaco

2nd Grade Teacher

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I grew up in the Central Valley and came to Cal Poly to get my teaching credential. I received my elementary credential and a Masters in Reading Instruction. I first started working for the SLO Parks and Recreation Dept. in youth sports and I believe that is what brought me to Old Mission School. As I worked coaching and officiating games, something stood out to me about the youngsters from OMS: they had heart and treated each other like family. The experience made me curious about OMS so I applied for a position. I started teaching PE in grades 1-9 while assisting in Second Grade as an Instructional Assistant.. that was in 1982!!! After six years, I took over in Second Grade. It is such a pleasure to work with our Second Graders and watch them grow in so many ways. Due to my interest in youth sports, I began coaching as well as teaching. I still continue to coach the Mission Prep Cross Country Team; this has allowed me to have the pleasure of working with many of my former students during their high school years as well. Needless to say, I love Old Mission School!!!

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Lori Ronay

3rd Grade Teacher

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Kelly Roberts

4th Grade Teacher

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Nicolle Gilsdorf

5th Grade Teacher

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My name is Nicolle Gilsdorf, and the 2022-2023 school year will be my eighth year teaching 5th grade at Old Mission School. I graduated from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, with a Masters in Teaching in 2006. I have previously taught 6th grade in rural Alaska and 5th grade in Hawaii. I enjoy helping others grow and learn. I believe that a child's ability to learn relies on the classroom environment, the teacher's love of teaching, and parent involvement. 2022-2023 will be my 13th year as a teacher, and I continue to be grateful that this profession chose me. When I am not teaching, I enjoy talking with my nieces, quilting, gardening, hiking, and fostering cats.

Becky Stevens

6th Grade Religion, 7th and 8th Grade Spanish and 8th Grade Social Studies

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Ray Van Es

6th/7th Grade Social Studies, 7th Grade ELA

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I moved to the Central Valley (Visalia) when I was 10 from Los Angeles. After graduating from High School I went into corrections at Corcoran State Prison.

Upon retiring from there I graduated from Chapman University with my BS in Social Science and my Teaching Credential.

I worked for Strathmore Elementary in the 5th grade for 3 years and 8th grade history for 2 years. I then took a position with Visalia Unified School District for 7 years as a 6th grade teacher.

I have two grown children Julie, a Court Reporter and Justin, a Solar Electrician. I have 2 grandchildren, Emma 2nd grade and Mason 3 years old.

My philosophy is simple; “Education should be fun and interesting. All children can learn. Education and organizational skills are building the blocks for

productive, successful students. Students should be excited about their education. If you enjoy what you do, then it really isn’t work.”

My interests are baseball (Los Angeles Dodgers), football (Los Angeles Rams), gardening, woodworking, and the beach. Recently, I’ve started Pickle ball.

Teaching is a rewarding career.

Katie Rose Walters

8th Grade Religion, 7th-8th Grade Math

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Hello there, I’m so excited you are here! My name is Katie Rose Walters and I have been teaching at OMS since 2015. I currently teach 7th and 8th Grade Level Math and 8th Grade Religion. During my time here I have also taught 4th and 6th Grade Math, Middle School PE, Mock Trial, Yearbook, and coached Girls’ Volleyball. I love this school community and am so happy I get to call Old Mission School my home.

I am very active in my home parish, Nativity of Our Lady Catholic Community, as the Confirmation teacher and Youth Minister. I love watching our students’ faith formation throughout their junior high years and into high school, creating a lasting relationship with Jesus, being guided by the Holy Spirit.

When I’m not working with my students I can be found hiking all over the Central Coast with my husband Tony, taking a spin class at a local gym, or reading a book poolside. Reality TV and shopping are some of my guilty pleasures. I love to travel when I am given the opportunity and hope to check a lot more places off my bucket list.

Katie Olivas

7th-8th Grade ELA, 7th Grade Reading

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Lyndsey Weisenberg

6th-8th Science

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Ally Arcuri

Physical Education, Athletic Director

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Patience Santos

K-6th Spanish Teacher, Physical Education

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Coach Patience Santos is an educator of P.E. and Spanish, as well as coach of Old Mission School’s Tennis and Golf Club. Patience has been teaching at OMS for 32 years and says she absolutely loves being able to talk about Jesus all day long. She is a graduate of Cal Poly, graduating from the university with a degree in kinesiology as well as her teaching credential.

A life-long lover of fitness, Patience taught aerobics in college and was inspired to teach kids something that can keep them fit their whole lives. When it comes to Spanish, Patience says she loves being able to share her Mexican culture with the students. Coach Patience has two children, who both went to Old Mission School. Her hobbies include hiking and line dancing.