Staff
We are proud to have highly educated teachers with a love for Jesus Christ and a passion to educate and form the students as children of God.
Mandi Lupher
Principal/Director
Jane Mock
Admin Assistant
Mandi received a Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of Northern Colorado with a Major in Mathematics and an emphasis in Elementary Education. Mandi received a Master of Science Degree in Elementary Literacy and Reading from Walden University, reflecting her passion for teaching literacy. She holds a Professional Teaching License through the State of Colorado and is Group Leader and Director qualified to for Preschool. Mandi has won Diocesan awards for her teaching abilities. She has taught since 1999 teaching multiple grade levels in Douglas County Public Schools, but to follow her passion for Catholic Education, she now teaches and works to grow the school at St. Katharine Drexel. She received accreditation to teach Catechesis of the Good Shepard and is currently working on her masters in Catholic School Leadership from Creighton University. Mandi, her husband Brad, and her 3 children are all proud to be parishioners at Pax Christi Church. When she isn’t teaching, she loves playing outdoors at the lake and enjoying the many activities which her children participate.
Jane graduated from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Special Education as well as a dual-certification in Elementary and Special Education. She received a Master of Arts degree in Childhood Education/Literacy from the University at Albany (New York). After graduating from college, Jane moved to Hawaii for her first teaching job. Jane taught Special Education (Pre-K through 6th grade) for 10 years in Waipahu, Hawaii before her husband Chad was transferred to Colorado for work in 2016. She has worked at SKD since 2018 as an assistant teacher, Kindergarten teacher, and special needs teacher. Jane and Chad have two children who both attended St. Katharine Drexel School. In her free time, Jane loves being around family and friends and being outdoors.
Heather Allen
Pre K Teacher
Lisa Keller
Pre K teacher
Heather is thrilled to be a part of the St. Katharine Drexel team! She was born and raised in Northern California where she graduated with a degree in Child Development from San Jose State University. She has been teaching in the Pre-K setting for since 2010. Her and her husband, along with their two beautiful daughters, live in Castle Pines and are members of Pax Christi. Both of her daughters were baptized at Pax Christi, and she was blessed to be baptized here as well in 2014. Her family enjoys skiing in Winter Park, hiking, playing games and watching movies together. They are also faithfully loved by our dog, Tucker. Her goal is to help the SKD child grow emotionally, socially and academically and knows that you are the primary educator in the development of your child where she is grateful to be a part of his/her growth. She thanks you for sharing the challenges and joys of that process with me. It is a privilege.
Katie Brasfeild
Preschool Teacher
Katie feels so blessed that God led her family to the Pax Christi Parish! Working with the staff, students, and families of St. Katharine Drexel is her dream job, and she is looking forward to the start of the 2022-23 school year! The Brasfeilds have two boys at Highlands Ranch High School, and their daughter recently graduated from Sacramento State. They have lived in several states over the course of their 27 year marriage arriving in CO two years ago. Katie earned a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Mississippi State University and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Southern Mississippi. She has served in numerous volunteer roles as her children explored various interests over the years!
Katie’s hobbies include: art, reading, gardening, and walking with her Standard Poodle pup.
This is Lisa Keller’s has been teaching at St. Katharine Drexel since 2019. Prior to teaching here, she was at Fox Creek Elementary. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a Master’s in Counseling Psychology, and a Master’s in Elementary Education. She’s a busy mom of 2. She loves the beach and ocean, loves to dance, watch movies, read books, and spend time with her family and friends.
Patricia Riley
Preschool Teacher
Patricia Riley was born in Fort Ord, California near Monterey Bay. This was the beginning of a traveling family tradition. She lived in nearly every state with an army base including overseas in Germany and France. When her dad finally retired, she settled in Denver, Colorado. She has a BS in Biology and an MS in Ecology from Texas Southern University. This also was the beginning of a lifelong quest for education. She enjoys hiking, biking, mini golf, yoga, and Bible study. She cares about family, our world, Bible study, and restoring the image of God in herself for all to see the LIGHT. Her hope is to become a valuable, contributing member of the SKD family.
Brenda Nohavec
Assistant Teacher
Brenda received a bachelor of Sociology with minors in English and Biology with emphasis in Speech Communication and Chemistry from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, then a degree in dental hygiene from Wichita State university in Kansas. She was a member of St. Mark and is new to Pax Christi. She has twin boys, Seth and Chase, that are seniors and a sophomore, Ethan, whom go to Rock Canyon. Husband Sean, has a banking background, but now works at EKS&H as a business developer. They have been married now for over 20 years. They also have a pet bunny, named Jimmy. Brenda was born and raised in Omaha, NE with short stints in Italy and Winchester, Virginia. It is an honor working for St. Katherine Drexel. She loves working with children. I volunteered for several years at my Childrens’ elementary school in Highlands Ranch and in Castle Pines. I also helped with religious training at St. Mark for my children.
Brenda loves to cook, bake, work out, go golfing (not necessarily playing- I don’t do well with that) watching my kids play sports and going to the beach.
Ann Beal
Assistant Teacher
Ann grew up in the Napa Valley. She studied Early Childhood Education at Napa Valley College where she acquired her degree in Liberal Arts. In addition, she studied Business at Sacramento State University which lead her to her early career in Accounting at Health Maintenance Organization in the San Francisco Bay Area. Ann is a parishioner at Pax Christi Church and had the privilage of opening SKD in 2013. She is happily married for almost 30 years, has a beautiful daughter, and a cute Yorkie named Oliver. In her spare time, Ann enjoys reading, doing arts & crafts, and spending time with her family and friends.
Sheila Rumsey
Assistant Teacher
Sheila joined the staff of St. Katharine Drexel in 2019 as an Assistant Teacher. While the majority of her career has been in hospitality and retail management, when her three daughters were young, she became closely involved with their schools. She taught Vacation Bible School, Junior Achievement, and was a volunteer elementary school librarian. Previously, she was a teacher's aide for the religious education program at Pax Christi. She also served as her daughters' Girl Scout Troop Leader for 16 years, ages kindergarten through high school. Sheila strongly believes in providing a supportive, caring environment to instill the love of learning and reading in children. She and her family have been long time parishioners of Pax Christi and she enjoys giving back to the community.
Dee Hata
Assistant Teacher
Dee grew up in Lexington, Kentucky. She attended Eastern Kentucky University and graduated with a Bachelors in Correctional Services and an Associates in Police Administration. After working in her field she worked in the financial industry and stock brokerage firm in San Diego. After having her 2 boys, which are adults now, she moved to Colorado as a stay at home mom and loved volunteering at Pax Christi in religious education classes as well as Douglas County Schools. She is enjoying her career change as an assistant teacher for the wonderful preschoolers. She loves baseball and ice hockey but her main passion is her two boys!
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Sheila Lupton
Aftercare Teacher
Information coming soon.