Emily Theunick

2nd Grade

Scott Pieratt

Physical Education/Technology

A graduate of Central Michigan University, Mr. Pieratt has been a teacher in Big Rapids for 18 years and has had the pleasure of working at St. Mary’s for the past 13. His wife, Sarah, is also a teacher and employed by Midland Public Schools. His 14 year old daughter, Eliza, and 12 year old son, Grady, attend Sacred Heart Academy in Mt. Pleasant where they reside.

Mr. Pieratt teaches Technology and Physical Education to grades 1st through 8th. He loves to see kids grow and work hard to improve their skills in both areas. In addition to the classroom work, Mr. Pieratt coaches cross country at the Big Rapids Middle School.

In his spare time, Mr. Pieratt enjoys coaching his children in various sports such as basketball, softball and baseball.

Contact Mr. Pieratt

Mr. Pieratt’s Website

Carey Mathewson

7th/8th Grade

Mrs. Mathewson grew up in Flat Rock, Michigan on the east side of the state. She graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelors of Arts in Secondary Education majoring in Mathematics and a minor in Group Science. After teaching a few years, she returned to school and received a middle school endorsement from Central Michigan University.

She moved to Big Rapids with her husband upon his graduation from the University of Detroit Dental School. Having both been given the great opportunity of a Catholic Education, they decided to continue the tradition with their three children. Brook, Chloe and Emily have all been students at St. Mary School.

Mrs. Mathewson’s responsibilities at St. Mary include teaching math and science to the 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. She is also the religion teacher for the 7th and 8th graders. In addition to her traditional classroom responsibilities, she is a mentor for the middle school robotics team and coordinator for our PALS groups.

Contact Mrs. Mathewson

Andrea Cooley

6th Grade

Mrs. Cooley has been working at St. Mary Catholic School since 2007. For the 2020-2021 school year, she will be teaching 6th grade Religion and 6/7/8th Language Arts and History.

She is an alum of St. Mary’s and an active parishioner. Mrs. Cooley is married (Jack) and has three children who all attended St. Mary Catholic School.

Mrs. Cooley received her teaching degree from Western Michigan University and considers herself a townie – being born and raised in Big Rapids.

Contact Mrs. Cooley

Angela Denny

4th Grade

Mrs. Denny grew up in Grand Rapids and attended a Catholic School for 13 years. After completing the teacher certification program at Grand Valley State University, Mrs. Denny moved to Big Rapids in 2007 to begin teaching at St. Mary School. She met her husband, a St. Mary alumnus, at the St. Mary Gala in 2010. They were married in 2012. She and her husband, John, have one son, who will begin Kindergarten in the fall.

Mrs. Denny has taught grades second through eighth at St. Mary School. For the 2020-2021 school year, she will be teaching math and science to the 4th and 5th grade St. Mary students.

Contact Mrs. Denny

Emily Adams

Kindergarten

Ms. Adams is in her first year teaching and is excited to be a part of the St. Mary School family.

She is a 2020 graduate of Aquinas College. This fall, Ms. Adams will be continuing her education at AQ, pursuing a Masters of Education degree. Ms. Adams grew up in Middleville (just south of Grand Rapids) and graduated from Thornapple Kellogg Schools.

Ms. Adams became interested in teaching as a career after working as a substitute teacher while finishing college.

She can’t wait to see new adventures in Big Rapids and meet her new St. Mary’s family!

Contact Ms. Adams

Jennifer Vos

1st Grade

Mrs. Vos is our first grade teacher. She will be in her second year at St. Mary Catholic School. She’s very happy to be back to teach our faith to her students.

A graduate of Grand Valley State University, Mrs. Vos lives in Pierson on a small lake and loves everything outdoors! She loves bringing nature into her classroom too.

Mrs. Vos and her husband, Greg, are the parents of two children, Brooke and Ryan. They belong to Christ the King St. Francis de Sales Parish in Howard City, where she teaches faith formation as well. She loves to garden and enjoys water sports, hike, camp and being outside with her family.

Contact Mrs. Vos

Trisha Kwant

Preschool

Mrs. Kwant began her St. Mary Preschool adventure in 1997 as a lead teacher and has been directing the program along with the after school program since.

She has been blessed to receive all of her sacraments at St. Mary Church along with her marriage. Now all three of her children have been blessed as well.

Mrs. Kwant obtained her degree from Ferris State University in their Early Childhood program and continues to work towards education goals.

She and her husband, Paul, are fortunate to have had one child graduate from St. Mary’s and two that are current students.

Mrs. Kwant continues to look forward to the adventures ahead!

Contact Mrs. Kwant

Morgan Wenger

3rd Grade

Mrs. Wenger grew up in Kalamazoo before her parents relocated when she was in high school. She graduated from Ferris State’s Nuclear Medicine Technology program. Mrs. Wenger worked in the health care field for about five years before returning to school to get her teaching certificate. She has been married to her husband for 12 years and have three children, all who attend St. Mary Catholic School. They have a labradoodle and a French bulldog as well as two cats. Mrs. Wenger enjoys coaching rec soccer as well as St. Mary’s volleyball.

Contact Mrs. Wenger