KATY BAKER
Math (Algebra I and Geometry)
School: Missouri State
Why did you choose to work at Oakville?
“I liked the culture of the school and how student centered it is. The admin team and math department seemed to have the supports in place I was looking for.”
What is your favorite part about working at Oakville?
“I’ve loved getting to coach JV softball this fall.”
What don’t students know about you?
“I’ve been to 48 of the 50 states.”
What word would you use to describe your teaching style?
“Energetic.”
What’s your favorite inspirational quote?
“You can do hard things.”
LARA GOLDKAMP
18 years in education
SSD (English and Math)
School: Fontbonne University (bachelor’s) and Loyola University of Maryland (master’s)
Why did you choose to work at Oakville?
“While visiting, it had a very positive feel. Everyone was very helpful and friendly.”
What is your favorite part about working at Oakville?
“The students are great!”
What don’t students know about you?
“That I love to travel.”
What word would you use to describe your teaching style?
“Flexible”
What’s your favorite inspirational quote?
“Keep on keeping on.”
JOSH HERRICK
5 years in education
Business (Cybersecurity, Accounting I, Web Design, Business Communications, Sports and Entertainment Marketing)
School: Southwest Baptist University (bachelor’s) and Greenville University (master’s)
Why did you choose to work at Oakville?
“Oakville has a great reputation — I have had many family members come through Oakville — really like the culture of the school.”
What is your favorite part about working at Oakville?
“The business department is great to work with. We have a really good group, and I enjoy coming into work every day.”
What don’t students know about you?
“Favorite place to travel to: San Diego, played baseball through college, have also coached the last 10 years.”
What word would you use to describe your teaching style?
“Prepared/Efficient.”
What’s your favorite inspirational quote?
“”Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” -Robert Collier
DANIEL HARTIG
Math (Algebra I & II)
School: Mizzou
Why did you choose to work at Oakville?
“I liked the educational philosophy of the principals and math department.”
What is your favorite part about working at Oakville?
“The ‘ah-ha’ moments I see every day of students understanding the material.”
What don’t students know about you?
“I love random, useless trivia facts, especially about music or music history.”
What word would you use to describe your teaching style?
“High expectations, high support.”
What’s your favorite inspirational quote?
“Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reasons which today arm you against the present.” – Marcus Aurelius
KAYLA SKAGGS
Math (Geometry & Honors Geometry)
School: STLCC and Webster University
Why did you choose to work at Oakville?
“Close to home.”
What is your favorite part about working at Oakville?
“The staff is lots of fun to hang out with. I am also continually impressed with students being their own advocates.”
What don’t students know about you?
“I was a studio dancer for 11 years.”
What word would you use to describe your teaching style?
“Strict but fun (at least that’s the goal).”
What’s your favorite inspirational quote?
“Education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela
PAIGE SCOTT
Why did you choose to work at Oakville?
“After speaking with other teachers who currently work at OHS, I had heard how much they loved this building, the admin, coworkers and students here, and I wanted to be a part of the community here.”
What is your favorite part about working at Oakville?
“The support from the admin and coworkers, also the students are GREAT!!”
What don’t students know about you?
“I ride dirt bikes in my free time with my husband and my oldest son.”
What word would you use to describe your teaching style?
“Loud”
What’s your favorite inspirational quote?
“I am ready to face any challenge that is foolish enough to face me.” – Dwight Schrute
BRANDON CARDER
English (English II)
School: Webster University
Why did you choose to work at Oakville?
“Oakville is a wonderful area in the Mehlville School District with amazing students and staff.”
What is your favorite part about working at Oakville?
“The strong, helpful and supportive community.”
What don’t students know about you?
“I can grill up a MEAN steak!”
What word would you use to describe your teaching style?
“Well-rounded.”
What’s your favorite inspirational quote?
“Do or do not. There is no try.” – Jedi Master Yoda
ANDREW GULLEY
7 years in education
Math (Geometry & College Prep Math)
School: Webster University
Why did you choose to work at Oakville?
“I student taught here in 2015-2016 and loved how hard working the students, parents and staff are to make the education at Oakville valuable.”
What is your favorite part about working at Oakville?
“It’s really hard to pick a favorite, but having a community of involved students and parents makes being a teacher enjoyable and rewarding.”
What don’t students know about you?
“I’m a pretty open book, but most probably don’t know that I spent years reading and writing poetry and coached a slam poetry team at another school.”
What word would you use to describe your teaching style?
“I attempt to give students a space to play with math ideas and discover knowledge on their own. It’s easier to remember ideas that are your own.”
What’s your favorite inspirational quote?
“What’s happened, happened. Which is an expression of faith in the mechanics of the world. It’s not an excuse to do nothing.”
ANNALEISE CZAPLA
English (English I)
School: Maryville University
Why did you choose to work at Oakville?
“The community.”
What is your favorite part about working at Oakville?
“The students and faculty.”
What don’t students know about you?
“I love to sing, and I love to travel.”
What word would you use to describe your teaching style?
“I’m super enthusiastic about English/teaching in general — sometimes they match the energy, sometimes not!”
What’s your favorite inspirational quote?
“It’s never too late to be what you might’ve been.”
EMILY SMITH
Music Department (Choir & Music Appreciation)
School: Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO)
Why did you choose to work at Oakville?
“I have always heard really great things about OHS and the choir department here.”
What is your favorite part about working at Oakville?
“My choirs! I love getting to spend time with them every week and hearing how their hard work is paying off.”
What don’t students know about you?
“I participated in operas in college and played leads in both!”
What word would you use to describe your teaching style?
“Relaxed.”
What’s your favorite inspirational quote?
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”
ASHLEY HOLTHOUSE
Art (2D Art Foundations, 3D Art Foundations & Personalized Learning Lab)
School: University of Central Missouri
Why did you choose to work at Oakville?
“I had been teaching elementary art at Bierbaum Elementary for the last seven years. I was excited for the opportunity to move to Oakville High School and to teach high school students again.”
What is your favorite part about working at Oakville?
“My favorite part about working at Oakville is having an awesome team of art teachers to collaborate with.”
What don’t students know about you?
“I played soccer for 12 years.”
What word would you use to describe your teaching style?
“I would describe my teaching style as highly adaptable.”
What’s your favorite inspirational quote?
“Creativity takes courage.” -Henri Matisse
CONNOR MCENERY
Math (Geometry & AMPED)
School: Truman State University (bachelor’s), UMSL (master’s)
Why did you choose to work at Oakville?
“Oakville has a great community around it. As soon as I walked in the door for my first interview, I could tell that it truly was a family in this building.”
What is your favorite part about working at Oakville?
“The commute. Just kidding…I have a great group of students I get to work with every day.”
What don’t students know about you?
“I’m a season ticket holder for STLSC.”
What word would you use to describe your teaching style?
“Discovery-centered.”
What’s your favorite inspirational quote?
“Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.” -John Wooden
CHRISTINA BORAGE
23 years in education
FACS (Foods II, International Cuisine and Human Relations)
School: Southwest Baptist University
Why did you choose to work at Oakville?
“I live in Oakville, and I have always loved the community.”
What is your favorite part about working at Oakville?
“I love the school spirit of the students and staff!”
What don’t students know about you?
“I have always wanted to become a famous actress — maybe I still will one day!”
What word would you use to describe your teaching style?
“Lively.”
What’s your favorite inspirational quote?
“They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
PHIL PALACIOS
Business (Business, Marketing, & Finance)
School: I have an Ed.S. from the University of Georgia
Why did you choose to work at Oakville?
“I grew up here! Telegraph Road is where I had my first job. I wanted to come home.”
What is your favorite part about working at Oakville?
“The people. I feel very supported.”
What don’t students know about you?
“I have a dog.”
What word would you use to describe your teaching style?
“Collaborative.”
What’s your favorite inspirational quote?
Forgive the grammar…”Ain’t nothin’ to it, then to do it!”
ELIZABETH PFITZER
English (English II, English II Honors & English IV: Myth & Legends)
School: University of Missouri- St. Louis (UMSL)
Why did you choose to work at Oakville?
“I chose to accept the offer to teach at Oakville because of positive word of mouth, great reviews and my experience with members of the administration and English Department. From the welcoming atmosphere down to the curriculum, I felt it was a great fit.”
What is your favorite part about working at Oakville?
“My favorite part about working at Oakville is the students and the staff.”
What don’t students know about you?
“Everything that I want students to know about me, they already know.”
What word would you use to describe your teaching style?
“I would describe my teaching style as personal. Being able to personalize learning is only possible when I can get to know my students. In doing so, I can better teach to their various learning styles.”
What’s your favorite inspirational quote?
“Live, Laugh, Love.”
OLIVIA NOVAK
Why did you choose to work at Oakville?
“I graduated from Oakville and learned so much while I was here. After being a long-term substitute for the social studies department last spring, I knew that this was the place I wanted to begin my career in teaching!”
What is your favorite part about working at Oakville?
“The faculty here at Oakville is so welcoming and helpful, and the students are so fun to teach!”
What don’t students know about you?
“I did choir when I was a student here at Oakville.”
What word would you use to describe your teaching style?
“Hopefully fun and engaging!”
What’s your favorite inspirational quote?
“Just keep trying.”
