FR. DANNY FISTER
Pastor
Fr. Danny Fister entered Seminary for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington after graduating from Lexington Catholic High School in 1999. He graduated from Conception Seminary College at Conception Abbey with a Bachelors in Theology in May of 2003. He entered Conception Abbey after graduation in order to discern a monastic vocation. He remained for two years and left during simple-vows to rejoin the Diocese of Lexington in 2005. He was sent to Philadelphia for graduate studies in Theology at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, where he graduated on May 15, 2009. On May 16, he was ordained to the Priesthood for the Diocese of Lexington by Bishop Ronald Gainer. Fr. Fister joined our parish and school family in 2013.
MIRANDA CHAPLIN
Principal
Mrs. Chaplin's entire family is deeply rooted in Catholic education, with her sons and daughter blessed to be fifth generation Catholic school students. Through her twelve years of Catholic education at Sts. Peter and Paul School and Bishop Brossart High School in the Diocese of Covington, she developed a firm belief in the impact of Catholic education. She also personally understands the sacrifices families make to prioritize and provide a private, faith-based education for their children. Her two sons and daughter attend St. Mary School. She has witnessed the investment made in her children lead to excitement about learning and provide an opportunity for her family to grow together in faith. She is grateful and humbled to serve the families of St. Mary School.
TIFFANY BEZEAU
Montessori Program Director and Teacher
Mrs. Tiffany is the director of the Montessori Program. She earned her Bachelor's Degree from Eastern Michigan University in Psychology and her Montessori certification from the Greater Cincinnati Center for Montessori Education in 2015. She also earned a Master's Degree in Montessori Education from Xavier University. Mrs.Tiffany has been at St. Mary School since 2012 and her children have attended St. Mary School since 2007. She is a member of Annunciation Church. Mrs. Tiffany is proud to be a part of such a wonderful network of administrators, educators, and families!
LINDSEY ROE
Montessori Teacher
Mrs. Lindsey started teaching at St. Mary School in 2021 and became a lead instructor in her own classroom in 2022. Mrs. Lindsey is currently attending Crescent Ridge Academy in order to obtain certification in Montessori Education. She and her husband enjoy living on a farm with their two children. Mrs. Lindsey is excited for the upcoming school year and glad to be a part of the st. Mary School family.
KAYLA CLAYPOOL
Montessori Assistant
Mrs. Kayla works alongside Mrs. Tiffany in one of our Montessori preschool classrooms. She and her husband, Ryan, are from right here is Paris and currently have two children enrolled at St. Mary with future Mustang waiting to join his brother and sister in a few years. Not only does Mrs. Kayla love assisting with the educational aspects in the classroom, but she also looks forward to sharing her faith in The Lord with our students.
MAGGIE TAYLOR
Montessori/Special Programs Assistant
Mrs. Maggie is excited to be a part of the St. Mary School family not only as a parent, but as an educator as well. With over ten years of experience in various childcare settings, her passion lies within the classroom. She believes it is vital children are offered meaningful opportunities to develop their full potential. She looks forward to helping provide those opportunities to ensure students grow not only academically, but personally and spiritually, as well!
JENNIFER ARNOLD
Montessori Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Arnold started teaching in 1994 and came to St. Mary School in 1999 to teach Kindergarten students. She received her Bachelor’s from Morehead State University and her Master’s degree from Georgetown College. Mrs. Arnold is she is also certified in Montessori Education by the Greater Cincinnati Center for Montessori Education. She and her husband were blessed with one son who attended St. Mary School. She enjoys teaching Kindergarten and helping students grow academically and spiritually. She also enjoys singing, watching her son participate in sports and spending time with her family.
ANN WINN FLETCHER
First Grade Teacher
Mrs. Fletcher comes to St. Mary School after teaching 28 years in the Marion County Public School District. She is a native of Bourbon County and truly felt God calling her to come home to teach at St. Mary School. Mrs. Fletcher is excited to share her passion for teaching and her servant's heart with the students and families at St. Mary. She finds true joy in helping all children discover their gifts and strengths bestowed on them from God. Her first grade class is an engaging and nurturing learning laboratory of discoveries where children will feel loved and blessed.
MARY MARSHALL
Second Grade Teacher
Mrs. Marshall earned her Bachelor's and Master’s Degrees at Georgetown College. She taught at Southside Elementary, in Harrison County, for 21 years. While there, she gained experience teaching grades 1-5. When she is not teaching, she is farming with her husband and two children. Mrs. Marshall looks forward to sharing the mysteries of our faith and creating an energetic, dynamic learning environment.
KRISTAN MUDD
Third Grade Teacher
Ms. Mudd earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Eastern Kentucky University. She taught 3rd grade in Menifee County for six years before joining St. Mary School in 2021. Ms. Mudd strongly believes in the importance of fostering relationships with her students and teaching them the power of "yet." She strives to develop a strong literacy foundation for her students and to help her students find the joy in reading. Ms. Mudd's daughter, Ellie, also attends St. Mary School. She is grateful to have found such a wonderful environment for them both to learn and grow.
PATRICIA KILBOURN
Fourth/Fifth Grade Teacher
Mrs. Kilbourn, also known as "Mrs. K", came to St. Mary after retiring from the public school system. She previously taught at several schools in Bourbon County including North Middletown and Bourbon County Middle School. Mrs. Kilbourn is known as a "Math Guru" due to her experience teaching middle school math and loves to bring history alive in her classroom. Her goal is always to take her students as far academically as they can possibly go. She coaches the St. Mary School Academic Team and assists with directing the Christmas performance. She, along with her husband, Dave, also enjoy spending time with their three grandsons and their dogs.
SUE LITZINGER
Curriculum Support Specialist
Mrs. Litzinger is so excited to be back at St. Mary School after 27 years in the public school system. Throughout her 35 years in the classroom she has taught in the Dioceses of Covington and Lexington, North Middletown Elementary and Cane Ridge Elementary in Bourbon Co., as well as Mapleton Elementary in Montgomery Co. She has had experience with all grade levels from K to 6, self-contained and every combination of two grades imaginable. Upon her "retirement" she is humbled to be welcomed back home to St. Mary School. She feels she has come full circle, beginning and ending my career within the Catholic school system.
CORRIE FRYE
P.E./COMPUTER LAB TEACHER
Miss Corrie is a member of the Church of the Annunciation and attended St. Mary. She graduated from Paris High School in 2008. Graduated from Maysville Community and Technical College in 2011 with an Associates Degree in Arts and an Associates Degree in Science. Miss Corrie obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in 2014 from Morehead State University in University Studies with an emphasis in Middle School Math and Science and Special Education. Miss Corrie began in 2014 teaching computer and P.E. at SMS.
DARNABY KERNS
Music Teacher
Mr. Kerns joined the St. Mary School teaching team in 2020. In addition to teaching music, Mr. Kerns is also the Music and Outreach Director at the First Presbyterian Church in Paris.
LINDA POOLE
Librarian
Mrs. Poole volunteers as the St. Mary School librarian. Her two children graduated from St. Mary, and she now has two grandchildren attending the school. She is retired from Civil Service employment where she traveled extensively providing training to our Military Service personnel. Mrs. Poole is grateful for the opportunity to share her love of books with the SMS students.
CANDACE BEAUMAN
Art Teacher
Mrs. Beauman graduated from University of Kentucky with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Art Education. She taught art for 13 years in the Bourbon County School System. She owns and operates The Art Studio, located in downtown Paris, KY. Mrs. Beauman has taught at St. Mary School for 8 years. She also teachers at Sts. Peter and Paul Regional Catholic School. All three of Mrs. Beauman's children attended St. Mary School.