administration
Susannah Joyce
Head of School | SUSANNAHJOYCE@STJAMESDAYSCHOOL.ORG
Susannah Joyce has been employed at St. James since 2012, initially as a third-grade teacher, then as a sixth-grade teacher, then in Administration, and is now Head of School. Her two daughters are graduates of St. James, and her husband too is a St. James Day School alum. A native of Texarkana, Susannah is a graduate of TCU and worked in Human Resources before returning to school to earn her teacher certification. For Susannah, St. James is a place where the priority is on educating the whole child and fostering self-confidence and problem solving to be effective and successful people. Apart from work, Susannah plays tennis, travels, and is involved in her children’s various activities.
Lindsey Looney
Faculty management and marketing | LindseyLooney@stjamesdayschool.org
Lindsey Looney has been with St. James Day School in a variety of capacities since 2010. She started as a lower school teacher in second grade and then moved to first grade. Before moving into her current role, she worked for four years as an Academic Language Therapist specializing in Dyslexia. Lindsey is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. Lindsey and her husband, Thomas, have two children, one of which is in the 1st grade at St. James. Lindsey loves to spend time with her family, and when not at work, you can most likely find her outside or reading a good book.
Shannon Kirkland
Director of Innovation and Academic Technology | shannonkirkland@stjamesdayschool.org
Shannon Kirkland is Director of Innovation and Academic Technology. Shannon worked at Texarkana ISD for 15 years where she served on the administrative team as Coordinator of Instructional Technology and Robotics, both at the Secondary and Elementary levels. She has been a Gifted and Talented teacher and Special Education teacher. She was Instructional Technology Specialist of the Year for Texas Computer Education Agency and a TISD Teacher of the Year. Shannon is a TCEA certified Instructional Technology & Lego Robotics Facilitator, a trainer for NASA NoS, a Mimio Master Trainer, a ScratchEd Educator, a CODE.org Educator, and a Google CS First mentor. She is a member of the Civil Air Patrol, the Associates of Graduates of the Air Force Academy, the International Society for Technology in Education, the Texas Computer Education Association, and the Computer Science Teachers Association. Shannon teaches Computer Science and Technology to students in Pre-K through 8th grades. Shannon's two sons, Jacob and Mason are graduates of St. James Day School.
Angela Fox
Business officer | angelafox@stjamesdayschool.org
Angela Fox serves as the Business Officer at St. James Day School. Prior to St. James, she taught for ten years in private and public schools in Texas. She began her career in bookkeeping and has now come full circle. Angela is married with two grown children, and loves to spend time with her family. Angela is thrilled to be a part of the St. James community that God centered and prioritizes the development of the whole child.
Charlene Taylor
Administrative Assistant | CharleneTaylor@stjamesdayschool.org
Charlene has been with the St. James family for many years now. Her oldest son, Charlie, started at St. James in kindergarten, and her two daughters, Amelia and Alexa, are in 5th grade and kindergarten respectively. Originally from Valparaiso, Indiana, Charlene has now been in Texarkana for 14 years with her family. She and her husband, Paul, enjoy hiking with their dogs and kids, swimming, and being with their family.
Gale Malone
admin and teacher sub | galemalone@stjamesdayschool.org
Gale Malone has taught at St. James for 34 years. She has made wonderful friendships here throughout the years, and finds coming to work every day a true joy. Gale has held many positions at St. James; she currently has administrative duties and serves as teacher sub. Gale is a Texarkana native, and is certified in early childhood development. Watching children grow and develop their skills as they travel their educational journey is her greatest pleasure. Outside of work, Gale reads and listens to music. For many years she was in a ladies’ singing group.
Teachers+Staff
Diane Johnston
Primary | dianejohnston2@stjamesdayschool.org
Diane Johnston has taught preschool at St. James for 20 years. She is thankful that St James is a place where she can share the love of Jesus Christ with her students. A native of Texarkana, Diane has an educational background in history and the arts, and child development. Diane reads, spends time walking, and sings in her church choir.
Cristen Gerber
primary | cristengerber@stjamesdayschool.org
Cristen Gerber is a Primary teacher at St. James Day School. Prior to being a classroom teacher at St. James, Cristen worked in a local preschool in Texarkana and also worked at our Spartan Summer Camp. Cristen is married with two children, and her oldest is in pre-k this year. In her spare time, Cristen enjoys spending time with her family, crocheting, reading, and caring for her houseplants.
Katelyn Gunter
Pre-K | katelyngunter@stjamesdayschool.org
Katelyn was a preschool teaching assistant at Williams School for three years prior to her time at St. James. She stayed home with her oldest child until he was old enough to begin at St. James. Katelyn went back to work in the office at St. James doing marketing until right before her youngest child was born. When he was old enough to begin here, she began substitute teaching and assisting administration in various capacities. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University - Texarkana. Now that both of her boys are here, Katelyn has joined our preschool team and is certainly a valuable asset. Apart from work, Katelyn and her husband enjoy spending time with their boys.
Tracy Jones
pre-k | tracyjones@stjamesdayschool.org
Tracy Jones has been teaching at St. James since 2010, and is currently teaching in Pre-K. Before coming to St. James, Tracy worked in the public education system for 11 years. A native of Queen City, Tracy was educated at Texarkana College and Texas A&M University, Texarkana. She has a stepdaughter who is a St. James graduate, and now her oldest grandson has joined her in preschool. Tracy appreciates the Christian atmosphere of St. James, where students are loved and nurtured in a family-like environment. She loves reading, cooking and spending time with family and friends at her river cabin. Tracy serves on the Vestry of St. James’ Episcopal Church.
Sarah Kyles
Kindergarten | sarahkyles@stjamesdayschool.org
Sarah Kyles who has been teaching kindergarten at St. James since 2013. A native of Camden, Arkansas, Sarah graduated from Texas A&M Texarkana. Before coming to St. James, Sarah worked as a Kindergarten teacher at a local private school. Sarah has one child currently at St. James, and two children who are graduates. She loves watching children grow throughout the years, and as a teacher finds St. James a place where the individual needs of each child can be addressed. Sarah spends her time outdoors, running and camping with her family. She is a member St. James’ Episcopal Church.
Claire Gordon
First grade | clairegordon@stjamesdayschool.org
Claire Gordon has been teaching at St. James since 2013. She is currently the first-grade teacher. A native of Texarkana, Claire has worked with children for most of her life, first as a babysitter, and then in a local daycare. She has always been fascinated by child development. A certified early childhood educator, Claire was educated at Texas A&M University, Texarkana. She has two children, both of which are current students at St. James. Claire is thankful that St. James is a place where she can openly teach children about God. She cherishes the community feeling of school, and the ability to use play and the outdoors in her teaching. Claire reads, spends time outdoors and enjoys photography. She is a member of First United Methodist Church in Texarkana, Arkansas.
Jaclyn Thane
Second grade | jaclynthane@stjamesdayschool.org
Jaclyn Thane is teaching second grade, and this is her fourth year teaching at St. James Day School. Jaclyn and her husband, Josh, have two boys, Reed and Wren, who both attend St. James. Jaclyn has always had a passion for teaching, and knew it was something she always wanted to do. After attending and playing basketball at Southern Arkansas University, Jaclyn finished her teaching degree here in Texarkana. Jaclyn has taught a variety of ages ranging from kindergarten to fourth grade. In her spare time, Jaclyn loves to be outside swimming, playing, spending time with her family, and teaching small group classes at Beech Street Baptist Church. You can also find her teaching group fitness classes at Grit Fitness!
Summer Burkes
third grade | summerburkes@stjamesdayschool.org
Summer Burkes began teaching at St. James Day School in 2018. Summer came to St. James with over eight years of teaching experience. She has taught Kindergarten, First, and Fifth grades. Growing up, her mother owned a dance studio and she began co-teaching with her at an early age. From this experience, Summer always knew that teaching was going to be her passion. Summer has a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education from Southern Arkansas University. Mrs. Burkes is a busy mom of three, two of which are students at St. James. Summer loves the flexibility and various teaching methodologies at St. James, and appreciates that the focus is always on learning. When Summer does have free time, she enjoys individual sports, watching college football, traveling, painting, camping, attending church, and spending quality time with her family.
Carla Irvin
FOURTH GRADE | carlairvin@stjamesdayschool.org
With over fifteen years of teaching experience at the elementary level, Carla is on our St. James team as our fourth grade teacher. Carla is a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She has always had a heart for teaching, and St. James is the perfect environment for her to cultivate that love in her students. Carla and her husband, Brian, have four children, two of which are currently at St. James. In her free time, Carla enjoys sports, decorating, and spending time with her family.
Kandice Kimmel
MIDDLE SCHOOL LATIN & HISTORY | kandicekimmel@stjamesdayschool.org
Kandice has been with St. James Day School for 9 years. First as part of the administration team, a teaching assistant in Kindergarten, and most recently a teaching assistant in 1st grade. Kandice is excited and eager to have made the transition to middle school. Prior to St. James, Kandice was a forensic interviewer at the Texarkana Children’s Advocacy Center. She graduated from Texas A&M University-Texarkana with a BS in Psychology with a minor in Sociology.
She is happily married to a local attorney, Wade Kimmel, and they have three beautiful children. Their two oldest just graduated 8th grade at St. James, and their youngest is in 1st grade.
Erin Hobson
Middle School 5th + 6th Grade Math and Science Teacher
erinhobson@stjamesdayschool.org
Being the daughter of a Navy dentist, Mrs. Hobson moved around a lot as a child but eventually settled here in Texarkana. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University-Texarkana, and she has been teaching in both public and private schools for over ten years. Teaching is Mrs. Hobson’s passion, and she does it while trying to instill a love for learning in her students. She and her husband, Marc, have two children, Skyler and Wyatt. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. She also has a heart for her fur babies, especially her cats, but she loves all animals.
Lori Altenbaumer
MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHER | LORIALTENBAUMER@stjamesdayschool.org
Mrs. Altenbaumer taught various subjects in high school for five years before deciding to become a stay-home mother. With all five of her children attending St. James, Lori has decided to get back into the field of education. We feel blessed she has chosen St. James and know she will be an asset to our middle school team. Lori is a graduate of SAU with a Bachelors in Biology and a Masters of Art in Teaching. In her free time, Lori enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, antique shopping, and taking care of animals.
Susie Rogers
Middle School ELA Grades 5-8
susierogers@stjamesdayschool.org
Mrs. Rogers is a St. James alumna and has 3 daughters who attended St. James as well. She graduated from the University of Arkansas with a BA in Journalism and received her teaching degree in English and Journalism from Stephen F. Austin. Susie taught high school English, as well as 7th grade English Language Arts, and worked with students with dyslexia. She received her MS in Curriculum with an emphasis in English and has also served as an adjunct for Texarkana College, teaching freshman English. Mrs. Rogers believes a solid foundation is essential for success in higher education, and her goal is to create a fun learning atmosphere to cultivate a love for knowledge.
Maria Perri
Spanish | mariaperri@stjamesdayschool.org
Maria grew up in Guerrero, Mexico, in the small town of Coyuca de Catalan, and then moved to California where she met her husband, Michael. They eventually moved to Texarkana where Michael accepted a teaching position at Texas A&M University-Texarkana. Moving to Texarkana gave Maria the opportunity to return to school and earn an Associates of Arts degree from Texarkana College and a Bachelor of Science Degree in education at Texas A&M University-Texarkana. Before coming to St. James Day School, Maria taught a bilingual kindergarten class. Maria spends her free time watching her two daughters play soccer and traveling to California and Mexico to visit friends and relatives. Maria says that she is excited to be at St. James Day School because teaching is her passion and St. James students love to learn.
Allison Morriss Wright
Music + Theater Allisonwright@stjamesdayschool.org
Allison Morriss Wright is a Texarkana native and has been in education for nine years. This is her third year at St. James as the music and theatre teacher. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with a minor in Education from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), a Masters of Science in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Instructional Technology from Texas A&M University - Texarkana, and a Masters of Science in Theatre from Texas A&M - Commerce. She is well versed in and has taught various Fine Arts classes including theatre, art, and music. She is happy to be a part of the St. James family and to help students explore their creativity! In her free time, she loves to bake and spend time with her husband.
Nicole Cutchall
Physical education | nicolechatelain@stjamesdayschool.org
Nicole Cutchall has taught Physical Education at St. James Day School for 19 years. Her son Jon is an eighth-grade graduate of St. James, c/o 2021. Nicole is a graduate of Southern Arkansas University with studies in kinesiology and health. She is a certified Heart First Aid and CPR instructor. Nicole is also the director of the After School program, and co-director of Summer @ St James.
