Ms. Dalton - Pre-K Teacher

This is Ms. Dalton’s 1st year with Holy Family
and her 3rd year teaching. She earned her
Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Early
Childhood Education from the University of
Central Missouri.
Ms. Dalton loves seeing all the students’
smiling faces each day here at Holy Family!
She also really enjoys every little thing her
students teach her every day, because they
teach her new things, just like she teaches
them. She loves the fact she has joined such
an amazing school community that is one
big family.
When Ms. Dalton is not at school, she likes
to spend time with her two sons. She likes to
spend as much time outside as possible and
loves to read as well!

Denise Dodd

Mrs. Dodd earned her Bachelor of Science in  Education degree from Western Illinois University and her Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from William Woods University.  She began teaching at Holy Family School in 1995.

Mrs. Dodd brings her love of books and literature to the classroom through book and author studies that integrate all subject areas.

She says, "I enjoy teaching at Holy Family School because my Catholic faith is a part of every day and I am able to share it with my students."

 Mrs. Dodd is married, and has 2 children. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cooking, fitness and exercise, spending time with family and the occasional weekend getaway.

Becky Thomas

Mrs. Thomas earned her degree from Missouri State University and has her teaching certificate in elementary education.  She previously taught at St. John’s Lutheran before moving to Holy Family School.

Mrs. Thomas says, “Being able to share my love of God and my Catholic faith with my students is one way to help build up the kingdom of God. Our school truly lives out our motto of “Holy Family it’s not just our name, but it is who we are.” We are all one family striving to deepen our relationship with Christ.”

Mrs. Thomas lives with her husband, Joe and their four children Claire, Jade, Quinn, and Nicklaus. Three of them have graduated from Holy Family and Nicklaus is currently in the 8th grade. Mrs. Thomas enjoys reading, watching her children play sports, and playing outside whenever she is able.

Lynn Hillman

Mrs. Hillman has a Bachelor’s degree from Hannibal-LaGrange University and a Master’s degree from Southwest Baptist University.  

Mrs. Hillman says. “After 30 years of public education, I am most grateful to be able to integrate my faith in all I do at Holy Family. I love the family-feeling of the students in my classroom and the ability to share with them the prayers of others.”

Mrs. Hillman lives in Palmyra with her husband, Kevin. She has a grown daughter, Taylor, who is also an educator. She enjoys traveling, running, and Kansas City Chief football.

Patti Babyak

Mrs. Babyak has Marketing and Education degrees from Missouri State University and Augusta State University. She has over 20 years of teaching experience, and all but two of those years have been teaching in Catholic schools. 

Mrs. Babyak says, "I love teaching in a Catholic school, especially at Holy Family because it is very family oriented, and you can bring your faith in your teaching.”

Mrs. Babyak has been married to her husband Brent for over 35 years, and they have 2 grown children - Meagan and Drew. She loves visiting her kids and traveling to experience new things so she can share them with her students.

Cherrie Allen

Ms. Allen has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with an Emphasis in Learning Disabilities from Southeast Missouri State University and a Master’s Degree in Education Administration from William Woods University. She has 20+ years of teaching experience.  

Ms. Allen says, "At Holy Family School, it always feels like we are a family that supports one another."

Ms. Allen enjoys spending time with her beautiful children, Caleb, Cody, and Madison, in her spare time. She enjoys watching  Kansas City Chiefs football and Duke Blue Devil basketball.

Teaching motto- “If I was a student in my classroom, would I want to come back tomorrow.”

Karen Wetton

Mrs. Wetton received her Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri. She is also a proud graduate of Holy Family School, although it was called Hannibal Catholic in 1984!

Mrs. Wetton is married to Stephen and has 3 children. She loves football, baking, and being a member of Holy Family parish.

“I am proud to be teaching not only at the school that I attended, but also at the school my children and my brother and sister attended as well. Holy Family School definitely runs in our family.”

Melissa Flaspohler

Ms. Flaspohler has an Education degree from Central Methodist University. She has 19 years experience teaching, with 16 spent at Holy Family School.

Mrs. Flaspohler is the 6th-8th grade Math and Science Teacher.

Mrs. Flaspohler has 2 grown sons who both graduated from Holy Family School. She loves cooking, the outdoors, and spending time with her family and friends.

Mrs. Flaspohler says, "I love teaching at Holy Family because we are truly a family here united in our Catholic faith. Watching the students learn and grow over the years is extremely rewarding.”

Melissa Millan

Mrs. Millan has degrees from University of Missouri-Columbia, University of Missouri-St. Louis and William Woods University. Mrs. Millan served as a teacher and administrator in the Archdiocese of St. Louis for 7 years before she and her husband, Jim, moved their family to Hannibal in 1998. She joined the Holy Family School staff in 1999. Mrs. Millan has taught 5th - 8th grades at Holy Family and served as the school administrator for 9 years.

Mrs. Millan says, "I love teaching at a Catholic school because you really get to know the students and families. We work with every aspect of a child's development, especially the spiritual aspect."

Mrs. Mack has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, emphasis on mathematics, and a Master’s Degree in mathematics education, both from Truman.

 Mrs. Mack has taught in public schools in both Missouri and Illinois and as adjunct professors for both Hannibal Lagrange University and MACC. Mrs. Mack’s husband was principal of Stowell Elementary. Her daughter teaches PE at Oakwood Elementary and her son-in-law is an assistant principal at Hannibal Middle School and the head boy’s basketball coach.  She has a son who is a contractor at the Lake of the Ozarks. She has three grandchildren.

Mrs. Mack says, “I am happy to be here at Holy Family. It is a great atmosphere for students and staff. It is wonderful that a school can address the fact that a student’s growth and education is more than just academics.”

Shelly Lowe

Ms. Lowe earned her degree at Hannibal-LaGrange University, and has been teaching at Holy Family since 2003. She loves teaching art because ART makes kids smART!

 The first five words of the bible are, ‘In the beginning, God created…’--Genesis 1:1. Since we are made in God’s image, that makes us creators as well. Every child, every person is an artist. I just try to remind them of that by giving students a myriad of tools and techniques to explore. Then, I watch their imagination soar!

 Mrs Lowe’s hobbies include: reading, traveling and exploring, gardening, being creative, and spending time with friends and family. 

Ms. Lowe loves teaching at Holy Family because "it is not just our name, it is who we are!"

Ms. Gosney - Music Teacher

This is Mrs. Gosney’s first year at Holy Family
School. She went to school at Hannibal
LaGrange University and received her
Bachelors in Music Education. She then
went on to teach elementary music in the
public schools for 5 years. After staying
home for 11 years with her boys she is ready
to be back in the classroom part time to
share her love of music with the students.
Mrs. Gosney has a husband of 15 years and
4 boys ranging from 11 to 4 years old. They
are very active and keep her very busy! In
her spare time she loves to read, play the
piano, hike, camp, drink coffee, and spend
time with her family.
Mrs. Gosney is so thankful and excited to be
at a school that is faith filled. She is eager to
share her love of music and the Lord with
the students here.

This is Mrs. O'Donnell's first year at Holy
Family School. She went to school at The
University of Missouri-Columbia, where she
earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary
education. She then went on to teach in the
public schools for 5 years. She has been
staying at home for the past 11 years and has
enjoyed volunteering and subbing at Holy
family and teaching an exercise class at the
YMCA.

Mrs. O’Donnell has a husband of 13 years, a
daughter and a son who both attend Holy
Family, and a baby due in February. She
enjoys watching her kids at their afterschool
activities, working out at the YMCA,
swimming, traveling, and boating on the
river. She dreams of one day having her
own pool because she grew up swimming
on the swim team and lifeguarding, and
currently loves swimming laps.

Mrs. O’Donnell has always had a passion for
health and fitness and is excited to share
that with Holy Family students.