School Faculty and Staff

Mrs. Linda Pahl joined Holy Redeemer as Principal in 2023, bringing more than 40 years of experience as a classroom teacher (16 years) and school administrator (26 years across five schools).

She earned both her Master’s in Educational Administration and Specialist Degree in Superintendency from Southwest Baptist University, and completed her undergraduate degree at Southeast Missouri State University.

Mrs. Pahl is dedicated to empowering teachers, maintaining strong academic systems, and leading with a caring, listening spirit. She finds her greatest joy in supporting her staff’s growth and praying alongside students. She and her husband, Larry, have three grown children (Sarah, Brian, and Brett), attend Most Sacred Heart Church in Eureka, and love spending free time with loved ones at Lake of the Ozarks.

Email: principal@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989 x101

Mrs. Susanne Doran is beginning her second year as the Director of Faith Formation at Holy Redeemer Parish. After more than 35 years in the private sector, including many years with Becker Professional Education, she felt called to serve her parish by helping nurture the faith of its children and families.

A Holy Redeemer parishioner since 1998, Mrs. Doran and her husband, Tim, have raised their three sons in the parish, where each attended Holy Redeemer School. Their youngest son is a senior in college, their middle son is engaged to be married in October 2027, and their oldest proudly serves as a Captain in the United States Army.

Mrs. Doran grew up in Kirkwood, Missouri, attended Nerinx Hall High School, earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton, and completed her MBA in 2012.

Outside of her ministry, Mrs. Doran enjoys playing Mahjong, reading, and spending time with family, friends, and their sweet dog, Sally. She feels blessed to serve the Holy Redeemer community and looks forward to another year of helping children and families grow in their faith.

Email: psr@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989 x103

Mrs. Mary Ann Gaffney has had the privilege of serving the Holy Redeemer community since 2010. In her role, she enjoys the daily opportunities and challenges of supporting the school’s operations while working closely with the principal, faculty, and staff to help ensure a welcoming and successful environment for students and families.

Mrs. Gaffney is grateful for the many friendships she has formed over the years and considers it a true blessing to be part of the Holy Redeemer community.

Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family. She is the proud mother of two sons and is excited to welcome a new grandbaby to the family. In her free time, she also enjoys watching sports and movies.

Mrs. Gaffney looks forward to another wonderful year serving the Holy Redeemer community.

Email: office@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989 x100

Christine Ahlheim has been a dedicated member of the Holy Redeemer community since 2009 and a valued employee at the day school and parish since 2019.

Christine is deeply passionate about keeping students healthy, thriving, and in the classroom. She takes a holistic approach to care, supporting students’ mental and emotional well-being alongside their physical health needs.

Email: cahlheim@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989 x104

In her role, Mrs. Luetkemeyer offers individual counseling to students and partners with teachers to provide classroom presentations on a variety of social-emotional and developmental topics tailored to each grade level’s needs. She is passionate about supporting students’ emotional well-being and helping them grow academically, socially, and spiritually.

Outside of school, Mrs. Luetkemeyer has been married to her husband, John, for 29 years. Together they have four wonderful sons and a beautiful daughter who is their guardian angel in heaven. Their family recently celebrated the marriage of their oldest son, and they are joyfully awaiting the arrival of their first granddaughter this October. Mrs. Luetkemeyer is deeply grateful for the many blessings in her life and gives thanks to God, recognizing that all of them are made possible through His grace.

Email: counselor@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989 x102

Ms. Pamela Stewart is excited to begin her eleventh year teaching in the preschool classroom at Holy Redeemer. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and is certified in Project Construct.

Ms. Stewart is passionate about early childhood education and believes there is nothing more rewarding than watching young children learn, grow, and gain confidence each day. She is committed to creating a nurturing, engaging classroom where every child feels supported and inspired to discover a love of learning.

Outside of school, Ms. Stewart enjoys spending time with family and friends. She also loves attending concerts, going to the theater, and cheering on her favorite college basketball teams.

Ms. Stewart looks forward to another wonderful year of learning, growth, and making lasting memories with her students and their families at Holy Redeemer.

Email: pstewart@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989 x105

Colleen Duchild is thrilled to join the Holy Redeemer team for the upcoming school year as a preschool assistant in Ms. Stewart’s classroom. A Webster Groves native and Holy Redeemer alumna, Colleen went on to graduate from St. Joseph’s Academy and Saint Louis University. She holds a deep belief in the foundation of Catholic education, making her return to Holy Redeemer a perfect fit.

Colleen and her husband, Tom, have lived in Webster Groves for nearly 30 years. Their son, Tommy, was baptized at Holy Redeemer and is a graduate of Annunciation (Holy Cross Academy) and Saint Louis University High School (SLUH).

An avid outdoor enthusiast in every season, Colleen enjoys long walks, weekend yard work, and summer water aerobics or fitness classes. In her free time, she loves relaxing with family and friends at the lake, and her absolute happy place is unwinding on the beach with a good book during her annual family vacation.

Email: cduchild@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989

Mrs. Porterfield earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Truman State University and a Master’s degree in Special Education, with an emphasis in Learning Disabilities, from the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL).

Mrs. Porterfield is passionate about teaching and feels truly blessed to be part of the Holy Redeemer community. She believes that the early childhood years provide the foundation for a lifetime of learning and is dedicated to nurturing each child’s curiosity, confidence, and love of learning in a faith-filled environment.

Outside of school, Mrs. Porterfield enjoys spending time with her family and friends. In her free time, she loves reading, swimming, playing tennis, and cheering on her favorite football, soccer, and hockey teams.

Email: mporterfield@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989 x204

Stephanie Burke is entering her fourth year at Holy Redeemer, where she serves as the Pre-Kindergarten Assistant alongside Mrs. Porterfield. Stephanie is passionate about guiding young learners, focusing on helping them develop manners, respect, confidence, and their faith through daily prayer. Her top priority each day is creating a loving, supportive environment where every child feels valued, cared for, and encouraged to grow.

Off-campus, Stephanie is an active parishioner at St. Gabriel Parish, though she loves attending Sunday Mass at Holy Redeemer at least once a month to see her students and their families.

Stephanie has two grown children living in New York City, which gives her a fantastic reason to travel and visit! In her free time, she stays active playing pickleball, walking with friends, and exploring new places.

Email: sburke@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989

Mary Rose is excited to serve as one of the Pre-K Assistants at Holy Redeemer for the 2026–27 school year. After spending the past decade as a stay-at-home mom, she is grateful for the opportunity to support the school’s youngest learners in a faith-filled environment.

Mary and her husband are active members of Holy Redeemer Parish and are blessed to have two children, Clark, who is entering 5th grade, and Billie, who is starting Kindergarten. Their family enjoys being involved in the life of both the school and parish community.

Mary looks forward to bringing her patience, kindness, and positive attitude to the classroom each day as she helps students grow academically, socially, and spiritually. She is excited to create a nurturing environment where every child feels supported, encouraged, and loved.

Email: mrose@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989

Lauren Poelker has been a beloved member of the Holy Redeemer faculty for 11 years, spending the last nine creating a joyful, loving, and fun environment in Kindergarten. She delights in helping her youngest learners grow and is especially grateful to work alongside her wonderful assistant, Mrs. Kelly, every day!

Outside the classroom, Lauren loves spending quality time with family and friends, getting lost in a good book, and hanging out with her two dogs, Augusta (a Goldendoodle) and Lucky Girl (a black lab). She’s also an avid fan of Taylor Swift and can always be found cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs and the Ole Miss Rebels!

Email: lpoelker@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989 x206

Jenn Kelly is excited to begin her ninth year as the Kindergarten Assistant at Holy Redeemer. She loves collaborating with Miss Lauren Poelker and cherishes the time spent with each class of students they share. For Jenn, helping young learners build the educational and spiritual foundation for their future journeys is deeply rewarding, and she finds endless joy in watching their curiosity and excitement grow with every new skill they master.

Outside the classroom, Jenn loves spending time with her family. She and her husband have three daughters—two currently in college and their youngest in high school. Together as a family, they enjoy traveling, hiking, and cheering on their favorite sports teams. In her quiet time, Jenn also loves to bake and sew.

Grateful to be a part of the vibrant Holy Redeemer community, Jenn is looking forward to another wonderful school year!

Email: jkelly@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989

Jennifer Blum is excited to begin her 11th year teaching 1st grade at Holy Redeemer. Partnering alongside her assistant, Mrs. Brusatti, Jennifer strives to cultivate a classroom environment where young learners feel supported, confident, and genuinely enthusiastic about learning each day.

Deeply grateful to be part of the Holy Redeemer community, she looks forward to partnering with her students and their families for another wonderful school year.

Outside the classroom, Jennifer loves spending quality time with her family, getting lost in a good book, and cheering on the St. Louis Blues. She can also frequently be seen strolling through the streets of Webster Groves with her French Bulldog, Leo.

Email: jblum@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989 x207

Shawn Brusatti is excited to begin her ninth year as a First Grade Assistant at Holy Redeemer. Shawn holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and taught fourth grade prior to staying home to raise her two children, who are now 22 and 20 years old.

As part of the Room 207 team alongside Mrs. Blum, Shawn’s favorite part of working with first graders is building meaningful relationships and helping each student discover their unique strengths. She finds immense joy in watching students grow academically, socially, and spiritually while sharing in the lively classroom community they build together.

Outside of Holy Redeemer, nothing brings Shawn greater happiness than spending time with her husband and children. She also loves traveling, playing games, reading, and embracing all the fun and adventures

Email: sbrusatti@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989

Elizabeth Zipfel is excited to join Mrs. Blum and Mrs. Brusatti as a part-time teacher in their first-grade classroom at Holy Redeemer. Over the past two years, she has served in a variety of roles at Holy Redeemer, giving her the opportunity to get to know many of the incoming first graders and their families.

Elizabeth holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education and taught at Kirkwood High School for seven years before choosing to stay home to raise her four children. Three of her children currently attend Holy Redeemer, and her oldest will be a freshman at Cor Jesu Academy this fall.

In her new role, Elizabeth will work alongside Mrs. Blum and Mrs. Brusatti, teaching small groups and providing individualized support to help meet the needs of every first-grade student. She is grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the Holy Redeemer community and looks forward to this exciting new adventure.

Email: ezipfel@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989

Mary Bush serves as the 2nd grade teacher at Holy Redeemer, entering her fourth year at HR and her sixth year of teaching overall. Her favorite aspect of 2nd grade is guiding her students as they prepare for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion, considering it a true blessing to accompany them on such a pivotal step in their faith journey.

Outside the classroom, Mary loves being an active part of the Holy Redeemer community. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and keeping up with her rambunctious golden retriever, Leo.

Email: mbush@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989 x205

Theresa Brennan has loved serving as a second-grade aide at Holy Redeemer for the past several years. She finds immense joy in supporting students as they learn, grow, and reach new milestones throughout the school year. Deeply appreciative of the strong, welcoming culture at Holy Redeemer, Mrs. Brennan feels truly fortunate to be part of such an amazing school community. 

Email: tbrennan@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989

Jackie Charlot serves as the 3rd grade teacher at Holy Redeemer. Originally from St. Charles, Missouri, Jackie earned her degree from Lindenwood University and brings a rich, diverse background in education to HR—having taught in St. Louis charter schools, preschool settings, and as a substitute educator. She also leads a neighborhood virtues class, where she loves helping children develop strong character and confidence.

Jackie and her husband have two children: a son entering sixth grade and a daughter heading off to college. Their family is completed by a beloved dog and cat who keep her company at home!

Outside of teaching, Jackie stays active through exercise and enjoys painting, reading mystery novels, and cheering on her favorite soccer teams. She is thrilled to be joining the Holy Redeemer community and looks forward to connecting with HR students, families, and staff.

Email: jcharlot@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989 x203

Dianne Steger brings a wealth of instructional experience and a passion for teaching to her role as the 3rd-grade teacher assistant at Holy Redeemer. The majority of her lead teaching career was spent in the Rockwood School District, where she taught at both the elementary and middle school levels. Dianne holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Elementary Education, along with 30 post-graduate credits.

After many successful years in the public school system, Dianne took an early retirement to focus on raising her family. Returning to the classroom in 2021, she feels truly blessed to serve the Holy Redeemer community and support 3rd-grade students each day.

Outside of the classroom, Dianne and her husband are the proud parents of two children who are currently attending college.

Email: dsteger@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989

Angie Witte brings over 20 years of teaching experience to the classroom and has proudly been a part of the Holy Redeemer community for the past 12 years. She loves teaching 4th grade—which she enthusiastically considers the absolute best grade—and delights in discovering and learning new things alongside her students every single day. While reading is one of her favorite hobbies, math holds a special place in her heart as her absolute favorite subject to teach.

Angie feels deeply blessed to partner with her amazing assistant, Mrs. Munroe, as they work together to cultivate a caring, faith-filled, and engaging learning environment.

Outside of school, Angie and her husband are the proud parents of two grown children, ages 25 and 22. In her free time, she loves traveling and making special memories with her family.

Email: awitte@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989 x303

Email: jmunroe@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989

Shannon Dougherty serves as the 5th grade teacher at Holy Redeemer, excited to kick off her sixth year in education and with the HR community. Shannon’s deep-rooted roots in Catholic education began at St. Catherine Laboure and Cor Jesu Academy, leading her to earn her degree in Elementary Education from Missouri State University.

Having known she wanted to be an educator from a young age, Shannon thrives on helping students learn, grow, and discover their true potential. For her, watching young learners build confidence and reach their goals is the most rewarding part of teaching.

Outside the classroom, Shannon loves spending quality time with family and friends, exploring new travel destinations, and taking walks with her dog, Licorice.

Email: sdougherty@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989 x305

Mrs. Karla Ludwig is thrilled to begin her fourth year as part of the Holy Redeemer family. During her time at Holy Redeemer, she has served as the fifth-grade teacher assistant alongside Miss Dougherty—supporting students in Science and Social Studies while leading small groups to foster academic growth and confidence.

Mrs. Ludwig holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and brings 16 years of dedicated service within the Archdiocese, having served in diverse roles ranging from preschool assistant to lead teacher for grades 3–5. Passionate about nurturing the whole child, she strives to inspire a love of learning and discovery while instilling resilience, confidence, and strong self-esteem in every student.

Grateful for the strong Holy Redeemer community, Mrs. Ludwig looks forward to another wonderful year of learning and collaboration with students, families, and staff. Outside the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their three college-aged daughters, traveling, following sports, reading, and exploring the outdoors.

Email: kludwig@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989

James Decker is excited to begin his second year at Holy Redeemer, where he teaches Middle School Math and Science. James first began his teaching career in high school mathematics before taking time to support his son’s elementary school for three years.

James is passionate about helping middle schoolers connect with stem concepts and build confidence in the classroom.

Outside of school, James and his family stay on the move with his two sons, ages 15 and 9, who keep them busy with sports and extracurricular activities. In his quiet moments, James enjoys golfing, fishing, gardening, and baking delicious treats for his family.

Email: jdecker@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989 x301

Sam Tarter joins the Holy Redeemer middle school team as the 7th-grade homeroom teacher and Middle School English Language Arts (ELA) instructor. A St. Louis native, Sam earned his Bachelor’s degree in Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Evansville.

Deeply committed to service, Sam spent time giving back to his high school alma mater, Saint Louis University High School (SLUH), through the Alumni Service Corps—teaching sophomore English and serving as a Campus Minister.

Outside of the classroom, Sam leads an active lifestyle. He enjoys weightlifting, distance running, camping, and hiking, as well as cooking, watching movies, attending live sporting events, and singing karaoke!

Email: starter@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989 x302

Chris Hruz joins Holy Redeemer to teach Middle School Religion and History. Born and raised in West St. Louis County in the Manchester/Ballwin area, Chris is a proud product of Catholic education, having attended St. Joseph Parish School and St. John Vianney High School in Kirkwood.

With a degree in Theology, Chris is passionate about guiding middle schoolers through their faith journey and helping them deepen their spiritual growth in and out of the classroom.

Outside of teaching, Chris loves spending quality time outdoors, gathering with his family, and catching almost any sporting event on TV.

Email: chruz@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989 x300

Maria Lagos Galli brings a wealth of teaching and youth leadership experience to Holy Redeemer, where she supports teachers and works directly with middle school students and serves as the Morning Care Director.  Maria holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology along with a secondary life science teaching certificate (grades 7–12). She taught high school science for seven years before stepping back to raise her three children.

Over the years, Maria has dedicated herself to youth development in numerous roles—including YMCA preschool gymnastics, Camp Lakewood, the Scouts (BSA), Children’s Liturgy, Vacation Bible School, and serving as the HR school librarian.

A Holy Redeemer parishioner alongside her husband, Dave, since 2000, Maria is deeply grateful for the HR community. All three of their children are Holy Redeemer alumni with fond memories of their time at the school.

Email: mgalli@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989

Email: mhawksley@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989

Lenny Madalon serves as the Technology Teacher at Holy Redeemer. A proud Holy Redeemer alumnus and Saint Louis University High School graduate, Lenny grew up in the local Shrewsbury and Webster Groves area before earning his Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Maryville University.

Anchored by his Catholic faith, Lenny lets his spiritual values guide his approach in the classroom every day.

Outside of teaching, Lenny loves spending quality time with his family and friends, and he can often be found staying active on the pickleball court.

Email: lmadalon@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989

Email: jtreu@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989

Francisco Venero is entering his third year at Holy Redeemer, bringing two decades of rich experience as a Spanish teacher. Guided by his primary goal in life—to attain eternal life—he believes that beyond teaching language, his most important mission is to share and transmit the Catholic faith to his students.

Outside of the classroom, Francisco has a deep appreciation for culture, art, and nature. He also stays active through sports and loves expressing his creativity in the kitchen through cooking.

Email: fvenero@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989

Brianna Stephens joins Holy Redeemer to teach Physical Education and is thrilled to launch the school’s new Band Program! A Lindenwood University graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in K–12 Music Education, Brianna brings five years of versatile teaching experience across general music, choir, various bands, music theory, guitar, middle school religion, and P.E.

A former competitive swimmer of 12 years and an active coach entering her 10th year with her local city swim team, Brianna is passionate about health, fitness, and motor skill development. She looks forward to combining her love of movement and music to inspire healthy, active lifestyles and nurture a love for music in her students.

Outside of the classroom, Brianna enjoys playing instruments, singing, swimming, golfing, and enjoying a good cup of coffee.

Email: bstephens@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989

Meghan Glenn brings a rich educational background in Communication Disorders and Special Education to her work. Over the course of her career, she has served as a classroom teacher across Kindergarten, 1st, and 4th grades, a Resource Teacher with the Special School District, and a Learning Consultant.

Driven by a passion for embracing God’s gifts of diversity in everyone, Meghan strives to make learning accessible, engaging, and meaningful for all types of learners.

Outside of education, Meghan is the proud mother of two amazing young adult children and loves cheering them on in their passions—including equestrian sports, conservation, hockey, and aviation. Her home is also filled with love from her four rescue dogs, and she enjoys spending her free time gardening

Email: mglenn@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989

Megan Diemler serves as Holy Redeemer’s 8th grade ELA teacher, middle school learning consultant, and care team facilitator. Prior to joining HR, she taught across multiple grade levels, spending the majority of her time as a 4th grade ELA teacher. She is deeply passionate about helping students discover a true love for reading while empowering them to see their full potential.

At home, Megan and her husband are kept busy by their one-year-old and three-year-old, who are excited to start attending HR this year! In her free time, she enjoys getting lost in a good book, traveling, working out, and watching soccer.

Email: mdiemler@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989

Bringing 32 years of dedicated experience to education, Aimee Harty is deeply passionate about supporting students at every step of their learning journey. Over the course of her career, she has made an impact in a variety of roles—including classroom teacher, literacy coach, reading specialist, elementary principal, and interventionist.

Looking ahead to the 26-27 school year, she is excited to continue supporting the Holy Redeemer community as Care Team Facilitator, Interventionist, and NWEA Testing Coordinator.

Outside of school, she and her husband have three grown daughters and one sweet grandson. They love spending quality time together, whether that means boating, walking local trails, or grilling out.

Email: aharty@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989

Email: kmulligan@holyr.org

Phone: 314-962-8989

Colleen Duchild – Assistant 

Kelly Mulligan – Director

Vicki Stegmann – Assistant 

Victoria “Vicki” M. Stegmann serves as an Aftercare Childcare Assistant at Holy Redeemer. A St. Louis native and the eldest of seven children, Vicki brings a deep appreciation for family to the HR community—boasting an impressive extended family that includes nine nieces and nephews, 15 great-nieces and nephews, and six great-great-nieces and nephews!

A licensed Registered Nurse, Vicki received her nursing credentials from Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Missouri, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Management from Maryville University.

Outside of her work at Holy Redeemer, Vicki is an avid gardener who tends to a large native plant garden at her home in Affton. Her varied interests also include cooking, baking, classical music, and art. An enthusiastic reader, she particularly enjoys diving into books on science, history, nature, and biographies.