Saint Ann Faculty and Staff

Mary Little, Principal

Mrs. Little holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and CBEST certification. She is a very active member of Saint Ann's Parish and has been a Confraternity of Christian Doctrine teacher for 15 years. She enjoys family activities, studying foreign languages, and learning about computers. Mrs. Little and her husband Jim, have four boys, John - who serves in the United States Army, Tim - who is in college, Tony - who is in high school, and David - who attends Saint Ann School.

Emily Miller, Kindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Miller earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio. She holds a California Teaching Credential, and has received training in a number of supplementary areas including technology, curriculum development, and children's literature. At Saint Ann she serves as coordinator of the Reading/Meditation Garden efforts, Student Council, and is a Technology Committee member. Mrs. Miller is a dancer and teaches dance classes at a local studio. She and her husband, Lou Miller, have a daughter, Samantha. Mrs. Miller enjoys spending time with her family, reading, camping, undertaking home improvement projects, and shopping.

Christine Simolon, First Grade Teacher

Mrs. Simolon has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from California State University, Los Angeles and a Master's degree in Religious Education from Loyola Marymount University. She holds a kindergarten through twelfth grade California Elementary Education Credential with authorization to teach students with learning disabilities and mentally handicapped children. Born and raised in Bakersfield, she moved to Ridgecrest in 1972 when she married Bruce. They have two children, Brian and Julia. She enjoys reading, walking and being with her family.

Misty West, Second Grade Teacher

Miss West earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. She holds a California Teaching Credential. Miss West worked in the Mayor's office in Omaha, and in other city government offices. She also brings experience from other workplaces to Saint Ann School. Miss West especially enjoys watching University of Nebraska Cornhusker football games and enjoys exploring the local area.

Susan McDonald, Third Grade Teacher

Lisa Stenger-Smith, Fourth Grade Teacher

Mrs. Stenger-Smith has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware. She holds a California Teaching Credential. She speaks German and lived in Germany for two years while working for BASF. She and her husband have three daughters, two of whom attend Saint Ann School. Her hobbies include playing guitar, singing, camping, traveling, and digital photography. She loves to encourage Saint Ann students to develop their musical talents through participation in liturgical music and is responsible for music at school masses.

Tracy Sherrick, Fifth Grade Teacher

Megan Stokes, Middle School Teacher

Shawna Gibbs, Middle School Teacher

Ms. Gibbs has both Bachelors of Science and Masters of Science Degrees. She has a current teaching credential from the State of Wyoming. As a substitute teacher she has experience in taching students at the elementary, middle school and high school levels in a variety of subject areas. She was also a member of the Wyoming Department of Education's Committee for the evision of School Health Standards and Benchmarks and has provided assistance to school across the state i implementing those standards. Ms. Gibbs and her two sons have just moved to Ridgecrest. This is her first year at Saint Ann School.

Debra Veit, Music Teacher

Mrs. Veit is amember of Our Lady of the Desert Church on Base. She has a Master's Degree in Music Education. She conducted the Band at Cerro Coso Community College and the Folk Music Ensemble for the Catholic Congregation of the All Faith Chapel (Our LAdy of the Desert). She has taught private music lessons here in our community for many years.

Sherry Escallier, Computer Teacher

Mrs. Escallier has a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Alverno College and a Master's degree in Public Administration from California State University Bakersfield. She and her husband, Paul, have two children, Lynette and Jean-Paul. She enjoys reading, music, and being with her family.

Julia Ann Black, Art Teacher

Mrs. Black has an Associate of Arts degree from St. Mary's College in O'Fallon, Missouri and a Bachelor of Science in Fine Arts degree from Lindenwood Colleges, St. Charles, Missouri. She and her husband, Bo, have two children, Jay and Christine. She enjoys working in ceramics, reading children's literature, studying Catholic history, tennis, racquetball and reading.

Christina Rockdale, Resource Technician and Assistant Principal

Mrs. Rockdale has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and 20 years of experience working in Human Resource and Organizational Development. After teaching second grade for several years, Tina now serves students at St Ann who are struggling with reading and language development. She and her husband Ed have three children: Tanya, John and Michael. She enjoys working with Boy Scouts, reading, walking, "motorhome" camping, and mosaic art.