St. Paul Catholic School, located at 1900 Highway 72, West in Athens, will have full-day K3, K4, and kindergarten classes starting in August of this year. St. Paul has had an education building for over 10 years, but it has not been able to fully utilize the space. As one of the fastest growing counties in Alabama, which has no Catholic School, the school will provide a nurturing environment where students can grow emotionally, academically, and spiritually under the direction of experienced and knowledgeable teachers. Classes will be kept small to allow for individualized instruction.

A school’s success is highly dependent on having quality educators, and, thankfully, St. Paul is blessed with amazing instructors. Patsy Kobs, the kindergarten teacher, has been teaching for 40 years in both public and Catholic schools. Her last assignment was at St. Ann’s in Decatur. Her years of experience include teaching special education, early childhood, elementary, and working as a school psychometrist. She is a certified Wilson instructor (dyslexia language program under Orton-Gillingham) and worked for many years teaching adult English-language learners.

Expressing her excitement to teach at St. Paul, Kobs stated, “I absolutely love kindergarten students. They are eager and ready to learn but are maturing and able to follow directions and concentrate for longer periods of time. Teaching in a Catholic environment allows me to bring God into all the lessons and helps the young ones understand the connections between all peoples and all of God’s creation.”

This school year, St. Paul implemented a pilot program with a half-day preschool taught by Dr. Sue Whitcomb., who holds a doctorate is in reading from the University of Southern Mississippi and a master’s in dyslexia therapy. Dr. Whitcomb began teaching at Holy Family School focusing on kindergarten as well as first and third grades. She will continue to work with curriculum and provide support to all classes at St. Paul, as well as substituting when needed. “I find so much satisfaction in being able to share my faith and love for Christ with my students,” said Dr. Whitcomb.

Dana Wolfe, director of the school and director of adult education for North Alabama, has master’s degrees in secondary social studies education, liberal arts, and pastoral studies with a certification in spiritual direction. She loves “the littles” and feels more is needed to guide them on a pathway that includes not only academic success but also experience of the love of God. She has been shepherding the process of starting the school through all the requirements, both state and diocesan, because she feels so strongly that a Catholic school is needed in Limestone County. The long-range plan is that each year a new grade will be added so that students can continue their Catholic education. To learn more about St. Paul Catholic School, please visit stpaulcatholic.school.