Saint Ann Faculty and Staff

Mary Little, Principal

Mrs. Little holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and attended graduate school at Oklahoma State University. She completed the credential program through Fresno State University and holds a current California multiple subject teaching credential. She is a very active member of Saint Ann's Parish and, prior to teaching at Saint Ann School, had 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, Tim, Tony and David.

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 Elementary Education from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1994. She completed her Masters of Arts in Education, Curriculum and Instruction in 2008. She holds a California Clear Teaching Credential. She enjoys helping her students prepare for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist. When she is not teaching, Miss West enjoys watching University of Nebraska Cornhusker football games and enjoys exploring the local area. She also enjoys spending time with friends and her two dogs, Bear and Anya. This fall will bring a new member to her family as she will be getting married. On November 28th she will marry Mr. Brad Bruna and become Mrs. West-Bruna.

Susan McDonald, Third Grade Teacher

Mrs. McDonald earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from California State University Bakersfield. She is married to Jim, and they have a son, Sam. She enjoys camping and arts and crafts.

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.

Shanon Bromley, Fifth Grade Teacher

Mrs. Bromley earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Language Arts from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. She taught for two years in Orlando, FL, and relocated to Ridgecrest with her husband this past March. She holds a K-8 teaching certificate in Michigan and Florida, and is in the process of receiving her California Credential. Mrs. Bromley enjoys playing with her two Boston Terriers, gardening, reading, and rooting for the Michigan Wolverines.

Tracy Sherrick, Middle School Teacher

Katie Wadley, Middle School Teacher

Hello! My name is Katie Wadley (formerly known as Katie O'Neil). I am the new mathematics teacher at Saint Ann's middle school. I spend most of the day with my seventh grade homeroom, but I also teach sixth grade math and eighth grade algebra. I earned a BA degree in mathematics and education, and a MA degree in education from the University of California, Riverside. I have previous experience teaching middle school pre-algebra and algebra at James Monroe and in Moreno Valley. I am fully credentialed and qualified to teach mathematics up to high-school calculus. As a former Saint Ann student, I am excited to rejoin the Saint Ann school family and I am looking forward to another great school year.

Shawna Roberts, Middle School Teacher

Mrs. Roberts has both Bachelors of Science and Masters of Science Degrees. She has a current teaching credential from the State of Wyoming and is working on getting her cleared credential from the State of California. As a substitute teacher she has experience in teaching 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 revision of School Health Standards and Benchmarks and has provided assistance to school across the state in implementing those standards. Mrs. Roberts was married last October at Saint Ann Church. This is her sixth year at teaching at Saint Ann Middle 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.