Faculty & Staff

I was born in Argentina, the seventh of ten children. At the age of 12 I entered the high school seminary to later become, at the age of 25, a missionary priest of the Institute of the Incarnate Word. I had ministered in Italy, Philippines, Papua New Guinea and Ireland before coming to the USA. After serving in different dioceses in the US, I came to Spokane at the end of 2016. I was assigned first to serve as parochial vicar at St. Mary’s in the Valley and then in the Walla Walla parishes. I came to St. Charles on July 2019 and I am very excited for the future of our school as we embark in transitioning to classical liberal arts curriculum.

This is my third year at St. Charles and I am very excited to be a part of transitioning our school to the Classical Liberal Arts. Prior to coming to St. Charles, I was a principal assistant, district coordinator and a music teacher. Outside of school I love being in the outdoors, camping and hiking with my husband, Sam, two kiddos, David and Abby, and our two dogs, Dawg and Mica.

This is my third year at St. Charles. I have multiple roles acting as Parish Office Manager and bookkeeper for both the parish and school. I love working at St. Charles! I am married with one daughter. We are active in dog sports and show our Siberian Huskies.

Trudy Girkins started the St. Charles Food Program in 2003, when her three children were students at the school.  Prior to the hot lunch program's inception, no meal service program was in place besides the occasional McDonald's, pizza and hot dog meals provided on special days.  Trudy's desire to provide balanced, nutritious meals led to the existing program at St. Charles which follows the National School Meal  guidelines.  The delicious aromas fill the halls of the school, two of the favorites of the students being garlic bread and brownies.  

My name is Kayleen Stragier and I am co-teaching in the 2/3 combined classroom.  This is my 2nd year in this classroom and my 9th year of teaching.  St. Charles has always played a huge role in my life.  I am a proud alum of St. Charles (class of '99), my mom taught here for several decades, and my brothers, nephews, and nieces all graduated from here.  The St. Charles community has always had a family sense to me, so when I came to teach here it felt like I was coming home.  When I am not teaching I enjoy the outdoors, running, baking, and spending time with my husband, daughter, and dog.

I grew up in the Seattle area.   I attended St. Francis of Assisi Grade School, Holy Names Academy and U of W, all in the Seattle area.   I was married to my husband, John for over 45 years before his passing.   I have two daughters, 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.  I have been teaching preschool at St. Charles for 28 years.   Catholic education is my passion.

I have gone to private school my whole life, starting at St. Joseph Catholic School in Issaquah WA from K-8, to Eastside Catholic High School, and then Gonzaga University. I graduated from Gonzaga with a degree in Psychology and then did their Masters of Initial Teaching program and got endorsements in Reading and English Language Learners. I have been at St. Charles since 2017 and love teaching Kindergarten here! I have a rescue dog, Duke, that I am obsessed with and during my time off I like to travel.

I received my  BA from Washington State University in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education.  I have been part of the St. Charles community since 1994.  I have teaching experience in Preschool, Second Grade and First Grade. 

My name is Mary Perrier.  I have worked in the library here for 19 years and I have taught Algebra for 15 years.  I also taught for 6 years at Trinity before I had my four children, who all went to St. Charles from Kindergarten through 8th grade.  I love teaching Algebra and I love St. Charles.  It has made a huge difference in the lives of my family.