Leadership & Governance

Education: PhD in Medieval History (SLU).
Dr. Richard Allington has previously taught at Saint Louis University, Rosati-Kain High School, Christendom College, Eastern New Mexico University, and also at JPII. He graduated from Christendom College where he experienced how an integrated classical curriculum guided by the Catholic faith can inspire students to pursue truth and beauty. He then studied Medieval History at Saint Louis University, focusing his research on the prayers and devotions of the crusaders. During this time he also taught Latin at JPII and was deeply impressed by the strong academic standards and supportive community he experienced at the school.

After graduating from SLU, he returned to Christendom College to teach for a year before taking a permanent position as part of the history faculty at Eastern New Mexico University.

Jesse was born an Air Force brat growing up in different places, including Iceland. He grew up Catholic but it was in high school that he personally fell in love with Jesus. Attended a high school seminary in La Crosse, WI, and then continued into college seminary for two years.

After discerning out, he attended Benedictine college and then later joined the Air Force as a meteorologist for pilots for 6 years. He’s married to Kathleen and together have 7 children. Jesse has been a JPII parent for 4 years and he stays home full time and loves teaching his children on the home days. His favorite thing about JPII is how serious the staff are about their own faith and the school’s number one desire to guide the children and their families towards sainthood.

Angela has been involved with St. John Paul II Preparatory School since 2017. In 2021, she joined the faculty and teaches 12th Grade American Literature, 11th Grade British Literature, 10th Grade Medieval Studies and 8th Grade American Literature and Writing. She serves as a Middle School House Advisor and as the Faculty Advisor for the Pro Life Club.

Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Studies (University of Wisconsin-Superior).
Angela and her husband Russell moved to the St. Louis area in 2009 and have two children.

Education: B.A. Classics (Wabash College).
Mr. Sebastian Garren graduated from Wabash College with a Major in Classics, and Minors in both Philosophy and Medieval Studies. He studied in Italy for a semester at the Institute of Classical Studies. In college, he was elected president of the Newman Center, founded a theology magazine Unapologetic, and became editor-in-chief of the thorny student magazine The Wabash Commentary.

Mr. Garren has had the pleasure of teaching at JPII for the past 9 years. As Dean he oversees the executive function of the high school including discipline, curriculum, the house system, teacher assistance, and parent resources.

Bobby Keppel and his wife Suzanne have been part of the JPII community/school since 2013. They have six children and five attend JPII ranging from 8th grade all the way down to Pre-K.

Bobby was a first-round draft pick for the New York Mets. He was a starting pitcher for the NY Mets until 2006 when he was traded to the Kansas City Royals. Since then, he has played for the Colorado Rockies, Florida Marlins, and Minnesota Twins. Bobby is active in his parish of St. Joseph in Cottleville. He grew a men’s ministry called Ignite to assist and mentor fathers and husbands.

Education:
B.A. in Theology and Biology from Saint Louis University
M.A. in Teaching from Saint Louis University

Experience:
While a member of the first ever cohort for the Billiken Teacher Corps Mitch McCurren taught at St. Mary’s High School. In addition to teaching theology, science, and math classes, he coached for the basketball team and moderated for the campus ministry group. After starting a family with his college sweetheart, Emily, and five years at St. Mary’s, Mitch has spent the past five years as the stay at home parent for their growing family. The McCurren family was one of the original lower school families for JPII’s South Campus in 2021 and now have two children attending school there with two others still at home.

Favorite Thing about JPII:
The unapologetic Catholic mission of the school. In an age where most Catholic schools are essentially public schools with a religion class, JPII strives to put the faith at the center of all that it does. To support this mission, JPII is made up of families who all have the primary focus of raising saints.

Education: Bachelor of Science, Accounting (Franciscan University), MBA (Lindenwood University).

Daun was born and raised in St. Louis. She has lived here her entire life, the only exception being her college years and a two year stint in San Diego, where she worked for Catholic Answers. Upon moving back to St. Louis in 2003, she began her accounting career with a public accounting firm. Life then moved her into the corporate arena and she has been working as an accountant in the healthcare industry since 2007. Daun married her husband, Frank in 2010 and they have been blessed with five children.

Amy has been involved at St. John Paul II Preparatory School since 2011. She has worn many hats, tool belts and aprons. Along with facility management, she was instrumental in implementing the Classical curriculum and helping to develop the educational scope and sequence of JPII academics.

Amy and Brad have had all seven of their children graduate from JPII, their youngest being the first student to attend all grades and all campuses. She is currently the headmistress of JPII South Campus overseeing the lower school and working with Sebastian Garren to promote and run the new campus.

Brad graduated from SLU with Education and History degrees, but ended up having a career as an Information Technology consultant. Brad has owned two IT consulting companies, and currently works at a top 5 accounting and consulting firm providing Technology Due Diligence and carve-out support to Private Equity and Corporate clients.

Brad and his wife Amy have been involved with JPII since 2012. Brad helped start the JPII High School sports program in 2012, and coached the JPII baseball, soccer, and basketball teams. Brad and Amy have seven kids, all of them graduating from JPII.

Favorite Thing about JPII:
The kids. The students of JPII are the best ambassadors for the school. Their example of school community, sportsmanship, respect for each other, academic pride, and dedication to being Catholic is an inspiration to all that have the opportunity to spend time with them.

Katie was born and raised in St. Louis. As a convert to Christianity, she was baptized at age 19 and confirmed in the Catholic Church at age 21. Since then she has had a strong passion and love for the Catholic faith. This led to working for a parish in the Archdiocese of St. Louis for 6 years with a focus on communications.

She married her husband, Tim, in 2016 and they’ve been blessed with four children. Katie currently stays home full-time and assists on home days. Their oldest child started at JPII for Kindergarten in 2022. They are very thankful to have found JPII and can’t imagine any other school as a more perfect fit for their family.

Favorite thing about JPII: The unwavering dedication and support of teachers and staff members as well as the community of families striving for sainthood.

Education: Associate in Arts degree from Hillsborough College, University of South Florida (Psychology), PK & K Teacher Certification.

Mrs. Tetzlaff has been privileged to be a part of JPII from the very beginning as one of the founding families. Over the last 9 years she has been involved as a board member, teacher and now dean. She has been married to her husband Marcus for over 30 years and has a daughter Hailie, who is a 2013 JPII graduate.