Meet Our New Faculty

We are so excited to introduce our new faculty! We also have some teachers switching positions.

Early Childhood

Ashley Banks, SMP Teacher

After spending a year at home with her twin 1-year-old boys and 4-year-old son, Ashley Banks is excited to return to the classroom. She has a bachelor’s degree in child development from the University of Memphis. The native Memphian has taught kindergarten for six years and graduated from another all-girls school, St. Agnes. When not working, Ashley enjoys spending time with her three boys, family, and friends and being outdoors.

“I am excited to be back in the classroom and support each student in a creative and loving environment,” Ashley said.

    
Edie Efron, PK Teacher
Edie brings over ten years of experience to St. Mary’s Pre-Kindergarten team. Edie received a bachelor of education in applied learning and development with a focus on early childhood and elementary education from the University of Texas at Austin and a master of education in education leadership with a literacy concentration from the University of Florida. Edie has a background in curriculum writing and leading professional development for educators. You may recognize Edie as she has worked as a substitute in ECC and Lower School classrooms. After moving back to Memphis from Texas, Edie says she loves reading, watching her children dance and do sports, crafting, and exploring Memphis.

“I am excited to join the St. Mary’s community and form lasting bonds with the girls and their families,” said Edie.

    
Allie Handel, SK Teacher
New Senior Kindergarten Teacher, Allie, joins St. Mary’s after earning a master’s in early childhood education from the University of Tennessee last year. She also has a bachelor’s degree in child and family studies and experience teaching children from birth through age eight. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, two dogs, and cat, watching movies, and being outdoors.

“I am excited to work at St. Mary’s because of the amazing positive environment. Everyone I have met so far has been so welcoming and warm,” Allie said.

    
Genevieve Kuhar, SK Teacher
Genevieve will begin her role as a Senior Kindergarten teacher this fall. She is proud to be a third-generation legacy graduate at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, where she received her bachelor of arts degree in elementary education with a reading intervention endorsement. Genevieve has taught in charter and independent schools and is delighted to continue her journey as a Memphis educator.

Genevieve was raised in Michigan and moved to Memphis 5 years ago. She enjoys living in Midtown with her husband and Goldendoodle, Maggie. Outside of school, she enjoys practicing yoga, going to the farmer's market, listening to podcasts, and having a cold brew at the local coffee shop.

“I am eager to be part of the school's mission to support and uplift the next generation of girls,” Genevieve said.

    
Katie Jarvis Volk, SMP Teacher
Katie is joining the St. Mary’s Place team this year. Originally from Tupelo, MS, Katie began her career as a 1st-grade teacher. She graduated from Mississippi State University with a bachelor's in elementary education. She recently got married and moved to Germantown with her husband. Outside of school, she loves spending time with her family, trying new recipes, and going on walks.

“I am excited to work at St. Mary's because of the family atmosphere and the high standards set for the girls and educators,” Katie said.

    
Megan Ray, PK Teacher
Megan brings four years of early education experience to the Pre-Kindergarten team. Megan earned an undergraduate degree in philosophy and English from Arkansas State University and a master’s of arts in teaching from the University of Memphis.

Megan has lived in Arkansas, Missouri, Utah, and Tennessee but has called Memphis home since 2018. She says she has a deep, enduring love of the natural world and is passionate about sharing it with her students. In her free time, Megan enjoys hiking, gardening, reading, and spending time with their pup, Louise, and cat, Eleanor.

“I believe communities and whole societies flourish when girls are empowered in their education,” Megan said. “I'm excited to teach and nurture future leaders who will go on to impact positive changes in the world.”

Lower School

Kelly Cook, Lower School Art
Kelly is the new Lower School Art Teacher. She holds master’s degrees in fine arts from Memphis College of Art and the University of Memphis and an MFA in teaching in instruction and curricular leadership with a concentration in art education from the University of Memphis. Kelly is a working visual artist who has taught art for universities and public schools since 2016. In her practice, she makes watercolor portraits on wood. When Kelly is not in her studio, you can find her outdoors hiking, backpacking, kayaking, or biking. She is also an avid reader and writer.

“I believe that girls should be encouraged to push themselves academically and to follow their passions. As soon as I saw St. Mary’s, I knew they did, too,” said Kelly.

    
Shelby Pascal, ’11, First Grade Teacher
Shelby is excited to return to her alma mater as a 1st Grade Teacher. She earned a bachelor of arts in elementary education with a focus on reading and math and a master’s of education in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in elementary education and a focus on English language arts from The University of Mississippi. She also earned an educational leadership endorsement from Carson Newman University.
She has been teaching for seven years in Memphis. Outside of teaching, Shelby enjoys cheering on Ole Miss and the Grizzlies. She also loves spending time with her husband, Joe, her newborn daughter, Katie Louise, and her dog, Lola.

“I am excited to return to the community that helped shape me and my education. I am ready to return to this amazing all-girls community that supports each other in so many ways,” said Shelby.

Switching Roles

Lizzie Campbell, JK Teacher (Moving from SMP)
In her seventh year at St. Mary’s, Lizzie is moving to the JK team. She earned a bachelor’s in early childhood education from the University of Arkansas and a master’s in early childhood education from Christian Brothers University. She is trained in Orton-Gillingham and LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling). Lizzie enjoys spending time with her husband and dog, and going to the family farm.

“I am excited to get back to Junior Kindergarten and to work with Sarah Marshburn again,” Lizzie said.

Helen Fentress, PK Teacher (Moving from SMP)

Beginning her second year in the Early Childhood Center, but having a lifelong connection to St. Mary’s, Helen is thrilled to be joining the Pre-K team! 

She has a BA in English with a concentration in teaching from the University of Memphis and a MA in TESOL for Pre-K through 12th from CUNY Hunter College. While obtaining her MA, Helen taught in both public and private schools in Manhattan, NY, with an emphasis on teaching K-4 grade levels and multilingual learners.

St. Mary’s holds a special place in her heart and challenges her to inspire her students to lead with love and light, be curious, and find their fullest potential. In her free time, Helen loves to stay active with her rescue dogs, read, travel, and support local enterprises!

Rachel Giampapa, 6th Grade Math & Science (Adding math sections)
This year, Rachel will teach 6th-grade science and math and serve as the 6th Grade Team Lead. Rachel says she found home in Memphis when she had the opportunity to combine a STEM-focused education and a collegiate soccer career at Rhodes College – something she has continued at St. Mary’s. She serves as a Middle School soccer coach and coordinator. Rachel earned a bachelor of science degree in biochemistry and molecular biology and a minor in French from Rhodes. Rachel plays and coaches soccer in her free time and enjoys reading, running, and watching documentaries.

“I am excited to start this new role teaching both math and science to our 6th grade students,” Rachel said. “Having a deep passion for STEM fields, I am grateful I have the opportunity to get our students excited about learning and applying math and science in their daily lives.”

Molly Logan, JK Teacher (Moving from Lower School Art)
Molly Logan will begin her seventh year at St. Mary’s as a Junior Kindergarten teacher. Molly has 14 years of experience – six in a general classroom and eight years as an art teacher. Before her teaching career, Molly received her bachelor’s in psychology from Rhodes College and her master of arts in teaching in early childhood education from the University of Memphis. When she’s not caring for her four children, Molly loves to read, travel, make art in her home studio, and walk her puppy.

While she’ll miss her artists, Molly says she’s excited to join a classroom family again. “I love watching the spark in a child’s eyes when she grasps a new concept,” she said.

Windy May, US Algebra 2 (Moving from MS Math)
Experienced high school math teacher Windy is moving from the Middle to the Upper School this fall. Windy received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Mississippi. She has more than 20 years of teaching experience, including three years at St. Mary’s. Windy enjoys coaching the Lower School Cross Country team and the throwers on the Middle and Upper School track teams. She has two SMS daughters: junior Brooks and 8th grader Wesley. Outside school, Windy enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, and cheering on her Ole Miss Rebels.
“I am excited about my return to teaching in high school. I love math and am excited to teach Algebra 2,” Windy said.

Elizabeth Ray, First Grade Teacher (Moving from 3rd)
In her fifth year teaching, Elizabeth is moving from St. Mary’s 3rd grade to join the 1st grade team. She has a bachelor’s in elementary education and a master's in instruction and curriculum leadership with a concentration in instructional design and technology from the University of Memphis. Elizabeth comes from a large family, including a niece and two nephews (one due in November!), and enjoys spending as much time as possible with them.

“No matter the grade level, St. Mary’s girls are kind, confident, and curious. Witnessing how those core values shape their education is a gift,” Elizabeth said. “I hope to help the girls grow their love of learning and am eager to see what they accomplish this school year.”