Meredith Havlin – Intervention Teacher Meredith Havlin works with all of our teachers and students as our intervention teacher. Her support in the classroom, in small groups, or one on one is invaluable to the academic growth of our students. Meredith has taught both Language Arts and Math. Meredith and her family are members of St. Martha. Her children, Everette and Norah, are current Shamrocks!
Suzanne Barnett – Principal Suzanne Barnett comes to St. Martha with nearly two decades of experience as an educator. Suzanne earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Louisville. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she moved on to Bellarmine University to complete her Master of Arts in Teaching and her Education Specialist in Instructional Leadership degree. Suzanne’s husband, John, is a 1993 graduate of St. Martha. Her sons, Ethan ’19 and Noah ’21, are also graduates of St Martha. Her twin daughters, Peyton and Quinn, are all currently students at the school. “As a leader, I make knowing individuals a priority – students, teachers, and staff. It is very important to me to know those who I am working with and for, as relationships are key in creating a quality learning environment.” Q & A with Mrs. Barnett Highlight of the Year: The beginning of the school year is definitely my favorite time of the year! Teachers are rested and rejuvenated and students are ready to get back to work. The excitement that surrounds the newness of the year in energizing for me! Passion: Education is my passion. Helping students and teachers work to meet their fullest potential is what I love doing. Philosophy: Everyone is capable of learning. As an education professional, it is my job to instill a growth mindset in students, help each one find their passion, and cultivate life-long learners. Favorite part of teaching: The thing I love most about being an educator is how much I have learned through the relationships I have had with my students and fellow educators. I am a better teacher, parent, and person because of each and every one of my students. I can only hope that I’ve had a fraction of the impact on my students as they’ve had on me throughout the years. My favorite thing about St. Martha: There are so many wonderful things about the St. Martha community, but the pride in our school is probably my most favorite. Whether it’s our students, our teachers, or our parents, everyone feels like they are a part of who we are and this shows in all that we do! My hope for my students: My hope for my students is that they realize their potential and strive to live up to it in all that they do. I also hope that each one embraces what makes them unique and is lucky enough to find their passion in life. Education: Bachelor of Arts in Biology, University of Louisville Master of Arts in Teaching, Bellarmine University Education Specialist in Instructional Leadership, Bellarmine University
Taffie Duckworth – Assistant Principal Taffie Duckworth is a proud graduate of St. Martha School and returned to St. Martha in 2008 as a teacher. She became Assistant Principal in 2016. After graduating from St. Martha, Taffie attended Sacred Heart Academy, which prepared her well for obtaining her undergraduate degree at the University of Dayton and then her Master’s in Elementary Education from the University of Louisville. Taffie, her husband, Jason, and her two children, Cooper and Max, are members of St. Martha. Cooper is a ’19 St. Martha graduate and Max currently attends St. Martha School. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family, traveling, and reading. “My favorite thing about St. Martha is the relationships I have made with my students, parents, and co-workers. Everyone is so welcoming. It truly is a family here!” Q & A with Mrs. Duckworth Passion: I am passionate about every child having a voice in the classroom and knowing his/her contributions are a vital part of the class. Philosophy: I try my best to be a role model for all students in the ways I act and speak. Respect and responsibility are key traits I give and expect in return. Favorite part of teaching: The children are the reason I am a teacher. I love getting to know them and seeing the world through their eyes. Each child has a story to share. Favorite teaching memory: The third grade students and families made a prayer chain and collected prayer requests from all students in the school. We wrote each request on a link for a chain which we hung up in the school hallways. As the link was added to the chain, a prayer for that person was said. By the end of the year, we had a prayer chain going the entire length of the school hallway. Favorite thing about St. Martha: I love this community. I have been a part of it since I attended first grade. The genuine care and support I have seen over the years is amazing. My hope for my students: I hope they find happiness and success in their lives and that they feel God’s loving presence throughout their journey. Fun fact: My husband, daughter, son, and I are members of St. Martha, and my children attend St. Martha School. In my free time, I love spending time with my family, traveling, and reading. Education: Master’s in Elementary Education, University of Louisville
Susan Eichberger – Office Manager Susan Eichberger is the Office Manager at St. Martha Catholic School, a role she has served in since 2018. Prior to that, Susan worked in our preschool and volunteered in many capacities as at parishioner. Susan and her family are members of St. Martha. Her husband and two older children are proud St. Martha alums. Her young two boys are current Shamrocks. “I love that I never know what the day will bring, each day is an adventure!” Q&A with Mrs. Eichberger Highlight of the year: I love the “Pretend Mass” second graders participate in, before their First Communion. It’s special watching them as they role-play a Mass, and I always learn something new myself. Favorite thing about working with students: I love that I never know what the day will bring, each day is an adventure. I love seeing so many smiling faces each day, or putting a smile on a face that may need one. Favorite part about St. Martha: The community! St. Martha is filled with amazing, students, staff and parents. Everyone is so welcoming and St. Martha is always hosting fun events! Fun facts: My husband, Andy, graduated from St. Martha in 1991. We have four boys – Ethan, Koltyn, Hudson and Owen. Two are St. Martha graduates and two are current Shamrocks. I grew up in New Albany, Indiana. I like to read and relax outside. Education: Bacherlor’s in Business Management, Indiana University Southeast
Donna Franklin – School Counselor Donna Franklin has been a part of the at St. Martha for nearly 20 years. For over a decade, Donna taught kindergarten before taking on the role of school counselor. Donna works with students to help them develop strong social and communication skills, as well as supporting social and emotional learning for all. Prior to working at St. Martha, Donna worked for Seven Counties Services counseling children with severe emotional disabilities. Donna’s two children, Emma and Logan, are graduates of St. Martha and she loves spending time with them! Education: Master of Arts in Teaching, Bellarmine University Master’s in Counseling, Eastern Kentucky University
Suzanne Geiger – Learning Coordinator Suzanne Geiger has worked in education since 1998, and joined the St. Martha staff in 2013. Her own education was founded on strong Catholic values attending Catholic grade school, high school, and college. She is very thankful to be part of the St. Martha School community. Suzanne attended Brescia College where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She continued her post graduate studies at Indiana University Southeast where she received a Master’s in Elementary Education. Suzanne is married to Bill, and they have two daughters, Elizabeth and Mary Grace. “My favorite thing about St. Martha is the relationships I have made with my students, parents, and co-workers. Everyone is so welcoming. It truly is a family here!” Q & A with Mrs. Geiger Highlight of the year: The highlight of every year is seeing the progression of my students. Passion: I am passionate about finding out what motivates each child to learn. Philosophy: I believe that every child is capable of learning. Parents and teachers should work as a team to ensure every child has the opportunity to be successful. Favorite part of teaching: My favorite thing about being a teacher is getting to know my students and families. I have made life-long friends. Favorite teaching memory: My favorite memory is hearing for the first time, “Mrs. Geiger, I can do it!” Favorite thing about St. Martha: My favorite thing about St. Martha is the relationships I have made with my students, parents, and co-workers. Everyone is so welcoming. It truly is a family here! My hope for my students: My hope for my students is that each of them knows how much I love them, and I want the best for each of them. Fun fact: I love watching my daughters play the sports they love, softball and cheer. Education: Bachelor’s in Elementary Education, Brescia College Master’s in Elementary Education, Indiana University Southeast
Kathleen Lang – Intervention Coordinator Kathleen Lang is a proud graduate of St. Martha and is glad to be back at her alma mater, teaching in the same classrooms in which she was a student. She began her teaching career in 2015 in Oldham County Schools before coming to St. Martha. She loves empowering her students to be leaders. Her student-centered approach to education helps students develop an independent, life-long love of learning. Kathleen and her husband have two wonderful children, Bella and Oliver. She loves spending time with family lounging at home, taking trips to the zoo, riding roller coasters at Kentucky Kingdom, or hanging out with any of her 13 nieces and nephews. “I know that every student is different – in their interests, personalities, behaviors, and their learning styles. I am passionate about finding out how each of my students learns so they can reach their fullest potential.“ Q & A with Mrs. Lang Highlight of the year: I enjoy seeing students see their hard work come to life. Whether it is the 8th graders putting their Tent or Treat creations together, which allows them to see the joy they bring to all the other students, or taking the 8th grade to Finance Park to put all of what they learned in to practice, it’s amazing to see them realize that hard work really does pay off. It gives them purpose and a special spark! Passion: I know that every student is different – in their interests, personalities, behaviors, and their learning styles. I am passionate about finding out how each of my students learns so they can reach their fullest potential. Giving students a choice in their learning not only helps them feel like they have ownership in the learning process but it helps students dive deeper into the content and understand in their own way. Philosophy: I believe in a student-centered approach. I like to give students choice and provide differentiation when needed. I allow students to collaborate with one another to teach and learn from each other. As much as possible, I try not to be the primary source of learning, but a guide to help student find the answers on their own and in their own way. Favorite part of teaching: Seeing the ‘ah-ha’ moment when a student finally understands something is my favorite part of teaching! Favorite teaching memory: Although it was not my favorite time in teaching, one of my favorite things was the bond that my 2020 class made while at teaching and learning at home. I really focused on the relationships with my students, getting to know them even more while we were away from one another. That class will hold a special place in my heart! Favorite thing about St. Martha: I love St. Martha’s strong sense of tradition. I love that so many things that the students look forward to are things I looked forward to as a St. Martha student many years ago. My hope for my students: My hope for my students is that once they leave St. Martha, they know they will always have a safe place to come back to and that they always know we are cheering them on from afar! Fun fact: My husband, Rob, and I have two children, Bella and Oliver. We have two dogs and three cats. If we aren’t at home lounging on the couch, you can find us out on the Ohio River! Education: Bachelor’s in Graphic Design, Northern Kentucky University Master’s in Elementary Education, Spalding University