A Catholic community of dedicated teachers, parents, and students.

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502 491 3171

office@stmarthaschool.org

2825 Klondike Ln

Louisville, KY 40218

7:30 am - 3:30 pm

Monday to Friday

The child has one intuitive aim: self development

Shannon Dauenhauer

Shannon Dauenhauer began teaching at St. Martha in 1992. She also spent six years at the private school of the Academy for Individual Excellence. Shannon has been a reading resource teacher for grades 1-8. She has taught Language Arts to grades 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. She’s been a religion teacher to grades 4, 5 and 6. She is an engaging story teller who enriches the education of her students and is dedicated to the work of teaching her students how to be self-advocates. Mrs. Dauenhauer and her family are St. Martha parishioners and her daughter, Elizabeth, is a St. Martha grad.

"I want to present challenges as a positive endeavor. I want to present self-reflection and needed adjustments as a necessity to growth. God put these children on this planet, at this time, for a specific purpose. My job is to prepare them for that purpose."

Q & A with Mrs. Dauenhauer

 

Highlight of the year:

My favorite time of the year is when the students awake to the realization that the purpose of school is to prepare them for their future – which for an eighth grader is very real. When they truly understand that learning is not done for a grade but rather for enlightenment, our days are much more productive and joyful.

Passion:

I am passionate about teaching my students to think and to become the person God planned for them to me. Honestly, academics come and go and change (no more handwriting, computers read to us, phones define words for us, Pluto is no longer a planet, etc.). I do not know what the future holds for my students, but I do know they must have the interest, initiative, and ability to tackle any challenge. I want to present challenges as a positive endeavor. I want to present self-reflection and needed adjustments as a necessity to growth. God put these children on this planet, at this time, for a specific purpose. My job is to prepare them for that purpose.

Philosophy:

1. I value my religious belief. I try to be a role model and to guide my students onto a path that Jesus would follow. 2. I value the family. I try to create homework routines that will include the family without disturbing other activities in which a family participates. 3. I value failure as a way to learn. I will push students out of their comfort zone and challenge them to stretch. This may mean a period of exploration that leads them to fail. This failure, after reflection and adjustments, will lead to success. I believe parents should trust in their child to allow them to fail in order to achieve success. 4. I value the wisdom of the past. I will teach to the needs of the 21st century student, but I will also stress the basic knowledge of mankind. I will teach manners, how to express your feelings in words, how to respect and to listen to your elders, how to read, write, and think, how to work with and accept others, how to put others before myself.

Favorite part of teaching:

My favorite thing about being a teacher is seeing a child become inspired, then to watch that inspiration become sweat, blood and tears, and finally turn into knowledge that continues the inspiration.

Favorite teaching memory:

My favorite memory from teaching is when a difficult student shared with me that he witnessed God working through a bee to save his life. I treasure this memory because I know this boy learned that he is not alone in this world. He has everything he needs to succeed, if he opens his eyes, ears, heart, and mind to the possibilities. He changed me that day as well. It reminded me to not get bogged down in “stuff”, but to have the peace necessary to see the wonders.

Favorite thing about St. Martha:

My favorite thing about St. Martha is that it is a family. I am thrilled to be teaching the children of children I have taught before. I am thrilled to see generations at mass together on Sunday. I am thrilled with how many grandparents and parents attend lunch with their child. I am thrilled that we share the same history and experiences. I am thrilled with the number of graduates who come back to visit teachers. I am thrilled that we grow up and move away, yet always come home – to St. Martha.

My hope for my students:

My hope is that I provide my students with the desire and the tools they need to learn, to love, and to live. The outcome will be well worth the work.

Fun fact:

I was blessed with a daughter who has special needs. She was given to me so that I would be forever reminded of the unique treasure a child is. Knowing and loving her makes me a better teacher. The scores, the projects, and the homework should never be placed above the self-esteem of the individual. It should guide and give confidence to the individual to be their best.

1992

Joined St. Martha

Master's, Reading Specialist, University of Louisville

2012 Recipient of the
Catholic Education Foundation Ulmer Award

My Recent Posts

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Great Prep for High School

“The community and fellowship are amazing. My boys have made friendships and bonds they will treasure. Their educational experience has been wonderful and will help them with their transition to high school!”

– Maranda White

Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
5.0
2016-03-14T15:19:08+00:00

– Maranda White

“The community and fellowship are amazing. My boys have made friendships and bonds they will treasure. Their educational experience has been wonderful and will help them with their transition to high school!”

Family is the Best Word

"The teachers are really vested in the kids long after they leave their classes. Family is the best word to describe St. Martha and prepared is the best word to describe my son after his time there.”

Amy Landrum

Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
5.0
2016-03-14T15:19:18+00:00

Amy Landrum

“The teachers are really vested in the kids long after they leave their classes. Family is the best word to describe St. Martha and prepared is the best word to describe my son after his time there.”

Warm & Inviting

“My children attend this school and love it!  The community is warm & inviting, the school staff genuinely care about my children's whole well-being. I highly recommend this school.”

– Kari Ogle

Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
5.0
2017-01-15T08:33:19+00:00

– Kari Ogle

“My children attend this school and love it!  The community is warm & inviting, the school staff genuinely care about my children’s whole well-being. I highly recommend this school.”

Being a Part of a Family

“When choosing a parish for my family, I was looking for a community that would fulfill our spiritual, educational, and social needs. St. Martha Church and School has been that for over 23 years now."

– Dana Bale

Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
5.0
2017-01-15T08:39:56+00:00

– Dana Bale

“When choosing a parish for my family, I was looking for a community that would fulfill our spiritual, educational, and social needs. St. Martha Church and School has been that for over 23 years now.”

Top-Notch Academics

“Top-notch academics, athletics, students and parents. You won't find a better school!

– Katherine A. McCurry

Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
5.0
2017-01-15T08:42:19+00:00

– Katherine A. McCurry

“Top-notch academics, athletics, students and parents. You won’t find a better school!

It’s a Blast

“Softball leagues here are a blast. Best fish in town!”

– Kathleen Smith

Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
5.0
2017-01-15T08:43:41+00:00

– Kathleen Smith

“Softball leagues here are a blast. Best fish in town!”

You Can’t Beat the People

"My husband and I toured several parish schools in Louisville, and St. Martha stood out for its incredibly friendly staff and supporting culture. We felt the magic immediately."

– Lauren Micka Thomas

Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
5.0
2017-01-15T17:10:14+00:00

– Lauren Micka Thomas

“My husband and I toured several parish schools in Louisville, and St. Martha stood out for its incredibly friendly staff and supporting culture. We felt the magic immediately.”

Neighborhood School

"Our family initially picked St Martha due to it being a private school in our neighborhood, we’re not Catholic. We didn’t know anyone but I had heard good things. As soon as the kids started there it felt like family. We quickly got engaged in clubs and sports and all of us have made great friends!! The staff is top notch and the boys can’t wait to go to school everyday!"

Kim Lockard

Kim Lockard

Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
5.0
2018-01-25T13:50:09+00:00

Kim Lockard

“Our family initially picked St Martha due to it being a private school in our neighborhood, we’re not Catholic. We didn’t know anyone but I had heard good things. As soon as the kids started there it felt like family. We quickly got engaged in clubs and sports and all of us have made great friends!! The staff is top […]

Our Teachers Go Above and Beyond

"It is a wonderful feeling knowing that the faculty and staff of St. Martha want your child to succeed just as much as you do as their parent. If I ever have a concern, or for that matter my child has a concern about something they don’t understand, they are provided with extra support until they are able to master the skill being taught. Our teachers go above and beyond!"

- Deana Price, St Martha Parent
Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
2022-02-17T16:07:27+00:00
“It is a wonderful feeling knowing that the faculty and staff of St. Martha want your child to succeed just as much as you do as their parent. If I ever have a concern, or for that matter my child has a concern about something they don’t understand, they are provided with extra support until they are able to master […]

St. Martha Truly Does Rock!

"St. Martha truly does rock! We have a solid faith foundation, a school that provides not only education, but love and support to our children. We have a parish that works together to make sure there are groups/activities for every member of the parish. I feel blessed to be a member of the St. Martha Community."

Deana Price
Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
2022-02-17T16:15:37+00:00
“St. Martha truly does rock! We have a solid faith foundation, a school that provides not only education, but love and support to our children. We have a parish that works together to make sure there are groups/activities for every member of the parish. I feel blessed to be a member of the St. Martha Community.” Deana Price

The Drive…It’s Worth It!

"We drive over 30 minutes each way to get to St. Martha - and it's worth it! We grateful to have found a community of loving, courageous, helpful, kind, genuine people to help us raise our babies - and we're not going anywhere. After 3 years of preschool and with our oldest now in Kindergarten - we know we're where we belong.
A deciding factor and one of the greatest benefits to our family is that SMS offers after school care AND summer care - that are run by SMS staff. My kiddo is in the same place, with people she knows, all year and its priceless!"


Eileen Burden
Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
2022-02-17T16:17:48+00:00
“We drive over 30 minutes each way to get to St. Martha – and it’s worth it! We grateful to have found a community of loving, courageous, helpful, kind, genuine people to help us raise our babies – and we’re not going anywhere. After 3 years of preschool and with our oldest now in Kindergarten – we know we’re where […]

There is Something For Everyone

"St. Martha offers such a wide range of extra curricular activities from sports to academic oriented clubs to service clubs and many more. There is something for everyone."

Meredith Havlin
Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
2022-02-17T16:21:09+00:00
“St. Martha offers such a wide range of extra curricular activities from sports to academic oriented clubs to service clubs and many more. There is something for everyone.” Meredith Havlin

Supportive Faculty

"I love being part of a faculty that truly cares about each student’s growth and progress. Our teachers are continually seeking ways to support the individual needs of every student."

Anne Bahr
Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
2022-02-17T16:22:52+00:00
“I love being part of a faculty that truly cares about each student’s growth and progress. Our teachers are continually seeking ways to support the individual needs of every student.” Anne Bahr

Rich History

"I LOVE that there is a rich history here at St. Martha. The St. Martha community is very welcoming. It is a place where I feel like I belong, and I am valued as an educator and as a person."

Karen Woo
Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
2022-02-17T16:24:10+00:00
“I LOVE that there is a rich history here at St. Martha. The St. Martha community is very welcoming. It is a place where I feel like I belong, and I am valued as an educator and as a person.” Karen Woo

Growth Mindset

"I am pleased to see St. Martha moving toward a growth mindset of learning where students are encouraged to manage their own learning goals."

Mariann Lawrence
Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
2022-02-17T16:26:44+00:00
“I am pleased to see St. Martha moving toward a growth mindset of learning where students are encouraged to manage their own learning goals.” Mariann Lawrence

No Worries At All!

"My daughter became a Shamrock in 7th grade, and my biggest worry as a parent was if she would feel like part of the school community. I shouldn’t have worried AT ALL. She has said multiple times that the students have been so wonderfully welcoming to her that she feels like she’s been at St. Martha since kindergarten. It’s been an amazing transition for her and we are so thankful for everyone who’s been part of her school experience at St. Martha - her new friends, teachers, school staff, and the St. Martha families. It’s never too late to find your perfect school!"

Sonia Fuderer
Mrs. Brennan Ebersold
2022-02-17T16:28:22+00:00
“My daughter became a Shamrock in 7th grade, and my biggest worry as a parent was if she would feel like part of the school community. I shouldn’t have worried AT ALL. She has said multiple times that the students have been so wonderfully welcoming to her that she feels like she’s been at St. Martha since kindergarten. It’s been […]
2.0
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