Staff Biographies
My name is Penny Mace and I have been with St. Rose of Lima School since 1997.
On March 22, 2009, I will graduate from the University of Phoenix with an Associates Degree in Early Childhood. I grew up in Indiana and have been married for 19 years this past October (2008). My husband and I have a son who will graduate from the 8th grade at St. Rose of Lima School this year (2009). My family and I like to go to movies, sports events and just hang out as a family. Family is very important to me and I try never to take it for granted.
I am originally from Columbus, Indiana and now live in Franklin. I have four children: Roderick, who attends IUPUC, Feliz who attends Northland College, and Adaliz and Dominick who attend FCHS. The 2010-2011 school year is my third year in the position of secretary.
Mrs. Hildenbrand has been teaching for 35 years. She has taught at all of the grade levels including Kindergarten.
She has experience in the public school system as well as in other Parochial schools.
She has attended workshops and seminars to keep up to date on the new concepts and programs that are always influencing education.
She has worked with Youth Groups and has been preparing students for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist for many years.
Outside of the classroom she is a member of St. Barnabas Parish. She is a member of the adult choir, the director of the Welcome/Registration Sunday events that take place monthly. She is involved in the Christ Renews His Parish events at St Barnabas and was co-spiritual director.
She has also served as a member of the Family Programs for the state of Indiana working with the families of soldiers in the Indiana National Guard.
My name is Kim Dinkel. I have worked at St. Rose since it opened in 1994. I have a bachelor's degree from Ball State University and a Master's Degree from University of Indianapolis. I am married with a daughter that attends St. Rose.
My name is Amber Roessler. I am the middle school math and science teacher, as well as the 7th grade homeroom teacher. This is my fifth year at St. Rose. I am currently living in Columbus with Glenn, my husband, and Shannon, my dog. I grew up in North Vernon and graduated from Jennings County High School. I attended Indiana University Southeast in New Albany.
Before coming to St. Rose, I was a substitute teacher in Jennings County, Scott County, and Clark County. During this time, I covered two maternity leaves for middle school math teachers and one maternity leave for a 7/8th non-departmentalized classroom. The 7/8th class was at St. Mary's Catholic School in North Vernon. My time there is what led me to decide that I wanted to be in Catholic education.
Besides teaching, my hobbies include reading (the Twilight series is my favorite right now), listening to music (definitely country), and watching movies/television. Romantic comedies are my favorite type of movie and my favorite television shows would have to be General Hospital, NCIS, and Law and Order SVU.
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
(Matthew 5:13-16)
Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.
- William Butler Yeats
Light-- whether it be from the burning fire of a candle, the twinkle of the night stars, the warm glow of a nightlight or the powerful flash of lightening is what opens our minds to what is possible. It is this light that burns inside each person and fuels growth and learning. Learning doesn't begin or end -- it is a perpetual constant in life.
My name is Mrs. Estelle M. Britner and I am proud to be the 8th Grade Homeroom Teacher. As a Middle School teacher, I have privilege to teach a variety of different classes. I am the Religion, Social Studies and Computer teacher for the 6th, 7th and 8th grades. This is my 9th year of teaching at St. Rose. Prior to coming to St. Rose, I taught at St. Thomas Aquinas on the northside of Indianapolis for 8 years.
Our family has been a part of the St. Rose Parish Community since 1993. Our son, Joseph was part of the 1st Kindergarten and 8th Grade Graduating classes. Our Maggie is currently an 8th Grader and our Elizabeth is a 6th Grader. All three of our children have been St. Rose Lions for life! Our family has grown and thrived in our time here at St. Rose. Our children have participated on academic teams, in Student Council, the school choir, the band program, the extended care program, various sports teams -- you name it -- we have participated in it! As parishioners, our family been involved as Alter Servers, Eucharistic Ministers, Coffee and Donuts, the Vocations Cross program and parish festivals.
St. Rose is our home and we have been blessed to be a part of this community.
I graduated from Hanover College with a degree in Elementary Education and taught for 15 years at St. Bartholomew School in Columbus, In. During this period I completed coursework requirements and received my Masters in education. I was then appointed as principal of St. Bartholomew and remained in that position for ten years. After a two year period as interim principal at St. Ambrose School in Seymour, In., I came to St. Rose and served as the assisant principal from 2004-2006. Being ready to return to the classroom, I accepted the position as 4th grade teacher for the 2006-2007 school year and currently remain in this postion.
I am a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a sorority for educators, the National Catholic Education Association, and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
My home is in Columbus,Indiana.
