Course 1 Math, Course 2 Math, and Algebra

Rachel joined Prince of Peace in 2012 teaching middle school math Courses 1, 2, 3 and Algebra. She holds a Bachelors in Marketing, a Masters in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and Middle School Math Certification from the University of Alabama - Birmingham. Rachel worked in sales for five years but realized her true calling was to be a teacher. She has a passion for teaching and loves math! She is currently teaching Course 1, 2 and Algebra and helping lead the middle school house program. She hopes to instill a love for math in all of her students, while helping students and making a difference.

Rachel and her family have been parishioners at Prince of Peace for many years, and her four children have attended Prince of Peace School since they were infants. Her children can often be found "helping" in her classroom! In Rachel's free time, she loves to bake, read a good book and spend time with her family.

7th Grade Homeroom and Religion, Course 3 Math, 7th Grade Civics/Geography, Mindfulness

Kaitlyn Brown joined the Prince of Peace middle school team in January 2017. She has over 12 years of experience teaching the middle grades both here and in Nashville, Tennessee. She currently teaches the 7th and 8th grade Course 3 Math classes as well as 7th grade Religion and Civics/Geography. Mrs. Brown has both her Bachelor and Master's degrees from Lipscomb University. She brings with her the ability to make students learn to laugh at themselves as they make mistakes and grow as learners. She works hard to make students feel comfortable and engaged in her classroom. Mrs. Brown believes that middle school classrooms should be safe places for students to learn not only about academic topics but also about one’s own character, strengths and weaknesses, and faith. Mrs. Brown has been a parishioner of our parish since childhood and is also a Prince of Peace parent.

6th/7th Grade Science

Michelle brings with her 11 years of teaching experience, primarily in the high school mathematics classroom. She looks forward to weaving together her experience of teaching mathematics and love of science into her curriculum! Michelle graduated from Heathwood Hall Episcopal School in her hometown of Columbia, S.C., and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and Art. She worked for 7 years as a photojournalist before pursuing her love of teaching. She went on to earn a Master of Science degree from Samford University in Secondary Mathematics Education and has taught at Leeds, Vestavia, Spain Park, and Helena High Schools.

Michelle lives in Hoover with her two daughters and husband. Ryan (11) is a 6th grader at Bumpus Middle School, and Evelyn (6) is a first grader at South Shades Crest Elementary. She loves to be outside and is often camping, running, or mountain biking. She is very happy to be working directly with her community and looks forward to sharing her love of learning and love of science with her Prince of Peace students.

8th Grade Homeroom, Religion, & World History, 6th Grade English, Study Skills

Originally from Leland, Mississippi, Bethany attended Catholic elementary school, and graduated from St. Joseph’s Catholic High School in Greenville, Mississippi. In 2006, she earned her bachelor’s degree in English and education from Millsaps College, and became a certified teacher in secondary English and special education. In 2007, she began teaching in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, and earned her master’s degree in English from the University of New Orleans. Bethany and her husband moved to Hoover, Alabama in 2011, where she began teaching middle school, high school, and college-level English.

Bethany and her husband are parishioners at Prince of Peace and have two children, Edith (6) and James (3), who attend the school. In her spare time, Bethany enjoys traveling, music, cooking, crafting, and spending time with her family.

Bethany believes that there is no greater reward in education than seeing the look of pride and accomplishment on a student’s face. At Prince of Peace, she intends to foster a love of learning and promote intellectual curiosity, strong character, and empathy. More than anything, she wants to inspire students to become virtuous adults who live with the heart of Christ.

Foreign Language

Susie graduated from the University of Montevallo with a degree in Social Work and Psychology. She began teaching at Prince of Peace in 2013 after previously having taught Spanish at Westminster Upper School, Briarwood Christian School, Covenant Christian School (St. Louis), and Virginia College (Birmingham) as well as two Homeschool programs.

8th Grade Homeroom and Religion, 7th and 8th Grade English, Film

Erica joined the Prince of Peace faculty in 2021 as an English Language Arts teacher. Previously, she taught 7th and 8th grade English at Mountain Brook Junior High. Erica attended OLV and John Carroll, and she graduated from UAB with a bachelor’s in English in 2009. She also recently earned her Master’s in Education in Secondary English Language Arts.

Prior to returning to school, she spent many years as a legal assistant. However, Erica's passion for literature and her desire to help students develop into analytical thinkers and skilled writers led her to become an English teacher. Regardless of students' interests, Mrs. Neumann hopes to help them gain the skills to better pursue those passions as they advance in their educations and lives.

Erica's family is not new to the POP community as both her boys have attended the school since preschool. When Erica is not at school, she loves to cook adventurous foods, read about far off places, and cheer on LSU.

Mary Elizabeth has a BS in Anthropology from University of South Florida and a MS in Science Curriculum and Instruction from Florida State University. She joined the Prince of Peace team in 2017 teaching middle school science and religion after teaching science to grades 5-8 at Corpus Christi School in Tampa, Florida.

In 2021, Mary Elizabeth transitioned to the role of STEM Coordinator at Prince of Peace. In this capacity, she works with teachers to create unique science curriculum that aligns with Next Generation Science Standards and weaves the principles of Catholicism throughout student inquiry. She also teaches grades PreK/4 through 8th in weekly STEM and Technology class, STEM elective course, and a Robotics competition team. Mary Elizabeth is a certified Level 2 Google Educator, has multiple certifications through VEX Robotics, and loves to share her own passion for learning with students.

Born in Nicaragua, but raised in the cultural blend of Miami, FL, Alex’s upbringing has been shaped by the efforts of extraordinary educators and the transformative potential of a quality education. As a product of Catholic education, she recognizes the pivotal driving force it can have for scholars in the pursuit of higher learning.

In 2008, Alex earned a B.A. and a B.S. from the University of Florida and a Master's degree in Hispanic Linguistics from the University of South Carolina in 2010. She is a Spanish language expert with a passion for community engagement and the empowerment of the Hispanic and Latinx communities.

Alex and her husband, Geoffrey, have two children who are students at POP.

6th Grade Homeroom, Religion, Foundations, & American History, Musical Theater

Jess has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is certified to teach Special Education, Elementary Education, and middle school Social Studies. Prior to coming to Prince of Peace, Jess taught middle school Social Studies and Religion at Holy Spirit Catholic School in Rochester, MN, where for ten years, she also ran Vacation Bible School, and helped with musical theater. Jess has a unique perspective of student life being both a mother and teacher of POP students. She finds that her understanding fuels her commitment to the school's programs which are designed to maximize student success.

Religion Teacher

Emily Tsikalas has always felt called to the teaching profession. She graduated from John Carroll in 2003 and the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2008 with a BA in History and Secondary Education. Her first job was at Clanton Middle School teaching 8th grade World History and coaching the varsity tennis teams. After getting married, Emily relocated to Jacksonville, Florida where she taught 4th and 5th grade Social Studies at Palmer Catholic Academy.

Although she took a break from the classroom, Emily continued having a hand in formation by teaching middle school Sunday School, writing the curriculum programs used each year, and leading EPIC, the middle school youth group. Now that her kids are older, she is ready to jump back into teaching as a middle school religion teacher. She believes that she was created for a purpose—to share God's love with others, and teaching is one way to accomplish that.

"For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them." -Ephesians 2:10