Saying Goodbye to Some of Our Best

As the year comes to a close, we say goodbye to our amazing faculty and staff who are leaving. Unfortunately, due to press deadlines, we were unable to include Spanish teacher Elizabeth Burns.

Story by Isabel Glover | Staff Member

Alice Amick

How long have you been teaching at STA?

I started in August of 2000. So that makes it by the end of this year, roughly 23 years. Why did you decide to teach at STA?

I grew up around here and went to school nearby. I have always loved the campus, and when I found out that there were French nuns I loved it even more because French was my passion.

What is your favorite part of STA?

The sense of community is the most important to me but I am also very attached to the buildings. They’ve been here and a part of my life since I was a kid and that it just all kind of works together as part of the community.

What is your favorite memory of STA?

I love the smell of M&A. It has that dusty smell like a library almost, and I love the beautiful trees going around it. I taught there until this year, so it’s kind of my home base.

What are your plans after STA?

I don’t have any immediate plans, but I know I will travel to France and spend time there. I will also do some much-needed repairs on my house, and spend time with my dog.

What subject do you teach?

I teach AP chemistry, chemistry and physics. How long have you been teaching at STA? Three years.

Why did you decide to teach at STA?

I was interested in St. Teresa’s because it is an all-female environment and I found it really inspirational to see all of these women working together.

Do you do any other things with STA besides teaching?

I was a Science Olympiad coach; this is the first year for the team and we made it to regionals and got second and third place in two of our events. What is your favorite thing about STA? I really enjoyed working with students in the laboratory. It’s a little bit of trial and error. What has been your favorite memory of STA?

In the lab last year, I was making a “how-to” video with my AP students and we were being extra safe and kind of joking around with the lab safety by over-enunciating. On camera, we actually had a Bunsen burner flame up too much. And it was one of those close calls that made me really glad that we were already wearing our goggles. What are your plans after STA? I will be working for a company called WellSpan and I’ll be serving as a support analyst.

What subject do you teach?

I teach theology.

How long have you been teaching at STA?

It is my 10th year.

Why did you decide to teach at STA?

I taught kindergarten and first grade and then I stayed home for a while with my kids when they were younger. Then I was in church and a woman helped with this retreat, and she was very passionate about theology and it really got me excited. I went and applied at Creighton and got into the master’s program. When I was finishing up that, St. Teresa’s had an opening and it worked out.

Do you do any other things with STA besides teaching?

I’m pretty involved with the CSJs and the events that they have to keep us in relationship with the sisters. What is your favorite thing about STA?

The community and how the students take care of each other and live out the teachings of the CSJs. What has been your favorite memory of STA?

The auction skits are always fun. An early memory: there was a teacher at the time when I started and we were getting introduced at orientation for the classes. He said you’ll really enjoy this because it’s like you’re a rock star, they greet you and everyone screams your name. It was fun, and many, many times people have been that supportive and I appreciated that.

What are your plans after STA?

My pastor rang my doorbell after I had made this decision that it was time to do something else and I got a job working at Visitation as a pastoral associate.

What do you do at STA?

I work with campus ministry.

How long have you been doing that?

I’ve been working with campus ministry since this past May. Why did you decide to work at STA?

I mainly just felt in some ways called to be here. I am passionate about my faith. And some of that started growing when I was a student here at St. Teresa’s. When I heard of the open spot, I wanted to give back to what I had received.

What is your favorite thing about STA?

I think one of my favorite things is the goofiness of the students. I think the all-girls’ environment just allows students to be themselves more.

What’s your favorite memory been?

One of the things that stands out has been working on planning freshman retreat. I’ve been planning the team that is made up of two juniors and two seniors. And also getting to be an adult leader on Kairos in January and then in March. Those retreat weeks really stand out in my mind.

What are your plans after STA?

I plan to get married in the fall and my fiance is in Colorado, so I plan to move out there. I wish that I could just uproot and move STA there.

What subject do you teach?

I teach algebra I and geometry. How long have you been teaching at STA? Three years. Why did you decide to teach at STA? I was doing student teaching in South Overland Park and I was attending Avila University at the time. STA reached out to Avila looking for a math teacher and I thought that would be interesting. I was interested in allgirls and the private school sector. What is your favorite thing about STA? The happy, vibrant community and everyone gets along really well. What is your favorite memory of STA? I love the Walk of Fame. What are your plans after STA?

I am going to be teaching in the Park Hill District at a school called Lead Innovation Studio. The school is more project based rather than the traditional lecture style.

Maria Laura Lopez Gonzales

What subject do you teach?

I teach Spanish I, Spanish IV, and College Spanish IV. How long have you been teaching at STA?

Seven years.

Do you do any other things with STA besides teaching?

I am currently the moderator for the Worlds Culture Club, Stars for Women’s Rights, Hispanic Affinity Group and the Spanish Honors Society. I am also the department chair for the Spanish department.

What is your favorite thing about STA?

The students and mutual support in the community. What has been your favorite memory of STA?

I’ve really enjoyed being an adult leader for Kairos and the trip to Peru with my students four years ago. What are your plans after STA?

My husband and I are moving to Florida and I plan to continue teaching Spanish.

What subject do you teach?

I don’t teach a subject. I am part of the Achievement Center so I work with students on a subject they might be struggling with.

How long have you been teaching at STA?

This is my 10th year.

Why did you decide to teach at STA?

I graduated from STA and I spent most of my career working in the Shawnee Mission School District and when I left there, STA had an opening.

What is your favorite thing about STA?

When I see students working collaboratively and showing acts of kindness on a daily basis.

What is your favorite memory of STA?

One of my favorite memories was when I was a student here. We did a dogpile across the campus. I also love the Walk of Fame.

What are your plans after STA?

I don’t have any plans as of now.