Faculty Biographies

Michelle Limb, Principal

Michelle brings a wealth of experience to St. Raphael School as principal. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Spanish from Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana, she came to Santa Barbara in 1996 as a bilingual kindergarten teacher for Peabody Charter School. During her 13 years at Peabody Charter School, she was also a Physical Education Teacher, a Master Teacher, a Tutoring Coordinator and a Technology Leader. Having her sights set on being a principal, Michelle returned to school and in 2005, graduated with a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education and then attained her Administrative Credential. In 2009, Michelle was hired as the Principal for St. Anthony's School in Oxnard. With her up-to-date expertise of technology being one of her multiple strengths, she was able to increase enrollment at St. Anthony's School for the first time in eight years. Michelle was attracted to St. Raphael School for its "academic rigor, family atmosphere, wonderful parish community, beautiful campus, and endless possibilities to educate the whole child."

Michelle can be easily found on the playground at St. Raphael School during lunch periods or in her office, which is always open. If she's not on campus, it is most likely after-hours and she is "attempting" her newly-found enjoyment of paddle boarding. Michelle is an avid athlete with basketball and softball as her competitive sports. You may even find Michelle teaching a Spinning class at your local gym.

Jo Bittner, Preschool Director

Teaching at the school I attended as a child is a dream come true!  I am proud to say that I opened the St. Raphael Preschool 19 years ago and it is just as exciting for me today!  Born and raised in Santa Barbara, I am a UCSB graduate and have been married for 29 years to Randy.  We have two children.  Tommy will be graduating from SDSU, and Jayne is a junior at Northridge.  Both are graduates of St. Raphael School like their mom!  Along with my passion for teaching young chidren, I love and cherish my family time.  I also love to play tennis, walk on the beach, read and eat chocolate!  I am proud of St. Raphael Preschool and the beautiful children and wonderful staff that go with it!

Katherine Pattison, KinderKlasse

Mrs. Pattison is beginning her 17th year at St. Raphael School. She has her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and has done her graduate school work at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her teaching career started in the 1970s and includes a stint as the Religious Coordinator for her parish in suburban Milwaukee. She was born and lived most of her life in Wisconsin. As such, she is a HUGE Green Bay Packer fan. She, and her husband, Jim, have two sons both of whom live in the New York City area. Her two grandsons are Liam and Rory.

Aana Strickler, Kindergarten

My name is Aana Strickler and I went to St. Raphael Elementary School From there I went on to Bishop Diego High School and then attended Westmont College where I received my BA in Liberal Studies. After Westmont, I attended Antioch University where I received my teaching credential and Master of Arts in Education. This is my third year teaching Kindergarten at St. Raphael School and I love it! I also love cooking, hanging out with friends, going to sporting events, and running!

Margaret Allard, 1st Grade

Margaret Allard has been teaching first grade at St. Raphael School since 2003. She is also vice-principal, and serves with Mrs. Pattison as co-religion coordinator. Mrs. Allard has been teaching in the Los Angeles Archdiocese since 1987. She taught 16 years at San Roque School in kindergarten, first, and fourth grade. Mrs. Allard received her BA in art at Cal State Fullerton and her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Cal Poly, Pomona. Mrs. Allard has two grown children. Her husband, Doug, comes and helps in the classroom three mornings each week. She enjoys reading, music, travel, and walking, and considers being able to share her faith with her students to be her biggest blessing.

Christine Epley, 2nd Grade

My name is Christine Epley, and I have been a teacher here at Saint Raphael School, since November 2007. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies in 1995, from California State University, Northridge. I continued my graduate work for my Multiple Subject credential at California State University, Northridge. In 1996, I began teaching at Saint Anthony School in Oxnard. There I was the homeroom 8th grade teacher in a departmental program. I lead the Student Council, Yearbook, and many other extracurricular activities. I left Saint Anthony’s in 2003 and began working at Santa Clara Elementary School as a Reading Specialist. At Santa Clara, I worked with children that were below grade level in grades 3-5 and with the children that needed to be more challenged in grades 6-8. I left Santa Clara in 2005 in order to take time to raise my son. Since then, I have achieved my M.A. in Education and I am in the process of achieving my M.A. in Special Education. I believe that all of our students are gifts from God. Children deserve to be loved and nurtured. I want every child that walks through my door to know first that they are loved and that I have extremely high expectations for them. In my spare time, I love nothing more then spending time with my son and watching the Dallas Cowboys!

Barbara Malvinni, 3rd Grade

Barbara Malvinni teaches third grade and is a co-coordinator of the Student Council at St. Raphael School. Her career in education began in Western Massachusetts where she taught for two years before moving to Santa Barbara. In 1995, Ms. Malvinni began working at St. Raphael School as a teaching assistant. She began lead teaching the first grade in 1996. After returning to California State Northridge to earn her California teaching credential in 1998, she began her current teaching position in the third grade. Ms. Malvinni’s undergraduate work is in German Literature, German Film Studies and World History at San Diego State University. Her studies took her for an amazing year abroad to Heidelberg, Germany. Her interests include travel, music, middle eastern dance, hiking and reading all types of literature. Her favorite quotation is from Goethe, "If you can do something or think you can, begin it."

Diane McClenathen, 4th Grade

Mrs. McClenathen is going into her eleventh year teaching at St. Raphael School. A graduate of UCSB, she earned her credential from Antioch University in Santa Barbara. Mrs. McClenathen enjoys outdoor activities such as running, bike riding, camping and water skiing/wake boarding. She often travels with her husband and two sons during the summer. During the summer of 2008, Mrs. McClenathen traveled through China just before the Olympics. Mrs. McClenathen hopes to create a learning environment to help each and every student feel successful. Each student is blessed with many gifts. In her class she encourages them to share their gifts and be the best that they can be. Mrs. McClenathen feels very blessed to be teaching in a warm and supportive environment such as St. Raphael School.

Jodi Waples, 5th Grade

Mrs. Waples has been a part of St. Raphael School for many years and in many capacities. She is an alumnus to the school. Additionally, all five of her children are alumni as well, so she has many years of experience as a St. Raphael parent also. Mrs. Waples was an aide in the first grade class for seven years before moving next door to become the second grade teacher and she has been there for seven years now. She has an undergraduate degree from Cal Poly, S.L.O. and a teaching credential from Chapman University. As a teacher, she feels blessed to be able to prepare the students to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion. Mrs. Waples finds joy and fulfillment in teaching children, especially about God’s love for them. In her spare time, Mrs. Waples tries to keep up with her children, stay active in outdoor activities, enjoy some quilting time, participate in her local parish activities and volunteer for the local 4-H program in the county. She is blessed with a supportive husband of more than 28 years.

Terri Breton, 6th Grade

Ms. Breton is in her 13th year of teaching at St. Raphael School. She attended California State University, Northridge, to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education, the University of Phoenix to earn a Teaching Credential and M.A. degree in Education, and is currently enrolled at SBCC to earn certification in the Media Arts Technology Program for Graphic Design and Photography. Ms. Breton enjoys outdoor sports and activities such as hiking, camping, and whitewater rafting. On her time off, Ms. Breton likes to travel to the east coast to visit family members and explore foreign countries. She is looking forward to her son’s graduation from DPHS this summer, and sending him off to college. Ms. Breton feels very blessed to be teaching at such a great school!

Lisette Williford, 7th Grade

Lisette Williford was born and raised as one of four children in “Goleta the Goodland” by her wonderful parents, Chad and Alicia Williford. They instilled in her the values of working hard and taking pride in all that she does. Lisette attended Saint Raphael School from Kindergarten through 8th Grade because her parents wanted her to receive a solid Catholic education. She graduated from Dos Pueblos High School with honors. Lisette completed her undergraduate education at UCLA, where she majored in American Literature and Cultures and minored in Education. She attended UCSB for graduate school, where she entered the Teacher Education Program and completed her M.A in Education and earned her California Teaching Credential. Lisette enjoys playing basketball, drawing, photography, hiking, and running. She loves working at Saint Raphael School because she feels fulfilled in giving back to the wonderful community that shaped her into the person she is today.

Joni Galvan, 8th Grade

My name is Joni Galvan and this is my 21st year teaching 8th grade at St. Raphael School. Also, I am an alumni of St. Raphael School. One of my sons was at St. Raphael School for 11 years and now is an alumni too. My second son has been here since he was three years old, going on nine years here. I guess like mother, like sons. My first son is now following in my footsteps at Bishop Diego High School. I love teaching at St. Raphael School where there is a feeling that we are all one big happy family.... it is beautiful! Family, and everything associated with it, are NUMBER ONE for me. I have a Multiple Subject teaching credential and a Supplementary Teaching credential in Mathematics. I LOVE MATH! After grade school at St. Raphael School, I went to Bishop Diego High School and played volleyball, basketball and softball. I began my college schooling at Westmont, (on a volleyball scholarship), then went to SBCC to play basketball and volleyball, as well as finish my undergraduate studies. Then I went to Beauty College and I have my Cosmetology degree. I worked in Salons and went back to night school to finish my B.A. and my credential at the same time. I graduated from Long Beach State and have been teaching ever since. I LOVE IT! My interests are my children, my husband, extended family, volleyball and I am a fanatic about SNOOPY and the PEANUTS GANG!