Meet Your Teachers

Katie Jupena has been working with the students at SMMCP since her two youngest children began the program in 2004. She is a native of Pennsylvania and a graduate of Penn State University with a degree in Special Education. Following college, Katie lived in Florida for nine years where she taught students with varying exceptionalities.

Katie is married and has 4 beautiful children. She and her family spent 4 years back in the Pittsburgh area before moving to Greenville in 2001. She has had such a positive experience in our preschool that she decided to stay long after her children moved on to the "big school."

Jenny Grooms found a position in the preschool program at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Preschool in 2008. After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University in 2000, Jenny and her family relocated to Simpsonville, where they became parishioners at St. Mary Magdalene.

She also enjoys volunteering, reading, and traveling with her children and her husband.

Katie Waldthausen arrived at the doors of the newly-formed SMMCP as a mother of a 3-year-old student in 2003. In the fall of 2004, Katie was excited to have the chance to teach three-year-olds and be a "fly on the wall" at her daughters’ school. She feels extremely blessed to still be a part of the preschool family as a lead teacher and coordinator. As a Furman graduate with her degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education, she knew about the wonderful schools available for each of her three children and was fortunate enough to also find SMM, which has fulfilled her wish for a wonderful Church family. Katie loves her job, especially being able to help "her babies" grow, not only academically, but in their love of God as well. After 8 years in the K-3 class, Katie "graduated" to K-4.

In 2008, Tassia Goehring came to work at SMM Preschool as a teacher. Tassia has worked with children ranging in age from 0 - to 18 in a variety of church settings since 1996.

Although Tassia has lived in the United States since 1995, she is of Greek origin and lived in Germany, where she studied for three years in culinary art school. Tassia is married and has two children. She loves cooking, drawing, and photography.

Since 2005, Margaret Zwolski has been a staff member at SMMCP. Margaret was born and raised in Poland, where she also received her degree in Education. She and her family have been members of SMM parish since 2000. Providing educational services that are enjoyable and beneficial is a dream come true for Margaret, particularly as she works with such a cohesive team of staff members.

Christian Hernandez, originally from Mexico, completed her education there, earning a degree as Preschool Teacher and later obtaining a master's degree in education. For over a decade She taught kindergarten and elementary in Mexico. In 2018, Christian and her husband relocated to a new chapter of their lives in Greer, SC.

As a mom, she cares for her two wonderful children: a 5-year-old son who has graduated from SMMCP and a 3-year-old daughter who currently attends SMMCP.

After a five-year break, Christian is eager to reignite her career and is delighted to continue sharing knowledge with the children in her community, fostering their educational development and personal growth. She loves spending time with family and visiting new places.

Ms. Selena was thrilled to join us this year co-leading a K-3 class after being at SMMCP for 9 years as a parent. All of her children went through and graduated from SMMCP.

She and her husband John are active parishioners of SMMCC. They have four children and enjoy weekend travels and family time.

Ms. Selena still works part-time as a dental hygienist, is a catechist teacher for Religious Ed and is the Director of our parish Vacation Bible School.

We are happy to welcome Ms. Lauren to SMMCP! She has a BA degree in Child Study and taught elementary education, grade K-3, for seven years. She and her husband are originally from New York. They have lived in Colorado, North Carolina, and Montana. They have three children ages 8, 6, and 4. She enjoys spending time with her family outdoors. You can find them hiking, riding bikes, or boating at the lake most weekends. She is so excited to be teaching at SMMCP!

Sonia Villamizar was born in Maracay, Venezuela. She graduated from the University with an Electronic Engineering degree but loves to teach children. Before she moved to the United States she taught preschool (3-year-olds) in Venezuela for one year. She currently teaches K-3 in the preschool AND works at the church as the childcare coordinator. Sonia and her husband have two children.

After all three of her boys were enrolled in elementary school in 2008, Kathy Reed joined the preschool staff as a K-3 teacher aide. She grew up in Virginia Beach, where she earned her Associate’s Degree at Tidewater Community College. After living in Atlanta for 10 years, she moved to Greenville with her husband and children. Kathy enjoys spending her free time with her family and volunteering at her children's school.

Sandy Agosto has a love for all children and has worked with them in a variety of settings since 2001. Sandy joined the SMM staff in 2008 as a teaching assistant. She currently teaches K-3 in the preschool and works for the SMM childcare program.

Outside of SMM, Sandy volunteers in her own church nursery. She and her husband have three adult children, and a beautiful grandson. She enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

Tiffany Antici is our K2 coordinator. She has been married to her husband, Russell, for 18 years. They have three amazing kiddos, JR, Cooper, and Mary (9th, 6th & 3rd grade). Tiffany and her husband moved to Greenville, from Mississippi, two weeks after they got married and have been here ever since. All three of their children went through and graduated from SMMCP.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Mississippi State University. Their family attends St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church and love calling it their spiritual home. Before she became a mom, she taught preschool at SMMCP. Tiffany says, “I loved every minute of it and couldn’t wait to come back one day. Now, after 15 years, here I am!.” When she is not at school, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and reading.

Sarah was born & raised in Northern New York. Her and her husband, Mark, moved to Simpsonville in November 2016 and welcomed her beloved triplets in January 2017. Their family is active parishioners at St. Mary Magdalene and trio, Oliver, Aiden, & Sophia (age 6) attended K2-K4 here at SMMCP. She began subbing here at SMMCP in 2021 when her children were in K4. The following year, she was given the opportunity to fill an opening as the assistant K2 teacher and now this year, she have been blessed with the role of one of the K2 lead teachers.

Sarah graduated from Eastern Virginia Medical School where she received a Master's in Art Therapy. While living in NY, she worked as an Art Therapist in both a residential and foster care setting for 10 years. She worked with children, ages 4-17, and their families. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with my family and friends, making art, and decorating.

Brandi has loved SMMCP since her youngest daughter started attending in 2018. She is so excited to be working in a place that she loves so much.

Brandi is originally from Louisiana and has a Master’s in Counseling from LSUHSC in New Orleans. Brandi and her husband moved to South Carolina in 2017 and have 3 wonderful kids. In her spare time, Brandi enjoys spending time with her family, reading and baking.

Tammy Aho attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan. There she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree with a double major in Elementary Education and Science. She also has an Associate Degree in Pharmacy. After moving to the upstate, she taught for 3 years at the Child Development Center at Prince of Peace. She has been at SMMCP since 2009.

Tammy and her husband have 2 children. Some of her hobbies/interests include scrapbooking, sewing and photography.