Administration Staff
Tracey Shark
Office Professional
Work Phone: 835-9481 ext. 48
Tracey was hired as the school office professional in June 2016. She previously worked in a school as an administrative assistant, enrollment director, and paraprofessional. Mrs. Shark has also worked as a nursing assistant at Bay Medical Care Facility for four years. She lives in Linwood with her husband, Eric, and her four children, Victoria, Theodore, Anthony, and Tobias. She is proud graduate of All-Saints High School.
Fr. Andy Booms
Pastor
Work Phone: 835-9481 ext. 34
Fr. Andy Booms became the pastor of Saint Brigid of Kildare July 1, 2017. He is happy to be serving Midland’s oldest Catholic parish and school. Ordained June 8, 2007 he is now a middle aged priest in years of service and age he was 40 on June 24. He serves as the vocation director for the Diocese of Saginaw, and is looking forward to years of building on the strengths of the Saint Brigid community. In his down time he gardens, bikes and cross-country skies. Say hello and introduce yourself, even if you see him walking his dog Bella.
Elementary Teachers
Susie Hollingshead
Kindergarten
835-9481 ext. 65
Susie has been the kindergarten teacher at Saint Brigid Catholic School since the 2001 school year. Susie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Purdue University in 1986. Her first teaching job was head teacher in the three-year-old class at the Y.M.C.A. in Indianapolis, Indiana. After moving to Midland in 1988, she taught kindergarten at Siebert Elementary until 1994. The birth of her second child found her choosing to become a stay-at-home mom for the next six years. During this time, Susie was able to continue to work with children. She did daycare for three families while living in Saint Louis, Missouri. After returning to Midland, Susie worked at Saint John’s Episcopal Cooperative Preschool as a teacher’s assistant until coming to Saint Brigid Catholic School in 2001.
Susie received eighteen credit hours of graduate instruction from Saginaw Valley State University in the areas of reading and early childhood development. She takes continuing education to stay current with the best educational practices. Susie enjoys camping and fishing with her family. This combined with teaching makes for a full and rewarding life.
Amanda Heminger
First Grade
835-9481 ext. 71
Amanda is excited to be the first grade teacher at St. Brigid. She graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education. Amanda continues to participate in education classes to stay up-to-date on the latest research and best practices in education.
Amanda attended Catholic School at Auburn Area Catholic School, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Nouvel Catholic Central High School then attended Bay City Western High School. She is a long time parishioner at St. Gabriel Parish in Auburn. There she is actively involved as a religious educator, cantor, and extraordinary minister of the Holy Communion.
Amanda and her family, mother (Kim), father (Mike), and brother (Ryan), all live in Auburn. She enjoys traveling, reading, crafting, and spending time with her family and friends.
Sherri Nemeth
Second Grade
835-9481 ext. 72
Sherri Nemeth is a native of Michigan who has resided in Midland since 1986. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from Northwood University, and after many years in the business field decided to continue her education. She then earned her Elementary Education Certification with endorsements in math and science from Saginaw Valley State University. She has since earned her Master of Arts in Teaching as a Reading Specialist from Saginaw Valley State University.
Sherri taught preschool for two-and-a-half years, and then began her career at Saint Brigid Catholic School. She taught Junior Science for one year and then became the reading specialist. After two years, yet another opportunity arose, and she began teaching second grade at Saint Brigid Catholic School.
Sherri, her husband, and two children are members of Saint Brigid Catholic Church. She has also taught Faith Formation in Kindergarten.
Sandra Goik
Third Grade
835-9481 ext. 44
Sara Groth
Fifth Grade
835-9481 ext. 77
Sara is excited to be the 5th grade teacher at St. Brigid of Kildare! She graduated from Saginaw Valley State University with a double major in Elementary Education and Social Studies and a minor in Language Arts. Sara continuously feels blessed to be working with such an amazing community of staff, students, and parents.
Support Staff
Beth Standfest
Reading Specialist
Beth joined the staff of Saint Brigid Catholic School in the fall of 2008 as the reading specialist. She provides support and challenges for below grade level students as well as gifted students in grades K-8. Though Mrs. Standfest’s official title is that of reading specialist, she also works with students to enhance learning in other academic areas such as mathematics.
Beth’s teaching degree is from Saginaw Valley State University where she continues to attend classes to hone her abilities. Prior to coming to Saint Brigid Catholic School, Beth taught middle school reading and social studies at St. Stephen School in Saginaw. She has also been a private tutor for many years.
Beth’s tutoring experience extends to the areas of reading, writing, spelling, as well as math. In addition to Beth’s formal degree she has studied a variety of learning methods including Orton-Gillingham, and Dolman-Dolacato which allow her to assist a wide range of students.
Dianna Ball
Library
Diana was born outside of Chicago and spent most of her childhood in the Tri-City Area. She received her Bachelor of Arts Teaching Degree in K-8 education in 1980 from Saginaw Valley State University. Diana began her teaching career in Bangor Township Schools as a long term substitute in grades three and five. In 1981, she became a parishioner at St. Helen Catholic Church in Saginaw and was hired to teach elementary music and literacy. Diana became the head teacher and director of St. Helen Developmental Pre-School in 1984 and taught there until 1995. She directed the children’s choir and was an active music minister. She is proud to say that her two sons, Todd and Jeffrey, received a Catholic education at St. Helen School and Nouvel High School in Saginaw.
In 1992, Diana returned to SVSU and earned her continuing certification and completed a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She was hired to teach kindergarten in Bangor Township in 1996 and taught there for twenty years. Her experience included pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade. Diana resides in Midland with her husband, Tom. They are active members of St. Brigid Parish. Diana is a music minister, choir member, and cantor for weddings, funerals, and diocesan liturgies. She is thrilled to be teaching at a parochial school again.
Paraprofessional Staff
Heather Crawford
A Saint Brigid Catholic School alumni herself, Heather joined the staff as a playground supervisor in 2009 after closing her home daycare. She has been a teacher’s aide since 2010 and presently assists Kindergarten through 3rd grade. She also volunteers annually at the Lenten seafood dinners and with the school’s Lego Club. Heather is proud to be fourth generation parishioner. She and her husband, David, have two daughters who also attend/attended Saint Brigid School.