School Staff

835-9481 ext. 79 Karen and her husband Gary have been married for 32 years and are parishioners of Blessed Sacrament. They have two sons. Andrew, who is in his third year of physical therapy school and plans to receive his DPT in May 2025, and Peter, who plans to graduate in December 2024 with a mechanical engineering degree. Karen is an ASHA certified Speech Language Pathologist. After tutoring reading students at the Legacy Center for many years, she decided to pursue additional education related to reading. Karen recently graduated from the University of Florida's graduate dyslexia certificate program and is in the process of receiving certification as a Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist (SLDI).

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. Heather is proud to be fourth generation parishioner. She and her husband, David, have two daughters who also attended Saint Brigid Catholic School.

Dottie Norris is our After School Care Director, Librarian, Playground Supervisor, and one of our Reading Support Teachers. She moved to Midland after graduating from Central Michigan University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Development. Dottie worked at Blessed Sacrament School as the Preschool teacher for 28 years and the After School Care program director for several years. Saint Brigid became her family's home Parish in 2003, when her son started Elementary school. Dottie enjoys being outdoors, reading, and spending time with her family.

989-835-7121 x74 Jerry graduated with from Mid Michigan Community College with an Associates Degree in Computer Information Systems. He started working for The Dow Chemical Company in 1997 as a member of the Direct Operations Network Team. He continued his career with EDS, working at the Dow account and eventually retiring from IBM as the Regional Service Delivery Manager for multiple accounts. Before retirement, Jerry started working part-time at St. Brigid as their Coordinator of Technology and continues in this role today. God blessed Jerry and Deborah with a wonderful daughter, Rachael Anne. Rachael attended St. Brigid Catholic School from Kindergarten through 8th grade, and she continues to actively volunteer in various capacities with the youth groups at the parish, reflecting the family's commitment to their community. Jerry currently volunteers for the Knights of Columbus and servers as the Grand Knight. He also holds other leadership roles, including the 4th Degree Honor Guard.

A native of Nebraska, Tracy worked for many years as a licensed massage therapist before moving to Midland in 2019, with her husband Dan, to help care for family members. She joined the staff of St. Brigid School as a cook in 2022. Her home parish is Blessed Sacrament Church, where she volunteers as a lector, livestream operator, and mentor for the Catholic Adult Religious Experience group. Tracy’s favorite forms of prayer are scriptio divina and the Liturgy of the Hours. In her free time, she enjoys road cycling, nature walks, and wrangling a small flock of rescue parrots.

Since 2009, Midland native Judyth Peterson has brought a wealth of musical expertise to the Saint Brigid band program. She holds a Music Education degree from Michigan State University where she was a percussion major and member of the Spartan Marching Band. She worked with high school band camps throughout the state and at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, touring Europe with their International Orchestra. Ms. Peterson taught band in Ft. Wayne, Indiana before returning to Midland to become the Business Manager of the Midland Symphony Orchestra, a position she held for 20 years. She set the all-time MSO attendance record and developed educational programs reaching thousands across the region. During that time, she continued to teach music as the drumline instructor at Midland High School. There she created a program that attracted unprecedented numbers to the MHS bands. She has been honored as a Chemic for Life and homecoming Grand Marshal. With the staff of the Northern Aurora Drum & Bugle Corps, Judyth toured on the national competition circuit for two summers. She was a charter member of Midland’s Resonators Percussion Ensemble, performing around the community for over a decade. As a commissioned Lay Minister at Blessed Sacrament Parish, she directed the handbell choir, served in adult formation, RCIA, and liturgy, and traveled to Israel with the late Bishop Kenneth Untener. Ms. Peterson left the MSO in 2006 to open a private percussion studio. Her students have scored superior ratings at state festivals and auditions, going on to college marching bands and earning music degrees. She recently retired her Midland High position after 38 years of audacious drumming. She continues to perform in the MSU Alumni Band and is a Past President of the MSU Alumni Club of Midland County. In addition to her musical pursuits, Judyth provides respite care for adults with disabilities through the Arnold Center. She is a doting aunt and Godmother, avid sports fan, and recites annually at the Midland Reads Poetry event. She can be found cheering on her beloved Spartans, working out at the Community Center, pedaling her Trek 1220 and paddle boarding around Michigan waters. Always inspired by the students of Saint Brigid School, she thrives on making music with the “small but mighty” Shamrock Bands.