All South Tech Faculty & Staff

Jacob Lohse

Principal

Jacob Lohse
Principal
314.989.7490
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Mr. Jacob Lohse has been an Administrator for South Tech High School since 2014. Jacob is responsible for instructional leadership and student success at South Tech. His experience began as an Industrial Technology Instructor in Saint Louis County prior to joining SSD as a Facilitator and Administrator at Tech.

“As a technical educator, it is my goal to partner with my colleagues at South Tech and our Partner Districts to help students discover their passions in life in order to create a pathway to a successful future.”
Karista Koehler

Assistant Principal

Karista Koehler
Assistant Principal
314.989.7402
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Ms. Karista Koehler has been Assistant Principal at South Tech High School since 2015. Prior to joining South Tech, she taught Biology at North Tech High School for 12 years. She holds degrees in Biology, Vocal Music and Education.
Bob Arcipowski

Precision Machining

Bob Arcipowski
Precision Machining
314.989.7430
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Mr. Bob Arcipowski is no stranger to Precision Machining, having spent over 20 years in the Manufacturing Industry, he gained experience in Tool and Die along with CNC Programming. Prior to joining South Tech High School in 2006, Mr. Arcipowski taught at Ranken Technical College for 16 years.
John Arndt

Automotive Technology

John Arndt
Automotive Technology
314.989.7436
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Mr. John Arndt has been in Transportation industry for 20 years, and began teaching at South Tech High School in 2007. Prior to joining the South Tech team, Mr. Arndt spent 21 years in the IL Air National Guard and 16 years as a Ford service Technician. Mr. Arndt currently has an Associates Degree of Automotive Technology and is working towards a Bachelors Degree of Workforce Education Development.
David Bass

Culinary Arts

David Bass
Culinary Arts
314.989.7460
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Mr. David Bass has been in the Culinary Arts industry for over 18 years and has worked in a variety of positions including Executive Chef at a local restaurant. Mr. Bass began his teaching career at South Tech High School in 2008 and has a Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry Arts Degree. He also received his certification of Chef de Cuisine from the American Culinary Federation.
Elaine Baumann

Health Sciences
Nick Beck

Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning

Nick Beck
Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
314.989.7431
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Mr. Nick Beck has been in the HVAC industry for 12 years and began working at South Tech High School in 2015. Prior to joining the Tech team, Mr. Beck worked in residential and commercial construction.
Heidi Binggeli

Technology Facilitator

Heidi Binggeli
Technology Facilitator
314.989.7582
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Ms. Heidi Binggeli serves as an instructional technology facilitator for both North and South Tech. She assists our instructors with integrating varied applications of technology into their instructional practice. Prior to this position, she taught in North Tech’s social studies department for four years. Ms. Binggeli holds a B.A. in sociology, an M.A. in sociology, certifications in secondary social studies and special education, and is a Google for Education Certified Trainer. Ms. Binggeli is also proud to coach the North Tech QuizBowl Team.
Joan Cather

Student Support
Janine Cavanaugh

Health Sciences

Janine Cavanaugh
Health Sciences
314.989.7433
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Ms. Janine Cavanaugh has been in the Medical Sciences industry for 28 years, and began teaching at South Tech High School in 2010. Prior to joining the Tech team, Ms. Cavanaugh received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SIUE and worked for a Long-Term, Home Health Care company.
Mary Cavanaugh

Special Education Teacher
Jeff Chandler

Counselor

Jeff Chandler
Counselor
314.989.7548
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Mr. Chandler began his career with children and families in 1991 at Marygrove Children’s Center in Hazelwood, Mo. While earning his master’s degree and working for the State of Missouri, Mr. Chandler decided to pursue certification and employment in school counseling. He worked for St. Louis Public Schools and Riverview Gardens High School before joining North Tech in 2004 and then South Tech in 2020.
Francine Davis

Graphic Design

Francine Davis
Graphic Design
314.989.7442
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Ms. Davis has been in the graphic design industry for over 40 years and began instructing at South Tech in 2000. As a member of the South Tech team, she is responsible for yearbook and graphic design projects for the building. Ms. Davis enjoys coming to work and seeing her students get excited about design.
Emily Degenhardt

Instructional Facilitator

Emily Degenhardt
Instructional Facilitator
314.989.7484
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Mrs. Degenhardt has been a teacher for over 13 years, and began her position at South Tech as an Instructional and Assessment Facilitator in 2016. Prior to joining the South Tech team, Mrs. Degenhardt worked as a special education teacher for Special School District. Mrs. Degenhardt attended Murray State University and graduated with Bachelor of Science in Special Education and received her Master’s in Reading from Fontbonne University.
Amy Eichorn

Student Support
Richard Fenoglio

Electronics & Robotics Engineering

Richard Fenoglio
Electronics & Robotics Engineering
314.989.7468
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Mr. Fenoglio has been teaching in our district for 16 years, serving as a master teacher and creating curriculum for DESE. He began as the Electrical Trades instructor at North Tech and moved to South Tech to lead the Electronics & Robotics Engineering program in 2021. Prior to his teaching career, he spent 15 years in the industry as a Commercial/Industrial Electrician specializing in low voltage and PLC automated systems and teaching as a first-year classroom apprenticeship instructor. He looks forward to preparing students for post-secondary studies in engineering.
JoAnne Fischer

Mathematics Instructor

JoAnne Fischer
Mathematics
314.989.7427
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JoAnne Fischer has 15 years of teaching, coaching, and administration experience at various levels. She holds a bachelor of science in mathematics and secondary education from SIUE and a master’s in educational administration from William Woods University. Mrs. Fischer has taught at Hazelwood Central, Timberland, Winfield, North Tech, and South Tech high schools.
Sue Gibbons

Law Enforcement

Sue Gibbons
Law Enforcement
314.989.7482
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Ms. Gibbons retired from the Bridgeton Missouri Police Department with 27 years of experience as a police officer, detective, certified instructor and field training officer. In late August of 2016, she joined the South Tech Team as the Law Enforcement Instructor. Ms. Gibbons brings over 20 years of training and teaching experience to our school along with a high level of enthusiasm, numerous professional certifications and a dedicated commitment to helping students achieve their career goals.
Chuck Hardy

Paraprofessional

Chuck Hardy
Paraprofessional
314.989.8448 EXT. 2257
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Chuck Hardy joined the South Tech High School team in 2018. He started his career as a Naval Officer in 1981, and joined SSD in 2001 after serving in the military and working in the corporate world. Chuck has a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Naval Academy. In his spare time, Chuck enjoys sailing and collecting records and vintage stereo equipment.
Angela Harrell

Pre-Professional Health Sciences Academy

Angela Harrell
Pre-Professional Health Sciences Academy
314.989.7449
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Ms. Angela Harrell has been in the Medical industry for many years, and began teaching at South Tech High School in 2012. Prior to joining the Tech team, Ms. Harrell worked as a patient care technician in Oncology and went on to work in a Level 1 trauma center as an Emergency Room Nurse. Ms. Harrell has a BA in Secondary Education, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is a Registered Nurse.
Jenny Hartung

Attendance Secretary
Paul Heumann

Construction Trades

Paul Heumann
Construction Trades
314.989.7550
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Mr. Paul Heumann has been in the Construction industry for 17 years and began teaching at South Tech High School in 1999. Prior to joining the Tech team, Mr. Heumann was a Brick and Stone Mason and is the South Tech High authorized OSHA outreach trainer. Paul also has extensive knowledge of many aspects of construction.
Barclay Hirth

Electrical Trades

Barclay Hirth
Electrical Trades
314.989.7554
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Mr. Barclay Hirth began teaching at South Tech High School in 2011 and is also a 2001 South Tech Electrical Trades graduate. Mr. Hirth obtained his Electrical Mechanics degree from Vatterott College and in 2009 received his Independent Electrical Contractors Apprenticeship certification.
Donna Hobbs

Veterinary Sciences

Donna Hobbs
Veterinary Sciences
314.989.7551
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Ms. Donna Hobbs started out in the industry over 20 years ago, as a teenager working in a veterinary hospital and has been working with animals every since. Ms. Hobbs started teaching at West Tech in 1994 and relocated to South Tech in 2002. She has several certifications including Humane Education Specialist and Veterinary Forensic recently from the University of Florida. As a member of the South Tech team, Donna is responsible for being lead advisor of FFA, NEA, and ACTE member. Over the years she has partnered with many local animal rescue groups and animal controls so that students have access to the animals to learn.
David Hope

Firefighting & Emergency Medical Technician

David Hope
Firefighting & Emergency Medical Technician
314.989.7454
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Mr. David Hope joined South Tech High School in 2009 and serves as the Chief of South Tech's Fire and EMS academy. Chief Hope has been in the fire and EMS service since 1999 and is a Missouri state certified firefighter and paramedic, he also holds over 30 other state and federal certifications. Chief Hope is a state-certified fire, EMS, AHA, FEMA, and POST instructor. Chief Hope worked for 7 years as a firefighter in Jefferson County and has worked as a paramedic for multiple hospitals and EMS agencies in the St. Louis area including the US Air Force at Scott Air Force Base. Chief Hope currently serves as the Chairman for the National Education Associations Career and Technical Education Caucus, where he represents CTE students and teachers from around the country in education issues.
Diana Johnson

Admissions Representative

Diana Johnson
Admissions Representative
314.989.7588
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Ms. Diana Johnson has been working in the field of education for over 17 years. Prior to joining the South Tech team, she worked at St. Louis Community College as a CTE Retention Specialist and Coordinator of Dual Credit and Enrollment. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and an M.Ed. in Information Science & Learning Technology.
Angela Keyes

Zoology Instructor

Angela Keyes
Science
314.989.7465
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Ms. Angela Keyes began working for North Tech High School as the Science Instructor in 2015 and added teaching at South Tech in 2022. Prior to joining the North Tech team, Ms. Keyes worked for homebound and taught science at Jennings High School. She also taught at the Challenger Learning Center.
Suzanne Kirby

Pharmacy Sciences

Suzanne Kirby
Pharmacy Sciences
314.989.7459
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Ms. Suzanne Kirby started at South Tech in the fall of 2017. She has over 20 years of experience as a pharmacy technician, with most of those years spent in hospital and outpatient infusion pharmacies. She has her Bachelors of Science in Biology which she earned at Missouri State, and earned her national certification as a pharmacy technician in 2001. Prior to joining South Tech she made chemotherapy at Pratt Cancer Center on the Mercy campus.
Eugenia Lechkova

Human Anatomy & Physiology

Eugenia Lechkova
Human Anatomy & Physiology
314.989.7477
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Mrs. Lechkova has been a science instructor for 28 years and began teaching at South Technical High School in 2001. Prior to joining the Tech team, she taught Science for 13 years in her home country, Bulgaria. Mrs. Lechkova has Bachelor's and Master's degrees in biology and chemistry from the University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria, and earned a teaching certificate from UMSL.
Ashli Lograsso

Cosmetology

Ashli Lograsso
Cosmetology
314.989.7581
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Mrs. Lograsso began her career in the beauty industry in 2005 and still works as a self-employed hairstylist and makeup artist in the St. Louis area. In 2011, Mrs. Lograsso felt a passion to contribute to the growth of today's young hairstylists and decided to join the education branch of the industry. Mrs. Lograsso taught for six years at Paul Mitchell the School St. Louis before joining the South Tech team in 2017.
Liz McDowell

Assistant to the Principal
Melissa Maness

Culinary Arts

Melissa Maness
Culinary Arts
314.989.7460
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Mrs. Melissa Maness has been in the human services industry for 15 years and began teaching at South Tech High School in 2008. Prior to joining the South Tech team, Mrs. Maness worked in a variety of roles in the Culinary Industry.
Dustin Meyer

Floor Layers Middle Apprenticeship

Dustin Meyer
Floor Layers Middle Apprenticeship
314.989.7441
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Mr. Dustin Meyer has been in the construction industry for 8 years and began teaching at South Tech High School in 2015. Mr. Meyer began teaching after graduating from the Floor Layers Apprenticeship program at Bayless High School in connection with South Tech.
Katie Miller

Admissions Representative
Jessica Milward

Paraprofessional

Jessica Milward
Paraprofessional
314.989.7568
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Ms. Jessica Milward originally worked in the field of Animal Welfare, but became interested in studying early childhood education when her oldest son was a preschooler at South Tech’s Early Childhood Center. Prior to joining the South Tech team; Ms. Milward worked with infants and toddlers in an employer-sponsored childcare center. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Ashford University in Early Childhood Education with a specialization in Infant/Toddler Care.
Albie Mitchell

Design & Entrepreneurship

Albie Mitchell
Design & Entrepreneurship
314.989.7578
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Mr. Albie Mitchell is the Facilitator and Instructor of South Tech's MAKES program. Mr. Mitchell joined South Tech in 2016 and holds a BA in Studio Arts and a Master of Architecture from Washington University. He has been in a designer in St. Louis for over ten years. Mr. Mitchell has founded two design firms, and specializes in design thinking, prototyping, custom fabrication, and architectural interiors. Mr. Mitchell has been teaching for five years and has taught classes at the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts at Washington University.
Melissa Muldoon

Nurse

Melissa Muldoon
Nurse
314.989.7437
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Melissa Muldoon joined the South Tech High School team in 2019. She began her career as a pediatric nurse in 1993 and worked for several children’s hospitals before becoming a school nurse in 2013. Ms. Muldoon has a BSN from Rockhurst/Research College of Nursing. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys spending time outdoors with family, enjoying the company of neighbors and reading.
Michele Myers

CISCO Networking Academy

Michele Myers
CISCO Networking Academy
314.989.7515
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Mrs. Michele Myers has been in the Information Technology/Graphic Communications industry for many years and began teaching at South Tech High School in 2013. Prior to joining the Tech team, Mrs. Myers attended the University of Missouri-Columbia and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Mrs. Myers also earned her CISCO Certified Entry Networking Technician certificate in 2013.
Ken Neuman

Auto Collision Repair

Ken Neuman
Auto Collision Repair
314.989.7435
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After graduating from South Tech High School in 1982, Mr. Ken Neuman went right to work at a body shop and has worked for 28 years as a professional repairman in the auto body industry. Mr. Neuman began working for South Tech in 2010.
Carly Noel

Cosmetology Instructor
Megan Orban

Special Education Teacher
Phil Patterson

Language Arts

Phil Patterson
Language Arts
314.989.7443
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Mr. Phil Patterson graduated with his undergraduate degree in secondary English education from Indiana University and a master's degree in secondary administration from UMSL. Before working for SSD, Mr. Patterson worked at Riverview Gardens High School for 12 years.
Paul Petrus

Construction Trades

Paul Petrus
Construction Trades
314.989.7434
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Mr. Petrus has been in the construction industry for over 30 years. He started out working for small remodeling companies during high school and college. Eventually he joined the Carpenters union and advanced to the level of journeyman. In 2008 he took an early retirement and began teaching at South Tech. As a member of South Tech he enjoys coming to work and sharing his experiences with his students.
Sarah Presswood

Admissions Representative

Sarah Presswood
Admissions Representative
314.989.7451
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Ms. Sarah Presswood has a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice. Prior to joining the South Tech attendance office in 2016, she spent 4 years in property and real estate management before joining the admissions team in 2017.
Randy Prewitt

Automotive Technology

Randy Prewitt
Automotive Technology
314.989.7497
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Mr. Randy Prewitt has been in the Automotive Industry for over 20 years and began working for South Tech High School in 2003. Prior to joining South Tech, Mr. Prewitt worked as a Repair Technician at Dave Sinclair Lincoln. Randy has an Associate’s degree in Auto Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Applied Management, and is also ASE and EETC Certified.
Freda Reasor-West

Mathematics

Freda Reasor-West
Mathematics
314.989.7514
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Mrs. Reasor-West has been the Math Instructor at South Tech High School since 2018. She has a Masters in Education and is certified to teach Math, English, and Special Education. She is also a Google Certified Educator.
Ed Rieman

Automotive Technology

Ed Rieman
Automotive Technology
314.989.7528
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Mr. Ed Rieman has worked in the automotive repair industry for over 25 years and began teaching at South Tech High School in 2004. Mr. Rieman started in a full-service gas station/ repair shop in high school and moved on to a dealership. Through the dealership, he obtained ASE A1-A8 and L1 and Ford Senior Master Certification. I received my degree from Ranken Technical College in Automotive Technology.
Katie Roberts

Early Childhood Education

Katie Roberts
Early Childhood Education
314.989.7423
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Mrs. Katie Roberts started working at South Tech in 2007 as an Teachers Assistant in the Sunshine Room. She moved into the role of Instructor in August 2016. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a minor in Child and Family Development from Missouri State University and is working on her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education at Fontbonne University.
Mary Schmitz

Early Childhood Teacher's Aide

Mary Schmitz
Early Childhood Teacher's Aide
314.989.7511
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Ms. Mary Schmitz began working at South Tech High School in the Early Childhood Education Department in 2009. Ms. Schmitz studied Business at the University of Missouri and prior to joining the South Tech Team; she worked at a long-term care facility as the Social Services Director.
Loretta Schnurbush

Library Media Specialist
Jim Sheppard

Welding

Jim Sheppard
Welding
314.989.7429
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Mr. Jim Sheppard has worked in the advanced manufacturing field for many years. Before joining the South Tech team, Mr. Sheppard began his teaching career at North Tech. He also owned and operated Machine Company, which specialized in building custom machinery. Employees were skilled in machining, welding, and fabricating.
Carla Shaughnessy

Counselor

Carla Shaughnessy
Counselor
314.989.7464
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Ms. Carla Shaughnessy has a Masters in Counseling which she earned at Missouri Baptist University. Prior to joining the South Tech team in 2004, Ms. Shaughnessy taught at Hancock Place Middle School.
Lois Tisdale

Early Childhood Teacher's Aide

Lois Tisdale
Early Childhood Teacher's Aide
314.989.7511
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Ms. Lois Tisdale started as an Assistant Teacher in the Early Childhood Center at South Tech High School in August of 2016. She earned her Associates Degree in Early Care and Education at St. Louis Community College and received her Bachelor’s Degree from Central Methodist University in 2012. Ms. Lois has worked in the childcare field for over 30 years.
Patti Venturella

Web & Computer Programming

Patti Venturella
Web & Computer Programming
314-989-7444
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Mrs. Patti Venturella has been in the Software and Web Development area for more than 25 years. Mrs. Venturella studied Computer Engineering at Missouri S&T. Before joining the South Tech team, Mrs. Venturella taught at North Tech and worked in software development for various St. Louis companies, including Boeing, Monsanto, and Ameren. Additionally, Mrs. Venturella was an IT instructor at Washington University, UMSL, and Saint Louis University.
Kristin Vergano

Dental Sciences

Kristin Vergano
Dental Sciences
314.989.7458
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Ms. Kristin Vergano has been in the Dental industry for 10 years, and has began teaching at South Tech High School in 2015. Prior to joining the South Tech team, Ms. Vergano worked as a Dental Hygienist, Histotech and became the first tutor for the Dental Hygiene program at Forest Park.
Anita Weibert

Student Services/Transportation Secretary

Anita Weibert
Student Services/Transportation Secretary
314.989.7411
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Ms. Anita Weibert has been at South Tech since 1997. Her primary responsibilities include data entry support in the Guidance Department and assisting students and parents with transportation/routing questions and issues.
Matt Westhoff

Carpentry

Matt Westhoff
Carpentry
314.989.7487
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Matt Westhoff joined the South Tech High School team in 2018. He started his career in Carpentry in 2003. Matt graduated from Ranken Technical College in 2002 and joined the St. Louis Carpenters Union in 2005. In his spare time, Matt enjoys spending time with his family and being outdoors.
Deanna Witt

Social Worker
Louvenia Woods

Health Sciences

Louvenia Woods
Health Sciences
314.989.7405
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Ms. Louvenia Woods has more than 28 years of nursing experience and began teaching at South Tech High School in 2010. Prior to joining the Tech team, Ms. Woods worked for BJC Hospital Systems and was also a Community Health and Public Health-State Employee. Ms. Woods has a bachelor's degree in nursing and an associate's degree in nursing.
Mimi Wren

Early Childhood Teacher's Aide

Mimi Wren
Early Childhood Teacher's Aide
314.989.7423
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Mrs. Mimi Wren first started at South Tech as a high school student, graduating from the Early Childhood program in 1999. She began working in the department as Teachers Assistant in 2005. Mrs. Wren received her Associates Degree in Early Care and Education from St. Louis Community College at Meramec, and is now working on her Bachelor’s Degree through Grand Canyon University.
Erica Zengerling

Veterinary Sciences

All South Tech Faculty & Staff

Jacob Lohse

Karista Koehler

﻿Bob Arcipowski

John Arndt

David Bass

Elaine Baumann

Nick Beck

Heidi Binggeli

Joan Cather

Janine Cavanaugh

Mary Cavanaugh

Jeff Chandler

Francine Davis

Emily Degenhardt

Amy Eichorn

Richard Fenoglio

JoAnne Fischer

Sue Gibbons

Chuck Hardy

Angela Harrell

Jenny Hartung

Paul Heumann

Barclay Hirth

Donna Hobbs

David Hope

Diana Johnson

Angela Keyes

Suzanne Kirby

Eugenia Lechkova

Ashli Lograsso

Liz McDowell

Melissa Maness

Dustin Meyer

Katie Miller

Jessica Milward

Albie Mitchell

Melissa Muldoon

Michele Myers

Ken Neuman

Carly Noel

Megan Orban

Phil Patterson

Paul Petrus

Sarah Presswood

Randy Prewitt

Freda Reasor-West

Ed Rieman

Katie Roberts

Mary Schmitz

Loretta Schnurbush

Jim Sheppard

Carla Shaughnessy

Lois Tisdale

Patti Venturella

Kristin Vergano

Anita Weibert

Matt Westhoff

Deanna Witt

Louvenia Woods

Mimi Wren

Erica Zengerling

Bob Arcipowski