Teachers

Rebecca Morris, Pre Kindergarten Teacher

Teaching is my passion and a vocation that I feel blessed to be a part of everyday, especially with the younger grades. When I was in college, I automatically assumed I would teach in a public school. However, my very first interview/teaching position began in a Catholic School eleven years ago, and I have been teaching in Catholic Schools ever since. I cannot imagine teaching without bringing God into each subject. It is a pure joy of mine to be able to teach the whole child, academically and spiritually. My goal as a teacher is to help my students walk in the light of the greatest teacher of all, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Barbara Ellis, Kindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Ellis is originally from NY where she taught first grade and later received her Masters in Special Education and taught special education classes for several years.

Soon after relocating to NH, Mrs. Ellis directed and taught preschool and entered her children into the Catholic school in the area.  Because of the principles that were being instilled there and the focus on building a solid academic foundation, she joined their school community and taught there for many years. She then taught 5th grade in public school until moving to NC. Her husband is a retired contractor and continues to run his family’s campground in upstate NY in the summers. Three of Mrs. Ellis’ children live in NC and one lives in OR. She enjoys hanging with family and the great outdoors, especially walking her yellow lab, Aspen, on the beach!

Loredana Modafferi, First Grade Teacher

Mrs. Modafferi has taught two years at St. Egbert Catholic School. She is from from Pennsylvania. She received her Bachelor degree in Psychology from Temple University and her Masters degree in Education from Holy Family University. This will be Ms. Modafferi's 13th year in teaching.  Before becoming a teacher, Ms. Modafferi was a social worker for 13 years working with children in the Philadelphia area. Her husband was a police officer in Pennsylvania for 26 years and retired in June. Her children, Nicolas (21) and Anna (18), remain in Pennsylvania working and attending college. When Ms. Modafferi is not in the classroom, she enjoys spending time with family, going to the beach, traveling, and reading. 

Maria Darress, Second Grade Teacher

Mrs. Darress has been at St. Egbert for fifteen years.  She is a graduate of East Carolina University with a major in Elementary Education and Reading.  Mrs. Darress has been married to Bob, an engineer for the Department of Defense, for 25 years. They have a 23 year old son (Rob) who is a graduate of Appalachian State University. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, boating, walking, and watching football.

Jennifer Sledge, Third Grade Teacher

Mrs. Sledge is a former Carteret County Schools teacher, where she taught for 24 years, mostly in 4th grade.  She earned her Bachelor of Science from East Carolina University.  She is married to Kevin Sledge, and has one son, Trevor.  Both Kevin and Trevor attended St. Egbert Catholic School, along with many other family members.    Jennifer enjoys playing with her two dogs, Buddy and Shiny Girl.  She also loves boating, beach time and watching her son play sports.

Casey Rhodes, Fourth Grade Teacher

Mrs. Rhodes graduated from East Carolina University with a degree in Elementary Education and a concentration in reading. She has taught for four years in public schools in both Raleigh and Carteret County. She has a passion for teaching math and is even working on obtaining her middle school certification in math! Her goal as a teacher is to create a welcoming environment where students want to come to school and learn. Mrs. Rhodes is married to Harper Rhodes, and together they keep themselves busy with their 5 animals! In her spare time she enjoys reading, doing embroidery and spending time on the beach. She is very excited about her first year at St.Ebert! 

Mary Barber, Fifth Grade Teacher

Mrs. Barber has been teaching at St. Egbert for seventeen years.  Mary has a BA in hotel/restaurant management. After working in the business world, she returned to school to obtain certification in elementary education. She completed graduate studies in marketing and earned a MEd in science education from Clarion University of PA.

Kimberly McGowan, Art Teacher

Mrs. McGowan earned her BA in Interior Design from Central Michigan University and her MA in teaching from UNCW. She has had extensive experience as an art teacher in public and private schools. She has been married to Paul, Retired USMCR, for 33 years, and they have three children. Kimberly’s hobbies include reading, painting, running, cooking, traveling, and kayaking. She is also a licensed yoga teacher. 

Nancy Guthrie, Librarian and Technology

Mrs. Guthrie is in her 45th year of education. She earned her BS from East Carolina University in Early Childhood Education and has a Reading certification for kindergarten through twelfth grade. She also earned her Middle School English/Language Arts certification from Wesleyan College. Working with middle school for the majority of her career, she earned her National Board Certification in Middle School English/Language Arts. She became a North Carolina Teacher Academy trainer and worked every summer training teachers across the state in creating professional workplaces, curriculum, classroom management, reading in the content areas and using data in the classroom. She loves to share her passion for reading with her students and assists teachers and students through technology integration. Her many hobbies include sewing, crocheting, reading, fishing, singing in the choir, and helping at her church.  

Kathy Crowe, Music Teacher

Mrs. Crowe holds a degree from Meredith College with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and Music Education K-12.  She has accrued over 30 years of teaching general and choral music in public and private schools. Presently, she is the music educator at St. Egbert where she has taught for the last eighteen years. She was appointed to the North Carolina Arts Council Board of Directors in 2018. She has also served on the District and National Board of National Charity League. Mrs. Crowe is married to Roger Crowe, a local attorney, and they have two children, Tres (Roger III) and Morgan. When Kathy is not making music, she enjoys boating, deep sea fishing and traveling. Ask her about the one that got away!

Colleen Whilldin, Physical Education Teacher

Ms. Whilldin is in her second year at St. Egbert. She is a former Carteret County Schools teacher with 32 years experience. She continues to coach girls and boys basketball at Broad Creek MS.  Ms. Whilldin is originally from Audubon, NJ (same town as Mrs. Felix) where she played field hockey, basketball, softball, and golf. She attended UNC Wilmington where she played Division I golf and earned her B.A. in Physical Education and Health. Ms. Whilldin also earned her Masters in Education from ECU and is Nationally Board Certified.  Ms. Whilldin enjoys spending time with friends and family when not teaching, and she enjoys running, golfing, and participating in Spartan races.