Mrs. Bartholomew and her family have lived in Gouverneur for 14 years. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work and enjoys working with families. She has worked in education for the past 6 years and has been a parent at St. James school for 11 years. She and her family live on their off-grid homestead, caring for the land and striving to raise much of their food themselves. Her favorite pastimes are biking, hiking, reading and cooking for her family.
Chantel Blair is a former student of St.James School. Chantel graduated from Gouverneur High School in 2008 and studied Early Childhood Education at South West Tech. She has been an active volunteer and a substitute teacher for St.James School.
Mrs. Ewelina Sala is also known by her students as Mrs. Eve. She is the UPK teacher at St James School. Before moving to this position, she taught kids of all ages, including her three sons. She currently holds a dual degree in Elementary and Special Education and a Masters in Psychology. She loves working with children and helping them reach their very best potential.
Mrs. Barr was born and raised here in Gouverneur. She has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a Master's in Curriculum and Education. She is NYS certified in Early Childhood as well as Elementary Education. In 2021, Mrs. Barr was appointed the Vice Principal of St. James School. Her youngest daughter attends St. James School.
Ms. Lisa Bercier began teaching first grade at St. James in 2019. She came to us with several years of experience teaching at the primary level. She resides in Gouverneur and recently was confirmed in St. James Church.
Mrs. Nicole Moore resides in Morristown, New York. She enjoys reading, swimming, and spending time with family, especially her son, and her 3 cats. Mrs. Moore possesses a masters degree in literacy from Suny Potsdam and a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education also from Suny Potsdam. Mrs. Moore began teaching fourth grade at Saint James in 2019, then transferred to the second grade classroom in 2021. “I just love Saint James and what our school is all about. God has blessed me to give me the opportunity to teach here! “
Mrs. Sochia resides in Gouverneur with her family. She joined the St. James family in 2022 and is very excited to be teaching third grade. Mrs. Sochia received her elementary education degree from SUNY Oswego where she figure skated on the Synchronized Skating Team. In the fall, she coaches the Gouverneur Girls Modified Soccer Team and can be found attending many sports events watching her children. Mrs. Sochia loves spending time in the Adirondacks or reading a book on her back porch.
Mrs. Burkett resides in Gouverneur, NY after moving from the west coast. She has 9 years of experience teaching grades 2nd through 6th. She has a bachelors in Elementary Education from University of Idaho and a Masters in Literacy from University of Nevada, Reno. In her free time, she and her family enjoy everything the outdoors have to offer, including boating, paddle boarding, biking, camping, hiking, and downhill skiing.
Mrs. Lisa McCloud is our Fifth Grade teacher. She is passionate about learning and is enjoying teaching our 4th, 5th and 6th grade students about Science and Social Studies this year. She has been with St. James School for several years and is well known and loved by students.
Mr. Gates grew up in Gouverneur, NY. He went to SUNY Oswego and earned his bachelor's degree in education, with a concentration in mathematics. Mr. Gates is an Air Force veteran, and taught middle school math in Maryland before returning home to New York. He has two children who both attend St. James School.
Mrs. Tomford began as our Academic Intervention Service teacher in 2020. She provides extra support in the area of math and ELA. She resides in Gouverneur with her family.
Mrs. Leader is a parishioner of St. James Church and lives in Gouverneur with her husband, Deacon Henry, who have eight children, a son in law, a daughter in law, and four grandchildren. Mrs. Leader earned a Bachelor of Science in K-12 Health Education from Southern Connecticut State University, and a Master’s in Elementary Education from Potsdam State. After teaching in Indian River Schools, she became a stay-at-home mom for twenty years, and enjoyed volunteering at St. James School where her children attended. During that time, Mrs. Leader was active in parish and diocesan ministries and became a Certified Catechist. She became an Associate in the Family Life Office for the Diocese of Ogdensburg and is Director of Family Guggenheim, a family retreat program with the Diocese. Ministering in St. James Parish as Director of Religious Education and Youth and Family Ministries, and especially Religion Teacher at St. James School is her dream come true. Mrs. Leader enjoys nothing more than sharing the love of God with our students.
Mrs. Campanaro started her role as the School Counselor in March 2021. Mrs. Campanaro has worked closely with children her entire life. In 2017, she graduated from Alfred University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Clinical Psychology, where she had the opportunity to provide counseling services under the supervision of her professor. She also worked at a Montessori School in Alfred, NY and learned about the Montessori method, as well as child development. Following graduation, she began working within the Foster Care system. She completed the Core/Foundations Training for Caseworkers in 2017. She also completed the GPSII/MAPP training, which allowed Mrs. Campanaro to facilitate a ten week training on the roles and responsibilities of becoming a Foster Parent. She most recently completed the” Rainbows for all Children” facilitator training and facilitates a support group for children who have experienced loss in their lives. She works with groups and provides individual counseling services. Mrs. Campanaro is originally from Gouverneur and is a parishioner of St. James Church.
Director of Music for St. James School and Parish, Mrs. Beth Johnson has served our Parish and school music ministry since 1970. Mrs. Johnson was inducted into the Three M’s Music Honor Society and shares her musical talents with many community organizations and provides private lessons.
Mrs. Dale began brought her talent and creativity to St. James School in 2019 as our art teacher. She resides in Gouverneur with her husband and children.
Mrs. Hartle is St. James School's physical education instructor. She provides a wide variety of stimulating and physically challenging activities for St. James students.
Mrs. Gates has lived in Fowler with her family since 2014. She is originally from Hannibal, NY. After attending college in Albany and Oswego, Mrs. Gates taught first grade in Maryland before settling in the Gouverneur area. She was previously a second grade teacher at St. James School and has now transitioned into the role of school secretary.
Mrs. Maloy is the Director of St. James School Food Services. She was a volunteer while her three children attended St. James School and still plans and serves during our many fundraising events, like Fish Fry Dinners and our Harvest Dinner.
Mrs. Clara McIntosh
Mrs. Debbie Barr
Ms. Wendy Havens
Ms. Mullin is a retired librarian who volunteers as our school librarian. She is also a Nanny to several of our SJS students.
The mission of St. James Parish School is to provide a quality Catholic education for students to grow spiritually, academically, socially, and physically, in partnership with families and in harmony with the specific gifts given by God to each student