Pastor of Saint Andrew Academy and St. Peter the Apostle

Reverend Saju M. Vadakumpadan, C.M.I., a member of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, will serve as pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Church. This appointment will coincide with the termination of his responsibilities as pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Campbellsville, Ky.; Our Lady of the Hills Church in Finley, Ky.; and Our Lady of Fatima Church in Phillipsburg, Ky.

Father Vadakumpadan, born in Kanjirappilly, India, studied at Christ University in Bangalore and attended major seminary at Dharmaram College, a Carmelite Pontifical Major Seminary, in Bangalore. He was ordained on Dec. 29, 1992.

He previously served as associate pastor of St. Gabriel Church. Before arriving in the Archdiocese of Louisville, he served as a pastor in the Archdiocese of Nassau, Grand Bahama, and served in several parishes in the Diocese of Kalyan in Mumbai, India. He also served as youth coordinator for the western region of the Diocese of Kalyan. He served in several roles in education in India, acting as principal of several schools and as a teacher in various schools. 

Principal 

Mrs. Cortez was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. She attended Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah, where she earned her Bachelor's in Technical Theatre with an emphasis in Stage Management and English-Creative Writing. After college, she returned to Las Vegas and began teaching theatre. In 2000, she graduated from the University of Phoenix with her Master of Arts in Education:  Administration and Supervision. After nine years of teaching in Las Vegas, her husband and three boys moved to Missouri, where she earned her Educational Specialist in School Administration (EdS) from William Woods University. She taught 10 more years in public education before making the move to Catholic Education. 

She taught one year at Father Tolton Catholic High School before moving to Joplin, Missouri, where she was the principal for St. Ann's Catholic School for six years.  

"God alone is my rock and salvation, my fortress; I shall never fall."

Psalm 62: 3

Office Manager

Office Manager

Preschool Director

Mrs. Kelley was born in Toledo, Ohio, but moved to Louisville when she was sixteen years old. She is married to Jeremy and they have three children: Lillian, Degan , and Ireland. They have two dog and one cat. She is a graduate of Jefferson High School. 

"I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me."

 Philippians 4.13

Councilor/Learning Specialist; Aquinas House Advisor

Mrs. Blandford is the second oldest of seven children. She has been married to her husband for 35 years. They have three children, a son and a daughter-in-law. They were blessed with two grandsons born three months apart.

Mrs. Blandford received her bachelor’s at Eastern Kentucky University in Elementary Education. She received her Master’s at the University of Louisville in Elementary School Counseling.

Mrs. Blandford taught at St. Clements Catholic School before the merger 20 years ago. She has been at St. Andrew Academy since the school opened up in 2005-2006 School Year.

“Let all that you do be done in love.” 

1 Corinthians 16:14 

Business Manager

Phone:(502) 937-5920 ext. 

Librarian & Volunteer Extraordinaire

Mrs. Baines is our beloved librarian, and her love for the students is felt and seen through all of the time she spends at our school! Mrs. Baines graduated from Waggener High School. She attended Eastern Kentucky University and earned her degree in elementary education and library science.

 Mrs. Baines’s two children, Alex and Catherine, have both graduated from Our Lady of Consolation. Alex graduated from DeSales, and Catherine is a Pres grad...so Mrs. Baines has Catholic school embedded in her heart!

 Mrs. Baines is excited about her new role as Grandma! Alex and his wife Kaelin, have a little girl named Piper.

"Thus we may say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?"

Hebrews 13.6

Administrative Assistant

Phone:(502) 935-4578 ext. 275 

4C Preschool Teacher

Ms. Carissa was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. Growing up, Ms. Carissa spent a lot of her summers on her grandparents' farm in Williamsburg, Kentucky. Ms. Carissa graduated from Micah Christian School and was named the 2022 Kentucky Miss Basketball her senior year. Ms. Carissa and her fiancé, Austin, have been together for three years. Ms. Carissa has one son, who attends Saint Andrew Academy, and one bonus daughter. 

"They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles’ wings;

 They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.”

Isaiah 40:31

3A Preschool Teacher

Mrs. Shayla Muss grew up in the building as a Saint Andrew Jaguar! Once she graduated, she went down the street to PRP High School, where she met her husband.  She has been with her husband for nine years, and they got married in October. Mrs. Shayla has two dogs, a cat, and a bearded dragon. 

"We love because he first loved us."

1 John 4:19

Therapy Dog

Miss Bailey was born in Carthage, MO on December 4, 2019. She was adopted in February of 2020. She began her journey as a school therapy dog at the tender age of 9 weeks by giving belly rubs and helping the teachers relax during their plan periods on the office floor. Bailey went to school at Remi’s K9 Academy where she was voted most friendly dog. Bailey previously worked at St. Ann’s Catholic School for three years before coming to SAA to be part of this family. 

"God made every kind of wild animal, every kind of tame animal, and every kind of thing that crawls on the ground. God saw that it was good."

Genesis 1:25

4A Preschool Teacher

Mrs. Kat lives by Churchill Downs with her husband of 19 years, Bobby, who works for the Kosair Children’s Hospital Transport team as an EMT. They have three children: Peyton, Hannah, and Bodhi. All their children attended SAA since Pre-K 4. They also have three dogs, two ferrets, one bunny, and one hermit crab.

 Mrs. Kat graduated from South Oldham High School in 1997, attended the University of Louisville for 2 years in the nursing program, but changed her mind. She then attended Jefferson Community College.

"We love because he first loved us."

1 John 4:19

4B Preschool Aide

Mrs. Courtney has been married to Austin for twelve years. They have a daughter, Mia, who is 10 years old and will be in fifth grade here at SAA. Mrs. Courtney was born and raised on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. She moved to Louisville in 2013. She has a horse named Makasi, two dogs named Daisy and Lily, and a hamster named Buttercup.

 She attended Alberni District Secondary School (ADSS) and North Island College (Canada).

"Find your delight in the LORD

who will give you your heart’s desire."

Psalm 37.4

Bookkeeper

Phone:(502) 935-4578 ext. 222 

Middle School Science & Math Teacher; 7th Grade Homeroom; Patrick House Advisor

Mrs. Dini was born and raised in a traditional Catholic family in Kerala, the southernmost state of India. She moved to the United States when her husband received a job transfer here. She currently lives in Louisville with her husband and our two daughters.

 She completed her schooling up to 12th grade at Little Flower Convent High School, Irinjalakuda in Kerala, India. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science Engineering and a Master’s degree in Digital Communication and Networking.

"Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him."

Mark 11:23

2-Year-Old Preschool Teacher

Miss Jordis is our new 2-year-old preschool teacher!  Jordis came to us last year as a preschool aide, but she is not new to Saint Andrew Academy...Miss Jordis graduated from Saint Andrew Academy in 2021! Miss Jordis graduated from PRP High School and is now a sophomore at JCTC. 

"Whoever confers benefits will be amply enriched, and whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."

Proverbs 11:25

1st Grade Teacher

Mrs. Murray attended St. Rita for 1-8, Holy Rosary Academy for high school and Bellarmine College Bachelor's and Master’s. She was there before it became “University”!

She is married to Dan and has one daughter, Kaitlyn. Mrs. Murray has three grandchildren-Keegan, Piper, and Brenden. She also has a brother, Jimmy, and a sister, Patty.

Let all that you do be done in love

1 Corinthians 16:14

Middle School Literature & Spanish Teacher; 6th Grade Homeroom; Francis House Advisor

Senora Ruth was born in Ohio and spent her life split between Ohio, Wyoming and North Carolina. She has eight chickens and a hound dog. She’s been to 76 countries and counting, done over 100 scuba dives, and spends summers when she can in Outfitter Camp as a cook in the wilderness of Wyoming.

 She graduated from Cody High School in Cody, Wyoming. She attended the University of Wyoming with a BA in political science and international relations. She has a Juris Doctorate from the University of Idaho with an emphasis in natural resources and environmental law. After undergrad, Senora Ruth worked in restaurants and as an EMT. Then went to law school and spent 12 years in law.

"Wherever you go I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people and your God, my God. Where you die I will die, and there be buried."

Ruth 1: 16-17

Kindergarten Teacher

Ms. Pascual joins us with 20 years of experience, including preschool through High School English! Ms Pascual has taught in Guam, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. 

Kindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Tiffany Pendleton is one of our Kindergarten teachers! She has been married to Andy Pendleton for seven years. She has three adult children: AJ, Sierra, and Jordis.

Mrs. Tiffany attended Our Lady of Consolation, Pleasure Ridge Park High School, Morehead State, and Cumberland University.

 Mrs. Tiffany started here at St. Polycarp in 1994! She left for a time to raise her children, but came back in 2012! “I love this school! Proud to be a St. Andrew Jaguar!”

"With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love..."

Ephesians 4.2

3rd Grade Teacher; Religion; Seton House Advisor

Mrs. Phelps was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. She has been married for 22 years to her husband, Kenny Phelps, and they have a son, Kenny Phelps Jr. She went to Butler Traditional High School. She received both her bachelor's and master's degrees in elementary education at the University of Louisville.  Mrs. Phelps taught at St. Clement before the merger 20 years ago, and has been at St. Andrew since the merger! What a blessing she is for our school!

"I can do all things in him who strengthens me."

 Philippians 4:13

5th Grade Teacher; Social Studies; Nicholas House Advisor

Ms. Roberts was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. She graduated from PRP High School as a Future Ed Major. She attended Spalding University, but earned her Bachelor's of Arts from Louisville Technical Institute. Ms. Roberts takes care of her Mom, in addition to her 4 kids: Nicholas, Raeleigh, Danilyn, Crimson, two dogs, and one cat. Every one of them was born and raised in Louisville. 

"With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace."

Ephesians 4.2-3

4th Grade Teacher; Science

Ms. Skirvin comes from a military family, which has resulted in many relatives being spread out across the globe. She grew up alongside her two siblings: Nathan, who is 27, and Chelsea, who is now 19, making Ms. Skirvin the middle child. Her mom is a music teacher, while her dad is a retired airman and now works as a civilian for the Army.

 Ms. Skirvin holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Indiana University Southeast and graduated with her Master's degree in Education in December.

"I can do all things through Christ, Lord, who strengthens me."

Phillipians 4:13

Preschool Aide

2nd Grade Teacher

Mrs. Amber is originally from Toledo, Ohio, and moved to Louisville in 2011. Mrs. Amber has been married to Patrick Taylor for eight years. They have three children:  Colbie, Harrison and Owen. They also have one dog (Riley) and two cats (Tom and Dunkin). 

"You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever."

Psalm 16.11

Maintence 

Middle School Social Studies & Religion Teacher; 8th Grade Homeroom; Sebastian House Advisor

Mr. Thomas was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. He attended Saint X High School and earned his BA in History from the University of Louisville.

In addition to being our middle school Social Studies and religion teacher, Mr. Thomas is also an assistant track and cross country coach at Saint X High School.

“Be still and know that I am your God.”

Psalm 46:10

Athletic Director; PE & Music Teacher; and IT; Michael House Advisor

Most of Mr. Whetstone’s dad’s side of the family are all Amish and live in northern Indiana. He has a younger sister, one of her daughters graduated from Saint Andrew Academy, and the other works with our preschool. He also has an older half-sister and half-brother that he doesn’t see very often. He and his wife Sara, have been married for 17 years, have four children who have all gone to Saint Andrew Academy, and three grandsons. Two of their grandsons are also at Saint Andrew. They also have a dog, Kanan, and a cat, Hermione. Mr. Whetstone attended Our Lady of Consolation Elementary, DeSales High School, and Bellarmine College, studying psychology. 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Matthew 5: 43-48

3B Preschool Teacher