Lower School Faculty
Valerie Shaut
Kindergarten
Mrs. Shaut was born and raised in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. She received her degree from SUNY in 1985. She has over fifteen years of experience teaching kindergarten. She enjoys camping and traveling.
Patricia Verreux
First Grade
Patricia Verreux earned her bachelor’s in education from the University of Alaska Anchorage.
Karina Biegel
Second Grade
Karina Biegel earned her bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Thomas Aquinas College in sunny California. She is an avid reader and an admirer of Russian literature. She enjoys BBC films and is a foodie.
Victoria Zipay
Third Grade
An alumna of Holy Rosary Academy herself, Victoria Zipay received her bachelor’s degree in English from Benedictine College in 2019. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys analyzing literature, trying new recipes, and riding her horse. She looks forward to journeying with her students this year through the life and love of the Catholic Tradition.
Therese Syren
Fourth Grade
Therese Syren was born and raised in Alaska. She holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College, a M.A. in Religious Studies from Christendom College, a Pontifical Catechetical Diploma, and an AK retired teacher's certificate. She loves everything about HRA, especially its devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary and to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; the two pillars supporting the Church in the famous dream of St. John Bosco, and for its willingness to take small steps in humility by trusting to Divine Providence.
Tisha Jackson
Fifth Grade
Tisha Jackson was born and raised in Indiana. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history and art history from Hanover College and later went on to obtain licensure in teaching from St. Mary of-the-Woods College. She loves to continue her education in teaching by receiving STEM certification from Purdue University and certification from National Geographic in interdisciplinary teaching. She moved to Alaska in 2022 with her husband and three sons. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, hiking, skiing and knitting.
Joshua Kenz
Sixth Grade
Joshua Kenz received his bachelor’s in liberal arts from Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, California. He also studied philosophy & theology at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley, California. In his free time, he enjoys reading, hiking, hunting, and fishing.
Victoria Leinon
Preschool
Mrs. Leinon is so excited to be at Holy Rosary Academy! Born in Western Pennsylvania, Victoria moved south and achieved an AA degree at CBC in Arkansas. She migrated to St. Louis to complete a BA degree at MBC. After teaching preschool for several years, she completed a Masters in Education degree at UM St. Louis. 1992 was her big move to Anchorage, teaching at ASD until 2020. For the past three years, she taught art and gym classes for the elementary grades at HRA as well as substituting for classes and volunteering around the school.
She and her husband attend SEAS church and are very active parishioners. Mrs. Leinon is especially happy to be involved with her SPRED community in the church as well as helping in projects for the Sisters in the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus order.
Christina Ford
Music
Mrs. Ford is an accomplished singer and a regular chorister for Holy Family Old Cathedral. She is excited to be singing with the upper school students here at HRA.
Anastasia Khokhlova-Semak
Art
Anastasia Khokhlova-Semak was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia. She first studied in the Saint-Petersburg School of Art, then she graduated at the Saint-Petersburg Academy of Theatrical Art with a Master of Stage Design And Theater Technology. Anastasia is a mother of seven children. She is interested in nature and everything related to it. This is her second year as a Holy Rosary parent and her first as a Teacher. Holy Rosary became a big part of her life and she hopes she can support it in the best way possible and still preserve the unique academic level of learning.