The Staff
Principal, Middle School History & Religion, 3rd-4th Grade Science
Mr. William Durant
My name is William Durant. I am a husband and father of five. I received my Bachelor of Science from Newman University and my Masters in Administration from Wichita State University. I have taught in both the private and public educational system and seek to provide a different approach to education.
Kindergarten
Mrs. Carolyn Spexarth
I am looking forward to joining in the mission of forming the whole child in meaningful ways! After receiving my Bachelor’s in Family Life/Human Development from KSU, I worked in a variety of non-profit agencies until I married Joe and children came along. We were called to homeschool, and we were active in the homeschooling support group which provided opportunities with other families. Our three children are now launched and making their contributions to society. After that retirement, I enrolled at Divine Mercy University for their on-line Spiritual Direction Certificate Program, which I successfully completed in May 2022. What an honor it is to accompany people on their journey with the Lord. I recognize that those skills are applicable in all relationships.  I look forward to sharing that knowledge with little souls entrusted to me. In reflecting back over my homeschooling years, I realized how I enjoyed the delight in their discoveries. I anticipate a great year of learning for all of us.
1st-2nd Grade Teacher
Mrs. Dee Dee Lubbers
Hello! My name is Andrea Lubbers. My husband Cary and I are the proud parents of seven children, two of whom are married and have two grandchildren. I have been a stay-at-home mom for many years, but over the years I've also had the opportunity to work as a teacher in a variety of settings, including a mom's day out program, an in-home daycare, a latchkey after school program and as a paraprofessional in the Goddard School System. I am very excited to be joining the JP11 faculty as a teacher. The classical Education model is so beautiful, and I am eager to use my gifts to help students grow in their love of God and their desire to learn. I am a firm believer in the importance of fun and laughter in the classroom. I believe that students learn best when they are engaged and excited and I plan to create a classroom environment where students feel comfortable taking risks and making mistakes. I am also committed to creating a community of learners where students support and encourage each other. I am humbled and honored to be a part of the JPII community, and I look forward to working with your children to help them grow in faith, knowledge and wisdom. May God bless you all!
1st-2nd Grade Reading Teacher
Mrs. Kelly May
Welcome! I am so excited to join the amazing staff here at JP II. I have been married to my husband, Mike, for 25 years and we have been blessed with 6 beautiful daughters and 2 wonderful sons! I was born and raised in California and in 2008 a job brought us back to Kansas where Mike grew up. I have had children in public and Catholic schools, but felt called to homeschool for most years. Life is always changing and when we felt pulled in a different direction, JP II was a perfect fit. I am excited to participate as both a parent and teacher this year. I enjoy making everything a learning opportunity and am so excited for this new opportunity to be a part of developing children intellectually, but most importantly grounded in our Catholic faith.
3rd-8th Latin
Ms. Jeanmarie Murry
My name is Jeanmarie Murry and I am so looking forward to meeting you and getting to know you and your family. I earned a Master's Degree in Education and I have taught in the classroom for 36 years, but I rejoice mostly in being a mother, a grandmother, a Kansan, and a member of S.F.O., Secular Franciscan Order, more commonly known as Third Order Franciscans. I have taught in both Catholic and Wichita Public Schools. My earnest prayer is always for my students: past, present, and future. Happily I've done summer graduate studies at the Notre Dame Pontifical Institute in Virginia and at the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. I'm both humbled and delighted to be a part of JPII. Blessings.
Middle School Science
Mrs. Barbara Leonard
Greetings to all the families of Saint John Paul II Independent School. My name is Barbara Leonard. I am honored to be part of this new mission to teach science in this Classical style of learning. My husband and I have a daughter (number seven of eight) currently in a classical liberal arts college and I could see in one semester the incredible formation with this type of learning opportunity. I love learning and science is my favorite field of study! I am amazed at how God created all creatures. I completed my Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at WSU. I hold a Masters Degree in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska. I served as a WSU Physician Assistant Program faculty member. I was also a medical consultant in Fertility Care from Pope Paul VI Institute, and I hold a NIFLA certificate in limited OB sonography. I look forward to sharing this journey with your middle school children and getting to know all of you.
Middle School Writing & Rhetoric
Mrs. Serena Barnard
Hello, my name is Serena Barnard. I am teaching Writing and Rhetoric for the 5th-8th grade students this year. I received my undergraduate degree in secondary education from Benedictine College in 2005, and I taught in an elementary school in Rome, Italy, for the next five years. After we moved back to the US, I made the decision to stay home with our children, and I eventually chose to homeschool them. During my time as a homeschool mom, I have had the opportunity to teach classes in art and Spanish. I have also spent some time substitute teaching in several school districts. In addition to my classroom experience, I completed the formation courses to become a catechist for all three levels of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and I have had the gift of leading catechesis sessions for the past seven years. I am thrilled to be joining the teaching staff this year for the John Paul II Independent School.
Middle School Literature
Mrs. Bonnie Martin
Hello! My name is Bonnie Martin. I have 8 unique & rambunctious sons, 5 grown, out of the house doing their own thing, and 3 at home keeping me and my husband, Nick, on our toes! I had a K-9 certified BA in education, which after 10 years of teaching I decided to let lapse and stay home and be the wife and mother God made me to be. I have always loved teaching, but begrudging had to jump hoops to keep up with state testing, data collecting and all that comes with being a teacher under the state curriculum. Now that my littles are all in school, I am over the moon blessed to be back in the teaching saddle, doing what I love- forming the hearts and minds of our children in Christ... and honored that I get to do it at JPII! I am very excited to partner with you parents in your child's education through middle school literature. I'm looking forward to delving into these classical writings with the children to enrich our minds and learn from the past as we look into Ancient times this school year.
Common Arts & Physical Education
Mrs. Lois Linnebur
My name is Lois Linnebur and I will be teaching Physical Education and helping with Common Arts at Saint John Paul II Independent School! I grew up on a farm in South Central Kansas and have been gardening, canning, and preserving food all my life. I received my A.A. degree from Cowley County Community College in Arkansas City, KS where I played volleyball and basketball on scholarship. My next stop was Friends University where I played basketball on scholarship and graduated with a B.S. in HPERD. My teaching career began at Holy Savior Catholic School in Northeast Wichita where I started a Phys. Ed. program and remained there for three years before marrying Rodney Linnebur and beginning a family. I stayed home with my six beautiful children for twenty-three years before going back to teaching where I spent five years substituting, and seven more years teaching Phys. Ed. full time in the Wichita Catholic Schools. I am excited to share my knowledge of physical education and common arts with the students of Saint John Paul II Independent School!
Common Arts
Mrs. Tammi Alonzo
Hello JPII Family! This is such a new adventure for me! I have been practicing the Common Arts for 30 years and didn’t ever think that I would get the opportunity to teach what I have learned. I am a mother of 4 grown children, 3 daughters, 1 son, 2 son-in-laws and best of all 10 grandchildren! I am a Registered Nurse who has stepped out of the medical world and to embark on a new path. I love all that the Common Arts has to offer and look forward to sharing that enthusiasm with the students!
Common Arts
Mrs. Kelli Lubbers
Hello to all! My name is Kelli Lubbers, I will be teaching Common Arts at JPII Independent school. My husband, Chris and I, have been married for 41 years. We have 7 children, 5 are married, 2 are single, and the youngest attends Bishop Carroll Catholic High School. We have been blessed with 13 grandchildren, soon to be 14. I am a Registered Nurse and after five years in the medical field, felt a deep calling to stay at home and raise my children. That is truly where my heart lies. As with all nurses, I never truly took off my "nursing hat." I continue to use my knowledge and skill set to serve family and friends. I belong to St. Peter's Catholic Church in Schulte, Ks. and have been an active member for 30 years. I have been involved in many ministries in the parish over the years, including leading several small groups for women and bringing the Called and Gifted program to the parish. Throughout the years, I have enjoyed coaching youth in various sports, softball, basketball, and my favorite, volleyball! I co-founded Sisters in Christ middle school youth group for girls. It focuses on forming holy young ladies through the tools of Lectio Divina, Eucharistic Adoration and holy friendships through fellowship. I have had a love for the Natural/Living Sciences for years! I am passionate about my hobby of beekeeping. I have been a beekeeping for 5 years and a member of South-Central Kansas Honey Producers (sckhp) Great Plain beekeepers Assoc. I have attended several classes/conferences on beekeeping to expand my knowledge. I’m looking forward to starting up the apiary for JPII, look forward to educating your children and helping them turn their hearts and minds to God through the beautiful gift of His creation.