2nd Grade Classrooms

  • Helena Hoppe Helena Hoppe
    hoppeh@ritenourschools.org

    Hello! My name is Helena Hoppe and I will be teaching 2nd grade at Kratz Elementary. This will be my sixth year teaching at Kratz Elementary. I love reading and one of my favorite things to do is share new books with my students. When I’m not teaching I enjoy spending time with my family, playing with my two dogs and rabbit, and quilting.

    Barbara Parson Barbara Parson
    parsonb@ritenourschools.org

    Hello, my name is Ms.Barbara Parson. I am so excited to be your second grade teacher this 2020-2021 upcoming school year. I have been in the educational field for 24 years. I have been employed with the Ritenour School District for 11 years as an intern, long-term substitute teacher, and now second grade teacher. I have two undergraduate degrees in General Studies and Education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, a Master’s in Education from Lindenwood University with a Special Education Reading Certificate, and I am now enrolled in Webster University working on my 2nd Master’s Degree in Education with an emphasis in the area of Teaching English as a Second Language. Over the years, I have enjoyed being a mentor teacher and cooperating teacher for professionals entering into the field of education.

    I am a proud mother of two wonderful teenage sons Dylan,15 and Donovan,17. We enjoy Scrabble, Monopoly, Uno, Dominos, and video games. I am an only child so your children will absolutely love the big sister in me! My personal hobbies are solving puzzles, reading inspirational books, and binge watching mysteries on Netflix. Oh, I can’t leave out Karaoke in my bedroom mirror!

    Some of my favorites include: crab legs, the color green, watching The Wheel of Fortune, Pepsi, sunflower seeds, Orange Sherbet, and of course, shopping.

    Sydney Tomaso Sydney Tomaso
    tomasos@ritenourschools.org

    Hi everybody! My name is Sydney Tomaso and this is my second year teaching second grade at Kratz. Before teaching second grade, I was a student-teacher in first grade and a long-term sub in third grade. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy playing with my French Bulldog (Lily), going on runs, hanging with my grandparents, or watching baseball!

    Donita Walton Donita Walton
    waltond@ritenourschools.org

    Hello families! I am Ms. Walton and I am a one of the second grade teachers at Kratz. I have been teaching for 4 years. This will be my 3rd year at Kratz. I graduated from the University of Missouri St. Louis (UMSL) in 2017 with my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Special Education. I am currently working on my Master’s Degree in Reading at UMSL as well.

    When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my twin 16 years old daughters, going to church, traveling, being creative and planning events, participating in family game nights, listening to music, and playing with my dog, Legynd. I also enjoy baking and eating ice cream. 

    I am super excited about meeting and getting to know my new second grade students and their families.