Mrs. Megan Wayne
1st Grade

Ms. Yadi Gonzalez
1st Grade Paraprofessional

My name is Mrs. Wayne, and I am the first-grade teacher at St. Francis of Assisi. I believe that children learn best when they are having fun and genuinely interested in their learning. My goal for first grade is to help each student build confidence in their learning and develop a love for reading. In my classroom, I focus on nurturing the whole child.

I’m a second-career teacher with a background in business. I earned my degree from Southern Illinois University and worked in the dental industry before transitioning to education. I received my teaching certificate from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, I am now in my fifth year of teaching first grade. I’m passionate about teaching first grade because of the remarkable growth I witness with each child in such a short time. I cherish the students' eagerness to learn and their developing faith.

My husband and I have known each other since middle school and have been best friends for many years. We now share our lives with three wonderful children, all attending St. Francis of Assisi. As a family, we love spending time at the beach, gardening, and engaging in creative activities.

I am thrilled to serve the students of St. Francis. It’s a privilege to support their academic and spiritual growth. At St. Francis, your child receives a top-notch education while becoming a well-rounded member of our vibrant community. Our inclusive environment values each individual's unique contributions.

Hello! I'm Ms. Yadi, and I'm so excited to welcome you to St. Francis of Assisi! This is my second year as a paraprofessional here at SFA, but my third year in the classroom. I truly love working with students, inspiring them to learn and grow every day!

My love for teaching began when I was still a child myself. I spent many summers as a camp counselor throughout middle school, high school, and even college. I've always felt drawn to helping others learn and discover their potential. I started my college journey at Meramec Community College, but my path took a few turns. I first became a hairstylist, graduating from the National Academy of Beauty Arts. Then, I followed another passion and graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in San Francisco as a pastry chef. After pursuing both of those careers for over 15 years, I felt a strong pull back to working with children. After nannying for the past few years, I realized just how much I missed the energy, the laughter, and the pure joy of being in a classroom.

I've been a part of the St. Francis of Assisi parish family since 2019. My son, Yahir, has been attending St. Francis since preschool, and it's become such a special place for our family. We love SFA because it genuinely feels like home. Teaching at St. Francis has been such a wonderful and fulfilling experience. Everyone here is so supportive and kind, like a true family. It's a place where everyone is eager to help, and most importantly, it's a faith-filled environment that nurtures both the mind and the spirit.

When we can, we love traveling back home to Mexico to visit family, and we also enjoy exploring our local community, visiting restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries.