01 Nov Simona Thistle
Degrees: M.A. in Teaching ESL from Matej Bel University in Slovakia and B.F.A. in Interior Design from the Design Institute of San Diego
Year Joined Staff: 2022
Professional Background: Born and raised in former Czechoslovakia to a mother who holds a PhD in English, Simona developed a passion for education and teaching at an early age and as soon as the Iron Curtain fell, she had the opportunity to pursue that passion by working as a nanny throughout Europe and then in the United States. Working as a nanny proved incredibly valuable in Simona’s ability to work with children of various abilities and backgrounds and also fueled her desire to eventually serve in the classroom.
Upon moving to San Diego with her nanny family, Simona earned her B.F.A. in Interior Design and after moving to Portland, worked as Project Manager for an Interior Architecture firm for six years, until the birth of her first son. Twelve years and four sons later, Simona is over the moon to be serving in a Christ-centered school and to have the opportunity to make an impact and glorify God in the lives of the children at St. Stephen’s.