Meet our Intermediate Teachers
Mrs. Grainne Humphries
Mrs. Humphries has been teaching at St. Agnes since 2009, the same year she earned a Master of Education degree from the University of Virginia. She also has degrees in English Literature and French as well as an M.B.A. Her previous experience includes a brief period as an editor. She is especially interested in helping students develop their skills in reading and writing.
Ms. Kati Murdock
Ms. Murdock graduated Magna Cum Laude from The Catholic University of America in 2022 with her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She is excited to get to know students and family this year at St. Agnes! Ms. Murdock will be teaching 5th grade math, science, and world geography. Outside of school she loves to sing, play her instruments, cook, and spend time with her friends. She is looking forward to learning alongside her students this year, and hopes to share her passion for gaining new knowledge and experiences with them.
Ms. Courtney Clifford
Ms. Clifford graduated from The Catholic University of America in May 2021, with a Bachelors in Elementary Education. She spent the two years Student Teaching at Sidwell Friends Lower School, and began teaching 4th grade at St. Agnes in 2021. She has wanted to be a teacher since she was in elementary school. Her goal is to instill a love of learning in her students. In her spare time, Courtney loves to spend time with her family and her puppy! Being the second oldest of six kids, her family is always on the move and doing fun activities!
Ms. Kate Siemon
Ms. Siemon graduated Cum Laude from The Catholic University of America in 2015 with a Bachelors in Education. She joined the St. Agnes family in 2015 as a fourth-grade teacher. Her favorite part of the school week is working with her colleagues to create lesson plans that engage and challenge students. Her goal is to help instill her students with the skills and passion for lifelong learning. In her spare time Kate likes to spend time with her friends and family, travel, and is an avid Capitals hockey fan.
Mrs. Allie Ratliff
Mrs. Ratliff has her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Catholic University of America and her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Scranton. She has taught at Saint Agnes since 2008 including ten years in third grade before teaching accelerated math. Mrs. Ratliff took a year off to spend time with her two boys in 2021. She is excited to be back at St. Agnes!
Intermediate School At A Glance
In 4th and 5th grade, students take the step towards more independent learning by changing classes and teachers for some academic subjects. Teachers work with students to develop their organizational skills, their work and study habits, as well as the students’ love of learning. Teachers collaborate to create continuity and build on those skills taught across all subject areas.
Highlights of the Intermediate School:
- Growing in one’s faith and service to others are the cornerstone of daily Religion classes. Topics include the Beatitudes, components of the Mass, the Ten Commandments and the lives of the saints.
- Students work on developing strong writing skills by participating in the Lucy Calkins Writing Workshop with a continued emphasis on grammar
- Students work on reading comprehension skills by reading and analyzing various literary genres
- 4th grade students focus on Virginia history, Colonial Jamestown and Williamsburg, and present the famous Virginians’ Wax Museum
- 5th grade students focus on World Geography studying the seven continents. Students also undertake a cross-curricular project about a world- famous landmark. Students demonstrate what they have learned by writing a research paper, creating a display board and building a model about their chosen monument, all on exhibit at the History Fair.
- Students work on science and the scientific method by participating in hands-on labs in the classroom that includes earth science and physical science. Students also study life science.
