Thomas More Prep-Marian
TMP-Marian is pleased to announce the new faculty joining the school for the 2024-25 school year.
Fr. Fred Gatschet will return to Thomas More Prep-Marian where he had taught Religion for 12 years. Many former students have commented on the positive impact Fr. Fred had on their lives and Catholic faith.
Father will teach sophomore religion (Old and New Testament) while also being the pastor for St. Joseph Church in Hays.
"Moving back to Hays came as kind of a surprise to me, but I am looking forward to teaching again at TMP-Marian and renewing a lot of friendships that I had made during my previous tenure of 19 years in Ellis County,” Fr. Fred said.
Fr. Brian McCaffrey will join the Monarchs as co-school chaplain along with Fr. Andy Hammeke and Fr. Earl Befort. Fr. Brian has been teaching and practicing youth ministry at Sacred Heart Jr/Sr High School in Salina for the past three years.
Fr. Brian graduated from KU with a degree in secondary education in 2015. He studied at Conception Seminary and Saint Meinrad Seminary, and was ordained in 2021. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to join the Hays community,” Fr. Brian said. “I look forward to working with and serving the students and staff at TMP-M.”
Fr. Brian will be active at the school for building relationships with the students, providing access to the sacraments, and guest-instructing in various classrooms. “Fr. Brian will be a great asset in counseling and mentoring students and staff alike,” principal Chad Meitner said.
Matt ‘97 Brown is the new Career and Technical Education teacher and Creative Learning Building Director at TMP-Marian. He grew up in Hays and graduated from TMP-Marian in 1997.
After obtaining his BS in Secondary Education from Ft. Hays State University (FHSU) in 2002, he began his teaching career at Ransom High School. He also taught at Otis-Bison Jr/Sr High School for 9 years during which he earned his MS in Tech Education in 2010, also from FHSU.
Most recently, Mr. Brown taught 11 years at Ruppenthal Middle and Russell High School as the Career and Tech Education teacher. He will lead TMP-Marian’s new Creative Learning Building, which will include classes and instruction in fabrications, computer aided drafting (CAD), welding, STEM, wood shop, and cross curricular outreach to help other teachers use the new facilities.
“I am excited to teach back at my alma mater and build the Career and Tech Ed (CTE) department,” Brown said. Brown is married to Natalie (Major) ‘99 Brown and has three children AJ ‘24, Avery ‘29, and Nicholas ‘32.
Erika Litson will be the new Biology and general science teacher. Ms. Litson grew up in Centennial, CO. She earned her BS in Chemistry and Humanities from Azusa Pacific University (CA). Awarded the prestigious Noyce Post-Baccalaureate Stipend, Ms. Litson is currently earning her MS in Secondary Science Education from FHSU. She is expected to complete the degree this December.
Ms. Litson is familiar with the TMP-Marian science department and students because she did her student teaching there during the 2024 spring semester. When asked to describe the main element of her teaching style, Ms. Litson cited increasing student critical thinking skills through group projects and problem solving exercises.
She is also a strong advocate for student mental health awareness and advocacy, making it a priority to build strong relationships with her students. “I am very excited to officially join TMP-M and help students grow into the people God intends them to be!” Ms. Litson said. She will also be the co-StuCo advisor with Mrs. Melissa Pinkney for the coming school year.
Blaine Maier brings a wealth of experience and passion to the high school math department. Mr. Maier graduated from FHSU in 1983 with a BS in Mathematics. He earned his MS in Physical Science in 1989. Mr. Maier has taught math at Phillipsburg and Hoxie before his most recent teaching position at Ruppenthal Middle and Russell High School. He has taught at Russell since 1998.
He and his wife Lori have been married for almost 40 years. Lori was a hospice nurse for most of her career but is now working as a school nurse for Russell. The Maiers have 2 grown children and 2 grandchildren.
Also, Mr. Maier has a unique hobby - he raises and shows rabbits. Mr. Maier is a licensed judge with the American Rabbit Breeders Association.
“I'm looking forward to working with the TMP-Marian family and helping students reach their academic goals,” Mr. Maier said. “I have always been involved with and supportive of student activities but emphasize that academic achievement is paramount.”
Max Befort will be the new JH/HS band director and HS choir teacher. Mr. Befort will also be the Pop Singers supervisor. He graduated from FHSU with his BA in Music Composition in 2019.
After teaching two years at Trego County USD 208, Mr. Befort most recently taught vocal and instrumental music for the past three years at Victoria USD 432.
He enjoys bowling, golf, PC building, classic car restoration, and to perform and sing with local vocal and instrumental groups.
Megan Gottschalk joins the junior high team at TMP-Marian as the 6th grade mathematics and science teacher. Familiar to the Monarch family, Mrs. Gottschalk previously taught PE at Holy Family Elementary and is the current high school volleyball coach. She earned her BA in Elementary Education from the University of Wyoming in 2004.
In addition to teaching PE, Mrs. Gottschalk has taught 3rd and 4th grades as a classroom teacher, with an emphasis on math, science, and social studies. She was a 4-year letterwinner for the University of Wyoming volleyball team, earning Mountain West Conference All-Academic Team honors in 2003. Megan is married to TJ ‘00 Gottschalk and has four children, Teagan ‘25, Adilyn ‘28, Jonah ‘31, and Remington ‘33.
Konnor ‘18 Splichal will be the 7-12th grades JH and HS art teacher. After graduating from TMP-Marian in 2018, Mr. Splichal earned his BA in Fine Arts from FHSU in 2022. His specialties include ceramics where his work has been honored every year by various organizations, including the Hays Arts Council and the Moss-Thornes Gallery.
Mr. Splichal has also conducted numerous workshops, including a Wheel Throwing Workshop at TMP-Marian in 2023. He has worked closely with outgoing art instructor, Nancy Flax, to fine tune his instructional skills while getting to know the TMP-Marian art program and students.
Brandon Smith will be the junior high vocal teacher. He is part-time while he also earns his Master’s Degree from FHSU. During the 2021-22 school year, Mr. Smith was a long-term 5th grade substitute teacher for Garden City USD 457.
Mr. Smith has sung in and participated in choir for around 14 years and composes music.
Rebecca Windholz is the new high school Special Education teacher. She is taking the place of another Mrs. Windholz, Rhonda, who moved to Tennessee over the summer.
Rebecca Windholz is originally from Hoxie, and currently lives in WaKeeney. Mrs. Windholz taught for five years at schools in Trego USD 208. Most recently she was a fiscal auditor for the Kansas State Department of Education.
Mrs. Windholz will put her Masters Degree as a reading/instructional specialist to good use helping students in a variety of high school courses. “Developing positive relationships with each student is crucial for the learning process,” Mrs. Windholz said. “I believe every student wants to feel valued and heard. Setting high expectations for them…with a solid relationship will ensure that they are learning at their maximum potential.”
Other teaching assignment announcements - James Harris will return to the classroom and teach 7-8th PE. And finally, Rick Binder and Joe Pfannenstiel will teach agriculture classes and sponsor the TMP-Marian Chapter of the FFA.
Teaching Position Open - TMP-Marian is seeking a high school social studies teacher to teach U.S. Government, World History, and Current World Issues. Please email Chad Meitner to apply for this opening - [email protected].
Located in Hays, Kan., Thomas More Prep-Marian is a Catholic school serving grades 6-12. Students come from Hays, the surrounding region, and from countries around the world. The school was founded by the Capuchin Franciscans as Hays Catholic College in 1908 and ultimately became Thomas More Prep-Marian in 1981. The school continues to serve young people in the traditions of spiritual growth, academic excellence, and leadership formation.