Staff Directory

Father Allen Zeth

I was born in Altoona, PA, to John and Nancy Zeth and was baptized at St. Therese of the Child Jesus Church. As the middle child of five siblings, I grew up in Newry, PA, after our family moved to my father’s homestead in 1966. I attended St. Patrick School for the first seven grades before transferring to Hollidaysburg for high school when the 7th and 8th grades were closed.

I pursued my calling in religious life by earning a Bachelor of Philosophy from St. Pius X Seminary in Erlanger, KY, followed by a Master of Divinity from St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA. I was ordained a transitional deacon on May 18, 1985, at Holy Name Church in Ebensburg and later ordained as a priest on May 17, 1986.

Throughout my ministry, I have served at Our Lady of Victory in State College, St. Rose of Lima in Altoona, and as Parochial Vicar at Our Mother of Sorrows in Johnstown. I also served as Vocation Director for the Altoona Johnstown Diocese at St. Michael the Archangel in Loretto. My pastoral journey continued as Pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in New Baltimore until I was appointed Administrator of St. Patrick Parish on June 22, 2013. In addition to this role, I also ministered at St. Thomas More Parish in Roaring Spring and served as Catholic chaplain at Penn State Altoona and Juniata College. My dedication to education was reflected in my position as vice-principal of pastoral services and senior religion teacher at Bishop Guilfoyle.

In my free time, I enjoy engaging in creative activities like crafting and painting, and I have a deep love for music. I’m particularly fond of Hallmark movies, especially the Christmas ones, and I look forward to decorating for and celebrating the holidays. Spending time with my family is very important to me, and I cherish our Sunday family meals and vacations at Rehoboth Beach. I also enjoy attending summer and fall festivals with friends, as these events allow me to embrace the community spirit.

Principal: Mrs. Tara Steinbugl

With over two decades of experience in education, I’ve had the privilege of shaping young minds as a classroom teacher for 21 years. My passion for early childhood education led me to serve as a preschool director and head of school in State College for six years before joining St. Pats in October 2021. Throughout my career, I’ve been committed to fostering a nurturing and enriching environment for all students. I hold a Pennsylvania Teaching Certification, a bachelor’s degree from Point Park University, along with Pennsylvania’s Director Credential and a Montessori teacher certification.

Outside of my professional life, I deeply value spending time with my family. I have twin daughters, and a son. I also have a special place in my heart for my beagle and my 2 Bernese Mountain Dogs, who are beloved members of our family and bring endless joy to our lives.

In my leisure time, I enjoy watching movies with my husband, diving into a good book, or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.

Secretary: Mrs. Shelley Kauffman

I have the pleasure of serving as the school secretary. I love being part of the school community and helping everything run smoothly each day. I live locally with my husband and our son, who keeps us busy with his sports and activities. In my free time, I enjoy spending sunny days at the beach and cheering on my son at his games. Being part of this school family is truly a joy!

Pre-K: Mrs. Shannon Farabaugh

I grew up in Mars, Pennsylvania, where I developed a love for sports, playing basketball and softball throughout my school years. I earned my degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and, after marrying my husband Brian, we moved to Vermont. There, I worked as a paraeducator and had the joy of coaching basketball and softball.

Eventually, we returned to Pennsylvania and settled in Altoona. I worked as a Therapeutic Support Staff (TSS) before choosing to stay home to raise our four children, Lainey, Elliot, Lucas, and Xavier. Over the years, I have remained active in education and athletics, coaching softball at both Altoona and Bishop Guilfoyle, serving as a preschool aide and substitute teacher at Holy Trinity, and supporting students as the Title I Teacher at St. Patrick and Holy Trinity for three years.

I am now thrilled to serve as the preschool teacher at St. Patrick, where I love helping our youngest learners grow and explore. In my free time, I enjoy cheering on my children at their sporting events, soccer for my daughter and baseball for my sons, and most of our family adventures revolve around attending games, which I truly love.

Kindergarten: Mrs. Kelly Stehley

I joined the St. Patrick’s School community in 2016 and have been grateful for the opportunity to serve here ever since. Over the years, I have taught First Grade and currently teach Kindergarten. I value the privilege of guiding young learners during these foundational years, helping them grow academically while nurturing their faith and character in a supportive Catholic environment.

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Kindergarten and Elementary Education from Penn State University and a Master’s degree in Reading from Concordia University. My background in early childhood education and literacy allows me to focus on building strong academic foundations while fostering a love of learning in each child.

My husband and I have been married for nearly 30 years. We have two grown children and grandchildren, and we enjoy spending time together as a family. Our standard poodle, Lilly, is also an important part of our lives.

We are active members of our church community, where my husband serves as pastor and I assist with music and Scripture readings. I am thankful for the opportunity to teach at St. Pat’s and remain committed to supporting the students and families entrusted to our school.

Grade 1/2: Mrs. Missy Clapper

Before joining the St. Pat’s team in November 2022, I spent 13 years teaching preschool, a time that greatly deepened my passion for early childhood education. I hold an associate degree in Math, Science, and Computer Science, along with a bachelor’s degree in Humanities from Mount Aloysius. To further my expertise, I earned a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education from Grand Canyon University.

I live in Loretto with my husband, Greg, and our three children—Blane, Larissa, and Jermiah. Our home is filled with love, laughter, and the joy of shared adventures. In my free time, I find peace working in my vegetable and flower gardens, where I take pride in growing and canning my own produce. I’m also an avid spelunker and enjoy spending time outdoors, embracing the beauty of nature. I have a few favorites that reflect my personality—yellow is my color of choice, bacon is my go-to comfort food, Forrest Gump is my favorite movie, I love 80’s music, and sunflowers always brighten my day.

Grades 3/4: Ms. Debbie Decker

I joined the St. Pat’s team in October 2022 and feel truly blessed to be part of this wonderful community. Before coming to St. Pat’s, I spent 19 years with the Altoona Area School District as a special education teacher, where I taught learning support, emotional support, alternative education, and life skills. My educational background includes an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Cushings Jr. College in Philadelphia, a bachelor’s degree in Special Education from St. Francis University, and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Gannon University.

Family is incredibly important to me, and I’m proud to have four children—two boys and two girls—along with eight grandchildren and five beloved granddoggies. In my free time, I enjoy going on cruises and traveling, as well as indulging in hobbies like crocheting, sewing, knitting, and reading historical fiction. Some of my favorite things include hamburgers, the color pink, the subject of history, Christian music, and spending time at the beach.

Grades 5/6: Mr. Douglass Spayd

I grew up in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, where I attended and graduated from Huntingdon Area High School. I went on to further my education at Juniata College and Wilkes University, where my college experiences deepened my academic knowledge, strengthened my commitment to education, and prepared me for a lifelong career in teaching and coaching.

I was employed by the Altoona Area School District as a math teacher from 1987 to 2023. Throughout most of my teaching career, I also served as a varsity high school football coach and a high school track and field coach.

I am the proud parent of three grown children, Brittany, Brianna, and Bradley, and have been married to my wife, Maria, since 1987. We are parishioners at St. John’s Catholic Church in Lakemont, where our faith continues to guide our family and service to others. I am committed to helping students succeed academically while developing responsibility, character, and a strong foundation of faith.

Grades 7/8: Mr. Steve Wilson

As a proud graduate of St. Patrick School, I am blessed to continue serving the Diocesan school community that helped shape my own faith and education. I taught for 38 years at St. John the Evangelist School before joining St. Patrick School in 2016. Teaching in Catholic education has been both my vocation and my passion.

I currently teach English, reading and literature, and history/world cultures for grades 5 through 8, spelling for grades 5 and 6, and religion, music, and computer for grades 7 and 8. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Penn State University and maintain Praxis certification in middle school language arts and social studies. My goal each day is to challenge students academically while helping them grow in character, faith, and confidence.

My wife, Janie, and I live in Altoona and are blessed with three daughters, Janee, Lindsey, and Kaylin. Outside the classroom, I enjoy spending time with family and our dogs, following the St. Louis Cardinals, Penn State Nittany Lions, and Pittsburgh Steelers, and traveling, especially to Australia and throughout Europe. I have also served as a forensics coach for 26 years and have coached a variety of sports and student activities, continuing my commitment to mentoring students both inside and outside the classroom.

Maintenance: Mr. Mark Nedimyer

Coming Soon

Before School Care: Carrie Lingenfelter

I’m Carrie Lingenfelter, a dedicated wife, mother of five, and proud grandmother. Four of my children attended St. Patrick School, and my grandson is currently a student there. In my role as the Before School teacher, I have the joy of nurturing and guiding young minds as they start their day.

As a 4th generation Catholic School alumna, I have been a devoted member of St. Patrick Parish for 40 years. My professional journey includes serving as a physical therapy assistant and nurse assistant for 30 years at the Hollidaysburg Veterans Home, a position where I felt both honored and privileged to work.

My passion for my faith and family shines through in everything I do. I love watching children grow in their faith, and I always prioritize my family first and my faith second. For the past 30 years, I have also managed the Shenanigan’s booth at the Festival in the Shade, contributing to the joy and togetherness of our community.

Pre School Aide: Mrs. Judy Diehl

Coming Soon

Physical Education: Joe Dumm

In 1974, as I was finishing my studies at St. Francis University, I had an offer to teach at a public school. At that time, Dr. Arthur Julian encouraged me to consider a position at St. Patrick School, where they were looking for a junior high social studies and science teacher. Taking his advice was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I’m incredibly grateful to still be here 49 years later.

When I first started at St. Patrick School, half of the faculty were Sisters of Mercy, and they were wonderful to work with. These dedicated women inspired me and helped shape my early teaching years. I had the opportunity to teach various subjects, including gym, geography, history, government, and science. Alongside teaching, I was fortunate to coach the 7th and 8th grade basketball teams, guiding both the boys’ and girls’ teams—a role that brought me countless unforgettable moments.

Over the years, St. Patrick School has become much more than just a workplace. The incredible families and students have always been the heart of this school, creating a close-knit and vibrant community that I am proud to be part of. The joy of working with such terrific kids and their families keeps me motivated and inspired every day.

Empowering Young Minds Through Faith

St. Patrick School