Velecia Helenthal, known to students and families as Mrs. Helenthal, is a first grade teacher at Saint Mary School. She has been teaching first grade for 20 years and is beginning her third year at Saint Mary.

Mrs. Helenthal is a graduate of Otterbein University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Education. One of her favorite parts of teaching is watching her students grow throughout the year and creating hands-on learning experiences that make first grade both meaningful and fun.

For Mrs. Helenthal, teaching in a Catholic school is more than a job—it is an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children. She values being part of a community rooted in faith and appreciates the opportunity to model the values she hopes her students will carry with them as they grow.

Outside of school, Mrs. Helenthal loves spending time with her two granddaughters and making special memories with them. She also enjoys being outdoors and working in her yard.

This year, Mrs. Helenthal is especially looking forward to building relationships with her students and celebrating all of the growth, progress, and milestones they experience throughout first grade.