Faculty & Staff
Mrs. Ann Elizabeth “Lisa” Williams
Principal & 6th-8th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Williams grew up in the Washington DC area. She received her Undergraduate degree from Georgetown University in the School of Foreign Service followed by commissioning in the United States Marine Corps as a Cryptological Intelligence Officer. After serving in the Marines, Mrs. Williams, her husband and four sons moved to Alaska. She attained her Master of Arts in Education from Alaska Pacific University while teaching and raising her family. Mrs. Williams is both a certified teacher, and an experienced homeschool charter school parent and teacher through iDEA.
Mrs. Williams became involved in classical education at Holy Rosary Academy teaching in both the Lower and Upper Schools. She then became Head of the Lower School and, later, Principal at Holy Rosary.
Mrs. Williams was Headmaster at Chesterton Academy of Annapolis while living in Washington DC and participated in bringing the Chesterton Network into the international community through the monthly international Rosary prayed throughout the Chesterton network of schools across the United States, and in Italy and Iraq.
Mrs. Williams taught at the International School Westpfalz using the Cambridge Curriculum and Swiss SBW Haus des Lernens program prior to returning to Alaska to serve as principal at Our Lady of the Valley.
Mrs. Williams enjoys spending time with her family and her dog Argo, hiking and skiing in the Alaskan wilderness.
Mrs. Simona Benshetler
1st-2nd Grade Teacher
Simona Benshetler was born and raised in Milan, Italy. She studied foreign languages at the Collegio Statale di Lingue Straniere Stendhal in Milan. In 1993, she moved to Houston, Texas, to work for an Italian company, where she later married her husband. Following the birth of her first son, Simona began working as a translator and voice-over artist for the International Space Center, in addition to recording various commercials. She also taught Italian and English to both children and adults, and directed a full-immersion English summer camp in Italy for European children ages 6 to 13.
In 2004, she and her family relocated to Palmer, Alaska, where she homeschooled her children for 10 years. In 2016, she began working as a substitute teacher in the Mat-Su School District and, in 2018, joined the faculty at OLV.
In her free time, Simona enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, and traveling.
Mrs. Jody Rossing
6th-8th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Jody Rossing was born and raised in Ketchikan, Alaska. She spent much of her adult life homeschooling her four children through high school, fostering a love of learning and a strong foundation in the Catholic faith. In 2020, she earned a degree in Accounting from the University of Alaska.
For more than 30 years, Jody has served as a Catholic faith formation teacher, working with students from age seven through adulthood. Most recently, she taught the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) and developed and designed the year-round faith curriculum for Saint Michael Parish in Palmer.
Throughout her years of ministry, Jody has led Charism discernment programs, adult and youth faith formation classes, retreats, prayer hikes, and a variety of parish activities. She and her family also host an annual, family-friendly Fourth of July Pig Roast that has become a favorite tradition for many friends and community members.
Jody is passionate about discovering new ways to live and share the Catholic faith. When she's not teaching, she enjoys spending time outdoors on extended backpacking adventures. She recently completed the 500mile Camino de Santiago in Spain and is currently planning her next pilgrimage through Italy.
Mrs. Sarah Eppihimer
PreK-Kindergarten Teacher
Sarah grew up in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. She started her Fine Art studies at the School of Visual Arts in NYC, later receiving her Associates of Visual Communications in Graphic Design with a focus on English and Classical Literature.
In 2008, with her husband Mark, they decided to sell everything and head north for the Alaskan adventure and have been loving every minute of it. From living in the city, to a dry cabin in Bear Valley, to Petersburg-Southeast AK, and finally settling in Palmer.
Sarah has also worked successfully in the hospitality industry for 18 years, her last position being a Service Manager of Olive Garden in Anchorage. For the past 3 summers, she has worked for St. Therese’s Camp, and volunteers for VBS and St. Michael’s Church whenever possible.
Sarah grew up enjoying the history and beauty of hiking the Appalachian Trail, Valley Forge and Gettysburg. She’s continued embracing her love of God’s masterpiece here in Alaska with walks, hiking, tent camping, shooting, throwing tomahawks, ice skating, skiing/tubing, painting/crafting, music, reading about and living out her faith, all the while cooking and baking with her two beautiful girls and energetic puppy.
Mr. Samuel Snively
3rd-4th Grade Teacher
Samuel Snively was born in Anchorage and raised in Wasilla, Alaska. He attended Our Lady of the Valley for ten years and was the first student to complete every year of education here, from pre-kindergarten through 8th. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Clinical Psychology with a minor in Theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville.
He then spent a year as a missionary with NET Ministries in Ireland, teaching religious education classes and organizing young adult ministry in Dublin. Recently, he spent a year in the propaedeutic program at Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon discerning diocesan priesthood. He is very happy to return to Our Lady of the Valley to engage in a fruitful pedagogy that had so formed him.
He also currently serves as the Alaska State Director of Evangelization and Faith Formation for the Knights of Columbus. His interests include literature, music, culinary arts, and anything outdoors.
Teacher’s Assistant for PreK-K
Coming soon.
Ms. Arianna Reitzig
Music Teacher
Mrs. Arianna Reitzig was born and raised in Alaska. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Franciscan University and her Master of Music in Vocal Performance at Cleveland State University. While pursuing her master’s, Arianna worked as a nurse at the Cleveland Clinic and served as a music director at the Shrine of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. She has sung professionally in choirs and musical productions, including the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and Beatus Choral Ensemble, nurturing her deep love for the tradition of sacred music in the Catholic Church.
In 2024, Arianna married and drove the Alcan to Alaska with her husband. A new mom, she treasures spending time with her growing family and enjoys decorating her home, singing, working on creative projects, going to coffee shops, and hiking. She continues to work as a nurse and is passionate about helping students grow in both musical skill and a love for the beauty of Catholic sacred music.
