Photo by Becky Polaski Christine Schneider helps manage the day to day activities at the St. Marys Catholic Elementary School and is also actively involved with the junior high volleyball program.

A native of St. Marys, Schneider attended Catholic grade school and high school before moving to Maryland for four years. She returned to the area in 1992 and has been employed at the Catholic elementary school for the past five years. She is currently one of two secretaries at the elementary school office.

“I was motivated to work here because I have always liked to work with children, while at the same time I feel I’m pretty organized and able to help run an office,” Schneider said. “When my children were young, I was a ‘stay-at-home’ mom and babysat other kids. Then, when my kids were of school age, I was ready to get into the work force. Fortunately for me, the secretary job became available and I interviewed and got the job.”

Schneider noted that she particularly enjoys the hours the job requires, her co-workers, and half-days in the summer months.

“My job is mostly multi-tasking,” Schneider said. “I answer the phone, take messages, take attendance, check absentees, copy papers, file papers and do whatever might be needed to help the school day run smooth.”

For Schneider, the best part of the job is the kids and how no two days are ever the same. At the same time, multi-tasking and keeping everything straight presents the biggest challenge.

“Some days are a little crazier than others, but it is important to have each child accounted for at the end of the day and that is part of my job too,” Schneider said.

In addition to her job at the elementary school, Schneider has also been involved with the volleyball program for a number of years. When she first moved back to St. Marys she assisted with the varsity level, was the junior varsity coach for one year, and then was the head varsity coach for seven years.

“I retired, only to come back the following year on the junior high level. I love the game of volleyball and played since my freshmen year of high school,” Schneider said. “I love playing and still play in the Boys and Girls Club leagues, and play at the parks over the summer.”

For Schneider, coaching volleyball is just an extension of playing it.

“Being able to teach and explain to the girls and then to see them go from not knowing much about the game or its terms to being able to play the game in its most basic form is a treat,” Schneider said. “The junior high program has really blossomed over the past few years and we now have 12 teams playing in our league. It is great for 7th and 8th grade girls to be able to try it at this level and then when they get to high school they can make an informed decision as to whether they would like to continue on or not. There was a time when I enjoyed the competition on the varsity level the best, but now I enjoy teaching the basics the most. The girls at this age are a chatty bunch and it is a challenge I enjoy.”

Schneider is also the chairperson for the annual Women’s Winterfest which is held each year to benefit the Mothers, Fathers and Friends Association, and has been involved with the Little League Women’s Auxiliary for the past 15 years.

Christine is married to Chris Schneider and they have three children, Tom, who currently resides in Tucson, Ariz. and works for the Federal Prison System; Sam, a junior at Elk County Catholic High School; and Carli, an 8th grader at the St. Marys Catholic Middle School.

Schneider noted that she and her husband enjoy watching their children and nieces and nephews participate in sports and school activities.

“Going from one sports season to the next keeps us busy, but we love it,” Schneider said.