St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School is pleased to announce that Bethany Odom will
join the faculty as the Director of Dominican-Catholic Identity for the Early Childhood
and Lower School, and Deacon Rick Martin will serve in that role for the Upper School.
Gretchen Kirk, who has been the Director of Religious Education since 2006, will be
retiring at the end of May.
“For the past 13 years Gretchen Kirk has been a true model of the Dominican Pillars on
our campus,” said President Thomas Hood. “This position is instrumental in fostering the
spiritual growth of our students, faculty and parents, so we have decided to hire a team to
build on the work done by Mrs. Kirk. We know that Mrs. Odom and Deacon Martin will
form a dynamic partnership as they work together to lead the spiritual life of our
community.”
Mrs. Odom has taught Religion at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic
School for almost 20 years, and most recently served as the
school’s Religion Coordinator. She has developed religion
curriculum, as well as planned retreats and Liturgies, and
coordinated service activities for the school. The diocese recently
honored Mrs. Odom with the Immaculate Heart of Mary Award for
her work in Catholic education. She attended the University of
Memphis where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education.
She and her husband Matt have three children, Emily, Thomas and
Cecilia.
School for almost 20 years, and most recently served as the
school’s Religion Coordinator. She has developed religion
curriculum, as well as planned retreats and Liturgies, and
coordinated service activities for the school. The diocese recently
honored Mrs. Odom with the Immaculate Heart of Mary Award for
her work in Catholic education. She attended the University of
Memphis where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education.
She and her husband Matt have three children, Emily, Thomas and
Cecilia.
Deacon Martin has been teaching Theology to the St. Agnes
Academy freshman class for almost four years. Additionally he has
served as Retreat Coordinator for the Upper School, coordinated
the Ring Ceremony and Baccalaureate Liturgies, and planned
prayer services for the campus. Deacon Martin was ordained in
2016 and is currently assigned to the Cathedral of the Immaculate
Conception. He received his Diaconate studies certification at
St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in Indiana and has a
Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of North
Carolina, Chapel Hill. He and his wife Loretta have three children,
Cameron, Henry and Sarah.
