Coeur Staff
Director
Ann Deddens has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, beginning her career as a private in-home ABA therapist. She earned her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Assessment with certification in Cross-Categorical Special Education K-12. She worked for Special School District as an Applied Behavioral Therapist for 2 years in the Lindbergh School District prior to teaching for 5 years in the Ladue School District as a Special Education Teacher. Ann tutors students grades K-12, specifically providing guidance to students who have ADHD and Executive Functioning concerns. In 2009, Ann received the Special School District’s Teacher of the Year and Emerson’s Key to the Classroom award, and in 2024 she was awarded the Community Hero Award by Autism Speaks.
Music, Art, Physical Health
Matt Maher has been teaching at Coeur Academy for 4 years. Matt received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Business from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2010. Matt received a scholarship while attending SIUC and was placed as the Music Teacher Assistant at Thomas Grade School in Carbondale, Illinois from 2008-2011. From 2014 - 2017 Matt worked for the Delta Gamma Center for Children with Visual Impairments as the Teen Group Facilitator. Matt attended Lindenwood University for his Music Education degree and his Masters in Arts and Teaching. Matt is a multi-instrumentalist who plays in several bands in the St. Louis area. Matt also currently teaches private lessons at Coeur to all ages and abilities.
Highschool Math
Steve has a Bachelor’s Degree in Math from St. Louis University. Upon graduating college, he started his own technology company and spent the next 25 years consulting for companies of all sizes. It was during this time that he started consulting for Coeur Academy and was able to see firsthand the interaction between the teachers and students. When asked if he was interested in becoming part of the team and teaching math at the school, he jumped at the opportunity to help prepare the children for their future.
Christi Baile
Spanish, Functional Skills, Reading
When I was a little girl playing with my friends, I always insisted that we play school and I got to be the teacher! I was born with teaching in my blood and have made it not just my career, but my passion. A love for art and teaching led me to a degree in Art Education and a degree in Education. I have been teaching for over 25 years, and taught every grade level. Ann’s vision and mission for Coeur Academy inspired me to broaden my teaching even more. But this time I am not the teacher; I am the assistant to the teachers and excited to be in this role!
Angela Waits
Science and Life Skills
Angela has a passion for Coeur Academy, Coeur has been a big part of her family for many years. Angela holds a Bachelor's degree in Clinical Laboratory Science from Washington University and a Master's degree in Business Administration from Lindenwood University. She has 15+ years of experience working in transfusion medicine, microbiology and laboratory information technology and is a certified VEX IQ Robotics coach. She will be using her laboratory background to teach Science/STEM as well as teaching functional skills and helping to grow the adult program.