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 8 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
Christi has two degrees, one in Art Education and one in Education, is certified in Elementary Education, and has received a wide variety of continuing education. During Christi's many years of teaching she taught Art to pre-K through twelfth grades for many of those years before switching to early childhood, where she taught junior kindergarten and kindergarten. While teaching Art, Christi was the District Chair and Host for the St. Louis ACSI Regional Art Festival. She has also received several awards for her use of curriculum and technology in the classroom. The Coeur Academy philosophy is something Christi is passionate about and has been incorporating into her teaching from the beginning.
Madi Baynes
Therapeutic Recreation
CTRS
Madison Baynes has a Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Lindenwood University and an Associate’s Degree in Exercise Science from St. Charles Community College. Madi is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. She has been a support staff for Community Living’s SOAR program for the after school program and summer camp. Madi completed an internship for her CTRS certification at Community Ed’s summer program. Madi is certified in Mandt training and CPR/AED training. She has been working with kids and teens in this field for 6+ years now and loves to continue to learn and grow with the students. Her knowledge brings additional benefits to the diversity of the student population.
Hope Deddens
Special Education Teacher K-12
Hope Deddens graduated from Coeur Academy in 2020, being part of the school since its inception in 2015. She earned her bachelor's degree in Special Education K-12, graduating Summa Laude from Lindenwood University, along with certification in Cross-Categorical Special Education K-12. Hope has gained experience as a paraprofessional in the Clayton School District and has supported after-school programs. Additionally, she has spent the last seven years working at summer camps at Coeur and served Support Staff for the SOAR program at Community Living. Over the past four years, she has completed Mandt Training, American Heart Association First Aid and CPR/AED Training, and QPR - Mental Health Training through professional development.