Faculty and Staff

School Administration

Fr. Michael Nacius, Pastor

  
Mrs. Kathy Thompson, Principal

• Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education - University of Michigan
• Master of Arts in Elementary Education - Barat College
• Master of Arts in School Administration - National Louis University
• 25+ years of teaching and educational administration experience
• Three of her grandchildren are proud SOSM Crusaders! 

Mrs. Clare Giannelli, Assistant Principal

Email
(847) 582-4834

• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Elmhurst University
• Working towards a Master's of Education in Catholic School Leadership from Loyola University (summer 2025)
• Endorsement in Middle School and Secondary Mathematics
• Parishioner of the Church of St. Mary
• 6 years of teaching experience

Mrs. Janice DiVincenzo, Director of Student Services

UGC and PGC
Email

• BA in Elementary and Special Education from Northeastern Illinois University
• M.Ed in Reading from Loyola University
• C.A.S. in Administration from National Louis University
• Certifications in General Education K-9, Special Education K-12 - Learning Disabilities EMH, Reading, and Administration
• 17 years in public and private schools as a special education teacher, Junior High Reading and Language Arts teacher, and Reading Specialist.
• 30+ years in public and private schools, including serving as a curriculum coordinator, director of curriculum, instruction and assessment, and principal.  
• Served in the Archdiocese of Chicago for 17 years.
• A parishioner at the Church of St. Mary's for over thirty years, currently serving as a lector and member of the adult choir. Her two adult sons are alumni of SOSM, and she previously served as a resource teacher at SOSM. 

Mrs. Mandy Castle,  Admissions Director & Assistant to the Principal

PGC and UGC

Email  
(847) 295-4830

Mrs. Catherine Harper Homan, Social Worker

UGC and PGC

• Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from St. Norbert, De Pere, WI
• Master of Social Work Degree - Jane Addams College of Social Work University of Illinois-Chicago
• LSW - Licensed Social Worker, NASW Member, type 73
• School Social worker since 1997. Previously worked as the Social Worker at Viking Middle School in Gurnee
• Program Assistant/Teacher's Aide at Everett Elementary School
• A life-long member of the St. Mary's Parish

Mrs. Cindy Pacewicz, RN, School Nurse

UGC and PGC  
Email

Ms. Jasmine Sosa, UGC Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Jane Schlosser, PGC Administrative Assistant

Email
(847) 295-4832

Mrs. Melissa Haak, Director of Marketing and Communications

Mrs. Rebecca Quackenbush, Operations Director

Ms. Colleen Adamick, Tuition and Fees Coordinator

Primary Grade Center Faculty & Staff

PGC Student Services

Janice DiVincenzo

See the Administration section for contact information.

Mrs. Christine Zitko - PGC Reading Specialist

• Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign)
• Master's Degree in Education from the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign)
• Advanced Certificate in Reading from the University of Ilinois (Urbana-Champaign)
• Previously taught at Urbana Middle School. The Upward Bound program through the University of Illinois and at Churchill School in Homewood, IL, as the reading specialist. 
• 15 years of teaching experience

Preschool 

Mrs. Shelley Cummings - PreK-3

• Bachelor of  Arts in Early Childhood Education and Human Development from Kendall College 
• M.Ed. - Erikson Institute (graduate school in Early Childhood Development) and Loyola University
• Two children alumni of the School of St. Mary
• 20+ years of experience in Early Childhood Education

Ms. Heidi Fornarotto - Little Angels

• Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from Michigan State University 
• MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Business
• This is her fourth year as a lead teacher. She was an assistant or sub at SOSM for three years.
• Mrs. Fornarotto was married at the Church of St. Mary, and her son is an alumnus of SOSM.

Ms. Lindsay Kovacevich - PreK-3

Email
(847) 295-4848

• Bachelor of Science in Education from Bradley University
• Master of Arts in Teaching and Leadership from Saint Xavier University
• State of Illinois Elementary Teaching Certificate
• Fulbright Scholar: J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Program and the U.S. State Department to the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program in 2006
• Twelve years of teaching experience. This is her second year teaching preschool at the School of St. Mary. She previously taught 1st Grade at SOSM for 3 years. 
• Her daughter is a student at SOSM.

Jr. Kindergarten

Mrs. Gosia Kalinowski

• Bachelor of Arts in Sociology - Dominican University
• Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education - Dominican University
• 17 years of teaching experience

Ms. Andrea Ubl

• Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Stephens College
• JD Law from Stetson University of Law
• Master of Arts in Teaching from Rockford College
• 14 years of teaching experience, five in preschool and six in elementary

Kindergarten

Mrs. Marcy Haubner

Email
(847) 295-4842

• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from National Louis University
• Endorsement in Social Science
• 9+ years of teaching at the School of St. Mary
• Her three children are alumni of the School of St. Mary.

Mrs. Kathy Sirois

• Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Northeastern Illinois University
• Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University
• K-9 Elementary Education Certification 
• 28 years of teaching experience

Elementary

Ms. Natalie Agostinelli - 1st Grade

• Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Butler University
• Minor in Mild Intervention
• Graduating with a Masters in Reading from DePaul University in November 2024
• This is her sixth year teaching first grade at the School of St. Mary

Ms. Taylor Mitchell - 1st Grade

• Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Indiana University
• Minor in Psychology 
• This is her fourth year teaching first grade at the School of St. Mary
• Alumna of SOSM

Mrs. Mary Grace Doerr - 2nd Grade

Email
(847) 295-4858

• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with Reading and Mild Intervention
• Four years of teaching experience, this is her first year at SOSM

Mrs. Carol Teitz - 2nd Grade

Email 
(847) 295-4851

• Bachelor of Science in marketing from Southern Illinois University
• Teaching certificate from Trinity International University
• Previously taught 2nd grade at St. Anastasia Catholic School in Waukegan for three years.
• 13 years of teaching experience.

Ms. Julia Recker - 3rd Grade

• Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• Master of Education with a Bilingual/Bi-cultural Concentration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an English Second Language (ESL) Endorsement
• Bilingual/Bi-cultural Certificate of Specialization
• This is her sixth year teaching 3rd grade at the School of St. Mary

Mrs. Angela Thomas - 3rd Grade

• Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies - University of Kansas
• Master of Arts in Elementary Education - National Louis University
• 14 years of teaching experience

PGC Specials

Ms. Bridget Halloran - Art

• BFA in Fine Arts and BS in English from Illinois State University.
• MLS from Lake Forest College.
• Nine years of teaching experience. 
• Parishioner of The Church of St. Mary.
• All of Mrs. Halloran's children graduated from The School of St. Mary.

Mr. Jimmy Knotek - Physical Education

• Bachelor of Arts in Exercise and Sports Science - Carthage College
• Teaching Certification in Physical Education - North Park University
• Previously worked at Elm Park Middle School
• Football and Baseball Coach at Highland Park High School
• 13 years of teaching experience

Mrs. Michelle Adamski - Library

Mrs. Amber Ferguson - Music

Email
(847) 295-4843

• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre from the University of Texas at El Paso
• Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Education from the University of Texas at El Paso
• 19 years of teaching experience

Upper Grade Center Faculty & Staff

UGC Student Services

Janice DiVincenzo

Please see the administration section for contact information.

Mr. Joe Byers

6th/7th/8th Grade STEAM

Email
(847) 582-2534

• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Minor in Finance from Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, PA
• Walsh Jesuit High School, Cuyahoga Falls, OH
• 20+ yes of Digital Media Planning and Buying experience
• Parent of an SOSM alumna and one current student
•  Mr. Byers joined the School of Saint Mary in 2022 and is excited to share his "real world" experience with our students in his STEAM classroom.

Ms. Kathleen Casey

Librarian/4th Grade Science

Email
(847) 582-2549

• Bachelor of Arts in English
• Master of Arts in Teaching from National Louis University
• Masters of Library and Information Science from Dominican University
• Secondary Education, Middle School, English Language Arts, Reading, ELL, and K-12 Library Information Science endorsements
• 20 years of teaching experience

Mrs. Fran Chana

Student Services

Email
(847) 582-2514

• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary and Special Education from the University of Iowa
• Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS1)
• Elementary Education and Special Education K-9 endorsements
• 15+ years of teaching and tutoring
• Parishioner at the Church of St. Mary

Mr. Liam Dolan

6th/7th/8th Grade Social Studies

Email
(847) 582-2561

• Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago
• Master of Arts in Teaching History from the University of Illinois at Chicago
• Middle School Social Studies Endorsement
• Learning Behavior Specialist 1 Certification
• Previously a teaching assistant at Fremd High School
• This is Mr. Dolan's second year teaching Social Studies at the School of St. Mary

Mr. Alex Escamilla

Fifth Grade

Email
(847) 582-2535

Mrs. Mary Pat Fox 

7th/8th Grade English - 8th Grade Religion - 7th/8th Grade Reading

• Bachelor of Arts in English Education from the University of Illinois, magna cum laude
• Minor in Speech Communication
• Certificates in English Education, Secondary Education, and Certified Catechist
• 38 years of teaching experience
• Mrs. Fox's children attended SOSM

Ms. Itzel Franco

Fourth Grade

Email
(847) 582-2533

• Bachelor of Arts in Education from Elmhurst University
• Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish. 
• This is her second year teaching fourth grade at the School of St. Mary

Ms. Maureen Heim

6th/7th Accelerated Math - 8th Grade Math

Email
(847) 582-2538

Ms. Elizabeth Hitt

Middle School Religion & Math

Email
(847) 582-2554

• Bachelors in Arts & Science from Catholic University, Washington, DC
• Masters in Education from Elmira College, Elmira NY
• Certificate in Catholic Leadership Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA
• She has been teaching in Catholic Education for 17 years in New York, Tennessee, and Illinois.
• She is an alumnus of Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart. 
• This is her first year teaching at the School of St. Mary.

Mrs. Margaret Hogan 

6th/7th Grade English - 6th Grade Religion - 8th Grade Social Studies - 8th Grade Reading

• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Saint Mary’s College
• Endorsement in American History from Greenville University, KY
• Certificates in Teaching American Colonial History and Teaching the Constitution and The Bill of Rights
• Eighteen Years of teaching experience: 6 years at St. Martha's School, Morton Grove, 10 years working in the Admin office (5 at PGC, 5 at UGC). This is her 12th year teaching at SOSM.
• 30-year member of the Church of St. Mary.
• She has three children who are Alums of the School of St. Mary.

Ms. Alexa Janczewski

Student Services & Math

Email
(847) 582-2514

• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from DePaul University.
• ESL endorsement 
• Masters of Education from DePaul University - Reading Specialist Program.
• Four years of teaching experience. This is her first year at the School of St. Mary. 

Mrs. Concetta Mangiardi

Student Services

Email
(847) 582-2514

• Bachelor of Arts in K-9 Education
• Masters of Education
• Endorsements in Elementary Education and Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS1)
• Over 25 years of teaching experience
• Her granddaughter is an SOSM student

Mrs. Andrea Phelps

Fourth Grade

Email
(847) 582-2532

• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Psychology from the University of Colorado
• Masters of Arts in Instruction and Curriculum from the University of Colorado
• Eight years of teaching experience
• She was married in the Church of St. Mary and was a teacher's aide in the preschool. 
• This is her first year teaching at the School of St. Mary.

Mr. Bill Schnide

6th Grade Science, 4th/5th Grade STEAM

Email
(847) 582-2541

• Bachelor of Arts in English from New Paltz, State University of New York.
• Master of Arts in Elementary Education from National Louis University. 
• Endorsements in Middle School Education and ESL.
• Seven years of teaching experience, this is is his third year at the School of St. Mary. 

Mr. Mark Stanwood

7th/8th Grade Science

Email
(847) 582-4853

• Bachelor of Science from St. Ambrose University
• He previously worked at Highland Park High School; this is his second year at the School of St. Mary.
• Parishioner of St Mary's and has two students at SOSM.

Ms. Jane Swanson

6th/7th Accelerated Math - 8th Grade Math

Email
(847) 582-2538

Mrs. Margaret Tazioli 

7th Grade Religion - 6th Grade Reading - 6th/7th/8th Grade Honors Reading

• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Psychology- Barat College
• Endorsements in General Science, Social Science, and Middle School
• Master of Arts in Reading -Northeastern Illinois University
• Certified Reading Specialist
• Graduate work in Gifted Education
• Certified Catechist
• She has two children who are Alums of the School of St. Mary
• 34 years of teaching experience at the School of St. Mary

UGC Specials

Mrs. Wendy Antrim

Art

Email
(847) 582-2515

• Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Drake University, Des Moines, IA.
• Master of Arts in Teaching from National-Louis University 
• Certificate of Advanced Study Concentration - Administration & Supervision also from National-Louis University
• Certificates in Illinois State Teaching Certification: Special K-12 Teaching Language Arts, 09-High School, 10-Special K-12 Language Arts, 03- Elementary, K-9 teaching, 6-12 Teaching, Type 75-Administrative K-12, and Gen Administrative.
• Thirty-nine years of teaching art, Telecom (now New Media), and serving on the administrative team as a multi-departmental administrator and personnel director, as well as coaching and faculty advisor to various clubs at Lake Forest High School. 
• A lifelong Church of St. Mary member, she was baptized, received First Holy Communion and Confirmation, and was married in our church. 
• She has served in many volunteer positions in the Church, most recently as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.
• This is her second year teaching art at the School of St. Mary. 
   

Mr. Jimmy Knotek

Physical Education

• Bachelor of Arts in Exercise and Sports Science - Carthage College
• Teaching Certification in Physical Education - North Park University
• Previously worked at Elm Park Middle School
• Football and Baseball Coach at Highland Park High School
• 11 years of teaching experience

Mrs. Amber Ferguson

8th Grade Music

Email
(847) 295-4862

• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre from the University of Texas at El Paso
  Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Education from the University of Texas at El Paso
  18 years of teaching experience

Mr. Dan Loeger

Athletic Director & Cross Country Coach

Email

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois
• Masters of Business Administration from the University of Chicago
• Over 32 years in product development for Motorola Solutions
• Volunteer Math/ACT/SAT tutor for the Actuarial Foundation
• Dan is an avid runner and triathlete, having participated in multiple Chicago Marathons, Chicago Triathalons, and the London Marathons. 
• All of Dan's daughters attended SOSM, and Dan has been a coach for many SOSM teams. 
• This is his first year as the Athletic Director at the School of St. Mary.

Mr. Randy Manges 

Music & Choir

• Bachelor of Music in Church Music and Organ - Westminster Choir College
• Masters in Conducting University of Oklahoma, DMA (ABD) in Conducting University of Oklahoma
• Kodaly Music Education Certificate Silver Lake College of the Holy Family
• 25+ years of teaching experience