Faculty and Staff

School Administration

 

Fr. Mike Nacius, Pastor

Mr. David Wieters, Principal

Mrs. Kathy Thompson, Assistant Principal

Mr. Bradley Doherty, Dean of Students

Ms. Sue Barkhausen, Special Services

Ms. Kelsey Egan, Social Worker

Mrs. Cindy Pacewicz, School Nurse

Mrs. Patricia Lucas, PGC Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Debbie Liden, UGC Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Kathleen Trkla, Admissions Coordinator

Mrs. Rebecca Quackenbush, Business Manager

Mrs. Cindy Luetje, Tuition and Fees Coordinator

Ms. Mary Catherine Nelson, Marketing and Development Director

Primary Grade Center Faculty

 

Principal

 

Mr. David Wieters

• Bachelor of Arts Degree in History/Secondary Education and a minor in Physical Education - Loras College
• Master of Arts in Educational Leadership - Aurora University
• Principal at St. Peter Elementary School in Kenosha, WI; St. Francis de Sales Parish School in Lake Geneva, WI; and Catholic Central High School in Burlington, WI prior to SOSM
• Over 30 years of teaching and educational administration experience

PGC Assistant Principal

 

Mrs. Kathy Thompson

• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education - University of Michigan
• Master of Arts in Education - Barat College
• Master of Arts in Educational Administration - National Louis University
• 25 years of teaching and educational administration experience

UGC and PGC Director of Special Services

 

Mrs. Sue Barkhausen

• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education - DePauw University
• Masters of Arts in Learning Disabilities/Behavior Disorders - National Louis University
• Endorsements in Elementary/Secondary Education
• LBS1 Certification
• Over 30 years of teaching experience

Pre School

Mrs. Gosia Kalinowski

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

Ms. Hannah Lockridge

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education - Miami University
• Previously taught at Hubbard Woods Elementary School in Winnetka

Ms. Anne Prindiville

• Bachelors of Arts in Art History - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Masters of Arts in Teaching - National Louis University
• Over 13 years teaching experience 

Mrs. Shelley Cummings

• Master of Education Degree - Loyola University and The Erikson Institute
• Bachelor of  Arts in Early Childhood Education and Human Services - Kendall College 
• 2 children alumni of the School of St. Mary
• 20+ years of experience in Early Childhood Education

Kindergarten

 

Mrs. Elizabeth Brueggeman

• Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education - Carroll College
• Minors in Early Childhood Education and Psychology 
• 13 years of teaching experience

Mrs. Anne Casey 

• Bachelor of Arts in Journalism - Marquette University
• Master of Arts in Teaching - National Louis University
• 22 years of teaching experience
• 2 children alumni of the School of St. Mary

1st Grade

 

Ms. Kristi Bernardi

• Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Human and Organizational Development - Vanderbilt University
• Masters as reading Specialist - Olivet Nazarene University
• 8 years teaching at School of St. Mary

Ms. Maggie Twardak

• Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Psychology - Marquette University
• 6 years of teaching experience

2nd Grade

 

Ms. Francesca Sullivan

• Master of Arts in Elementary Education - Chatham University
• 8 years of teaching experience

Ms. Colleen Wanner

• Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education - Auburn University
• Alum of the School of St. Mary
• 3 years of teaching experience

3rd Grade

Mrs. Marcy Haubner

• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education - National Louis University
• 4 years of teaching experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education - Illinois State University
• Masters of Education with a Reading Specialist endorsement - DePaul University
• Previously taught at St. Louis de Montfort School in Oak Lawn
• Worked as an Academic Support Specialist in Hometown Elementary School
• Resource Teacher at the School of St. Mary for 4 years

Mrs. Maria Stolzman

• Dual Major: Bachelor of Arts in the Program of Liberal Studies ("Great Books") & Bachelor of Arts in Spanish - University of Notre Dame
• Master of Arts in Teaching - National Louis University
• Bilingual (Spanish) Endorsement - National Louis University
• Spanish Foreign Language Endorsement (K-12) - National Louis University
• Middle Grades Endorsement - National Louis University

PGC Art Teacher

 

Ms. Shannon Fu

• Bachelors of Fine Arts in Art Education - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

PGC Library Teacher

 

Mrs. Kippie Curcio

• Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education - University of St. Thomas
• Master of Library Science and School Library Media Specialist Certification - University of Houston
• 23 years of teaching experience

PGC Spanish Teacher

 

Mrs. Diane Gillis

• Bachelor of Science in Business Education - Eastern Illinois University
• Minor in Spanish
• 5 years of teaching experience

PGC Physical Education Teacher

 

 

Mrs. Mylette Hodges

• Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Emportia State University
• Masters in Education from Barat College
• over 10 years of teaching experience 

 

PGC Music Teacher

 

Ms. Lydia Jeon

• Bachelors of Music Degree - Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University
• Masters of Music Degree - Northeastern Illinois University
• Previously taught music at St. Stanislaus Kostka School, the New Music School, the Montessori Academy of Chicago and the Northbrook Park District

PGC Reading Specialist

Mrs. Christine Zitko

• Bachelors Degree in Education from the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign)
• Masters 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. 

Upper Grade Center Faculty

 

Principal

 

Mr. David Wieters

• Bachelor of Arts Degree in History/Secondary Education and a minor in Physical Education - Loras College
• Master of Arts in Educational Leadership - Aurora University
• Principal at St. Peter Elementary School in Kenosha, WI; St. Francis de Sales Parish School in Lake Geneva, WI; and Catholic Central High School in Burlington, WI prior to SOSM
• Over 30 years of teaching and educational administration experience

UGC Dean of Students

 

Mr. Bradley Doherty

• Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education - University of Southern Indiana
• 6 years of teaching experience in Catholic schools
• Previously taught at Saints Francis and Clare in Greenwood, IN

UGC and PGC Director of Special Services

4th Grade

 

Ms. Kristina Madsen

• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education-Purdue University
• Endorsement in Reading
• Master of Science degree in Literacy Studies-University of Wisconsin
• 11 years of teaching experience and 9 of which at the School of St. Mary

Mrs. Jennie Bodine 

• Master of Science in Elementary Education- University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh
• Minor, Spanish
• 6 years of teaching experience at Winnetka and Lake Forest Schools

5th Grade

 

Ms. Katie Darraugh

• Bachelor of Arts in Spanish-University of Virginia
• Master of Teaching in Elementary Education-University of Virginia
• Certification in ESL/Bilingual Education-National Louis University
• Middle School Endorsement
• 6 years of teaching experience

Mrs. Nicole Graham

• Bachelor’s Degree in Science and Communications - DePauw University
• Master of Arts in Teaching - National Louis University
• Reading Specialist Certificate - National Louis University
• Previously taught at Providence Christian School in Kalamazoo, MI, MacArthur Middle School and as a tutor at North Chicago Reading Power

6th Grade Social Studies and English/Homeroom

 

Mrs. Margaret Hogan

• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education-Saint Mary’s College
• She has three children who are Alums of School of St. Mary
• 9 years of teaching experience

6th Grade Science and Reading/Homeroom

 

Mrs. Margaret Tazioli

• 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 School of St. Mary
• 28 years of teaching experience at School of St. Mary

5th , 6th and 7th Grade Math/6th Grade Homeroom

 

Dr. Maribeth Carlini

• Bachelor’s Degree from Barat College
• Master’s Degree in Education in Math and Science from the American College of Education
• Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Northeastern Illinois University
• Doctorate in Educational Policy from Illinois State University
• Taught Middle School Math and Science at St. Francis Xavier School in Wilmette, Edgewood Middle School in Highland Park
• Served as the Curriculum Coordinator for the Des Plaines School District #62.
• Worked for the Illinois State Board of Education and taught at the university level at Dominican University and Northeastern Illinois University
• Taught "Teaching Elementary and Middle School Math Methods" while at Dominican University

4th through 8th Grade Latin/7th Grade Homeroom

 

Mr. Thomas Head

• Bachelor of Arts Degree in Classical Studies- Marquette University
• Master's in Secondary Education- Loyola University
• 7 years of teaching experience

4th through 8th Grade Spanish/7th Grade Homeroom

 

Ms. Jenna Organ

• Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Columbia College Chicago
• Masters of Education from University of Illinois Chicago
• 10 years teaching experience

7th and 8th Grade English and Reading/7th Grade Homeroom

 

Ms. Lauren Fairchild

• Bachelor of the Arts in English and Textual Studies from Syracuse University
• Master of Science in Education from Northwestern University
• 13 years of teaching experience in high school and middle school

7th and 8th Grade Math, 8th Grade Religion/7th Grade Homeroom

 

Ms. Amy Baniewicz

• Bachelor of Arts in History and Bachelor of Science in Math Education
• Two years teaching experience at School of St. Mary's

7th and 8th Grade Social Studies/8th Grade Homeroom

 

Mr. Robert Zeinz

• Bachelors of Science in History - Illinois State University
• Masters in the Arts of Teacher - Dominican University

7th and 8th Grade Science Teacher/8th Grade Homeroom

 

Mrs. Megan Wittekind

• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Northern Illinois University

7th and 8th Grade English and Reading Teacher, 8th Grade Religion/8th Grade Homeroom

 

Mrs. Mary Pat Fox

• Bachelor of Arts in English Secondary Education - University of Illinois
• Minor in Speech Communication
• Certified Catechist
• 31 years of teaching experience

6th and 8th Grade Religion

 

Ms. Mary Catherine Nelson

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Studies - Cal State Hayward
• Master in Genetics - Iowa State University
• Master in Marketing and Strategic Management - University of Illinois at Chicago
• Master in Religious Education - Loyola University

7th Grade Religion

 

Mrs. Therese Romano

• Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and specialized in Bilingual and Bicultural
• Education - University of Iowa
• Master of Education - National Louis University
• Reading Specialist Endorsement
• 7 years of teaching experience

 

UGC Learning Resource Specialist

 

Mrs. Lisa Matthies

• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Elmhurst College
• Master of Arts in Elementary Education - University of Phoenix
• LBS1 endorsement-National Louis University
• 3 years of teaching experience

UGC S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics)

Instructor

 

Mrs. Christine Spevacek

UGC Physical Education Teacher/Athletic Director

 

Mr. Jimmy Knotek

• Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise and Sports Management - Carthage College
• Teaching certification and degree in Physical Education - North Park University
• Previously worked at Elm Park Middle School
• Football and Baseball Coach at Highland Park High School

UGC Music Teacher

 

Mr. Randy Manges

• Bachelor of Music in Church Music and Organ - Westminster Choir College
• Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts course work - University of Oklahoma
• Kodaly Music Education certificate - Silver Lake College, Manitowoc, WI.
• 17 years of teaching experience

 

UGC Art Teacher

 

Mrs. Tina Moulton

• Bachelor of Arts in Art and Education - Dominican University
• She has one daughter who is an Alumna of the School of St. Mary
• 32 years of teaching experience

PGC and UGC School Nurse

 

Mrs. Cindy Pacewicz

 

PGC and UGC School Social Worker

 

Ms. Kelsey Egan

• Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology - Indiana University
• Master of Social Work Degree with School Specialization emphasis - Loyola University
• Interned at Haven Youth and Family Services in Wilmette and also at Glenbrook North High School
• Spent the last year in Greece on a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship