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School Administration

 

Fr. Michael Nacius, Pastor

Email
(847)234-0205

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Mrs. Kathy Thompson,  Principal

Email  
(847) 295-4833
 
  • 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. Janice DiVincenzo, Director of Student Services

UGC and PGC
Email

(847) 295-4864
  • 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

Email  
(847) 582-2555
  • 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

(847) 295-4856
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ms. Jasmine Sosa, UGC Administrative Assistant

Email  
(847) 582-2528  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Mrs. Jessica Twohig, PGC Administrative Assistant
OPCY Coordinator

Email
(847) 295-4832

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Melissa Haak, Director of Marketing and Communications

Email
(847)582-2554
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Rebecca Quackenbush, Operations Director

Email  
(847) 582-2502
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Mrs. Cindy Luetje, Tuition and Fees Coordinator

Email  
(847) 582-2505
 

UGC Receptionist 

Rebecca Hartman

PGC Receptionist

Dana Geldermann

PGC Receptionist 

Kathleen Hanson

Primary Grade Center Faculty & Staff

PGC Student Services

Janice DiVincenzo

See the Administration section for contact information.

Mrs. Christine Zitko - PGC Reading Specialist

Email 
(847) 295-4835
  • 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. 

 

Preschool 

 

 

Mrs. Shelley Cummings - PreK-3

Email 
(847) 295-4837
  • Bachelor of  Arts in Early Childhood Education and Human Services - 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

Email
(847) 295-4848
  • Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from Michigan State University 
  • MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Business
  • This is her second year as a lead teacher. She was an assistant or sub at SOSM for four years.
  • Mrs. Fornarotto was married at the Church of St. Mary, and her son is an alumnus of SOSM.

 

 

 

 

 

Jr. Kindergarten

 

 

Mrs. Gosia Kalinowski

Email
(847) 295-4836
  • Bachelor of Arts in Sociology - Dominican University
  • Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education - Dominican University
  • 14 years of teaching experience

 

 

 

 

Ms. Andrea Ubl

Email
(847) 295-4846
  • Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Stephens College
  • JD Law from Stetson University of Law
  • Master of Arts in Teaching from Rockford College
  • 13 years of teaching experience, five in preschool and six in elementary

 

 

 

 

 

Kindergarten

 

 

Mrs. Marcy Haubner

Email
(847) 295-4848

  • 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

Email 
(847) 295-4841
  • 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 
  • 27 years of teaching experience
 
 
 

 

 

Elementary

 

 

Ms. Natalie Agostinelli - 1st Grade

Email 
(847) 295-4849
  • Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education- Butler University
  • Working towards a Masters Degree in Reading at DePaul University
  • This is her fifth year teaching first grade at the School of St. Mary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ms. Taylor Mitchell - 1st Grade

Email 
(847) 295-4838
  • Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education - Indiana University
  • This is her third year teaching first grade at the School of St. Mary
  • Alumna of SOSM

 

 

 

Mrs. Carol Teitz - 2nd Grade

Email 
(847) 295-4858

  • 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. Clare Lyons - 2nd Grade

Email
(847) 295-4858

  • Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Elmhurst University
  • Elementary Mathematics Minor, Middle School, and Secondary Mathematics Endorsements 
  • Parishioner of the Church of St. Mary
  • 5 years of teaching experience

 

 

 

Ms. Julia Recker - 3rd Grade

Email
(847) 295-4840
  • Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
  • Working toward a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and an English Second Language Endorsement from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Bilingual/Bi-cultural Certificate of Specialization
  • Fifth year teaching 3rd grade at the School of St. Mary

 

 

 

Mrs. Angela Thomas - 3rd Grade

Email 
(847) 295-4850
  • 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. Maria Gonzalez - Spanish

Email 
(847) 295-4839
  • Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education
  • Masters degree in Education with a specialization in Educational Planning and Management
  • Master's degree in Early Childhood Education
  • 16 years of teaching experience

 

 

 

 

Ms. Bridget Halloran - Art

Email 
(847) 295-4847
  • BFA in Fine Art and BS in English from Illinois State University.
  • MLS from Lake Forest College.
  • 8 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

Email 
(847) 295-2551
  • 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
  • 12 years of teaching experience

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Michelle Adamski - Library

Email 
(847) 295-4854
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Amber Ferguson - Music

Email

  • 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

 

 

PGC Teaching Assistants

Mrs. Beth Erickson

Kindergarten

Ms. Kym Gebbels

 

Ms. Kathy Geier

Preschool

Ms. Elizabeth Gibbons

Mrs. Amy Giannelli

Jr. Kindergarten

Ms. Gabriele Javier

Little Angels

Mrs. Colleen Olson

First Grade

Mr. Craig Lepkowski

Jr. Kindergarten

Ms. Ashley Zarinana

Jr. Kindergarten

Ms. Mary Fontanini

Ms. Kate Rappel

Third Grade

Upper Grade Center Faculty & Staff

UGC Student Services

Janice DiVincenzo

Please see the administration section for contact information.

 

Ms. Amy Baniewicz 

8th Grade Homeroom - 8th Grade Math Honors - 8th Grade Religion - 6th/7th Grade Math - 8th Grade Religion - 5th Grade Religion 

Email 
(847) 582-2548
  • Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a focus in math, Bachelor of Arts in history
  • Eight years of teaching experience at the School of St. Mary's

 

 

 

Ms. Bonnie Battista

Student Services

Email
(847) 582-2514

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Joe Byers

7th grade Homeroom - 8th Grade Science - 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 Digitial Media Planning and Buying experience
  • Two children attend SOSM
  •  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.

 

Mr. Liam Dolan

8th Grade Homeroom - 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 taught at Fremd High School

 

Mrs. Christine Farrell

4th/7th/6th Grade Math

Email
(8472) 582-2541

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Mary Pat Fox 

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

Email 
(847) 582-2545
  • 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
  • 37 years of teaching experience
  • Mrs. Fox's children attended SOSM.

 

Ms. Maureen Heim

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

Email
(847) 582-2538

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Sarah Helfrich

Student Services

Email
(847) 582-2514

  • Bachelor of Social Work from Valparaiso University 
  • Masters of Education in Special Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago 
  • IL Professional Teaching License - Learning Behavior Specialist I (K-age 21)
  • VA Postgraduate Teaching License - ED, MR & Specific Learning Disabilities (grades K-12)
  • Previous Special Education teacher at Freedom Hill Elementary School in Fairfax County, VA & substitute teacher at the School of St. Mary 
  • Parishioner of the Church of St. Mary
  • Parent of an Alumna and two current School of St. Mary students 

 

Mrs. Margaret Hogan 

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

Email
(847) 582-2537
  • Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education-Saint Mary’s College
  • Social Students Endorsement
  • 16 years of teaching experience, 11 years at the School of St. Mary
  • 30-year member of the Church of St. Mary
  • She has three children who are Alums of the School of St. Mary.
 

 

Mrs. Sarah Rouse

4th Grade

Email
(847) 582-2532

  • Bachelor of Arts-Double Major Communication Studies and Studio Art
  • Master in Curriculum and Instruction
  • 1 year to go and towards a Masters in Administration
  • 8 years of teaching experience.
  • Children attend SOSM

 

 

Mr. Bill Schnide

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

Email
(847) 582-2541

 

 

 

 

Mr. Mark Stanwood

7th Grade Homeroom - 7th/8th Grade Science

Email
(847) 582-4853

  • Bachelor of Science from St. Ambrose University
  • Second-year teacher, previously worked at Highland Park High School. 
  • Parishioner of St Mary's and has two students at SOSM.

 

 

 

Ms. Martha Stride 

5th Grade

Email
(847) 582-2535
  • Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education - High Point University, NC
  • Previously taught at Embers Academy in Niles
  • 6 years of teaching experience, 5 years at S)SM
  • Alumna of SOSM

 

 

 

 

 

Ms. Jane Swanson

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

Email
(847) 582-2538

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Margaret Tazioli 

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

Email
(847) 582-2539
  • 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. Michelle Adamski

Library & Typing

Email
(847)582-2549

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. Wendy Antrim

Art

Email
(847) 582-2515

  • BA Journalism - 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.
  • 39 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. 
  • A lifelong member of the Church of St. Mary.  I was Baptized, received First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and was Married in our church. 
  • She has served in many volunteer positions at the Church. Most recently,  as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.
     

 

Mr. Jimmy Knotek

Physical Education

Email
(847) 295-2551
  • 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

  • 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. Randy Manges 

Music & Choir

Email 
(847) 582-2550
  • 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