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Saint Mark Catholic School

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Meet the Staff

Mr. Jimmie Moore – Principal  

 

 

Danielle Lavin - Preschool Program

Biography

Danielle Lavin earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from Illinois State University with a  major in middle level education. She also earned endorsements in Language Arts, Reading, and Social Sciences. This is her fourth year in education and her first year at St. Mark.   In her free time Danielle likes to be around friends and family, cheering on Notre Dame, hiking, and being outdoors. Danielle enjoys the friendly and Christ-centered community at St. Mark.  Her favorite saints are Saint Anthony and Saint Jude.  Her favorite prayer is the Hail Mary.

 

 

Sally Brock - Kindergarten

Biography

Mrs. Brock graduated from Western Illinois University in May of 1999 with a degree in Early Childhood Education.  She has previously taught Kindergarten at St. Mark Catholic School for five years. Sally will be returning to the Kindergarten classroom this fall.  "I am so excited to be back at St. Mark's School. I have missed the students, families and staff tremendously and can't wait to start teaching again!" In my free time I enjoy playing with my 2 boys Carter and Nicholas, shopping, watching the Chicago Bears, playing bunco and spending time with family and friends. We attend the Metamora Christian Union Church. My favorite saint is St. Theresa and my favorite prayer is the guardian angel prayer.

Honors

 

Amy Blank – First Grade


Miss Blank grew up in the North suburbs of Chicago. In 2008 she
graduated magna cum laude from Bradley University with a B.S. in
Elementary Education with endorsements in Middle School and Science.
After completing her student teaching in the spring of 2008 with
second grade Miss Blank became a part of the Saint Marks family. This
is her seond year teaching, but she has been working with children's
programs since she was sixteen. During the past eight summers she has
been the assistant director at a circus camp in her home town. Miss
Blank enjoys reading, scrap-booking, practicing her juggling and
swimming. Miss Blank's favorite saint is St. John Baptist de la Salle
and her favorite prayer is the Guardian Angel Prayer.

 

Gerri Highfill – Second Grade

 

Mrs. Highfill holds a B.A. in religious studies from Mundelein College of Loyola University and a B.S. in elementary education from Bradley University.  She is currently in her eleventh year of teaching and her eighth year at Saint Mark.  Mrs. Highfill enjoys working at Saint Mark and states, “I love working with the Saint Mark staff and families.”  In her free time she enjoys listening to music, reading, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, traveling, home decorating, and cooking.  Mrs. Highfill’s favorite saints are St. Anthony and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.  Her favorite prayers are the Prayer of St. Francis and spiritual meditation. 

 

Michelle Willi – Third Grade

Biography

Mrs. Willi holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and received a Master’sof Science in Curriculum and Instruction in May, 2008 from Bradley University.  She is currently in her sixth year of employment at Saint Mark’s and has been involved with education for the past seven years.  Mrs. Willi enjoys her time at Saint Mark and states, “The welcoming feeling one receives from the students and families, and the camaraderie of the teachers and staff make Saint Mark a great place to be.”  In her free time Mrs. Willi enjoys exercising, reading, spending time with her family and friends, and learning new things.  Mrs. Willi is currently attending Bradley Univeristy and pursuing an endorsement as a Reading Specialist. Her favorite saint is the Virgin Mary and her favorite prayer is the prayer to St. Farncis.

Honors

 

Bonnie Grierson – Fourth Grade

Mrs. Grierson holds a B.S. in Elementary Education, with an area of concentration in Early Childhood Education.  She holds an Illinois K-9 elementary teaching certificate and an early childhood certificate.  Mrs. Grierson has twenty-four years experience in classroom teaching and has spent all of them at Saint Mark’s (1974-1979, and 1990-present).  She states, “I have always felt very fortunate to love my job.  I couldn’t ask for a better group of students than those at Saint Mark, the parents are extremely supportive and being a part of such a fun loving faculty is an added bonus.”  In her free time she enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, swimming, volunteering within the community, walking, traveling, and movies.  Mrs. Grierson and her husband Tom are members of St. Vincent de Paul Parish and have two daughters: Stephanie and Lindsay.  Mrs. Grierson’s favorite saint is the Virgin Mary and her favorite prayer is the Hail Mary.

Honors

 

Julie Craghead – Fifth Grade

Biography

Mrs. Craghead earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from Quincy University.  She is entering her tenth year of teaching at Saint Mark’s.  She loves teaching at Saint Mark’s and states, “I love the family atmosphere ant the wonderful friends I have made within the staff.  I appreciate the faith-filled atmospheres, and the chance to participate in a variety of service projects- which would not have been available teaching in the public schools.”  In her free time she enjoys cooking, arts and crafts, crossword puzzles, and playing bingo.  Mrs. Craghead recently had one of her recipes published in a cooking magazine.  She and her husband Chad and children, Jonah, Mia, and Noah attend St. Anne Parish.  Mrs. Craghead’s favorite saints are St. Clare and St. Francis and her favorite prayer is the Guardian Angel Prayer. 

 

Carol Faklaris --- Junior High Language Arts

Mrs. Faklaris earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from Western Illinois University with a minor in English.  She has spent twenty six years in education and is returning to Saint Mark after having taught here for eleven years during a previous stay.  Mrs. Faklaris loves Saint Mark School and states, “I enjoy the community of parents, students, teachers, and staff.  Saint Mark is a happy place that is full of energy, enthusiasm, fun, and faith.”  In her free time Mrs. Faklaris enjoys spending time with her family, visiting her four grown children, traveling, and playing golf.  Her favorite saint is St. Anne the patron saint of housewives and her favorite prayer is the Memorare and “…whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”  Mt 21:22.

Honors

 

Amanda Berg - Junior High Science

 

 

Michelle Schwartze - Junior High Math

Mrs. Schwartze is originally from Columbia, MO.  She attended Bradley University, where she earned a B.S. in Elementary Education with a concentration in Middle School Math.  She also attended Bradley University as a graduate student and received her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction.  Mrs. Schwartze taught at Lincoln Middle School in Peoria for 7 years.  There she was a seventh and eighth grade math teacher.  She is very excited to be teaching in a Catholic environment where she can share her faith with her students.  In her free time, Mrs. Schwartze enjoys scrapbooking and shopping.  Her favorite saint is Saint Elizabeth Seton.  Her favorite prayer is the Our Father. 

Honors

 

 

Dan Stickelmaier- Junior High Social Studies

Mr. Stickelmaier is a graduate of Western Illinois University. He is married and has 2 children (Michelle and Kimmy). For the past several years, his hobbies have been watching my daughters in their high school activities. He also enjoys playing golf and watching football. His favorite saint is St. Francis and favorite prayers are the Hail Mary, and the prayer of St. Francis.

 

Rebecca Lemont - Spanish

Biography

Señora Lemont received her BA in Spanish & International Relations from Northern Michigan University. She had been an exchange student to Sweden while in High School and studied at the Universidad Autonoma de Mexico(UNAM) while attending college. After college, Sra Lemont worked in Costa Rica as a Peace Corps Volunteer working in both a Costa Rican High School and a Quaker bilingual Kindergarten. She returned to the US and has taught Spanish in Vermont, New Hampshire, Tennessee and now Illinois. She came to St. Mark’s from Peoria Notre Dame High School where she has taught for the last four years. She continues her education with classes at the University of Memphis and Illinois State University. Sra Lemont is the wife of Joseph who is a NJROTC instructor at Woodruff High School. They are residents of West Peoria and members of St. Mark’s Catholic Church with their children; Cassandra, Lindsay, Ciara and Connor. Her favorite prayer is the Hail Mary in both English and Spanish. Her favorite Saints are Saint Christopher and Saint Anne.

 

Patricia Brandt - Academy of Reading/Math

Mrs. Brandt earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from Bradley University with a major in Science in 1996.  She taught in Peoria District 150 for four years before coming to St. Mark as a Third Grade teacher from 2000 until 2005.  Before becoming a teacher Mrs. Brandt was a legal secretary for 15 years working in the State's Attorneys Office and later in her husband's private practice. She is married to Michael (husband), has two grown children Gwendolyn (daughter), Shawn (son) and two grandchildren (Skyler and Shennah).  Mrs. Brandt loves sewing, solving Sudoko, and reading. After two years of retirement she hs decided she missed the children and faculty at St. Marks and wants to be part of the great friendship again. The Brandt family are members of St. Ann Church. Her favorite saint is St. Patrick and her favorite prayer is "Angel of God".

Honors

 

Diana Riederer - Librarian, Resource, Reading Counts

Diana holds a B.S. in Education  and Library Science from Illinois State University.   She has worked as a Librarian at Peoria Public Library as well as libraries in Indiana, Kentucky and Michigan.   Before coming to St. Marks she worked with Sr. Cor Marie at the Children's Center of Tazewell County as a teacher in a 1st/2nd split classroom and summer school.   She has previously been a second grade teacher at St. Marks beginning in 1999.   She is married to Joe, and has three children David, Tommy and Anna plus 3 cats and 1 dog.   The Riederers are active members of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Morton. Diana and Joe serve as Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers and lectors.  They are also active on the Blessed Sacrament welcoming committee and Parish Library Committee.   Diana is a  member of the Blessed Sacrament Education Commission and Altar and Rosary Society.  The Riederers are also active in the Morton Knights of Columbus   Mrs. Riederer enjoys reading, listening to Oldies music,and collecting lighthouses. Her favorite prayer The Prayer of St. Francis.

 

                                                                              

Terry Mischler - Director of Religious Education

Mrs. Mischler holds an Associate's Degree in Child Development from I.C.C., a Certificate in Professional Ministries from Mundelein and Coordinator Certification from the Catholic Diocese of Peoria.  Mrs. Mischler has spent 19 years in education and has spent most of her life at St. Mark's.  She was baptized, educated, and married at St. Mark's.  She began teaching CCD classes as a college freshmen in 1974.  In 1988 she became the Religious Education coordinator for the Parish and in 1998 officially became the DRE for both the school and the parish.  Mrs. Mischler enjoys her time at St. Mark and writes, "The staff, faculty, parents, and children are very much a family.  People truly care about one another here and are very supportive and willing to help especially anyone in need."  In her free time Mrs. Mischler enjoys spending time with family, cake decorating, reading and watching the Cardinals.  Her favorite saint is St. Theresa the Little Flower.  Her favorite prayers are the novena to St. Theresa and the Magnificat. 

Honors

 

Angela Manney- Music

 

Susan Schafer – Physical Education

Mrs. Schafer holds a B.S. from St. Bonaventure University in Physical Education and an M.Ed from the University of South Alabama in adapted physical education.  Mrs. Schafer has been employed part time by Saint Mark for the previous six years.  Mrs. Schafer enjoys, “…the welcoming atmosphere of Saint Mark and the comradery of the faculty and staff.”  In her free time she enjoys being outdoors, hiking, running, gardening, and reading.  Mrs. Schafer is married to Dave and has two daughters who graduated from Saint Mark and are currently attending college.  Mrs. Schafer’s favorite saint is St. Francis and her favorite prayer is the prayer of St. Francis.

 

Molly Faley - Aide

Mrs. Faley attended I.C.C. and Western Illinois University.  She is a proud graduate of Saint Mark Catholic School.  She has four years experience working in education with time in pre-school and daycare settings and is in her second year of employment with Saint Mark.  Mrs. Faley enjoys her time at Saint Mark and states, “The students’ love and support for one another, and the parental involvement in the school make Saint Mark a great place to be.”  In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and being outdoors.  Her favorite saint is St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and her favorite prayer is the Hail Mary.

Honors

 

Mariella Caldwell - PreK Aide / Aftercare Program

Biography

Mrs. Caldwell joined the staff of St. Mark School ten years ago as a recess monitor and aftercare teacher.  The past two years she has been a PreK Aide and and aide for the Summer Academy program. She has completed workshops in the fields of child care and child behavior. Her past experiences working in child education include camp counselor and day care, as well as many summers providing child care for the students of St. Mark in her home.  She is CPR certified with the American Red Cross. Mrs. Caldwell is a proud graduate of St. Mark as are her three children. As a life-long member of St. Mark Parish, she has enjoyed playing the organ, singing in the choir, her marriage to Charles and their children's baptisms. A graduate of Academy of Our Lady High School, she received the Scholastic Achievement Art Award. She enoys spending time with her family and pets. Her interests include gardening, home decorating, art, good movies and jazz music. What she loves most about St. Mark School are the children's smiles, happy spirits and great attitudes. Her favorite subject to teach is art. Her favorite saint is St. Theresa and her favorite prayer is the Hail Mary.

 

Pat Nedza – School Secretary

Mrs. Nedza graduated from IVC High School in Chillicothe in 1975 and went on to receive a Banking and Finance Certificate from ICC.  She worked in the banking field until 1989 when she became a stay-at-home mom.  Mrs. Nedza began working at Saint Mark when her youngest son started kindergarten.  She is in her thirteenth year as school secretary.  She enjoys her time at Saint Mark and states, “I love the family atmosphere at Saint Mark.  I only gave birth to two children but feel that the students at Saint Mark are like my own.”  In her free time she enjoys playing bunco, cross stitch, jigsaw puzzles, and eating chocolate.  Her greatest interests are her husband and sons: Nick and Alex.  Mrs. Nedza’s favorite saint is St. Patrick and her favorite prayer is the Angel of God Prayer.

 

Marcia Tigue -- Noon Secretary

Mrs. Tigue joined the staff as a part-time employee five years ago.  Prior to joining the staff her children attended St. Mark’s for 18 years.  She enjoyed being a room mother & volunteer for all of those 18 years.  She also spent 7 years on the school commission and served one year as president.  Mrs. Tigue loves many things about St. Mark.  “There are wonderful involved families, a great group of teachers, the best office staff, and lots of tradition.  Most families live close by which made it easy to have school/neighborhood friends.”  In her free time Mrs. Tigue enjoys spending time with her husband, three sons, two daughter-in-laws, and two grandchildren. She also enjoys entertaining, reading, good coffee, and chocolate.  Her favorite saint is St. Mary Magdalene and her favorite prayer is the Prayer to St. Francis. 

 

Cathy Happ – Technology Coordinator

Mrs. Cathy Happ has spent seventeen years in the field of education and has spent the last ten years at Saint Mark.  Mrs. Happ enjoys travel, working out at the gym and believe it or not is a huge Nascar fan.  She has raised two children: Jesse and Liz.  She loves working at Saint Mark and claims, “Saint Mark is like a big family.  I know all the kids by name, and they all know me.  Saint Mark is a nice sized school, not too big or too small.  The staff is great and the parents are very supportive.  I enjoy working here.”  Cathy’s favorite saints are St. Isidore of Seville and St. Francis.  Her favorite prayer is a special “prayer for computer users.”