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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 seventh year in education and her fourth 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.

 

Laurie Gilbert - Kindergarten

Biography

Mrs. Gilbert holds a B.S. in Elementary Education, with an area of concentration in English. She graduated from Bradley University in December of 2008. She student taught at Irving Primary School in District 150. That is where she had her first teaching job as a Writing/ISAT Prep teacher. This is Mrs. Gilbert’s first year as a classroom teacher and she is excited to be part of St. Mark’s school! She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family. Mrs. Gilbert’s favorite prayer is the Act of Love and her favorite saint is St. Joseph.

 

Amy Blank – First Grade

Biography

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 at SMS in the spring of 2008 with second grade Miss Blank became a part of the Saint Marks family. This is her third year teaching, but she has been working with children’s programs since she was sixteen. For eight summers she has been the assistant director at a circus camp in her hometown. Miss Blank enjoys reading, practicing her juggling and swimming. Miss Blank's favorite prayer is the Guardian Angel Prayer.

Honors

 

Lauren Fog – Second Grade

 

Michelle Willi – Third Grade

Biography

Mrs. Willi holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and a Master’s of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from Bradley University.  She is currently in her seventh year of employment at Saint Mark’s and has been involved with education for the past eight 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 work.”  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

Biography

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

Biography

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

 

Kayla Trammell - Junior High Science

Biography

Ms. Trammell earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from Monmouth College with an endorsement in middle school level education. She also received a concentration in Biology. While attending Monmouth College, Miss Trammell also minored in Child Development Psycology. This is her first year here at St. Mark School and she hopes to bring the skills and knowledge to her students to make Science come alive. In her free time, Miss Trammell enjoys playing sports (soccer) and coaching, being around family and friends, and volunteering her time to many organizations such as St. Jude. Her favorite saint is St. Jude and her favorite prayers are the St. Jude Prayer and the Prayer to St. Francis.

 

Michelle Schwartze - Junior High Math

Biography

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 Guardian Angel prayer.  She is currently pursuing her doctorate at Illinois State University.

Honors

 

Dan Stickelmaier- Junior High Social Studies

Biography

Mr. Stickelmaier is a graduate of Western Illinois University. He is married and has 2 children (Michelle and Kimmy). He 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 and has 17 credits towards a Master's Program from the University of Memphis. 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 bilingual Kindergarten. She has been a Spanish teacher for 12 years and was an ESL teacher for 3 years.  Sra. Lemont and her husband, Joe, a NJROTC instructor at Peoria High, have 4 children, Cassandra, Lindsay, Ciara and Connor. The are members of St. Mark Parish and serve as Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors. Her favorite activities include family time, travel, reading and learning new technologies. The Hail Mary in both English and Spanish is her favorite prayer, and her favorite saints are St. Andre Bessette, St. Anne and Bl. Mother Teresa.

Awards

 

 

                                                                              

Terry Mischler - Director of Religious Education

Biography

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

 

 

Susan Schafer – Physical Education

Biography

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. She is certified as  Fitness Instructor by the American College of Sports Medicine. She has been employed part time by Saint Mark for the previous seven years and enjoys being part of a great group of teachers and staff. In her free time she enjoys being outdoors, hiking, running, gardening, and spending time with her family.  Mrs. Schafer is married to Dave and has two daughters. She says that the best part of her job is being able to work with all the students and seeing them grow both physically and spiritually. Mrs. Schafer’s favorite saint is St. Francis and her favorite prayer is the Prayer of St. Francis.

 

Maggie Gonzalez - Librarian

Biography

Mrs. Maggie Gonzalez comes to St. Mark Schol from Orlando, FL. She has served as a Guidance Counselor in a Catholic High School for several years. In that time she enjoyed advising students regarding course selections, academics, and helping students make connections between their extracurricular activities and academic interests. Prior to serving in a Catholic school, Mrs. Gonzalez some time in student development programs in the university setting at University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL, Clemson University in Clemson, SC and Florida International University in Miami, FL. She was born and raised in MIami, FL where she was able to learn and appreciate her Cuban culture and Spanish as her first language. Mrs. Gonzalez is excited to be serving St. Mark School and it's multicultural students as a "multi-tasking" librarian.

 

Michelle Carew- PreK Aide

 

Mariella Caldwell - Aftercare Program

Biography

Mrs. Caldwell joined the staff of St. Mark School thirteen years ago as a recess monitor and aftercare teacher.  The past four 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

Biography

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 seventeenth 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.

 

Marsha Tigue -- Noon Secretary

Biography

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 four 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

Biography

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 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.”