We are the Keepers of the Flame: 2007-2008 Mr. John Kasel
Principal
jkasel@archchicago.org Ms. Mary Feeney
Assistant Principal / Physical Education
mary_feeney@sbcglobal.net Mrs. Kathy Jarzab
Pre-K Teacher
jarzab_olv@yahoo.com Mrs. Mary Kelly
Pre-K Teacher Mrs. Linda Mendoza
Pre-K Assistant Ms. Holly Zimmerman
Kindergarten
mszimmerman_olv@yahoo.com Mrs. Jeanne Presslak
First Grade
jpresslak_olv@yahoo.com Mrs. Mary Beth Schaefer
Second Grade
schaefer_olv@yahoo.com Mrs. Susan Banas
Third Grade
sbanas_olv@yahoo.com Mrs. Donna Schroeder
Fourth Grade
dschroederolv@hotmail.com Mrs. Joanne Hayes
Fifth Grade
hayes_olv@yahoo.com Mrs. Waszkowski
Seventh Grade - Homeroom / Science / Social Studies
mlm.7.19@gmail.com Ms. Caroline Pratt
Eighth Grade - Homeroom / Language Arts
cprattOLV@hotmail.com Mrs. Deborah Compall
Sixth Grade - Homeroom / Math / Religion
dcompall_olv@yahoo.com Mrs. Donna Contreras
Art / Teacher Assistant / Religion
dcontrerasolv@hotmail.com Mrs. Eileen O'Neill
Music
eoneill54@sbcglobal.net Mr. Frederick Bueno
Spanish / Computer Technology
fbuenog@hotmail.com Mrs. Clara Spitza
- Secretary & Registrar
Mrs. Robin Webb - Secretary & Maintenance Supervisor
Mr. Daniel Behrendt - Maintenance
Mr. Mark Contreras
- Maintenance
Mr. Peter Contreras - Maintenance
OLV Faculty & Admin Brief Bios Mrs. Sue Banas My name is Mrs. Banas and I have enjoyed teaching various grades at Our Lady of Victory School for the past 16 years. At present, I teach third grade. My philosophy of education is to make each child feel important as he/she develops both self and group skills. To accomplish this goal, we use projects and plays to develop understanding and confidence. These tasks, plus stressing the basics in math, spelling, science and religion make each student realize the importance of working individually as well as cooperatively. Our goal is to develop a young person with strong moral, social and academic values. This is a very important part of Catholic education. Ms. Mickey Bligh
OLV Service: 13 years Current Position: Learning Center/Inclusion Teacher and Librarian Education: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign B.A. - Sociology/Psychology M.Ed - Elementary Education Prior Career: Sears, Roebuck & Co. - Information Technology
Mr. Fred Bueno I am the Spanish and computer teacher. I studied at the same warm and loving environment as OLV, at Cardinal Spellman Catholic School. I attended the Indoamerica University, where I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Education. I love to teach because I enjoy helping my students find success. As a teacher, I motivate my students to do their best and extend their own personal limits. I always encourage them to become better persons. I love my job! Mrs. Deborah Compall I was born and raised in Michigan. My parents instilled in me the importance of a Catholic education and sent me to Catholic schools all my life. I graduated from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with a B.A. I have three children that I have sent to Catholic grade schools and high schools. I feel a Catholic education is very important to their character as well as their education. I have taught for eleven years at St. Paul of the Cross and at St. Monica. My former students have nominated me three times for Who's Who Among American Teachers. Mrs. Donna Contreras As a proud alum and life time parishioner of Our Lady of Victory, I am honored to be completing my seventh year at OLV. I am presently teaching art for kindergarten through eighth grades. I also serve as a kindergarten aide and teach religion to eighth grade. Whether I am assisting in the office, in the gym, or with after school activities, I am committed to keeping the Catholic faith alive at Our Lady of Victory School. Nurturing the spiritual, academic, and creative aspects of each child’s learning experience is my intent in educating the whole child.
Ms. Mary Feeney
B.S. - Psychology - Loyola University
M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction - Loyola University I have been teaching at OLV for 12 years. I am currently the Assistant Principal, gym teacher and 8th grade history teacher. OLV has really been a wonderful place for me to teach because I love the close relationships that I have with my students and their families. As
an alum of O.L.V., I cherish the rich tradition and strong community that this school possesses. Mrs. Joanne Hayes I am a fifth grade teacher at OLV. I have been teaching since 1981 and this is my fifteenth year at OLV. I am certified in both Elementary Education and Special Education. Teaching in a Catholic School is important to me because I can freely live, practice, and teach my faith, while being a part of a supportive and loving community. Doing so at OLV means even more because I attended and graduated from OLV myself. Mrs. Kathy Jarzab Number of years at OLV: 12 Number of certificates: 3
- one in elementary education; two in special education
Why am I working at a Catholic school? I work at a Catholic school because I feel the children are our “hope of tomorrow”. I offer a warm and nurturing environment that has strong moral values to help each child grow and develop as an individual. Mr. John Kasel My position is to serve the school community of Our Lady of Victory as principal. My educational preparation includes a Master of Science in Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska, a Master of Arts in English from Middlebury College in Vermont, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from the University of Nebraska. I have also pursued extensive preparation toward a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction at Loyola University Chicago. My Illinois State Certification includes Administration, English, Speech, Theatre and Debate. I have
enjoyed twenty-four years of teaching and administrative experiences, serving in
the United States in Colorado, Illinois, and Nebraska, and also teaching
English in the
country of Japan. I ask for your daily prayers in my educational ministry at Our Lady of Victory Elementary School. Mrs. Eileen O’Neill I graduated from Northeastern in 1990 with a Bachelors Degree in Piano Pedagogy and a minor in educational psychology. I sing in the university chorus at Northeastern as an alum. My four children graduated from OLV. I have taught in the diocese for 17 years, with ten years at OLV. Teaching children of all ages gives me a unique opportunity to have an impact on many of their lives! Ms. Caroline Pratt I graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with honors in May 2006. I have a B.A. in English Literature and a minor in Secondary Education. I have a Type 09 Teaching Certificate, which certifies me to teach Language Arts to grades 6-12. I plan to begin a Masters' Program in Reading at either National-Louis University or DePaul University in fall 2008. I was born and raised in Northbrook! I decided to come to OLV because I strongly support the idea of incorporating Catholic values into every day education. My favorite books to teach are
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry and
The Giver. Mrs. Jeanne Presslak I am a graduate of Loyola University. I began teaching in 1978 and substituted for 10 of those years. OLV children are the absolute best people on earth! Mrs. Mary Beth Schaefer I attended Northeastern Illinois University and graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Social Studies. I have also completed 9 hours toward a Master’s Degree in Learning Disabilities. I began teaching at Our Lady of Victory in 1984 and remained for six years, leaving in 1990 to raise my family. I returned in 2003, which makes this my twelfth year of teaching in the school. I am also a graduate of OLV, so I feel like I have been here most of my life! I love teaching because the rewards are so great! The look on a child’s face when he/she understands or accomplishes something is priceless. The opportunity to touch so many young minds, with not only educational knowledge, but also lessons in life regarding love and respect, is one that I never take for granted. A Catholic education is so important these days, especially with the many challenges that face our society. Being in an environment that helps nurture our children and teach them the values they can use to become good Catholics makes my job one I enjoy coming to every day! Mrs. Donna Schroeder I have taught at Our Lady of Victory School for 19 years. Most of those years have been spent teaching 4th grade in both self-contained and departmentalized settings. During this time, I have also taught 5th grade. My major is in Elementary Education, with a minor in Social Science. I am certified to teach K-9. Teaching at OLV is a wonderful experience. The children, families, and teachers work well together! Mrs. Marian Waszkowski I graduated from Northeastern Illinois University. I am certified in elementary education and special education, with an emphasis on Learning Disabilities.
I have been at OLV for over 18 years. OLV is a great place to work because
of the teaching staff who support each other in every way and believe children are their top priority. Holly Zimmerman I began my teaching career at Our Lady of Victory School after graduating from Loyola University with honors. During the past thirteen years, I have taught summer school, second grade, third grade, and currently teach kindergarten. I am constantly amazed at how much the children learn on a daily basis and feel privileged to be a part of their life. My constant enthusiasm and hands on activities make every lesson exciting. I encourage parents to help in the room to see first hand the progress that the children make. I feel blessed to be part of Our Lady of Victory School. | 
