OLV Faculty & Staff for 2009-2010

We are the Keepers of the Flame

Mr. Julius Aldana - Computer Technology Consultant

Mrs. Annette Baase - Director of Institutional Advancement            annetteolv@ameritech.net

Mrs. Sue Banas - Grade 3               sbanas_olv@yahoo.com

I have enjoyed teaching various grades at Our Lady of Victory School for the past 17 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.

Mrs. Celia Bennett - Grades 7 & 8 - English & Literature and Pre-K thru 8 Art & Music

     Graduate of St. Christopher Grade School in Midlothian, Illinois

Ms. Mickey Bligh - Library Teacher / Special Needs Teacher

I have been a teacher at OLV for fourteen years, working in various roles since 1996.  I am currently the Library Teacher for Grades K-6 and also provide tutoring for our special needs students during non-library periods.  I am a University of Illinois (UIUC) graduate with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology / Psychology and a Master's Degree in Elementary Education.  Prior to joining OLV, I had a very rewarding career with Sears in their Information Technology Department, including related retail business areas.  I truly enjoy working with the students and the teachers at OLV!

     Graduate of Southern Elementary School in Pennsylvania

Mr. Eric Budzynski - OLV School Mass Music & Choir Director 

I am very busy working as a choir director and accompanist throughout the Chicago area.  I have taught at OLV since January 2009 and I have taught in various capacities since 2001.  I also serve as the organist of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, the director of three children’s choirs including the Chicago Boy Choir, and I am a staff accompanist for Chicago Children’s Choir.  I hold the M Mus. in Church Music and Organ degree with honors from Northwestern University and the BA cum laude in Organ Performance from Duquesne University.

Mrs. Deborah Compall - Grades 7 & 8 Mathematics, Religion & Social Studies               dcompall_olv@yahoo.com

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.

Mr. Mark Contreras - Maintenance

Mrs. Peggy Dietrich - Pre-K thru 8 Spanish Teacher & Athletic Director               dietricholv@gmail.com

This is my second year teaching Spanish to students in Pre-K through Eighth Grade.  I am also the Athletic Director for OLV.  I have taught 6th Grade Science and I have coached girls basketball, as well as girls and boys volleyball, at the high school level.  This is my second year helping to coach the girls 6th Grade basketball team.  I received my Bachelor's Degree in Broadcast Journalism at the University of Tulsa, a Division I School where I was also on a full scholarship for basketball.  I received my teaching degree from Trinity International University in Deerfield.  I received my Master's Degree in Administration with an Illinois Type 75 certificate from National-Louis University.  Being allowed to practice and teach my faith in a caring and supportive community is one of the many reasons I love teaching here at OLV.

     Graduate of Our Lady of Victory School in Chicago

Ms. Mary Feeney - Grades 7 & 8 Social Studies and Pre-K thru 8 Physical Education               maryfeeney@sbcglobal.net

My educational preparation includes a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University, an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Loyola University and an M.Ed. in Administration and Leadership from Concordia University.  I have been teaching at OLV for 14 years.  I am currently the gym teacher and the 7th & 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.

     Graduate of Our Lady of Victory School in Chicago

Mrs. Joanne Hayes - Grade 5                hayes_olv@yahoo.com

I am a fifth grade teacher at OLV.  I have been teaching since 1981 and this is my sixteenth 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.

     Graduate of Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Elementary School in Chicago

Mrs. Kathy Jarzab - Pre-Kindergarten                jarzab_olv@yahoo.com

I grew up in Chicago and attended Catholic Schools my entire life.  My schooling includes Maternity BVM Elementary School, Alvernia High School and DePaul University.  I have three teaching certificates: one in Elemementary Education and two in Special Education. In addition, I also have a Masters of Science in Elementary Education. I  have worked at OLV for 13 years in the preschool program.  The strong community commitment makes OLV a great place for everyone! 

     Graduate of Garfield Elementary School in Chicago

Mrs. Louise Johnson - Teacher Aide for Kindergarten and Special Education Consultant

I grew up in Maywood, Illinois.  I received my Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana and my Master’s degree in Special Education from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  I have taught a variety of special education students in a variety of settings for over 28 years.  I retired from the Chicago Pubic School in 2007 and began teaching at Our Lady of Victory in 2008.  I feel very fortunate to be teaching at OLV.  The students are wonderful to work with and the staff is very supportive of the Special Education program.

     Graduate of St. Bernard Grade School in Nebraska

Mr. John Kasel - Principal & I.T. Co-ordinator                jkasel@archchicago.org

My position is to serve the school community of Our Lady of Victory as the 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 over twenty-five years of teaching and administrative experience, working in Colorado, Illinois, Nebraska and Japan.  I ask for your daily prayers in my educational ministry at Our Lady of Victory Elementary School.

Mrs. Mary Kelly - Teacher Aide for Pre-Kindergarten

     Graduate of Benito Juarez Grade School in Mexico

Mr. Enrique Martinez - Maintenance

Mrs. Linda Mendoza - Teacher Aide for Pre-Kindergarten

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! 

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 is my thirteenth 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!

I have taught at Our Lady of Victory School for 20 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!

Ms. Beth Voitik - Pre-Kindergarten

I am brand new at OLV and am teaching three days a week in the Pre-K.  I have been teaching for two years, both as an aide and as a long-term substitute teacher for first grade, kindergarten and sixth grade.  I have attended Catholic schools from pre-school to college at the University of Dayton.  On my time off, I teach children's theatre classes and I like to travel when possible! 

I began my teaching career at Our Lady of Victory School after graduating from Loyola University with honors.  During the past fourteen years, I have taught summer school, second grade, third grade, and currently I 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.