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OLV Faculty & Staff for 2008-2009

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We are the Keepers of the Flame

Mrs. Annette Baase
Administrative Assistant & Development Director
abaase@sbcglobal.net

Mrs. Susan Banas
Third Grade
sbanas_olv@yahoo.com

Mr. Daniel Behrendt
Maintenance

Mrs. Mickey Bligh
Librarian / Learning Resource Center

Mrs. Deborah Compall
Seventh Grade - Homeroom / Math / Science / Religion
dcompall_olv@yahoo.com

Mrs. Donna Contreras
Teacher Aide for Kindergarten & Art / School Coordinator of Religious Activities
dcontrerasolv@hotmail.com

Mr. Mark Contreras
Maintenance

Ms. Mary Feeney
Jr. High Social Studies / Physical Education
mary_feeney@sbcglobal.net

Mrs. Joanne Hayes
Fifth Grade
hayes_olv@yahoo.com

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

Mr. John Kasel
Principal
jkasel@archchicago.org

Mrs. Mary Kelly
Teacher Aide for Pre-Kindergarten

Mrs. Linda Mendoza
Teacher Aide for Pre-Kindergarten

Ms. Caroline Pratt
Eighth Grade - Homeroom / Language Arts / Literature / Art
cprattOLV@hotmail.com

Mrs. Jeanne Presslak
First Grade
jpresslak_olv@yahoo.com

Mrs. Mary Beth Schaefer
Second Grade
schaefer_olv@yahoo.com

Mrs. Donna Schroeder
Fourth Grade
dschroederolv@hotmail.com

Mrs. Marian Waszkowski
Sixth Grade
mlm.7.19@gmail.com

Mrs. Robin Webb
Attendance Secretary & Lunch Supervisor

Ms. Holly Zimmerman
Kindergarten
mszimmerman_olv@yahoo.com

OLV Faculty & Administration 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 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.

Ms. Mickey Bligh
OLV Service: 14 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

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 eighth 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 13 years. I am currently the gym teacher and the 7th 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 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.

Mrs. Kathy Jarzab

Number of years at OLV: 13

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-five 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.

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 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!

Mrs. Donna Schroeder

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!

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 19 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 fourteen 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.