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Meet the Staff
Rev. Aaron Laskiewicz
Pastor
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: LaskiewiczA (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)"You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek" (Psalm 110:4). This was the psalm that was sung at my ordination and it is a piece of Scripture that I hold very dear. I am blessed to have been raised in a Catholic family. Ever since childhood, attending Mass, being prayerful, and doing what God asks was always very important. I was also blessed to have so many good examples in my life of how to live our baptismal call to holiness. This was really meaningful to me as I discovered my desire to become a priest. In fact, I wanted to become a priest ever since first grade. Since then, it has been all I have ever known.
My family and friends have been supportive along with my home parish, St. John Paul II, on Milwaukee's south side. One of the most influential figures in bolstering my faith, is my home parish pastor, Fr. Mike Ignaszak, who has been and still is, a great friend and mentor. Over the years of my formation, I have learned a lot about myself, and God, but one of the best things has been realizing more and more how active God is in my daily life.
I grew up on Milwaukee's south side, the only child of Roy and Barb. Many of my mom's family members live in the area; so, I was always surrounded by aunts, uncles, and cousins. I attended St. Helen's grade school, graduating from Holy Wisdom Academy, which is now St. John Paul II Parish School. From there, I attended St. Thomas More High School, graduating in 2008. Following high school, I studied Philosophy at UW-Milwaukee for five years earning a Bachelors Degree in 2013. In fall of that year, I began my seminary studies at St. Francis de Sales Seminary and was ordained a priest on May 19, 2018.
A few of the joys in my life are being with family and friends, and sharing a meal. Some of my fondest memories are just being together with important people in my life, and sharing and laughing about different things. It is true that I am a devout Packer fan. So, if the Packers are playing at noon, and I have the 11:00 am Mass, I can promise you a short homily!
I love my job! I love being a priest! Two of my favorite aspects of priesthood are celebrating the sacraments, and spending time in the school with the children. The sacraments allow a priest to enter into people's lives at critical moments both joyous and challenging. That is a privilege for which I am very grateful. I have come to love teaching in the classrooms because there is such great opportunity to impart the faith and also promote vocations. Our children are the future of our Church, and to play a role in their formation is a great joy.
Being appointed Pastor of St. Mary Parish is a tremendous blessing. Our parish has an over 180-year history beginning with the Irish immigrants who settled here. Fr. Patrick O'Kelley was the Milwaukee area's first resident priest and the first pastor of St. Mary Parish. There have been many good and holy priests who have followed in his footsteps and I am very grateful to be one of them.
I am excited for the years ahead as together we continue to build the Kingdom of God, serve one another, and grow in holiness.
Mrs. Linda Joyner
Principal
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: JoynerL (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)I am thrilled to be a part of the amazing faculty and staff at St. Mary, serving as principal. It is both a privilege and a challenge to follow in the footsteps of someone as remarkable as Dr. Mark Joerres, a recipient of the Vatican II Award and a truly exceptional individual. Despite the somewhat daunting task of filling such large shoes, I am eager to carry forward Mark's incredible work and to continue advancing the mission of our parish and school based on the strong foundation he established.
I am looking forward to the months ahead when we can get to know one another, but in the meantime here is a little bit about me. I was born and raised on a farm in southern Iowa. I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa and my masters degree at Marquette. My husband Jeff and I moved to Wisconsin (he is from Racine) shortly after we were married. We live in Sussex and have two daughters. Our oldest, Meghan, lives in Jacksonville, Florida and our youngest, Danica, is heading off to Purdue this fall to study engineering. When I am not working, I enjoy reading, cooking, gardening, taking long walks with our dog, and spending time with family.
Mrs. Holly Latus
Administrative Assistant
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: LatusH (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)
Mrs. Mickie Mroczenski
Administrative Assistant
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: MroczenskiM (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)I am thrilled to continue my role as Administrative Assistant at St. Mary Parish School. I have been a parishioner for over 30 years and all 3 of my children have attended St. Mary School. I take pride in being part of a hard working, dedicated staff and having the pleasure to meet so many wonderful families and their children over the last 30+ years.
I am a graduate of the University Of Wisconsin LaCrosse with a BS degree in Recreation and a minor in Psychology.
Family and friends are extremely important to me. I value the time spent with my husband and 3 adult daughters, my son-in-law and 2 grandchildren. In addition I enjoy time spent up north, traveling, exercising, shopping and reading.
Mrs. Kim Jones
Administrative Secretary
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: JonesK (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)I am excited to be part of the St. Mary Parish School Staff as the school's Administrative Secretary. I have been an avid volunteer for over 14 years and have been a parishioner for over 25 years. Both my daughters have attended St. Mary Parish School.
I have volunteered on many committees as a board member: Endowment, Home and School, Principal Advisory, Parish School Board. I have volunteered as a Girl Scout Leader, aid in the classroom, room mom, playground and lunch room duty, as well as office helper. I enjoyed every minute, being able to be with the girls and work with some amazing families and staff.
My husband, Jeff, and I have two children: Jenna and Julia. I enjoy being part of my daughter's new adventures and spending time with family and friends.
Mrs. Kristen Doyle
Office Assistant and Health Room Supervisor
E-Mail @stmaryhcorg: DoyleK (place the bolded text before @stmaryhcorg to create a valid address)
Mrs. Sonya Dudor
K3 Teacher
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: DudorS (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)Greetings, St. Mary Parish families and new families! My name is Sonya Dudor, and I am very excited to be teaching my third year in 3K. I have been a part of this amazing parish and school family for a long time as a parent, volunteer, coach, and substitute teacher in 3K/4K. I am blessed to be a part of this incredible staff that creates a strong sense of community.
I attended UW-La Crosse and continued my Early Childhood Education at Nicolet College. I met my husband Brian and decided to be a stay-at-home mom to my four children. I returned to substitute teaching when my older children, Kayla, Samuel, and Ethan, attended St. Mary Parish School. My youngest son, Liam, is in 4th grade at St. Mary.
In my free time, I love taking adventurous trips with my husband, and 4 children. I also enjoy reading, kayaking, volleyball, listening to live music (my husband plays the saxophone in a 70s band), and traveling to Woodruff-Minocqua, my hometown.
It is a blessing for me to be a part of your child's early education. I will inspire the love of learning in our littlest learners while growing their independence, social awareness, and understanding of our Catholic values.
Mrs. Jessica Stossmeister
K3 Teacher Assistant
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: StossmeisterJ (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)
Mrs. Karen Parkinson
K4 Teacher
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: ParkinsonK (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)My name is Karen Parkinson and I am still excited to be part of such a great St. Mary staff after 9 years here. Prior to teaching at St. Mary I had been a stay-at-home mom to my two sons, Brody and Luke. My two sons attended St. Mary Parish School, both of whom now attend Whitnall High School. I was an early childhood teacher in the Milwaukee Public Schools district for 7 years. I taught all day 4K and first grade. I graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor's degree in early childhood education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
I look forward to working with you and my phenomenal teaching assistant, Mrs. Katie Damon. The joys of being an Early Elementary Catholic teacher are endless. In my 4K classroom, I will nurture each child's love of hands-on, play-based learning, inspire a love for Jesus through Religion, Literature, Art, and prayer, and support children as they grow at their own pace, all while providing a safe and positive environment. I truly cannot wait to meet all the wonderful children and parents that make St. Mary Parish School so special.
When I am not watching my sons play volleyball, basketball or baseball, I enjoy playing sports with my husband, reading, enjoying the outdoors and DIY projects around the house. My husband Craig and I feel blessed and thankful for the time we spend at St. Mary Parish School and Church!
Mrs. Jen Taken
K4 Teacher
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: TakenJ (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)Greetings, my name is Jen Taken and I am thrilled to be part of the St. Mary Parish School staff as one of the 4K Teachers! My three children, Miles (5th Grade), Nico (3rd Grade) and Marely (1st Grade) have just completed their second year at St. Mary, and we have had such a wonderful experience. The staff and community are outstanding.
I graduated from Winona State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. I taught for ten years, both K5 and 1st Grade, before becoming a stay-at-home mom. This past year I was the 4K assistant for Mrs. Parkinson! I have a passion for early childhood education and love helping young learners grow through play, exploration, and creativity. I focus on creating a nurturing, engaging classroom where every child feels safe, valued, and excited to learn. My goal is to support each childs social, emotional and academic development while building a lifelong love for learning.
When I am not in the classroom, I love spending time with my husband and three kiddos. We love watching movies, going to sporting events and playing with our yellow lab Chip and kitten Gnocchi!
I am so grateful to be part of the St. Mary staff and look forward to a spectacular year.
Mrs. Ann Gennrich
K4 Teacher Assistant
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: GennrichA (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)Hello, my name is Ann Gennrich and I am beyond excited to be part of the St. Mary Parish School staff as a 4K Teacher Assistant. I look forward to exploring, imaginary play, crafting, and creating with your child this school year.
My daughter has attended St. Mary School since 4K and will be in 4th Grade this year. I have been very involved at St. Mary for the last five years. I have volunteered by helping in the lunchroom, the school office, and my favorite has been substitute teaching for all grades. My background is twenty-plus years in retail management ranging from small mall-type stores to a large department store. I also have a technical diploma in Phlebotomy.
My free time is almost always spent with my family which consists of my husband (Garret), our daughter (Adelyn), and our very fuzzy cat (Cleo). Our favorite activity together is spending time at our Up North getaway in Wisconsin Dells which includes lots of hiking, boat time on the river, and pool time on hot days. Adelyn certainly keeps us busy as well with her volleyball, swimming, and many other activities. I also enjoy reading, shopping, decorating, and being outside doing just about anything.
St. Mary Parish School is such a wonderful environment and a true blessing to be part of!
Mrs. Jessica Gutierrez
K4 Teacher Assistant
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: GutierrezJ (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)Hello, my name is Jessica Gutierrez and I am a K4 assistant. Originally, I became a volunteer in K4 when my children (Kadence and Harper) started school. I was then given the opportunity to be a K3 teacher assistant (2022-2023). The following year, I transferred to be a K4 teacher assistant and fell in love with the position. Working with 4- and 5-year-olds are a blessing. I enjoy helping them learn school rules, numbers, letters, and spelling their names. The smiles on their faces make every second worth it.
I earned an Associate of Arts and Science degree from UW-Waukesha before deciding to become a stay-at-home mom. In my free time, I enjoy reading, playing board/card games with my family, doing puzzles, and watching Wisconsin sports (GO BREWERS). I am a huge Disney fan and collect Disney memorabilia. My husband and children support my love of Disney and we have enjoyed vacations there a couple of times. During the summer, we annually go to Wautoma, Wisconsin and enjoy Silvercryst Supper Club and Resort with all of my moms side of the family!
I look forward to getting to know you and your children in our amazing school!
Mrs. Karli Koralewski-Flores
K5 Teacher
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: FloresK (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)Hi, my name is Karli Koralewski-Flores. My students call me Mrs. K. I am beyond excited to begin my sixth year teaching 5-year-old kindergarten here at St. Mary Parish School. I can't wait to share my passion for teaching young kiddos through singing, dancing, and hands on learning experiences.
I am a graduate from the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay with a bachelors degree in early childhood education. Before coming to St. Mary, I spent 5 years teaching five-year-old kindergarten at St. Gregory the Great Parish School. I love teaching the beginning stages of reading to this age group.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband (Roberto), our three boys (Bentley, Beckham, & Brooks), and our extended family and friends. I also enjoy playing and coaching volleyball. I coach volleyball for Milwaukee Sting Volleyball Club as the 18 gold assistant, and I am the head coach for St. Thomas More's varsity volleyball team.
I am looking forward to many wonderful years here at St. Mary Parish School.
Mrs. Jodi Mallum
K5 Teacher
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: MallumJ (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)Hi! My name is Jodi Mallum. I am so excited to be a part of this amazing St. Mary Parish School staff!
I received my undergraduate early childhood/elementary degree at Alverno College. I also studied for my Masters in Reading and Learning Disabilities at Cardinal Stritch University. Not only am I excited to be a part of this St. Mary staff, but I will also be teaching alongside an excellent K5 teacher, my niece, Karli Koralewski-Flores!
I have three kiddos, Ellie (Arkansas State University) and Griffin (St. Thomas More High School), and Greta who also goes to St. Mary School. My husband, Greg, and I enjoy kayaking and fishing on the weekends and as a family, we enjoy swimming, playing a variety of sports, and just hanging out watching movies at home. Personally, there is nothing I love more than going for a nice long run and reading a good book at home on the couch!
I look forward to getting to know all the students and families here at St. Mary Parish School and to share my passion for learning through discovery, music, movement, and of course, play!
Mrs. Karen Goller
K5 Teacher Assistant
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: GollerK (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)
Mrs. Kayhla Jesmok
K5 Teacher Assistant
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: JesmokK (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)
Mrs. Amy Goller
Grade 1 Teacher
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: GollerA (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)Hello! My name is Amy Goller and I am thrilled to be teaching first grade here at St. Mary. I have been a part of this fantastic faith-filled community since 2013. I was a stay-at-home-mom while my daughters attended St. Mary, but was engaged in the school as a parent volunteer and frequent substitute teacher.
In 2021, I had the honor of teaching first grade, and during this time, I realized my calling to become a full-time member of the St. Mary staff.
I received my undergraduate degree from Alverno College and my graduate degree from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. In addition to my elementary teaching experience, I have held senior positions in public relations, marketing and corporate communications. I also taught as an adjunct professor at two local universities.
My husband Chris and I enjoy spending time with our two daughters, both graduates of St. Mary and DSHA. Our daughter Grace will be a senior at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities with plans to attend law school and our daughter Lily will be a freshman at Marquette University.
Ms. Emma Jarumbo
Grade 1 Teacher
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: JarumboE (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)Hello everyone! My name is Emma Jarumbo. I am so excited to be teaching another year of first grade at St. Mary Parish School. I can't wait to be an important part of your child's education.
I graduated in 2020 from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay with my degree in Elementary Education. I spent 3 years as a building substitute for the Franklin Public School District. In those years, I gained valuable experiences in all grade levels and subjects.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, traveling, playing with my dog, Apollo, and gardening.
I look forward to having another wonderful year in first grade!
Mrs. Kayla Galaszewski
Grade 2 Teacher
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: GalaszewskiK (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)Hello everyone! My name is Kayla Galaszewski and I am thrilled to continue working at St. Mary Parish School as one of the second grade teachers. I love sharing my love of learning with my students and am happy to continue to be part of this special community.
I was born and raised on the south side of Milwaukee and attended St. Roman Parish School K5-8th grade and then went on to Pius XI High School. I truly value the Catholic education I had as it inspired me to become a teacher.
I graduated from Marquette University in 2018 with a degree in Elementary Education and English Language-Arts. I spent my first year teaching 4th grade at Catholic East Elementary. During my time at Marquette, I participated in a variety of field experiences at different schools. Some of these experiences included teaching a small guided reading group to first graders and having a reading intervention program with a mix of first graders and second graders in the Hartman Literacy Center at Marquette.
In my free time, I love to read and spend time with my husband. I look forward to an exciting year with my second graders!
Mrs. Erica Rice
Grade 2 Teacher
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: RiceE (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)My name is Erica Rice and I am so happy to be a part of the wonderful St. Mary family!
I graduated in 2006 from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I started as an assistant in New Berlin, then I taught 5K for two years at the University School of Milwaukee. For 11 years I loved being a part of the staff at St. Mary teaching first grade and 3K. I taught 4K for a year at Ben Franklin in the Franklin public district and was so excited when a 4K position opened at St. Mary so I could come back! I have loved teaching 4K. This year, I have decided to move to second grade and am looking forward to the change.
I live in Franklin with my husband, two boys (J.T. and John) and our cat (JJ). My sons are at school at St. Mary and will be entering 5th and 3rd grade this school year. I enjoy being a part of the St. Mary community! I love to cook, spend time with my family and entertain!
Mrs. Sophia Penkala
Grade 3 Teacher
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: PenkalaS (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)Hi, my name is Sophia Penkala, and I teach math, science, and social studies to 3rd grade students. This will be my twelfth year teaching, but only my second year at Saint Mary's! Our family has loved the sense of community here and knowing the students are supported, encouraged, and loved. My boys, Henry and Milo, are also at Saint Mary's, in second grade and 4K this year.
I am originally from Portland, Oregon, but have lived all around the country. I attended Pepperdine University for both my bachelors degree in Liberal Arts and my masters degree in Education. I was also a 4 year starter for a Division I volleyball team as a middle blocker! Now I enjoy watching my boys discover and learn new sports. Outside of school, I spend time with my family, love to travel, read, stay active and spend time outdoors.
Ms. Kristen Pintar
Grade 3 Teacher
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: PintarK (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)Hello! My name is Kristen Pintar and I am so thrilled to be teaching at St. Mary and to be a part of such an amazing staff and community!
I am a recent graduate from UW- La Crosse and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Early-Middle Childhood education. Throughout my clinical placements at UWL, I have worked with a variety of grades and ages ranging from Pre-K through 4th grade! My student teaching placement took place at Coulee Montessori in La Crosse in a Pre-K and Kindergarten setting! I have also worked in early childhood education since 2019.
In my free time, I love to spend time with friends and family, along with my 11 year old golden retriever, Charlie. I also love to be outdoors, read, cook, and do puzzles!
I look forward to getting to know all the children and families at St. Mary Parish School and sharing my passion for learning!
Mrs. Heidi Lee
Grade 4 Teacher
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: LeeH (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)
Ms. Jennifer Romine
Grade 4 Teacher
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: RomineJ (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)I am honored to introduce myself as the new Fourth Grade teacher at St. Mary Parish School, Ms. Jennifer Romine. I am guided by the words of Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." I believe that God has the perfect plan for each of us and has blessed me with the opportunity to be part of this wonderful faith-based learning community. With twenty years of teaching experience - most of which has been dedicated to Fourth Grade - I bring a deep passion for education and a strong commitment to nurturing the academic and spiritual growth of every student. I look forward to celebrating the love of Jesus in the classroom while exploring math, science, and social studies in engaging and meaningful ways.
I am also a proud mother of three amazing children; Noah (22), a skilled carpenter, Annika (21) who will be attending MATC this fall to study Criminal Justice while playing on the volleyball team, and Annalise (15) a sophomore at Franklin high School. As a family, we enjoy spending time together through volleyball, camping, hiking, game night, campfire chats, photography, art projects, traveling, and many special family traditions. We are proud members of the Slovak Catholic Sokol, through which we celebrate our faith, heritage, and commitment to community service.
I look ahead with hope and joy as I prepare to meet each of you and begin this journey together. I am excited to partner with you in helping every child grow into the best version of themselves - academically, emotionally, and spiritually.
May your summer be filled with joyful moments and cherished memories. I look forward to seeing you in August as we embark on a year of faith-filled learning and discovery.
Mr. Mario Gasparri
Grade 5 Teacher
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: GasparriM (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)
Mrs. Jill Klotz
Grade 5 Teacher
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: KlotzJ (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)I have a Bachelor's degree from Concordia University, Mequon and a Master's Degree from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN. I am a lifelong learner and love working with children. I am married to Edward and we have 7 children. We also have 7 grandchildren. This keeps us busy, but we are so blessed.! I enjoy reading, crossword puzzles, and traveling. My Bernedoodle, Gracie, unconditionally loves me and brings me so much joy. I'm so excited to start a new chapter at St. Mary's.
Mr. Greg Porath
Grade 6 and 7 English and Language Arts Teacher
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: PorathG (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)Hi! My name is Greg Porath. I have been teaching Middle School Language Arts for my entire career. I am excited to start at St. Mary Parish School this year.
I am from Emerado, ND. My parents were both originally from Wisconsin (Black River Falls and La Crosse). In my free time, I enjoy Fencing, weight lifting, reading, and going for walks. I'm looking forward to an exciting year.
Mr. Greg Karcher
Grade 6, 7, 8 Math Teacher
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: KarcherG (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)I earned my Bachelor's Degree, in 2015, from Carroll University. I started as a substitute teacher for Teachers on Call. I then accepted a position as an instructional aide at Edgewood Elementary in Greenfield. After two years at Edgewood, I accepted a position as a middle school teacher at St. Rafael. While there, I taught middle school mathematics, science, and social studies. I am very excited to be working with the wonderful staff, students, and parents at St. Mary.
My passion for teaching began while coaching little league baseball. I loved coaching so much I decided to return to school to earn my degree in Education. Prior to teaching I was a television engineer, but deep down I knew it wasn't my calling.
When I'm not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family, fishing, coaching, and trying to complete the never ending honey-do list.
Mr. Paul Ferguson
Grade 6, 7, 8 Social Studies Teacher
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: FergusonP (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)Hello to all members of the St. Mary community. My name is Paul Ferguson, and I will be the 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Social Studies teacher. I just recently graduated from Marquette University with degrees in history and education. I am very excited to have the opportunity to teach at this prestigious school.
I am originally from Long Island, New York, but I am thrilled to embrace Milwaukee as my new home. In my free time, I enjoy playing sports, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family.
I come from a long line of teachers and I am extremely excited to continue my family tradition at such a wonderful school!
Mrs. Rachel Johnston
Grade 7 and 8 English and Language Arts
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: JohnstonR (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)Hello, my name is Rachel Johnston, and I am very excited and honored to join the St. Marys community. I was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and I was fortunate enough to have grown up with the gift of Catholic education graduating from Pius XI High School. I have been working in education for nearly 24 years, and 16 (12 in middle school) of those years in a Catholic School. I have degrees from MATC, UWM-Milwaukee, and a Masters degree in educational leadership from Cardinal Stritch University. Although I was previously serving as an administrator for the past four years, I am elated to return to my passion-teaching literature and writing.
My other passion is supporting Catholic values through education. I believe Catholic teaching holds students to high standards that nurtures a childs potential for success. My goal is to provide students the tools to navigate critically through reading and writing. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of reading and writing in creating lifelong learners.
I currently reside in Greendale with my husband and two dogs. My interests include spending time with family, writing, nature walks, photography, improv/comedy, art, cultural anthropology, and music.
I cannot wait to meet everyone in the community. I feel blessed to be a part of St. Marys, and I am looking forward to a wonderful school year!
Ms. Jessica Jewell
Grades 6, 7, and 8 Science Teacher
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: JewellJ (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)
Miss Adeline Beck
Grades 6, 7, and 8 Theology Teacher
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: BeckA (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)Hello! My name is Addie Beck, and I am filled with joy to be joining the St. Mary family as the 6th - 8th Grade Theology teacher!
I graduated from the University of Mary in 2019 with degrees in Theology and History. After graduation, I spent three years teaching Kindergarten at a Chesterton Academy Network school in Rockford, Illinois. Most recently, I served as a youth minister for students in Grades 6 - 11. While I cherished my time in ministry, I deeply missed the classroom and felt God calling me back into the classroom as a teacher.
In my free time, I love reading, both theology and fiction, as well as writing fiction, with hopes of being published one day. I also enjoy watching TV shows and movies, going camping, and spending quality time with friends and family. I have three siblings who are 12, 14, and 19 years younger than me. I love them dearly and try to spend as much time as I can with them.
Im truly excited to grow in faith and knowledge alongside the students and families of St. Mary!
Mrs. Susan Russell
Afterschool Care Director
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: RussellS (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)I am honored to become part of the staff at St. Mary Parish School as the coordinator of the St. Mary After School Care program. I am so impressed with the climate of Catholic values and spirit of community that is part of the St. Mary school environment.
I graduated from UW-Stevens Point with a major in Early Childhood Education. After several years of teaching kindergarten I completed graduate work at Alverno where I received certification as a special education teacher for grades K5 through 8th Grade. I have spent most of my career as a middle school special education teacher for Milwaukee Public Schools. I have spent the past ten years as the supervisor and academic coordinator for an afterschool program in MPS for grades K4 to 8th Grade.
I am committed to creating a fun, safe, and inclusive learning environment for all students in the afterschool program. I believe that every child has the potential to succeed and that as educators, it's our job to help them reach their full potential.
I spend my free time enjoying a variety of activities with my family, as well as with my 7-year-old German Shepherd who is the baby of the family. Additionally, I enjoy reading, art, and gardening.
I look forward to meeting the parents and students of the St. Mary Parish School community.
Miss Michelle Russell
Afterschool Care Supervisor
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: RussellM (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)Hello, I am very blessed to become part of the wonderful St. Mary staff. The past two years I have been involved at St. Mary as a playground volunteer and room mom. I also help with St. Mary's 3rd Grade Girl Scout troop as a leader. I have attended MATC for the Early Childhood Program.
I have two wonderful children, Nikko (17) who attends Whitnall High School as a senior and Shardae (8) who attends St. Mary as a third grader. I love to read mystery books, garden and hang out with my family.
I am looking forward to an amazing year with you and your children!
Mrs. Kayleigh Wilber
Art Teacher
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: WilberK (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)Hello everyone! I'm excited to be your art teacher here at St. Mary Parish School. My name is Kayleigh Wilber. I earned my bachelors degree in Architecture with a minor in Art History at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.
Before teaching, I worked as an architectural designer at Rinka+ Architecture firm. I also designed residential homes for a local builder. These experiences helped me develop an eye for design, an understanding of spatial relationships, and a love for aesthetics. Now, I'm here to bring that perspective to our classroom.
In my spare time, I love to travel, do home remodeling projects, read, collect plants, and spend time with my family boating. I'm excited to inspire our students to explore their artistic talents and develop a lifelong appreciation for the arts. Let's embark on a colorful journey of creativity together!
Mr. David Barker
Band Teacher, Grades 4 - 8
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: BarkerD (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)My name is Mr. David Barker, and I am looking forward to another great school year as the band director at St. Mary! Prior to attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I graduated from a Catholic high school in Madison, Wisconsin. I have spent most of my career teaching in Catholic schools and served as the Director of Bands at Pius XI Catholic High School from 2017-2025.
Music is my pastime as well as my vocation. I am a member of the Waukesha Area Symphonic Band, the Milwaukee Police Band, and Swing of Pearls, a Milwaukee-based jazz band. I am also a member and music director of the Regimental Volunteer Band of Wisconsin, a Civil War band that performs at re-enactments and living history events commemorating the war. I derive the most satisfaction as a teacher from watching students grow as people and musicians. I'm really excited about continuing to build up the band program at St. Mary School and making great music in the process.
Ms. Claudia Diaz
Foreign Language Spanish Teacher
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: DiazC (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)
Mrs. Carolyn Jarecki
Guidance Coach
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: JareckiC (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)Hello, I'm Carolyn Jarecki, a professionally trained life coach with a Master's Degree in Counseling from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio.
I am so inspired to help the students of St. Mary's! Using goal setting, action planning, and accountability, students build a resilience toolbox to help them their entire lives.
During the pandemic shutdown, I wrote a book to teach parents to coach their own children. It is a fun 3-week program getting 5-star reviews and helping families grow closer. It's called Your Best Kid in 21 Days and is available on Amazon and Kindle.
St. Mary's is a special place; all 3 of my sons attended St. Mary's and I believe it was just the start they needed to help them succeed. My passions outside of school are exercise, reading, and cooking. My husband and I love spending time with family, trips to watch our son play college baseball, and long walks with our dog.
Mrs. Julie Vanderhoef
Librarian, PLTW, and K4 - Grade 5 Technology Teacher
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: VanderhoefJ (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)Hello, my name is Julie Vanderhoef. I have a bachelor's degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from UW-LaCrosse, additional Middle School and Science Certifications from UW-Milwaukee, and a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University.
My husband Joe and I have two children, both of whom attended St. Mary Parish School from 4K through 8th grade. Now that they are in high school and college, we are seeing firsthand how well the St. Mary staff prepared them for this next set of experiences and challenges in their lives. In addition to spending time with family and friends, I enjoy cooking, reading, and traveling.
I absolutely love the students, families, and staff I work with here at St. Mary. There is no place I'd rather be!
Mrs. Heather Groehler
Music Teacher
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: GroehlerH (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)Hello, my name is Heather Schultz and I am the 3K-8th grade general music teacher. I am excited to begin my ninth year at St. Mary Parish School. I am a graduate of Viterbo University with a degree in Music Performance, Piano Pedagogy and a Church Music Minor. Later on I went back to school to receive my teaching license in general music. I am also a member of the Chant Claire Chamber Choir.
Prior to teaching at St. Mary, I spent two years in urban education. Catholic education has always been an important part of my life and so I am thrilled to continue my teaching career at a strongly faith-based school. This year I am excited to have all three of my sons, Joseph, Benny and Daniel attend St. Mary Parish School.
In my free time I enjoy learning to play new instruments, hiking, traveling, reading and spending time with family and friends.
Mr. Brandon Kunz
Physical Education Teacher
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: KunzB (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)Hello! My name is Brandon Kunz, and I am thrilled to join the St. Mary community as the new physical education teacher. I recently graduated from Carroll University with a degree in Physical and Health Education, and I'm excited to bring my passion for teaching, movement, and healthy living into the classroom.
I completed my student teaching at Ronald Reagan Elementary School in New Berlin, where I had the opportunity to work with students from kindergarten through sixth grade. That experience helped me discover creative ways to make physical education both fun and engaging, and I'm eager to bring that energy into our physical education classes here at St. Mary.
Outside of school, I enjoy playing sports like baseball, basketball, and golf, and I value quality time spent with family and friends.
I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this school community and can't wait to meet all of the students and families!
Mrs. Crissy Matthews
Reading Interventionist
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: MatthewsC (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)Hello! My name is Crissy Matthews and I'm excited to return to St. Mary Parish School as the reading interventionist. My husband and I, along with our now young adult children, have been parishioners here for about 25 years. I taught lifelong faith formation classes here when my children were younger. I graduated from UW-Oshkosh with an elementary education degree and then decided a few years later to be a stay-at-home mom. I was a special education paraprofessional for ten years. I recently went back to school at UW-Stevens Point to earn my reading interventionist certification.
In our free time we love spending time with friends and family. We enjoy playing games, indoor or outdoor, being on the water, or just watching a good movie. I also enjoy sitting quietly and getting lost in a good book.
I'm looking forward to a wonderful year!!
Mrs. Stephanie Lewis
Special Needs Scholarship Program Coordinator
E-Mail @stmaryhc.org: LewisS (place the bolded text before @stmaryhc.org to create a valid address)