Administrative Assistant
Jan Bolden has been a member of the SJA parish for over 20 years. She graduated with her BA from University of Michigan and attended graduate school at University of California, Santa Barbara. After a 19 year career in the financial services industry, she left to take care of her family. She later became a substitute teacher for the Archdiocese of Chicago. In October 2011, she joined St. Joan of Arc as the administrative assistant.
Email: [email protected]
Early Childhood
Kendra Dillon is a graduate of North Park University, where she received her BA in Elementary Education. Kendra brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our children through her years as an early childhood teacher. During her time at Saint Joan of Arc, Kendra has taught kindergarten, preschool and junior kindergarten. She is currently a teacher in one of our four year old, junior kindergarten classrooms.
Email: [email protected]
Keeley Barr is a graduate of Butler University where she recieved her BS in Elementary Education. Ms. Barr is partners with her classroom aides and Mrs. Dillon to create a wonderful preschool program and a place where each child loves to come and learn.
Email: [email protected]
Kathy Caplice is the third member of the preschool team. Her degree is a B.S. in Education earned from John Carroll University in Ohio. She taught for 10 years at St. Teresa of Avila before taking time to raise her family. Currently she is with our preschoolers 4 days a week.
Shannon Haughey has been a member of the St. Joan of Arc community since she was a child. She has a B.S. from Marquette University and has six children who have attended SJA. Mrs. Haughey currently works with the early childhood team as a classroom aide.
Elementary
Mariellen Hendricks is our kindergarten teacher. She earned a dual certification in Elementary and Special Education from John Carroll University. Prior to joining the SJA faculty, Mrs. Hendricks taught at St. Paul of the Cross School in Park Ridge before taking time off to raise her children. She has been a member of the St. Joan of Arc parish for over 30 years and is grateful for the supportive community and strong academic foundation that St. Joan of Arc provides for its students.
Email: [email protected]
Leah Mirabella is our first grade teacher. She earned a BA in Communication and Culture at Indiana University and a Masters in Elementary Education at Loyola University. She joined SJA in 2014 as a second grade teacher after spending the previous four years in K-2 classrooms at The Joseph Sears School in Kenilworth.
Email: [email protected]
Emily Peters is the NEW 2nd grade teacher. She recently graduated from Miami University with a BS in Early Childhood Education. Emily is originally from New Jersey, and has been living in Chicago for a little over a year. During her field experience, she taught 1st grade in Cook County, Illinois at Belding Elementary. She is so excited to meet her students and be a part of the SJA community!
Email: [email protected]
Gary Ruske is the SJA School 3rd graders’ teacher. He holds a BA degree in education from National Louis University and has taught third grade as a lead teacher, long-term sub and a paraprofessional. It is his grade of choice. Mr. Ruske also enjoys coaching basketball and baseball. His volunteer work includes sitting on the board of Wilmette Community Nursery School and St. Francis Xavier Athletic Committee.
Email: [email protected]
Kirsten Biehl is another 4th grade teacher. She is a graduate of Indiana University with her BS in Elementary Education and a concentration in math. Kirsten began her teaching career as a long term substitute for Parkway School District in St. Louis, MO. Kirsten was previously the 2nd grade teacher at St. Francis Xavier in Wilmette. Kirsten is excited to join SJA as one of the new 4th grade teachers.
Email: kbiehl@sjasaints.org
Kevin Jost is one of the NEW 5th grade teachers. He is a graduate of National-Louis University, where he received his BA in Elementary Education. Kevin has previously taught second grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade in three different districts. Most recently, Kevin taught second grade math in Arlington Heights District 25. Kevin has also spent the last 18 years coaching gymnastics, wrestling, football, and soccer for a number of different organizations. He is excited to continue his career at SJA.
Email: [email protected]
Gabrielle Lisinski is one of the NEW 5th grade teachers. Ms. Lisinski recently graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelors of Science in Education. She grew up in the area and went to Loyola Academy for high school. She is a huge Cubs and Blackhawks fan and enjoys reading, especially mystery books! She is very excited to get back into Catholic education and look forward to meeting and working with everyone.
Email: [email protected]
Middle School
Angie Buis is the assistant principal and teaches science to our middle school students. She is also our 8th grade homeroom and religion teacher. Mrs. Buis is a graduate of Western Illinois University and Olivet Nazarene University with her master’s in Curriculum and Instruction. Mrs. Buis joined the SJA faculty in 2005 after teaching in Catholic grade schools in both Illinois and Missouri. Some of the awards Mrs. Buis has earned include the All-American Scholar Collegiate Award and the National College Education Award. Mrs. Buis is the head coach of the Science Olympiad team. She is also a certified catechist.
Email: [email protected]
Emily Ineson is the NEW middle school math teacher and is so excited for this school year. Miss Ineson recently graduated from Miami University of Ohio with a Bachelors degree in Middle Childhood Education. She is new to the Chicago area; her hometown is Huron, Ohio, located on the beautiful shores of Lake Erie. In Miss Ineson’s free time, she enjoys reading, playing tennis, all things Broadway, and spending time with family and friends. She hopes to combine her passions for math and learning to create an exciting and engaging year in math class!
Email: [email protected]
Diane McKee is one of the members of our middle school team. Ms. McKee teaches Language Arts to grades 6 through 8, an integrated Lang. Arts/Soc. Studies program to our 7th and 8th graders and religion and homeroom to our 7th graders. Ms. McKee joins us with many years of experience in MI teaching LA, acting as chair of the LA dept. and serving on a variety of committees. She holds a BA degree from Western IL and master’s credits from Oakland Univ. and SIU. Among many professional associations, Ms. McKee is a member of the Oakland County Writing Project.
Email: [email protected]
Meredith Martelli is the NEW junior high social studies and English teacher. Ms. Martelli hopes to share her love of reading, writing, and languages with her students. After attending undergraduate school, she earned a Master of Arts in Teaching degree then spent two years teaching English in France. While in Normandy, she perfected her French and was able to explore all corners of the beautiful country. When she is not lesson planning or grading, Ms. Martelli enjoys reading historical fiction, cooking, biking, swimming, and spending time with her family. This year she hopes to instill in her students a love for reading and also to help her middle schoolers explore different genres to find one they truly enjoy best.
Email: [email protected]
Specials
Katie Flowers is the NEW Learning Behavior Specialist. Mrs. Flowers graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science and a Master of Arts in Teaching, with endorsements in special education and English language learning, from National-Louis University in Skokie. She began her teaching career at Aspira Haugan Middle School in Chicago, has substitute taught in both public schools and for the Archdiocese at all grade levels, and has enjoyed serving at St. Catherine Laboure as a catechist in the religious education program.
Email: [email protected]
Shantil Clesen is the NEW Social Worker. She is a graduate of Western Illinois University where she received her undergraduate degree. She is also a graduate of Jane Addams College of Social Work where she received her Masters Degree in Social Work. She is a licensed clinical social worker and has 26 years of clinical experience. She has worked in a variety of settings and with a variety of populations including geriatrics, families, and children. Shantil enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs when not working. Shantil is a Eucharistic Minister at St. Joan of Arc Parish.
Email: [email protected]
Julie Jarosz is the NEW music teacher. Ms. Jarosz graduated from North Central College with a Bachelors in Choral and Instrumental Music Education. She also received her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from North Park University. Before coming to SJA, she was the music teacher at St. Tarcissus School in Chicago. Ms. Jarosz is also a private voice, piano, and flute instructor in her spare time. She has starred in many performances throughout her career and is currently working on an opera.
Email: [email protected]
Eleanor Reiff is the SJA art teacher. Her presence has brought out the artist in students here for eight years. Her degrees include a BA in Studio Arts and a M.Ed. from UIC. She made the move from classroom teacher to art teacher when she joined the SJA team. Her prior work includes integrating art into curriculum areas.
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Carl Zumbahlen is the physical education teacher and athletic director. Carl has over ten years of teaching and coaching experience at a variety of levels. He has a Bachelor’s of Science in Physical Education from Eastern Illinois University and a Masters of Management in Sports Administration from Robert Morris University. He has also worked in athletics at Depaul College Prep, where he most recently coached the Freshman boy’s basketball team.
Email: [email protected]
