Sahs Staff

Superintendent - Dr. Christina Leahy

Educational Background:

B.S. Northern Illinois University - Chemistry Major with Education endorsement, Biology Minor

M.Ed. National Louis University - Curriculum and Instruction

C.A.S. Illinois State University - Educational Administration

Ph.D. Illinois State University - Educational Administration, Chief School Business and Superintendent endorsements

Professional Organizations:

Illinois Association of School Administrators

Illinois Association of School Business Officials

Illinois Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

Illinois Association of School Boards

Initial Year at Sahs:

2012

Principal - Jennifer Toschi

Educational Background:

B.A. in Education - Northern Illinois University

Master in Curriculum and Instruction - National Louis University

Master in Educational Leadership and Type 75 Certification - Roosevelt University

Professional Organizations:

Illinois Principal's Association

Initial Year at Sahs:

1994

Student Services Coordinator - Assistant Superintendent - Erin Hackett

Educational Background:

BA in Special Education - Illinois State University

Master in Educational Administration and Type 75 Certification - Governors State University

Professional Organizations:

IAASE - Illinois Alliance of Administration of Special Education

NLC - Illinois Vision Leadership Council

Initial Year at Sahs:

2015

Office Staff - Maryanne Murdaugh

Initial Year at Sahs:

1979

Office Staff - Carol Smith

Initial Year at Sahs:

1997

IT/Data Support - Giuseppe Tifoideo

Educational Background:

Associates of Applied Science in Network System Administration - DeVry University 2011

Bachelors of Science in Network Communication Management - DeVry University 2013

Initial Year at Sahs:

2014

Additional Information:

I love to spend time with my wife and our 3 kids, Alessandro, Amelia, and Matthias

Preschool - Renee Frixen

Educational Background:

Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education - Concordia University Chicago

Initial Year at Sahs:

2017

Additional Information:

I enjoy spending time with my husband and children, Kylie, Ella, Gavin, and Lucas. I also love to bake and craft.

Kindergarten - Kimberly Grachan

Educational Background:

Associate in Arts (Education) - Morton College

Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education - Illinois State University

Master's Degree Curriculum and Instruction - Concordia University Chicago

ESL Endorsement - Concordia University Chicago

Initial Year at Sahs:

1993

Kindergarten - Astrid Garcia

Educational Background:

Associates in Arts - Harold Washington College

Bachelors Degree in Sociology - UIC

Substitute Certificate

Initial Year at Sahs:

2012

Additional Information:

I love spending my weekends catching up with my family and friends. I also enjoy trying out new foods and exploring new surrounding with my husband and daughter

First Grade - Amy Hervieux

Educational Background:

B.A. in Elementary Education - Elmhurst College

ESL certification from National Luois University

Initial Year at Sahs:

2001

Additional Information:

3 Children: Christopher, Mallory, and Avery

First Grade Bilingual - Nancy Avila

Educational Background:

Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education - University of Illinoisat Chicago

ESL and Bilingual Endorsements

Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction - Concordia University

Initial Year at Sahs:

2015

First Grade - Lisa Zelinski-Olsen

Educational Background:

Associates Degree - Moraine Valley Community College

Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education - Governors State University

Masters Degree to be a Reading Specialist - Governors State University

Professional Organizations:

Member of the Alpha Upsilon Alpha Honor society of the International Reading Association

Initial Year at Sahs:

1999

Additional Information:

Began my teaching career as a Kindergarten teacher for the Archdiocese of Chicago for two years prior to working as Sahs. I absolutely love my job as a Kindergarten teacher. I enjoy bringing new ideas, and fun ways of learning into the classroom. I have a musical flair, so I try to extend my love for music to all my students in order to enhance learning. I was once told that I have found my calling, and I truly believe I did!

Second Grade Bilingual - Maricela Maldonado

Educational Background:

Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education - Northeastern IL University

Master's Degree in Bilingual Education - Northeastern IL University

Initial Year at Sahs:

2018

Additional Information:

I enjoy spending time with my family and love to travel

Third Grade - Jolie Avant

Educational Background:

Associate in Foreign Language - La Salle University - Bogota, Colombia

Associates in Arts (Education) - Prairie State College - Chicago Heights, IL

Bachelor's Degree Bachelor of Arts - Governors State University

Professional Organizations:

Member of Phi Theta Kappa

Initial Year at Sahs:

2016

Additional Information:

I enjoy teaching and spending time with my husband and my 2 years old Tzeitel. I love travelling abroad and doing outdoor activities

Forth Grade - Jodi Sheehy

Educational Background:

B.A. in Sociology - Northern Illinois University

M.A. in Education - St. Xavier University

ESL Endorsement from National Louis University in 2015

Initial Year at Sahs:

2002

Additional Information:

I enjoy spending time with my husband and daughters Allison and Samantha as well as watching and participating in sports.

Forth Grade Bilingual teacher - Fabian Rojas

Educational Background:

Professional Organizations:

Initial Year at Sahs:

2019

Additional Information:

Fifth Grade - Mary Johnson

Educational Background:

B.S. in Education - St. Xavier University

M.A. in Curriculum Instruction - Olivet Nazarene University

Currently enrolled through National Program in ESL Endorsement

Initial Year at Sahs:

2002

Additional Information:

Student Council coordinator. Besides teaching, I enjoy spending time with my husband Bill and my two daughters Abby and Madeline, watching and attending White Sox games, and playing with my two Golden Retrievers Abe and Tess.

At Sahs, I help coordinate the Walk and Jog Club as well as the Student Council.

Fifth Grade Bilingual / Six Grade L.A. teacher - Ophelia Peroutka

Educational Background:

Undergraduate at U of I Chicago Circle Campus

Masters in Bilingual Education from Chicago State University

Type 75 administration

Professional Organizations:

Bilingual Advisory Committee

Social Committee

Initial Year at Sahs:

2018

Additional Information:

I love to teach and help others. I enjoy keeping active by biking, swimming and mostly golfing

Intermediate Resource Teacher - Jamie McClain

Educational Background:

B.S. in Elementary Education - Governors State University

M.A. in Special Education - Chicago State University

M.A. in Reading (Reading Specialist) - Olivet Nazarene University

Initial Year at Sahs:

2007

Additional Information:

I enjoy spending time with my husband and children, Connor and Audrey. I also love to cook and scrapbook.

Cross Categorical Resource Teacher (Intermediate) - Jill Szponder

Educational Background:

B.A. in Speech and Language Pathology - St. Xavier University

M.A. in Special Education - St. Xavier University

Professional Organizations:

Council for Exceptional Children and Learning Disabilities of America

Initial Year at Sahs:

2005

Additional Information:

Married - Two children: Dan and Alyssa

Sixth Grade - Jody DePeder

Educational Background:

B.A. in Elementary Education - Northern Illinois University 1998

Masters in Reading - St. Xavier Univarsity 2003

Initial Year at Sahs:

1999

Eight Grade Language Arts and Literature & Technology co-teacher - Lisa Gibbons

Educational Background:

B.A. in Elementary Education (Language Arts Major/ Science Minor) - University of Michigan 2001

MA Degree in Reading - St. Xavier University 2005

Professional Organizations:

International Reading Association

Initial Year at Sahs:

2002

Eight Grade (Junior High Science) - Jacqueline Sobczak

Educational Background:

B.S. - DePaul University

Masters Degree in Education Administration and Type 75 Certification - St. Xavier University

Initial Year at Sahs:

2005

Additional Information:

I enjoy running marathons and spending time with my family and friends. I am also the cheerleading coach for Junior High

Junior High Math - Pamela Storti

Educational Background:

B.A. in Elementary Education - Illinois Wesleyan University

Endorsement in Mathematics

Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction Mathematics

Initial Year at Sahs:

1996

Additional Information:

Eagle Hour Teacher. Besides teaching, I enjoy spending time with my 4 boys. Extra Jobs: Springfield and Washington D.C. Trip Coordinator, Yearbook Coordinator

Volleyball Sponsor to Extrajobs

Junior High Resource - Christine Wendt

Educational Background:

BA Education

MA Educational Leadership

Initial Year at Sahs:

2011

Reading/Math Interventionist - LeeAnn Mazuroski

Educational Background:

B.A. in elementary Education - Illinois Benedectine College

M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction - Concordia University

Endorsement in ESL - English as a Secong Language - Concordia University

Initial Year at Sahs:

1984 - 1990

2002 - Present

Additional Information:

Besides teaching, I enjoy spending time with my husband and my girls named Katelyn and Megan.

Music/Band - Irene Trimberger

Educational Background:

B.M.Ed. - Millikin University

Master in Ed. Admin. - Northern Illinois University

Professional Organizations:

I.M.E.A. - Illinois Music Educators Association

Initial Year at Sahs:

2016

Physical Education - Cynthia Dyrkacz

Educational Background:

B.S. in Education - Illinois State University

M.A. in Teaching and Leadership - St. Xavier University

ESL Endorsement Grades K-12 - National Louis University

Professional Organizations:

IAHPERD (Illinois Association for Health, P.E., Recreation and Dance)

SHAPE America (Society of Health and Physical Educators)

Initial Year at Sahs:

1992

Additional Information:

Heart of Sahs Award Recipient, Box Tops for Education Coordinator

Physical Education - Arthur Gamino

Educational Background:

Graduated from Trinity College in 2005

Professional Organizations:

IAHPERD (Illinois Association for Health, P.E., Recreation and Dance)

Initial Year at Sahs:

2006

Additional Information:

Sahs 8th Grade Softball Coach

Library Clerk - Donna Chesser

Initial Year at Sahs:

2000

Interventionist / Library Teacher / Curriculum - Paulina Bednarek

Educational Background:

B.A. in Elementary Education - St. Xavier University

Master of Arts in Educational Administration - Governor's State University

Initial Year at Sahs:

2004

Speech Language Pathologist - Suzanna Ramirez

Educational Background:

Initial Year at Sahs:

2019

Additional Information:

School Social Worker - Allison Schrag

Educational Background:

B.A. in Social Work - Bethel College, KS, 2012

M.S.W School Social Work - Jane Addams, UIC, 2016

Professional Organizations:

American Federation of Teachers

Initial Year at Sahs:

2018

Additional Information:

I have two cats, Nox ans Miss Frizzle. I love to play board games, cook, and explore Chicago.

ELL K-8 Teacher - Lindsey Carrillo

Educational Background:

B.S. in Education - St. Xavier University

ESL Endorsement

Professional Organizations:

SAHS BPAC (Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee)

TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages)

Initial Year at Sahs:

2007

Additional Information:

I enjoy vacations with my husband and three boys. I look forward to movie nights and long walks around Chicago

Paraprofessional - Maria Diaz

Educational Background:

Bachelors Degree in Chemistry - University of San Luis Potosi, Mexico

Initial Year at Sahs:

2003

Additional Information:

After graduation, I was a teacher for high school students in Mexico

Paraprofessional - Diane Ludwikowski

Educational Background:

Attended Charles J. Sahs School grades K-8

Reavis High School grades 9-12

Paraprofessional Exam

Professional Organizations:

Cubscouts - Leader and Master several years

PTA - Executive Board officer 9 years including 3 years as president

Initial Year at Sahs:

2008

Additional Information:

Sahs volunteer 13 years

Sahs alumni K-8

Paraprofessional - Dana Poulsen

Educational Background:

Associate in Applied Science from Morton College

I also went to Sahs and Reavis graduating from both

Professional Organizations:

Serve on the PTA

Others:

Eaglette coach, Cheer leading coach, JV softball coach

Initial Year at Sahs:

2007

Additional Information:

I am on the executive board for the PTA. I have coached basketball and softball in the past. I have also ran multiple after school activities and love working at Sahs. I am a graduate from Sahs and have 3 children now attend Sahs too

Instructional Assistant - Maria Kowalczyk

Educational Background:

Finished schooling in Poland. Took English as a Second language - Loop College

Took Travel and Tourism - Harold Washington College

Initial Year at Sahs:

2002

Additional Information:

3 children: Andrew, Bridget, and Casey. Worked 13 years at Sears Pension Office. Help out my husband at his law office whenever I can. enjoy craft, skiing and spending time with family

Paraprofessional - Araceli Martinez

Educational Background:

Instructional Assistant

Para Professional

Initial Year at Sahs:

2002

Additional Information:

2 children: Cynthia and Fernando. I enjoy spending time with my family and visiting museums

Paraprofessional - Instructional Assistant - Maria Zurek

Educational Background:

Graduated High School - LO Jablonka (Poland)

Early Childhood Education College - Nowy Sacz (Poland)

Paraprofessional Exam

Professional Organization:

PTA - Hospitality

Initial Year at Sahs:

2007

Additional Information:

Mother of 4 boys (Dawid, Tomasz, Lukasz, Michal). Sahs volunteer for 11 years. I like to travel.

Paraprofessional - Carmela Jimenez

Initial Year at Sahs:

2015

AERO STAR Teacher - Gerald Laboy

Educational Background:

Bachelor of Arts in English with concentration in American Literature - University of Illinois at Chicago, 2011

Professional Organizations:

Council for Exceptional Children

Kappa Delta Pi

Initial Year at Sahs:

2018

Additional Information:

I love to travel with my wife. Our favorite destination is Washington D.C. I am also a diehard Chicago Blackhawks fan.

AERO STAR Instructional Assistant - Leticia Rodriguez

Initial Year at Sahs:

2014

AERO STAR Instructional Assistant - Mirna Martinez

Initial Year at Sahs:

2017

AERO STAR Instructional Assistant - Maribel Pineda

Educational Background:

Graduated Richard Daley

Initial Year at Sahs:

2014

Additional Information:

I am a mother of three kids, two boys and one girl.

Head of Maintenance - George Zapata

Initial Year at Sahs:

2006

Maintenance Staff - Randy Kruzel

Initial Year at Sahs:

2005

Maintenance Staff - Maureen Phelan

Initial Year at Sahs:

2007

Maintenance Staff - Darius Kaminski

Initial Year at Sahs:

2010

Maintenance Staff - Dawid Zurek

Initial Year at Sahs:

2007

Maintenance Staff - Michal Zurek

Initial Year at Sahs:

2016

Maintenance Staff - Liliana Llamas

Initial Year at Sahs:

2017

Maintenance Staff - Maribel Ruiz

Initial Year at Sahs:

2017