Staff & Faculty – About Us – St Nicholas of Tolentine School

Meet the teachers of St. Nicholas of Tolentine!

Ms. Gabrielle A. DeStefano-Preschool Teacher

MA in Early Childhood Education

Special Education endorsement

ESL endorsement

“I am proud to teach here at St. Nicholas. I love walking into my classroom every morning knowing that my students will receive the best learning experiences, and I have the community and school to thank. St. Nicholas truly is the most magical place to learn.”

Mrs. Kathleen Giuffre-Preschool Teacher

BA in Early Childhood Education with Special Education Endorsement; Governors State University

“The sense of community at St. Nicholas of Tolentine School is especially enjoyable. I appreciate the respect of my young students and delight in watching them acquire new skills and knowledge. My goal is always to strive to instill good values in my students and develop a lifelong passion for learning.”

Maria T. Hernandez-Kindergarten Teacher

BA Gobernor's Program and a minor in Spanish; Northeastern University

MA in Education/Type 03,Instructional Leadership, and Bilingual Endorsement; UIC

"When I see the academic progress in my students from the beginning of the school to the end of the school year is my great reward and satisfaction as a teacher."

Ms. Janachowski-Kindergarten Teacher

BA in elementary education; Northern Illinois University

"I am dedicated to providing each student with an excellent and safe learning environment centered in the catholic faith."

Mrs. Cynthia Lingo - 1st Grade Teacher

BA in Education, St. Xavier University

"I choose St. Nick's school because of the small family setting and the amount of caring there is in a Catholic school."

Ms. Griselda Jimenez - 1st Grade Teacher

BA in Psychology, Georgetown University

“I love the sense of community at St. Nick’s. I truly enjoy seeing my students every day and working towards providing them with the best environment to help them flourish and grow.”

Ms. Rebecca Krzyzaniak - 2nd Grade Teacher

BS in Early Childhood Education with 4th and 5th grade endorsement

STEM certificate

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela

Ms. Taylor Sobieski-3rd Grade Social Studies Teacher

BA in Elementary Education; Benedictine University

"Educating the mind and heart are the keys to changing the future."

Mrs. D. Hortsman-4th Grade Teacher

"Everyone who remembers his own education remembers teachers, not methods or techniques. The teacher is the heart of educational system.

Ms. Leticia Jimenez - 4th Grade

B.A. in Sociology and an M.Ed. (ESL endorsement).

Loyola University's LU Choice Program.

"I love the community we serve and enjoy teaching and learning from my students."

Mr. Marquis Jones-5rd Grade Teacher

BA in English; Rutgers University

“Teaching methods are not set in stone. They should remain flexible and work to meet the needs of individual students.”

Mrs. Karen Talchik - 5th Grade Teacher

BS in Education- Science, Minor in English, Illinois State University

Mrs. Sheila Linane-6th Grade Teacher

B.A. in Education; Trinity Christian College

M.A. in Reading Specialist; Olivet Nazarene University

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."-Nelson Mandela

Mr. Nick Hayman-Joyce - 6th Teacher

BA in Social Anthropology; University of Cambridge, UK.

MA in Teaching/Alternative Licensure Program; Dominican University, River Forest

“I’m thrilled to begin teaching at St Nicholas of Tolentine this year. There will be many changes for students and faculty, and we’ll all be outside our comfort zone at times. Then again, ’outside your comfort zone’ is also where real growth happens. I’m excited to see how my students rise to the challenge!”

Ms. Lynn VonBruchhaeuser-7th Grade Teacher

BA Elementary Education; Lewis University

"I have literally spent half of my life at Saint Nicholas of Tolentine School and firmly believe it is the greatest place to learn and grow for students. Every child is special, unique, and I want to help every chide reach their fullest potential."

Mr. Philip O’Rourke-8th grade teacher

BA in English; Loyola University New Orleans

MA and SEL Certification; Loyola Chicago

Was a member of LU CHOICE

“If you shovel the ramp, we can all get in”

Mr. Billy Schauer-8th Grade Teacher

B.A. Human Development and Sociology; Boston College

M.Ed. Elementary Education; Loyola University Chicago

M.Ed. English Language Teaching and Learning; Loyola University Chicago

"Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration." - Thomas Edison

Ms. Lauren Ward Sebastian-Director of Inclusion

BA in Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education; Saint Louis University