Name: Larry A. White

Years of Teaching: 29 years

Educational Background: BA at Benedictine University 

and a Master’s Degree in school administration at 

Aurora University.

Philosophy of Teaching: Do not let what you cannot 

do interfere with what you can do.

Family Information: Wife, Kim who is head of the 

fine arts department at Nazareth Academy. Son, 

Zachery, age 24 and daughter, Courtney, age 18.

Hobby/Interest: Assistant varsity football coach at Nazareth Academy.

Preschool 3

Name: Paula Spilotro

Years of Teaching: 7 years

Educational Background: BA – double major in psychology and literature from Elmhurst College. Master’s degree –projected date of completion the fall of 2008. Early childhood education from Concordia University.

Philosophy of Teaching: I believe it is critical to instill and foster a passion for learning at an early age. My approach in assisting children focuses on the learning style that is most appropriate for the individual while challenging them to reach a higher level of development: cognitively, socially, emotionally, spiritually, and physically.

Hobby/Interest: Spending time with my niece and nephews, reading, exercising, and learning new things.

Name: Amy Pignato

Years of Teaching: 5 years

Educational Background: Associate Degree in Liberal Arts from Triton College, 1999; Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Valparaiso University; Master’s Degree in Reading & Literacy from Lewis Univ.

Philosophy of Teaching: I want every child in my classroom to be a life long learner. Learning should be fun, challenging and non-threatening.

Family Information: I am newly engaged to my boyfriend Joe and will be married in the fall of 2008.   I live with my mom and my dog Missy.  I also have two beautiful goddaughters that I love to spoil.

Hobby/Interest:  I enjoy reading books and magazines, fishing, camping, and watching reality TV.  I am a beginning knitter, and also participate in community service projects with the Berwyn Jaycees.

Name: Ruthann Brady

Years of Teaching: 5 years

Educational Background: Sociology major with specialization in Early Childhood Education from Dominican Univ.

Philosophy of Teaching: Challenge children to be their best selves!

Family Information: Married 25 years with a daughter in college. I am also a St. Leonard parishioner.

Hobby/Interest: Reading

Name: Meaghan Tobias

Years of Teaching: 5 years

Educational Background: BA Elementary Education with a minor in Art from Monmouth College, Monmouth, IL.

Educational Philosophy: I believe that education’s aim should encourage life long learning. We also need to strive for a harmonious development of character. A good academic education is very important, but in order to educate the whole child, the qualities of responsibility, resourcefulness, and social concern are equally important.

Family Information: My husband Ryan and dog Riley.

Hobbies: I love sports. I coach both the boys and girls Shot Put and Discus throwers at Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park. I have also coached both 5^th and 6^th grade boys and girls basketball at St. Bernardine in Forest Park.

Name: Diane Rush

Years of Teaching:  I taught kindergarten for two years and am teaching my first year of second grade.

Educational Background:  B.S. Ed from Loyola University in Chicago, 1995.

Philosophy of Teaching:  I enjoy teaching and learning in second grade because every child brings unique gifts to the classroom.  In the second grade  setting I have an opportunity to develop and celebrate each child’s God given talents as well as encourage and lead academic growth.

Family:  I am married to Jason Rush who is also a teacher of science at the high school level.  We have three children, Atticus (6^th grade), Olivia (third grade) and Richie (first grade) who attend St. Leonard School.

Hobbies:  Coaching track at St. Leonard.

Name:  Kathryn Coyle

Years of Teaching:  1^st Year

Educational Background:  Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology from St. Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, IN.

Philosophy of Teaching:  As the teacher I am here to guide the students each day as they make their own discoveries and become life long learners.  I feel it is important to present learning experiences that not only challenge the students, but relate to their interests.

Family Information:  I live at home with my mother and younger brother.

Hobby/Interest:  In my free time I enjoy relaxing, traveling, reading, and spending time outside.  I also spend a few nights a week coaching a competition cheerleading team.

Name: Sara Covington

Years of Teaching: 6 years

Educational Background: Lyons, Township High School, Loras College, and Dominican Univ. (working toward my Masters in Education with certification as a Reading Specialist).

Philosophy of Teaching: There is no denying that the family and home life is a child’s primary source of learning. I work hard to bring the values and morals instilled in the home to our classroom environment. I feel it is a child’s job to be a responsible and engaged student and it is my job to inspire these students to do their best. I recognize each learner has specific strengths and needs, and I will provide the materials necessary to push each individual toward excellence.

Family Information: Daughter of John and Laura Covington.

Hobby/Interest: Reading, cheering for the White Sox, swimming, drawing and painting.

Name:  Kelly Iovinelli

Name: Noreen Mickelsen

Years of Teaching: 24^th year at St. Leonard.

Educational Background: Bachelor’s Degree from National Louis University and a Masters Degree from Dominican University in 2000.

Philosophy of Teaching: To guide children to grow in God’s love and be life-long learners.

Family Information: Married to Ron Mickelsen

Hobbies:  I enjoy my grandchildren and shopping at Macy’s.

Name: Rita Thoner

Years of Teaching: 12^th year teaching 5^th grade at St. Leonard.

Educational Background: BA from Concordia University in River Forest in Elem. Ed. 15 hours of graduate credit in various Math and Science classes.

Philosophy of Teaching: Teaching in a Catholic school is an awesome calling. Catholic school teachers are called to bring children closer to Jesus. In addition, we have to do what we can to develop each child’s potential, so they can make the most of their God given gifts.

Family Information: Married for almost 26 years to my favorite guy, Steve Thoner.

Hobby/Interest: School is my main focus for nine months. I do like to garden, read, and travel with my husband.

Name: Mary Frances Porod

Years of Teaching: 17 years in the classroom, 11 years as a substitute.

Educational Background: Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education – DePaul Univ.-1979, General Classroom Certification Courses – National Louis Univ.-1984-85, Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership – Aurora Univ. 2004.

Philosophy of Teaching: I am blessed to be able to serve the student community of St. Leonard through my teaching ministry. I believe in forming a partnership with the parents of my students, because only by working together can we ensure a successful academic experience for each and every student. I believe that God has charged me with an awesome task, and that the only way I can accomplish it is to find God in every child.

Family Information: Married 22 years to Greg Porod, principal of Lieb School in Bridgeview; 4 children: Rose, 22, graduated from U of I in Champaign-Urbana in May; Celia and Sarah, 19, sophomores at Benedictine University, Lisle; Therese, a freshman at Nazareth University our dog, Benny, a beagle and Allie May, our cat.

Name: Pam Ledvort

Years of Teaching: 15 years

Educational Background: BA in Biology from Dominican University – Teacher’s certificate – grades 6-12.

Philosophy of Teaching: I believe the students of today are the scientists and leaders of tomorrow! I hope to teach my students to live by example, with respect, enthusiasm, and dedication. Through encouragement, cooperation, and hard work, I hope my students will grow in faith and knowledge, with a life long desire to learn.

Family Information: :  Husband Bill and 2 children, Elissa, a junior, and William, in 1^st grade.

Hobby/Interest: Gardening and spending time with my family.

Name: Eileen Johnson

Years of Teaching: This year marks my 19^th year teaching at St. Leonard.

Educational Background: BA from the College of St. Francis, Joliet, IL – major: English; minor: secondary education.6 masters credit hours earned via Dwight D. Eisenhower grant through Dominican Univ.; and a middle school endorsement in language arts.

Philosophy of Teaching: Set the bar high. Accepting anything than the very best effort from a student or yourself does a great disservice to them, you, and the process of education. Think outside the box. Walt Disney said, "If you can dream it, you can do it!" Above all, make sure there’s some time each and every day for laughter.

Family Information:  Married 28 years to Steve Johnson who is retired from AT&T in March, 2007, and is currently working part-time for the Christian Family Store in Hodgkins; and son Scott, age 27 who is a member of the adjunct faculty of Triton college where he teaches American History, a swim instructor and guard at the PAV YMCA, and spends his weekend professionally wrestling under the name Jordan McEntyre.

Hobby/Interest: My main hobby is writing. My interests include collecting Cinderella memorabilia, wrestling, ballet, and working out.

Name: Matthew Kreitz

Years of teaching: first year as full time teacher

Educational background:  BS in geography from Eastern Illinois University.  Also have earth science minor and concentrations in environmental science and geographic spatial analysis.

Philosophy of teaching:  Challenge all students to their fullest potential.  Make physical education a place that inspires and teaches students teamwork and sportsmanship skills.

Hobbies/ Interest:  Spending times with friends and family, watching movies, listening to music, cheering for Chicago sports (Bears, Bulls, and Cubs).

Name: Bonnie Tipton Long

Years of Teaching: 20 years I am currently at St. Leonard, St. Luke Academy, St. Bernardine, Little City and After School Matters  I am also the director of the North Lakeside Cultural Center

Educational Background: Bachelor of Music from North Park Univ. Graduate work at Northwestern University.

Philosophy of Teaching: Every child should learn to read notes and play an instrument. Not because it makes them smarter in other subjects (although it does) but for the sake of the art itself!

Family Information: 3 children and 3 grandchildren (7 years old and 3 month old twins)

Hobby/Interest: Ancient coins and history

Name: Julie O’Reilly Castillo

Years of Teaching: 4 years of formal teaching: high school math & Spanish; ESL and Spanish to adults. Thirteen years parish ministry with the Hispanic community.

Educational Background: BA, Spanish, BS, Math from Northern Illinois University and a MA in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College.

Philosophy of Teaching: Learning is a life-long endeavor. Every subject matter gives the learner the opportunity to open him/herself up to a whole world of people, ideas and concepts. The teacher is challenged with sharing his/her knowledge of a particular subject with the students and at the same time inspiring students to desire to expand their horizons and to guide them in the learning process.

Family Information: Married to Jose Castillo (works at the Office for Divine Worship of the Archdiocese of Chicago).

One child, Gabriel Castillo, 1^st grade at St. Leonard School.

Hobby/Interest: Church ministry.

Name: Renee Carl

Years of Teaching: 14 years.

Educational Background: BS degree from Northern Illinois, major in deaf/hard of hearing and elementary education.

Philosophy of Teaching: To reach out to each individual child and to help them do their best.

Family Information: I have a daughter named Rebecca who is now in 5^th grade.

Hobby/Interest: Photographs and scrap booking.

Name: Hannah Ficner

Years of Teaching: I have been the Art teacher for grades Kdg. to 8^th for the 5^th year. Prior to this I worked as a teacher’s aide for a couple of years. I have been a member of the St. Leonard community since 1991.

Educational Background: Master’s Degree in Nursing and worked in the field for 15 years.

Philosophy of Teaching: I have always had an interest in art and enjoy working with the students of St. Leonard. I strive to make classes interesting while conveying art techniques and history.

Family Information: I have a husband named Joe and two children: Johanna at Trinity High School and Joey at St. Leonard.

Hobby/Interest: I enjoy being involved in my children’s activities. I have been a co-leader with our Girl Scouts for 10 years.

Name: Julie Richardson

Years Working in a School: 12 years as a school librarian.

Educational Background: BA from Loyola University.

Family Information: I have a husband Fred and four children:  Jessica and Fred who are in college, and Ben and Angelica who are in high school.

Philosophy: To assist all children in increasing their knowledge of God and the world.

Hobby/Interest: Reading and sewing

Name: Geri Umlauf

Years of Teaching: 23 years.

Educational Background: BA from Northeastern University.

Philosophy of Teaching: I believe every child can learn, each child learns in a different way. It is my job to find the way that each child learns.

Family Information: I am married, and have 2 daughters, Shannon and Lesley. I have been blessed with 3 grandchildren, Ryan - 3, Lauren - 1, and Abby - 3 months old with another baby due in February.

Hobby/Interest: My hobbies recently have revolved my babysitting the babies. When I’m not spoiling the babies, I love to read.

Name: Julie Senese

Years at St. Leonard: 3 ½ years

Educational Background: AA in Education

Philosophy of Teaching: To support the children as they learn to think, be self-reliant, and accept responsibility for their learning.

Hobby/Interest: Orcas, tropical fish, moustache parakeet, sewing, cooking, crafts, and children.

Name: Maureen Martin

Years working in a School: 4 years as well as countless years of volunteering.

Educational Background: Loyola University

Family Information: I have a husband named George and 2 children, Annie & Georgie.

Philosophy: To help every child attain their full potential

Hobby/Interest: Shopping!!

Office Staff

Name: Lauren DeLonjay

Years at St. Leonard: 20^th year at St. Leonards (1 year as a lunchroom supervisor, 5 years as a kdg. aide, and 13^th year as administrative assistant in the school office).

Educational Background: Graduated from Steinmetz High School in Chicago many years ago!!

Philosophy: Education is a gift that is often taken for granted. Children are like sponges so willing to soak up any knowledge we can teach them. Both of my children graduated from St. Leonard School. It has been my second home ever since due to the wonderful faculty, the family atmosphere here, as well as the gift of being surrounded by children of all ages. Children are truly a gift from God and I am very thankful that I have been given the opportunity to work in a school surrounded by these gifts from God.

Family Information:  I have been blessed with 2 married children that I adore, Heather and Brian, one loving grandson Justin, and one loving granddaughter named Lily who was born on Valentine’s Day.  I am also blessed with a wonderful daughter-in-law named Lindsay and the best son-in-law in the world named Jeff!

Hobbies:  Babysitting my grandson, spending time with my family, my work, gardening, and shopping!!

Name:  Debbie Kwilas

Years at St. Leonard:  2 years as an aide and this is my first year in the office as secretary.

Educational Background:  1986 graduate of St. Leonard and 1990 graduate of Nazareth Academy.

Philosophy of Being an Aide:  To further guide and enrich each child that I encounter.  To make each day a new day.  Seeing the smiles on each student’s face everyday makes what I do even more special.

Hobby/Interest:  I like to spend time with my family and friends.  My main interest in life is my children.  I am blessed to be part of such a great school and community.