Administration
Mrs. Picchione
Principal
Mrs. Picchione grew up in Rhode Island and earned her Bachelor’s of Arts in Elementary Education and Psychology at Rhode Island College. Prior to becoming the principal of Saint Joan of Arc School, Mrs. Picchione served as an assistant principal, reading specialist and kindergarten teacher for the Diocese of Joliet. She completed her Master’s Degree in Reading and Literacy at Benedictine University in 2010 and Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership in 2013 at Lewis University. She is looking forward to beginning the new school year at Saint Joan of Arc School in Lisle.
Mrs. Barenbrugge
Vice Principal
Mrs. Barenbrugge started teaching at SJA in 2007. She joined the faculty of St Joan with six years of teaching experience. She taught both first and third grades at SJA before moving into her administration role. She has a Masters Degree as a reading specialist and a 2nd Masters from Lewis University in educational leadership. She believes that learning should be engaging and fun. Everyday is a new opportunity to learn!
Mrs. Kolin
Office Support Staff
A long time SJA parent with students who graduated in 2016 and in 2022. Her time at SJA has included many volunteer activities from Rec mom, library helper, parent photographer, parent in charge of memory book, co-coordinator for Hot Lunch, to name a few. Recently she became the kindergarten aide for Mrs Suwanski for the last two school years.
Background includes A.A.S. in dental hygiene and B.S. In Occupational Education from Southern Illinois University and JD from The John Marshall Law School/UIC.
Preschool & Kindergarten
Ms. (Riccio) Putong
Preschool Teacher
Mrs. Putong began teaching at SJA in 2013. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and a special education endorsement from Elmhurst College. She strives to create a learning environment that is bright, secure, motivating and fun, so that students are encouraged to achieve their full potential and succeed both in and out of the classroom.
Mrs. Heise
Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Heise joins SJA as a graduate of the University of St. Francis, earning her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary and Special Education. Prior to teaching at SJA, Mrs. Heise taught in Special Education classrooms in the public school system. She is currently working on her Master's Degree in Education (Curriculum and Instruction).
Mrs. Suwanski
Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Suwanski joined the staff of SJA in 2018. She is a graduate of Bradley University with a Bachelor of Science degree. Mrs. Suwanski came to St. Joan already having a decade of teaching experience and has endorsements in Language Arts and Social Sciences. She also holds an ECE Credential Level 5 certificate. She was awarded the WGN Teacher of the Month September 2020. Mrs Suwanski believes that with perseverance and hard work, students will rise to the occasion. Teaching is a process of learning from students, colleagues and parents, and she aims to bring a positive attitude, open mind and high expectations for her students into the classroom each day.
Elementary Grades
Mrs. Lauinger
1st Grade Teacher
Mrs. Lauinger graduated from Loras College, Dubuque, IA with a Bachelors of Arts degree in elementary education and has attended National-Louis University studying graduate classes in literacy
She began teaching in 2002 (St. Mary of Gostyn, Downers Grove: 3 years in 3-4th grade math); continued teaching for 10 years (Avery Coonley, Downers Grove: junior kindergarten); she started teaching at SJA in 2022 in first grade.
Children are a great gift from God. It is a joy to share how God works in the lives of the saints with the first grade students!
She is trained in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for ages 3-6 and has worked with "sunday school" or "preschool religion" since she was in middle school. She has been active in parish music ministry programs since grade school. Is the parent of twins who currently attend SJA.
Mrs. Clark
2nd Grade Teacher
Mrs. Clark has been teaching at SJA since 2003. She attended Elmhurst College for her undergrad and received her Masters Degree in Reading from Concordia University. Mrs. Clark has a daughter who graduated from St. Joan of Arc.
Mrs. Clark wants students to feel welcomed and special in the classroom. Remember to always be kind.
Mrs. Persico
2nd Grade Teacher
Mrs. Persico joined the SJA staff in 2021 with 17 years of prior teaching experience. She has a degree in elementary education from Northeastern Illinois University. Mrs. Persico believes that all children are unique and must have a stimulating, loving and challenging educational environment where they can grow mentally, emotionally and socially.
Mrs. Bonomo
3rd Grade Teacher
Mrs. Bonomo is a member of the class of 2020 and has started her teaching career in the midst of Covid. She most recently was teaching at a public school in Burbank. Her priority as a teacher is to make her classroom a safe environment to promote growth, collaboration and inclusion for every student.
Mrs. Letsinger
3rd Grade Teacher
Mrs. Letsinger has been teaching students at SJA since 2016. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Memphis and is working on finishing her Masters Degree in Education. Mrs. Letsinger came to SJA with fourteen years of experience teaching in 4 year old preschool along with experience teaching in first, third, fourth, and fifth grades.
Mrs. Galant
4th/5th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Galant is an SJA alumni who joined the SJA teaching staff in 2021. She earned her degree from Western Michigan University and has previous experience teaching 3rd grade and PE before coming to St. Joan of Arc. Mrs. Galant and her family are parishioners of SJA and her two children are students here.
Mrs. Graves
4th/5th Religion and Science/Social Studies Teacher
Mrs. Graves began teaching at St. Joan of Arc in 2013. In addition to teaching fourth and fifth grades and working with the resource programs here at SJA, she also has experience teaching at the middle and high school levels. Mrs. Graves has her Masters Degree in Education, along with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Merchandising and Marketing.
Mrs. Kenney
4th/5th ELA Teacher
Mrs. Kenney began teaching at St. Joan of Arc in 2005. She has taught second, fourth and fifth graders at SJA. Prior to St. Joan, she was a special educator for 6th, 7th and 8th grade in the public school system. She has a Masters Degree as a reading specialist from Concordia University. Mrs. Kenney has three daughters who graduated from St. Joan of Arc.
Mrs. Kenney says that teaching is her passion, and she feels incredibly fortunate to have a job that she loves. As an educator, her goal is to inspire every student to learn and reach their full potential by fostering a positive and encouraging environment. Each year she strives to instill a love for reading in her students and to help create a lifelong appreciation for learning.
Mrs. Weber
5th/6th Math Teacher / 6th Grade Religion
Mrs. Weber joined the SJA team in 2011. She has her degree from Illinois State University - BS in Education. Her daughter is a graduate of SJA. Mrs. Weber's goal is to create a learning environment where students are encouraged to ask questions, collaborate with peers, and develop the skills needed to become lifelong learners.
Junior High
Dr. Kucaj
JH ELA Teacher
Dr. Kucaj joined the SJA staff in 2020, having previously taught in the Los Angeles and San Jose Unified School Districts. She holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences from Cal Poly, a master’s degree in education from UCLA, and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy from Vanderbilt University.
Mr. Moody
JH ELA Teacher
Mr. Moody joined Saint Joan of Arc in 2023 and since then has been given the honor of teaching Religion and ELA to our Jr High students. Mr. Moody earned his Bachelor's Degree in English from Governors State University in 2001 and his middle school endorsement from Saint Xavier University. For Mr. Moody, teaching at a Catholic school is a dream come true.
Mr. Moody has visited the sites of two Church-approved Marian Apparitions: The Shrine of Our Lady of Knock in County Mayo, Ireland, and The Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Wisconsin. He hopes to visit The Shrine of Fatima, Portugal, next. His favorite bible verse is "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
Mrs. Svitak
JH Math Teacher
Mrs. Svitak has been teaching math at SJA since 1998. She received her Bachelors Degree from Northern Illinois University and her middle school endorsement from Benedictine University. She has had four children graduate from St. Joan of Arc. Mrs. Svitak hopes to teach with enthusiasm, make math relatable and inspire her students to succeed.
Mrs. Weber
5th/6th Math Teacher / 6th Grade Religion
Mrs. Weber joined the SJA team in 2011. She has her degree from Illinois State University - BS in Education. Her daughter is a graduate of SJA. Mrs. Weber's goal is to create a learning environment where students are encouraged to ask questions, collaborate with peers, and develop the skills needed to become lifelong learners.
Subjects
Mrs. Hilsabeck
PE Teacher
Mrs. Hilsabeck joins SJA for her second year teaching Physical Education. She holds a BA in Theater with an Acting Specialty from the University of Wisconsin and is currently pursuing her Masters in Elementary Education. Mrs. Hilsabeck has been teaching musical theater, acting, and dance for over twenty years throughout the Chicagoland area. She has worked with The Joffrey Ballet, the School of Performing Arts, and most recently The Paramount School of the Arts. She co-directs the 8th grade musicals at St. Michael School as well co-directs their K-2nd grade Wee Shine Showchoir. Going on six years, Mrs. Hilsbeck has proudly coached her son's volleyball team.
Mrs. Kimmel
Fine Arts Teacher
Mrs. Kimmel has been a member of St. Joan of Arc staff since 2012. She and her husband are parishioners and their son is a graduate of SJA. Mrs. Kimmel has her Masters in Education from National Louis University. Mrs. Kimmel is passionate about visual arts and art history and believes that you are never too old to learn something new.
W.I.N.
Mrs. Ouellette
W.I.N. Teacher
Mrs. Ouellette is the W.I.N. teacher for grades K-8. She started teaching at SJA in the fall of 1999 as a student teacher and then returned after she graduated in January 2000 with her degree from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College - Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
She models her teaching from the words of St. Mother Theodore Guerin who said "Love the children first, then teach them." She believes that all students can learn and aims to adapt her teaching to their learning styles in a safe environment. Mrs Ouellette celebrates their successes and helps the students to be proud of their efforts and strive to reach their full potential. In addition, she has endorsements in junior high Math and ELA and is Wilson Reading trained.