Faculty

Dancing "Happy Father's Day" animation
Sunday, June 20th

Principal

MRS. LILLIAN BUCKLEY – B.A. in Education from the University of St. Francis. M.A. from the University of Illinois & Loyola University. Type 75 certification in Administration & Supervision and 09 in secondary education. Board member of St. Laurence High School & Propagation of Faith Holy Childhood Association. VISTA Volunteer, worked with families of abused children to provide educational and recreational opportunities. Member of National Catholic Education Association (NCEA), Archdiocese of Chicago Principal’s Association (Co-chairperson of council V.10 B) Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Coordinator of Religious Education, graduate of the Field Ambassador Academy. Continued participation in classes/workshops focusing on curriculum and development.

EXPERIENCE & RESPONSIBILITIES: Taught at Holy Cross & St. David schools for 9 years (grades 6-8). Principal for 20 years at SS. Cyril & Methodius School in Lemont. Principal of Bridgeport Catholic Academy since 2002. Makes administrative, curricular & budgeting decisions.

8th Grade

MRS. MARY PAT PALUMBO – B.A. in History, minor in Sociology from the University of St. Francis. Illinois Certification in secondary education. 18 hours earned from DePaul University for a MA degree. Wrote a portion of the paper “The Building of Chicago-Choices and Changes” which was published in the Chicago Tribune Education Services. Participant in the NEH sponsored project “Personal Profiles of Chicago’s Economic History”, earned credit hours in Developmental Education and Neurodevelopmental Learning.

EXPERIENCE & RESPONSIBILITIES: Taught Intermediate & Junior High grades at Nativity of Our Lord. Organized and coached a student team to participate in the T.V program “Know Your Heritage”, served as a Mission Coordinator & CCD instructor. Began teaching Intermediate grades and Junior High at BCA in 1985. Moderator of National Current Events Team, co-directs the Literacy Magazine and serves at the Social Studies Coordinator. Served as an Assistant Principal, Junior High Coordinator, Eucharistic minister and curriculum evaluation team. Prepared students for the sacrament of Confirmation, the 8^th grade U.S. Constitution Test and coordinated Graduation ceremony & activities.

7th Grade

MRS. GINA GEISERT – B.A. in Elementary Education with a concentration in History and a M.A. in Language & Literacy from Roosevelt University. Dual Illinois certification, Type 10 and Type 3 with a Middle School Endorsement.

EXPERIENCE & RESPONSIBILITIES: Began teaching at BCA in 1998 (grades 4-7). Coordinated Student Council activities and Environmental Club projects. Member of the School Intervention Team (ICEP) Member of International Reading Association and Illinois Reading Council.

6th Grade

MS. MARGARET SZCZEPANIK – B.A. in Secondary Education, Teaching of English from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Extensive course work in Science (UIC'S Pre-Med program). Additional English courses have been taken towards a Master's Degree.

EXPERIENCE & RESPONSIBILITIES: While at UIC, helped to facilitate Ethical Leadership Conference & Research Study with Middle School children. Upon graduation from UIC, in 2002, began teaching at Oak Lawn Community High School. Taught English and Science in the special Education Department and briefly taught in the ESL classroom setting.

5th Grade

MS. ANN BULANDA – B.A. in Mathematics from the University of St. Francis. Currently working on M.A. in Elementary Education with a middle school endorsement from National-Louis University.

EXPERIENCE & RESPONSIBILITIES: Observations and student teaching in grades 6-8 at St. Mary Immaculate in Plainfield, Illinois (2003) and at Healy Elementary in Chicago, Illinois. Supervisor of after school tutoring. Math teacher at Bridgeport Catholic Academy since 2006.

4th Grade

MRS. BARB STACK – B.A. in Elementary Education, minor in Psychology and Math/Science from National College of Education (National Lewis University), member of Kappa Delta Pi (National Education Honor Society). Certification in Elementary Education. (K-9) Continued education at Archdiocesan workshops covering Science, Math, English & Computers that are offered by the Archdiocese.

EXPERIENCE & RESPONSIBILITIES: Taught in Burbank School District 111, headed the Remedial/Enrichment Program at Nativity of Our Lord School. Student Council Moderator and Science Department Chairperson. Teacher at Bridgeport Catholic Academy since its inception in 1985.

3rd Grade

MS. ROSE ORCHOWSKI – B.S. in Education from Chicago State University with dual certification in Elementary Education (K-9) and EMH (K-12). Cum Laude Honors, member of Kappa Delta Pi (Honor Society in Education). 1991 recipient of the Heart of the School award.

EXPERIENCE & RESPONSIBILITIES: Taught for the Chicago Board of Education (1year) at Bradwell & Lawson Elementary Schools (EMH classroom), Our Lady of Guadalupe School (5 years). Began teaching at BCA in 1985. Taught Sylvan after school program to middle school students, served on Yearbook Committee and as Primary Unit Coordinator. Currently involved with Social Committee, serving as Testing & Math Coordinators. Co-Author of Science Curriculum, member of School Intervention Team. (ICEP)

2nd Grade

MRS. LISA GRABOWSKI – B.A. in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education from St. Xavier University. Illinois State Certification in Elementary Education.

EXPERIENCE & RESPONSIBILITIES: Taught 2^nd grade at St. Ethelreda (1 year), began teaching at BCA in 1985 presently teaching 2^nd grade (grades 4-8 previously). Served as Assistant Principal and on Social Committee. Past nominee for the Heart of the School award and belonged to the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA).

1st Grade

MS. FRAN HALISZ – Graduated with honors from Northeastern Illinois University with a B.A. in Elementary Education. Dual Illinois certification in Elementary Education(K-9) and EMH (K-12). Past nominee for the Heart of the School award. Volunteered at CCIL in their residential program. Member of the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA).

EXPERIENCE & RESPONSIBILITIES: Taught at St. Mary of Perpetual Help (grades 1, 4, 5). Grade One teacher at Bridgeport Catholic Academy since its inception in 1985. Previously worked as a day camp counselor and a private tutor. Taught summer school at BCA, Our Lady of Pompeii & Children of Peace. Served on Mission teams, Yearbook committee, Primary Unit and Television Coordinators and has been involved with curriculum planning. Currently involved with liturgy planning, social committee and is a former representative for Home & School. Past coordinator for "Rainbow for all God's Children" which helps children deal with divorce, death and other losses.

Kindergarten

MRS. MARY ELLEN KARPINSKI – B.S. in Education from Northern Illinois University. Dual Illinois certification in Elementary education and Special Education. Additional classes towards a Master’s Degree in Reading have also been taken.

EXPERIENCE & RESPONSIBILITIES: Taught 1^st grade at the former St. Peter & Paul School for 6 years. Substituted and tutored at BCA prior to returning in 1999 to teach Kindergarten. Student Council & fundability Coordinators.

Pre K 4 & Computers

MRS. LISA CLEMENS – AA Degree in Elementary Education. Child Development certification. Completed self-study accreditation program through workshops & classes offered by the National Association of Education for Young Children (NAEYC).

EXPERIENCE & RESPONSIBILITIES: Taught at St. Genevieve (2 years), substitute teacher at BCA and other local schools, began working as a Pre -Kindergarten teacher at BCA in 2003.

Pre K 3

MRS. JACKIE LAGONI – B.A. in Unified Early Childhood Education with a Reading Endorsement from Loras College. Illinois certification in Early Childhood Teaching and certified by Archdiocese of Chicago as a Teacher Catechist. Member of the International Reading Association.

EXPERIENCE & RESPONSIBILITIES: Taught Kindergarten and worked as Director of Children's Campus, Inc. Child Care Center from 2004 through 2007. Instituted the first Father/Daughter and Mother/Son nights, Book Fair. In a statewide preschool of the year competition received a second place award. Yearbook co-coordinator at Bridgeport Catholic Academy. Tutors reading for second grade at Bridgeport Catholic Academy.