Bridgeport Catholic Academy
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    • Welcome from the Principal
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    • Nativity of Our Lord & Saint Gabriel Parish
    • St. Gabriel Catholic School

School Administration

The Administration, Faculty and Staff at Bridgeport Catholic Academy are dedicated to serving the needs of the students and their families and would be happy to assist you in any way we can! You may contact staff members directly or by contacting the school office  (773) 376-6223.

Rev. James F. Hurlbert
Pastor
​[email protected]

Father James Hurlbert is the oldest of seven children and grew up in the suburbs of Detroit and Chicago. He attended Catholic grade schools and Catholic High Schools (Loyola Academy in Wilmette and Brother Rice in Birmingham, MI). He graduated from Kalamazoo College in 1985 with degrees in Psychology and Philosophy. He studied for the priesthood at the University of St. Mary of the Lake- Mundelein Seminary and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1990. He concluded his studies in 1991, receiving a Licentiate in Sacred Theology. He served as associate pastor at St. Pascal in Chicago (1991-1996) and St. Anne in Barrington (1996-1999). He has served as pastor at St. Alphonsus in Chicago (2000-2012), Ascension in Oak Park (2015-202-), and Nativity of Our Lord and Saint Gabriel (2020-present). From 2013-2015 he served as chaplain at a home for orphans and at-risk children in Guatemala.

Mrs. Kelly Brown
Principal
[email protected]

Mrs. Brown has a B.A. from Purdue University, an M.ED. from Olivet Nazarene University, and is a graduate of Notre Dame Center for Transformational Leadership program.  Previously, she was an administrator/principal at Cardinal Joseph Bernardin School in Orland Hills.  Mrs. Brown is an advocate for school choice and feels strongly about her life's work in Catholic education and strongly believes in its mission of creating disciples of Jesus Christ and productive members of society. She has two college age daughters who are pursuing their dreams in various medical fields. Mrs. Brown is very excited about the unique opportunity of growing and strengthening our two excellent schools.

Mrs. Amanda Canino
Office Manager
[email protected]

Mrs. Canino serves as the Office Manager for BCA. She handles all registration, tuition, fundraising and marketing matters and is a great resource for BCA parents, students, and staff. Mrs. Canino has a strong history with BCA as she is a proud alumna and her two children currently attend the school.

Mrs. Rebecca Marinopoulos 
Office Secretary 
[email protected]

Early Childhood

Mrs. Tressa Fasula-Bermudez  
Pre-K 3 Teacher
[email protected]

Miss Tressa was born and raised in Bridgeport and is a former BCA Bandit. She majored in Fine Arts at Arizona State University and is working toward an advanced degree in Early Childhood Education. She has been working with children for over a decade and is a published children's book author. Miss Tressa is passionate about working with children and is so excited to join the BCA family.

Mrs. Patty Zeimys
Pre-K 3 Assistant
​[email protected]

Mrs. Kathy McKillop
Pre-K 4 Teacher
[email protected]

Mrs. Sue Sheppard
Pre-K 4 Assistant
[email protected]

Mrs. Jackie Lagoni
Kindergarten Teacher
[email protected]

Miss Jackie graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Unified Early Childhood Education and a Reading Endorsement from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.  Before coming to BCA, Miss Jackie was the Director and Kindergarten teacher at Children's Campus, Inc. Child Care Center for three years.  For the last seventeen years, Miss Jackie has taught at BCA, first in Pre K 3 and as our Kindergarten teacher for the last 9 years.  Miss Jackie has been nominated for two Golden Apple Teacher awards, and was awarded the Archdiocese of Chicago Heart of the School--Heart of Excellence Award in 2019.

Primary Grades

Mrs. Mary Catherine LiFonti
1st Grade Teacher
​[email protected]

Mrs. Lisa Grabowski
2nd Grade Teacher
[email protected]

Ms. Sierra Kelly 
3rd Grade Teacher 
​[email protected]

Mrs. Bridget McCarthy 
4th Grade Teacher
[email protected]

​Mrs. Samantha Cesar
5th Grade Teacher
[email protected]

Middle School

6th Grade Teacher - Middle School History & Science 
​[email protected]

Mrs. Katherine Steinkraus
7th Grade Teacher - Middle School Math
[email protected]

Mrs. Gina Geisert  
8th Grade Teacher (Middle School - Language Arts)
[email protected]

Ms. Geisert graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a Middle School Endorsement from Roosevelt University.  Later returning to Roosevelt University where she received her Masters in Language and Literacy receiving her Type 10 certification as a reading specialist.  For the last twenty five years, Ms. Geisert has been part of the Bridgeport Catholic Academy family.  She has been nominated for three Golden Apple Teacher awards, and the Archdiocese of Chicago Heart of the School--Heart of Excellence Award.

Specials Teachers 

​

Mrs. Mary Bell
Humanities Teacher
[email protected]

Mrs. Mary Bell currently teaches Humanities at BCA.   She is a DePaul University graduate with a B.M. in Music Therapy. She worked for a few years as a Music Therapist in Special Ed.  She picked up remaining education courses at Chicago State and St. Xavier Universities and began teaching Kindergarten at Queen of Martyrs.  She taught Kindergarten and music for 16 years at Q of M, Most Holy Redeemer and St. Christophers. After a long break, she returned to teaching seven years ago as the music teacher at BCA.  

Ms. Megan Young
Title I
[email protected]

Ms. Stephany Anaya
Spanish Teacher
​​[email protected]

Mr. Kal Moy
Physical Education Teacher
​[email protected]

​School Staff

Mrs. Joette Miller
(4th - 8th  Grade) Aide
​[email protected]

Mrs. Alicia Meehan
(K - 3rd Grade) Aide
[email protected]

Mr. Tim Smith
Facilities Manager 

Mrs. Kim Osowiec
Operations Director
​
Kim Osowiec is the Operations Director for Nativity of Our Lord & St. Gabriel Parish, St. Gabriel Catholic School and Bridgeport Catholic Academy.  She has 20+ years of experience in Operations Management within the Archdiocese of Chicago and Catholic Schools specifically.  Prior to joining the Archdiocese she held positions in administrative management in a national  Human Resource Consulting company as well as a retail operation in the Chicago Suburbs.  Kim was born and raised in Chicago area and has raised her family here.
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CONTACT US

Bridgeport Catholic Academy
3700 S. Lowe Avenue
Chicago, IL 60609
Directions

Phone 773-376-6223
​Fax 773-376-3864

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@ Bridgeport Catholic Academy
  • About Us
    • Welcome from the Principal
    • Mission & Vision
    • Staff Directory
    • School Hours
    • Contact & Directions
    • What's Happening
  • Admissions
    • Admission Overview
    • Admission Process
    • Private Tour
    • Tuition, Rates & Fees
  • Current Families
    • Weekly Newsletter
    • Handbook
    • School Calendar
    • Forms & Documents
    • School Uniforms
    • Family Service
    • Track Volunteer Hours
    • PowerSchool Link
  • Athletics
    • Athletics
    • Athletics Calendar
    • Athletics Committee
  • Support
    • Alumni
  • Get Involved
    • Home School Association
  • Parish
    • Nativity of Our Lord & Saint Gabriel Parish
    • St. Gabriel Catholic School