Faculty & Staff - Elementary
Ms. Megan Ferguson | kINDERGARTEN teacher
Ms. Ferguson has taught first grade and preschool at St. Isaac's. She is excited to be teaching Kindergarten this year. Prior to coming to St. Isaac's Ms. Ferguson taught Kindergarten for two years at St. Alphonsus Academy in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Ms. Ferguson holds her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Miami of Ohio.
Mrs. Maria Buchheit | first Grade Teacher
Mrs. Buchheit has been teaching second grade at St. Isaac’s for four years, but she feels as though she has been a part of the SIJ family forever! She is excited to be teaching first grade again this year. She feels blessed to begin another school year being inspired by her students, parents, colleagues and administration. She is a native of Orland Park, IL and has been a student in Catholic schools her whole life- from preschool through graduate school. Her background includes five years of experience teaching RtI students, as well as several years teaching Religious Education classes at St. Bernard’s Church in Homer Glen, IL. She absolutely loves working with children, and it is her mission to instill in her students the confidence that if they try their best, they can make great things happen! More importantly, she wants her students to continue to love and grow in their relationship with Jesus and our Catholic faith. First Communion and First Reconciliation are highlights of their year together, and they work very hard to prepare for these beautiful sacraments. As always, she looks forward to establishing a warm and inviting rapport with her students and their parents, where all of them will create a lifetime of cherished second grade memories.
Mrs. olivia louwagie | Kindergarten Teacher
This is Mrs. Louwagie's fourth year teaching at Saint Issac’s and she feels so blessed to be a part of the SIJ community. Mrs. Louwagie graduated from Marquette University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and Communication Studies. Prior to attending Marquette University, she attended a Catholic grade school and high school in the Chicagoland area. It was through her own Catholic education that Mrs. Louwagie’s passion to teach in a Catholic school was fostered. Mrs. Louwagie is excited to have the opportunity to watch her students learn and grow this year!
Mrs. Meg Nelson/Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Nelson joins St. Isaac Jogues School in Kindergarten this year. Mrs. Nelson is a former parishioner at St. Isaac’s church where she made her First Holy Communion, First Reconciliation and Confirmation. She is beyond thrilled to be part of such a wonderful school. Mrs. Nelson graduated from St. Mary’s College in South Bend, IN and received her Master’s Degree and a Reading Endorsement from National-Louis University. She taught in Second Grade at The Latin School of Chicago and Kindergarten at The Catherine Cook School in Chicago for a combined 10 years. Mrs. Nelson lives in Western Springs with her husband and three children who attend St. John of the Cross Parish School. She is looking forward to a wonderful year!
Mrs. Anne Lapinski | kindergarten Instructional Assistant
Mrs. Lapinski has worked as an Instructional Assistant at St. Isaac’s for 15 years. She has a BA in Elementary Education and Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado. Prior to staying home to raise her three sons, she taught students in first, second and fourth grades. She and her husband have been parishioners of St. Isaac’s for 33 years, and their three sons are all graduates of St. Isaac’s. Mrs. Lapinski feels blessed to work in a Catholic school with wonderful faculty and staff and enthusiastic students!
Mrs. Kelly Rogers | Kindergarten instructional assistant
Mrs. Rogers has been teaching at St. Isaac’s for more than fifteen years. Her passion is music and she loves incorporating musical activities in the kindergarten curriculum. When Mrs. Rogers is not teaching, she spends time at home making music with her daughter and husband. She also loves to watch movies with her three cats!
Mrs. Kathleen Potvin | Fourth Grade Teacher
Mrs. Potvin loves working as a 4th grade homeroom and social studies teacher at St. Isaac’s. She taught middle school Language Arts for years before choosing to stay home and raise a family. While home, she ran a daycare for teachers’ children and tutored students of all ages. She has also worked in Wooddale and Elmhurst teaching 3-5th grade as well as teaching R.E. at Visitation Parish, where her own children continue to further their religious education. When she is not in the classroom, she spends time with her husband and four children, who range in age from 20 to 11. Just as she has enjoyed instilling Catholic values and teachings in her own children, Mrs. Potvin looks forward to working with her students and helping them grow academically, socially, and spiritually. She will have high expectation for them and will work with every child to make sure they have the same expectations for themselves. Together they will grow in the Catholic faith and love of Jesus.
Ms. Serafina Barnes | Third Grade teacher
Mrs. Barnes is enjoying teaching 3rd grade at St. Isaac Jogues. She graduated from Denison University with a major in Education and a minor in psychology. After graduating, she went on to receive her Masters in Early Childhood Education and an endorsement in Special Education from National Louis University. This is Mrs. Barnes’ fourth year teaching, and she is excited to work alongside the amazing staff at St. Isaac’s.
Mrs. Kathleen Brockschmidt | Third Grade Teacher
Mrs. Brockschmidt has enjoyed her many years at St. Isaac’s and is currently working with a great group in third grade. Together they explore the ‘step up’ from second grade and work together to acquire new knowledge, skills, and maturity. Mrs. Brockschmidt earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky, (Go Big Blue Basketball!) and master’s degree from National Louis University.
Mrs. Sarah Cruitt | Second Grade teacher
Mrs. Cruitt is enjoying teaching 2nd grade at St. Isaac Jogues. She graduated from Illinois State University, where she earned a degree in Elementary Education with endorsements in Math, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts. Before coming to St. Isaac’s, Mrs. Cruitt taught 4th grade for two years in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Mrs. Cindy Johnson | First grade teacher
Mrs. Johnson has taught at St Isaac’s for the past 20 years. Her goal is to provide each child with a happy and meaningful school experience. She believes that parents play a crucial role in their child’s education. Therefore, Mrs. Johnson encourages parental communications regarding thoughts or concerns about their child. She believes working together provides the best possible education for her students. She looks forward to another great school year!
Ms. Bridget McElroy | second grade teacher
Ms. McElroy is very excited to begin her fifth year at Saint Isaac Jogues. For three years, she taught first grade at St. Isaac's. This will be her second year teaching second grade. Before coming to St. Isaac's, Ms. McElroy taught first grade at St. Helen School in Chicago. She obtained a wealth of experience while teaching at St. Helen’s and is excited to share those experiences into her classroom at St. Isaac’s. She enjoys educating her students on an academic, personal, and spiritual level. Ms. McElroy attended St. Walter Elementary School, St. Viator High School and Marquette University. As a graduate of these schools she learned the importance of emphasizing a student’s religious and academic development. She enjoys providing this instruction for all students and will work to continue to provide these opportunities that only a Catholic school can offer. As a teacher, she loves being a part of an environment that will help shape students to become strong role models of the Catholic faith in their everyday lives. Ms. McElroy is committed to instilling in her students her Catholic values and will strive to build a strong Catholic foundation based on these values.
Mr. Robert Lee/Fourth Grade Teacher
Mr. Lee is excited to be joining the St. Isaac’s community and teaching 4th grade this year. He grew up in the Chicago suburbs and attended a Catholic grade school and high school in the area. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. After college, he worked in Wilmette Public School District as a classroom paraprofessional for one year before getting his own classroom in a Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Chicago. He taught 2nd grade at St. Athanasius School in Evanston for 6 years, and also taught 1st and 8th grade religion classes while there. He is looking forward to teaching 4th grade and all of the new experiences that will come with joining St. Isaac’s this year.
