Faculty & Staff - Elementary
Ms. Megan Ferguson | first grade teacher
Ms. Ferguson has taught first grade and preschool at St. Isaac's. Prior to coming to St. Isaac's she 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.
Ms. Claire Benz | Kindergarten Instructional assistant
This is Ms. Benz’s third year as an kindergarten instructional assistant at St. Isaac’s. She graduated from Hillsdale College with a degree in Communications and Rhetoric and Early Childhood Education. She enjoys working with her students and meeting all their families! Ms. Benz absolutely loves the atmosphere of the school and is thrilled to be working at St. Isaac’s!
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 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.
Ms. Olivia Doyle | Kindergarten Teacher
This is Miss Doyle’s third year teaching at Saint Issac’s and she feels so blessed to be a part of the SIJ community. Miss Doyle graduated from Marquette University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and Communication Studies. Prior to attending Marquette University, Miss Doyle attended a Catholic grade school and high school in the Chicagoland area. It was through her own Catholic education that Miss Doyle’s passion to teach in a Catholic school was fostered. Miss Doyle is excited to have the opportunity to watch her students learn and grow this year!
Ms. Caitlin Kielty | Fourth grade teacher
Ms. Kielty is very excited to begin her third year of teaching at Saint Isaac’s. Ms. Kielty attended Notre Dame Grade School and could not be happier to return to the Diocese of Joliet to begin her teaching career. She is a recent graduate of Saint Mary’s of Notre Dame where she double majored in Elementary Education and Spanish. Ms. Kielty is looking forward to sharing her faith and passion for teaching with her 4th grade students!
Mrs. Anne Lapinski | kindergarten Instructional Assistant
Mrs. Lapinski has worked as an Instructional Assistant at St. Isaac’s for 14 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. 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’ third 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 fourth year at Saint Isaac Jogues. For the past three years, she taught first grade at St. Isaac's. This year she will be 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.
Ms. Kathryn Wagner | Kindergarten Teacher
This is Ms. Wagner’s fifth year teaching at Saint Isaac Jogues. Prior to teaching at Saint Isaac's, she taught Kindergarten at a Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Ms. Wagner is a SIJ graduate and thrilled to be teaching Kindergarten at her former grade school! Upon graduating from Saint Isaac’s, she attended Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park and Saint Mary’s of Notre Dame. Ms. Wagner majored in Elementary Education with minors in Reading and Special Education. Post-grad, she returned to school to earn her Learning Behavior Specialist degree. She has attended all Catholic schools and she believes that Catholic institutions such as Saint Isaac Jogues provide students with a solid academic foundation, while also guiding their moral, spiritual, and personal growth. She is eager to share her faith and educational background with her students!
Ms. Claire Quinn | second grade teacher
Ms. Quinn graduated from the University of Dayton where she holds her B.S. in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Quinn is looking forward to teaching second grade this year. She taught preschool at St. Isaac's for two years where she brought a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to our new program. Miss Quinn is a product of Catholic education from preschool through college. She believes that Catholic schools foster students to grow academically and spiritually. Ms. Quinn is excited to share her faith and love of learning with her second grade students.
