Front view of St. Jude Catholic School building with a sign and logo on the facade, under a partly cloudy sky.

Faculty and Staff

Our exceptional faculty and staff support students in their academic, extracurricular, and spiritual lives at SJCS. They bring forth and put into practice the unique Catholic elements that guide students’ faith formation and distinguish SJCS from other area schools.

ADMINISTRATION

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FR. PATRICK HENEHAN
PASTOR
RELIGION TEACHER

St. Mary's University of Winona
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

Kenrick Seminary
Masters of Divinity, Masters of Theology

26 years Ordained
Joined SJCS in 2010

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FR. JACK WATT
PAROCHIAL VICAR
RELIGION TEACHER

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor of Science - Architecture

1 year Ordained
Joined SJCS in 2025

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SR. MARY ANDRÉ, O.P.
PRINCIPAL

University of Notre Dame
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

Catholic University of America
Master of Arts in Education

Madonna University
Master of Arts in Catholic School Leadership

Years Experience: 9
Joined SJCS in 2022

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MRS. JILL LINDSEY
DEVELOPMENT AND
ADMISSIONS DIRECTOR

Loyola University of Baltimore
Bachelor of Arts in
Communications and Media

Years Experience: 15
Joined SJCS in 2010

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MRS. NHORA STRICKLER
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Illinois Central College

Years Experience: 7
Joined SJCS in 2019

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CLARE ROSE
SCHOOL MASCOT

St. Jude Rectory and Convent

Years on Earth: 10
Joined SJCS in 2015

TEACHERS AND STAFF

Preschool Team

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MRS. ERIN PIKE
THREE YEAR OLD PRESCHOOL
FULL DAY STUDENTS

Iowa State University
Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Services

Years of Experience: 6
Joined SJCS in 2024

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MRS. LINDSEY ZOPEL
THREE YEAR OLD PRESCHOOL
HALF DAY STUDENTS

Illinois State University
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Bachelor of Science in Special Education

Years of Experience: 9
Joined SJCS in 2021

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MRS. HEATHER SHANE
PREKINDERGARTEN AND CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD DIRECTOR

Christendom College
Bachelor of Arts in History

CGS Certification Levels I & II

Years Experience: 22
Joined SJCS in 2018

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MRS. LAURA ORTEGA
PREKINDERGARTEN AIDE

Chilpancingo Autonomous University of Guerrero - Mexico
Early Elementary Education Degree

Years Experience: 22
Joined SJCS in 2009

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MISS ELISABETH GRACE
PRESCHOOL AIDE, PREKINDERGARTEN AIDE AND KINDERGARTEN MUSIC

Pensacola Christian College
Bachelor of Arts in Music Education

Pensacola Christian College
Masters in Music Education

Years Experience: 13
Joined SJCS in 2023

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MRS. SHERRI MAGNER
PRESCHOOL AIDE

Nebraska Wesleyan; University of Nebraska Medical Center
Doctor of Pharmacy Degree

Years Experience: 8
Joined SJCS in 2018

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MRS. NICOLE GILKESON
PRESCHOOL AND PREKINDERGARTEN AIDE

Illinois Central College

Years Experience: 4
Joined SJCS in 2021

Elementary K-5 Team

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SR. MARIE BERNADETTE, O.P.
KINDERGARTEN

Eastern Michigan University
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

Years of Experience: 9
Joined SJCS in 2023

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MRS. SUE CULP
KINDERGARTEN

Western Illinois University
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education - Specialization in Language Arts and Math

Years of Experience: 16
Joined SJCS in 2018

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MRS. GINA KOURI
FIRST GRADE

Creighton University
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

Years Experience: 22
Joined SJCS in 2016

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MRS. KRISTINA MAJOR
FIRST GRADE

University of Toledo
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

Years Experience: 40
Joined SJCS in 2011

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SR. IMELDA MARIE, O.P.
SECOND GRADE

Eastern Michigan University
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Integrated Science

University of Southern Mississippi
Masters in Science Education

Years of Experience: 13
Joined SJCS in 2022

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MISS TALLY SEVIER
SECOND GRADE

Bradley University
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an ESL Endorsement

Years of Experience: 7
Joined SJCS in 2019

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MISS ANNA TAYLOR
THIRD GRADE

Bradley University
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education - Science Concentration

Years Experience: 10
Joined SJCS in 2016

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MISS KATIE MARX
THIRD GRADE AIDE

Saint Louis University

Years Experience: 10
Joined SJCS in 2016

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MRS. AMY COULTER
FOURTH GRADE HOMEROOM, 4TH/5TH GRADE MATH, RELIGION, AND SCIENCE

Illinois State University
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with Math, English and Social Studies Endorsements

Years of Experience: 10
Joined SJCS in 2018

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MS. MONICA ROBOTHAM
FOURTH GRADE AIDE

Valparaiso University
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Years of Experience: 5
Joined SJCS in 2020

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MRS. MORIAH YOUNG
FIFTH GRADE HOMEROOM, 4TH/5TH GRADE ELA AND SOCIAL STUDIES

Purdue University
Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with Endorsement in Middle School English Language Arts

Purdue University
Master of Education in Learning Design and Technology

Years Experience: 11
Joined SJCS in 2025

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MRS. JANA ANDERSON
FIFTH GRADE AIDE

Illinois Central College
Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education

Years of Experience: 6
Joined SJCS in 2022

Middle School Team

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MISS ANTONIA MULLENS
SIXTH GRADE HOMEROOM AND MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH

Eureka College
Bachelor of Science in Education with Minor in Mathematics

St. Xavier University
Masters in Education and Leadership

Years of Experience: 26
Joined SJCS in 2014

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MR. BENJAMIN HEBERER
SIXTH GRADE HOMEROOM AND MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES

Illinois State University
Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies Education

Years of Experience: 3
Joined SJCS in 2025

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MRS. KENDRA VARNOLD
SEVENTH GRADE HOMEROOM AND MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS

Eastern Illinois University
Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with Endorsement in Middle School English

Illinois State University
Master of Arts in Reading

Years Experience: 21
Joined SJCS in 2023

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MR. ALBERTO VARGAS
SEVENTH GRADE HOMEROOM AND MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE

St. Ambrose University Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with ESL and Reading Endorsements

Years of Experience: 5
Joined SJCS in 2023

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SR. MARIA FATIMA, O.P.
EIGHTH GRADE HOMEROOM AND MIDDLE SCHOOL RELIGION

Eastern Michigan University Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, with focus in Language Arts

University of St. Thomas, St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity
Master of Arts in Theology

Years Experience: 12
Joined SJCS in 2024

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MRS. JENNIFER BROSE
EIGHTH GRADE HOMEROOM, ENRICHMENT AND SCIENCE ASSISTANT

Purdue University
Bachelor of Science in Food Science

Years Experience: 6
Joined SJCS in 2018

Preschool-8 Specials and Support Staff

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MRS. LOURDES ROBLES-LUGO
SPANISH

Cetys University Mexico
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Engineering

Years of Experience: 9
Joined SJCS in 2023

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MR. NICK ANDERSON
PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Arizona State University
Bachelors in Public Policy and Public Service with Concentration in Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Years Experience: 5
Joined SJCS in 2020

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MRS. SARAH HANSEN
1ST-3RD GRADE MUSIC AND BAND DIRECTOR

Illinois State University
Bachelor of Arts in Music Education

Years Experience: 17
Joined SJCS in 2016

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MR. ANDREW EARNEST
4TH-8TH GRADE MUSIC, CHOIR DIRECTOR AND DIRECTOR OF SACRED MUSIC

Indiana University - Bloomington
Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance

St. Joseph’s College
Bachelor of Science in Applied Music

Years of Experience: 15
Joined SJCS in 2016

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MRS. MAUREEN LERVAAG
CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD AIDE

Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville
Bachelor of Science - Biology

CGS Certification Levels I & II

Years Experience: 5
Joined SJCS in 2021

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MRS. KATIE SCHMIDT
ART

St. Ambrose University
Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

Years Experience: 10
Joined SJCS in 2020

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MRS. JAMIE JAEGLE
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

SERVICES PROVIDED THROUGH DUNLAP SCHOOL DISTRICT #323

Illinois State University
Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

Illinois State University
Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology

Years Experience: 24
Joined SJCS in 2022

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MRS. MICHELLE BAKER, LCPC
PART-TIME SCHOOL COUNSELOR

Bradley University
Masters in Counseling, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor

Years Experience: 32
Joined SJCS in 2021

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MRS. CHRISTINE FIELD
INTERVENTIONS

Northwestern University Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

Temple University
Masters of Science in Special Education

Years Experience: 36
Joined SJCS in 2016

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MRS. MARGO TONY
INTERVENTIONS

Illinois Central College
Associates Degree in Child Development

Years Experience: 18
Joined SJCS in 2018

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MRS. KATIE WAYNE
LIBRARIAN AND OFFICE ASSISTANT

University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology

Years Experience: 2
Joined SJCS in 2024

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MISS MARY MCPARLAND
INTERVENTIONS AND FIFTH GRADE AIDE

University of Mary
Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Catholic Studies

Years Experience: 1
Joined SJCS in 2025

Kitchen and Facility Staff

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MRS. NORMA SANCHEZ
KITCHEN MANAGER

Years Experience: 16
Joined SJCS in 2021

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MRS. CARLA SANTOS
LUNCHROOM COORDINATOR

Years Experience: 1
Joined SJCS in 2025

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MS. MARIA VALLE
KITCHEN AIDE

Years Experience: 1
Joined SJCS in 2025

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MRS. JENNY MILLER
EVENTS

Years Experience: 5
Joined SJCS in 2021

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MISS LEAH STRICKLER
AFTERCARE DIRECTOR

Years Experience: 3
Joined SJCS in 2025

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MR. JOSEPH STARK
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

Years Experience: 2
Joined SJCS in 2024

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MR. JEFF SMITH
MAINTENANCE DIRECTOR

Years Experience: 4
Joined SJCS in 2020

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MR. TIM DRISCOLL
CUSTODIAN

Years Experience: 2
Joined SJCS in 2024