Elementary Faculty and Staff

Full Day Kindergarten Teacher – Mrs. Cheryl Russo has taught full day kindergarten for 6 years in St. Louis before teachng preschool for 12 years at Prince of Peace in Schaumburg. She started both the St. Theresa Preschool - Holy Family Site in 2000 and the Holy Family Academy Kindergarten in 2002. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood Certification from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Mrs. Russo is a parishioner of Holy Family and a Eucharistic and Neighborhood Minister.

Kindergarten Teacher - Mrs. Kate O'Brien holds a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Dayton.  She also holds a Masters Degree in Language and Literacy with a concentration in Reading from National-Louis University and a Masters Degree in Instructional Leadership from Loyola University.  Mrs. O'Brien comes to Holy Family Catholic Academy after having been at The Frances Xavier Warde School in Chicago for the past eleven years.  She has experience teaching preschool, 1st grade, 2nd grade, and 4th grade.  She also had experience as the Site Administrator of the Old St. Patrick's Campus at FXW.

Mrs. Diana Myers - part-time Teacher Assistant for our full-day Kindergarten program Mrs. Myers splits a full-time Teacher Assistant position with Mrs. Kristie Carlson. Mrs. Myers holds a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education with a Minor in Early Childhood Education and Psychology. Previously, Mrs. Myers has taught 1st, 2nd and 4th Grades and is a certified Substitute Teacher for all grade levels.

Mrs. Kristie Carlson - part-time Teacher Assistant for our full-day Kindergarten program  holds a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education with a Minor in Early Childhood. She has helped with physical education classes at Holy Family Academy before becoming a Teacher Assistant in kindergarten. Her previous teaching experience included working as a pre-kindergarten teacher in a suburban school.

1st Grade Teacher – Mrs. Jeanne Henry has 26 years experience in the Archdiocese of Chicago’s schools. Mrs. Henry has taught 3rd Grade, 1st Grade and Kindergarten at St. Hubert’s school in Hoffman Estates. For 9 years she was Principal at Transfiguration School in Wauconda after which she returned to St. Hubert’s to be the Resource Teacher. Mrs. Henry holds a Masters Degree in Educational Administration and Special Education.

Mrs. Kristen Gaeding – 1st Grade Teacher Assistant Mrs. "G" holds a Bachelors in Elementary Education/Social Sciences from Northeastern Illinois University, and an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Parkland Junior College in Champaign, Illinois. Mrs. G brings previous teaching experience to the Academy as a Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Teacher and has worked as Head Preschool Teacher in a nearby suburban school. Mrs. G is also a Certified Aerobic and Exercise Instructor, a Mom/Tot Preschool Instructor, a Pee-Wee Baseball and Girls Softball Coach and a Day Camp Counselor. Mrs. "G" also is the Academy lunchroom / recess coordinator.

2nd Grade Teacher - Miss Peggy Sesko holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education and graduated from National-Louis University. She has previously taught Kindergarten & 1st Grade. Miss Sesko is a Holy Family parishioner.

2nd Grade Teacher Assistant - Mrs. Marilyn Brinckerhoff  holds a Bachelors Degree in English/Secondary Education from Clarke College. She is an Illinois certified Substitute Teacher. Mrs. Brinckerhoff brings a variety of teaching experiences to the Academy having previously taught high-school English, 8th Grade at St. Francis Xavier School in Wilmette, and Teacher Assistant at a nearby parochial school.

3rd Grade Teacher - Miss Becky Biesiada graduated from Augustana College with a degree in Elementary Education. Miss Biesada is a Holy Family parishioner and Spirit Camp leader. She volunteers for Habitat for Humanity.

3rd Grade part-time Teacher Assistant - Mrs. Donna Dincher  holds a Bachelor of Science in Education with Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disorder Endorsements from Eastern Illinois University. She holds a Masters of Arts - School of Education from Saint Xavier University. Mrs. Dincher has previously taught students in District 211 (9th - 12th grade) and District 15 (4th - 6th grade). She was then employed in District 21 (1st - 6th grade), working with special needs students in the area of Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disorders. She has also worked part-time at Northwest Community Hospital in the Psychiatric ward with students in grades 5 - 12. Mrs. Dincher is a Holy Family parishioner and she has taught in the Faith program at Holy Family from 1993 - present.

4th Grade Teacher - Ms. Colleen Jele recently graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Colleen holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and minors in Language Arts and English. During her studies, Colleen taught at three public schools in the Champaign area. She is a Holy Family parishioner. She previously was the teaching assistant in 4th and 5th grade.