Meet the Staff - St. Bridget Catholic School

Preschool - Mrs. Denise Silich

Mrs. Silich has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Ivy Tech State College and 13 years experience.

Email: dsilich [at] stbridgethobart [dot] org
Web Page: www.schoolnotes.com/46342/stbprek.html

Preschool Aide: Mrs. Monica Barker

Mrs. Barker has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Purdue University in West Lafayette and 2 years towards an Associates Degree in Child Development from Ivy Tech State College. She has been our preschool aide for 4 years. Prior to her current position she subbed in the primary grades and in Physical Education. She has taught first and second grade religion, coordinated the Vacation Bible School program, coordinated the inaugural year of Generations of Faith for the Religious Education Department. Mrs. Barker is a Children’s Liturgy Leader during mass, Minister of the Word (lector), Minister of the Eucharist to the homebound, an “Angel: to the Gabriel Ministry, and co-chairperson of the Children’s Fun Fair for the Parish Festival. Mrs. Barker has two years toward completion of the Ministry Formation Program for the Diocese of Gary. She is Mom to Matt, grade 8, and Dylan, grade 4, both students at St. Bridget, as well as wife to Jim, who is a Cub Scout Pack 69 Cub master.

Email: monbarker [at] stbridgethobart [dot] org

Kindergarten - Mrs. Susan Syrcle

Mrs. Syrcle has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology/Psychology from Culver-Stockton University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Milikin University, and a Masters Degree in Education with an emphasis in reading from Illinois University. She also has an additional 28 hours of post graduate work beyond her masters. Mrs. Syrcle has state endorsements in kindergarten, reading, language arts, and social sciences. She was the recipient of Those Who Excel/Teacher of Excellence in Decatur School District 61. More recently she was a semi-finalist for the Indiana Project E/Excellence in Education Teacher Award and has become a Certified Mentor for the State of Indiana Department of Education. In addition to teaching kindergarten for the past 8 years, she has taught first and second grades in her 24 years of experience in teaching.

Email: ssyrcle [at] stbridgethobart [dot] org
Web Page: www.schoolnotes.com/46342/stbk.html

1st Grade - Mrs. Diana L. Boyle

Mrs. Boyle has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in English from Indiana University and a Master’s Degree in Education with a minor in Philosophy from Indiana University. Mrs. Boyle has 37 years experience: 29 of which have been at St. Bridget. In 2000, Mrs. Boyle was recognized for 20 years of service to the Diocese of Gary, and received an Excellence in Education Teacher Award from the 2000 Project. In 2006 she received the Nina and Kenneth J. Allen Excellence in Teaching Award. Mrs. Boyle is a member of the National Catholic Education Association, the Indiana Reading Council, and the Indiana Non-Public Education Association.

Email: dboyle [at] stbridgethobart [dot] org
Web Page: www.schoolnotes.com/46342/stbfirstb1.html

2nd Grade - Mrs. Amy Asher

Mrs. Asher has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Purdue University North Central. Mrs. Asher is starting her first year teaching here at St. Bridget. She stays active by coaching, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and spending time with her two children. She resides in Hobart with her husband and children.

Email: aasher [at] stbridgethobart [dot] org
Web Page: www.schoolnotes.com/46342/stbseconda.html

3rd Grade - Mrs. Corrine Krischano
Mrs. Corrine Krischano is a 2005 graduate of Purdue University North Central with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She has a background in ISTEP coaching and remediation. She has spoken at a national conference on the importance of technology in education. Currently, she resides in Valparaiso with her three children.

Email: ckrischano [at] stbridgethobart [dot] org
Web Page: www.schoolnotes.com/46342/stb3s.html

4th Grade - Mrs. Angela Leuck

Mrs. Leuck has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in reading from Purdue University in West Lafayette. Mrs. Leuck has 14 years experience and is has been our staff sponsor for Grandparents Day, Catholic Schools Week, and Open House. Mrs. Leuck is a member of the Diocesan Reading Curriculum Committee, and the Porter County Farm Bureau Board. She is a Minister of the Word at Sacred Heart Church where she resides in Wanatah. Mrs. Leuck is the proud mother of six children.

Email: aleuck [at] stbridgethobart [dot] org
Web Page: www.schoolnotes.com/46342/stbfourth.html

5th Grade - Mrs. Celia Spencer

Mrs. Spencer has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University Northwest and 18 post graduate credits. Mrs. Spencer has 15 years experience in the Diocese of Gary. Mrs. Spencer has served as St. Bridget sponsor for CYO Spelling Bee, Tri Kappa Spelling Bee, Catholic Schools Week Committee, and coach for both fifth and sixth grade Knowledge Master’s Open.

Email: cspencer [at] stbridgethobart [dot] org
Web Page: www.schoolnotes.com/46342/stbfifth.html

Jr. High/6th Grade - Mrs. Lisa Lococo

Mrs. Lococo has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Purdue University North Central. She also has an Associates Degree in Accounting and Business. While at Purdue, Mrs. Lococo received the 2006 Outstanding Future Educator Award from the Indiana Association of Colleges for Teacher Education for her exceptional performance as a student teacher. Although this is her first year as a teacher, she has spent the last two years working as an instructional aide, a special education substitute, and a third and fourth grade remediation aide in the Duneland School Corporation. She enjoys going to workshops and seminars, and in 2004, she was a presenter at the Annual Reading Conference in Indianapolis. Mrs. Lococo has been a youth soccer coach, an assistant Boy Scout leader, and a mentor in her local community. She loves spending time with her wonderful husband, Don, and her loving son, Eric.

Email: llococo [at] stbridgethobart [dot] org
Web Page: www.schoolnotes.com/46342/stbmathjh.html

Jr. High/7th Grade - Mrs. Sandra Purcell

Mrs. Purcell has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Humanities from the National College of Education. Mrs. Purcell has 25 years experience and teaches science, grammar, and literature. She has been a sponsor for Student Council, Science Bowl, and the Reader’s Digest Vocabulary Competition. She has also been a sponsor for science fairs, science clubs, and judge for the science fair at the Museum of Science and Industry.

Email: spurcell [at] stbridgethobart [dot] org
Web Page: www.schoolnotes.com/46342/stbscience.html

Jr. High/8th Grade - Mrs. Donna Lewandowski

Mrs. Lewandowski has a Bachelor’s Degree in History with a minor in Social Science from Edgewood College in Wisconsin and a Master’s Degree in Education and Social Studies from Purdue University in West Lafayette. Mrs. Lewandowski has 35 years experience and teaches social studies and literature. She has been the Academic Bowl coach for 7 years. In 2003 her Academic Bowl team won the Diocese Championship! She has been the Geography Bee sponsor whose teams have been state finalists 7 times. Of those 7 years, twice St. Bridget came in third in the state. Mrs. Lewandowski was recognized in 1997 for 25 years of service to the Diocese of Gary. She is a Diocesan certified Religious Education Teacher, and has been a member of the National Catholic Education Association since 1975.

Email: dlewandowski [at] stbridgethobart [dot] org
Web Page: www.schoolnotes.com/46342/stbsocialstudies.html

Director of Religious Education & Religion Teacher: Mrs. Mary Anne Shaw
Mrs. Shaw attended Indiana University Northwest and holds an Associates Degree in Religious Studies and Diploma of Ministry from Calumet College. Mrs. Shaw will receive a Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies in May and has 18 years experience. Mrs. Shaw is a graduate of the Lay Ecclesial Ministry Program and Facilitator for the VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children. She is the Unit Coordinator for St. Bridget Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troop 69, a member of the Catholic Committee on Scouting, a Merit Badge and Religious Emblems Counselor. Mrs. Shaw is the Director of RCIA, a lector, a Eucharistic Minister, Minister of Care, and a member of the St. Ann Confraternity of Christian Mothers.

Email: mashaw [at] stbridgethobart [dot] org
Web Page: www.schoolnotes.com/46342/stbreligion.html

Religion Teacher & Religious Education Secretary: Darlene Williams

Mrs. Williams has a Diploma of Ministry from Calumet College and has been catechist for 16 years. Mrs. Williams assists in Sacramental Preparation and is a Eucharistic Minister for the Parish. Mrs. Williams received "The Catechist of the Year Award" in 2005.

Email: dwilliams [at] stbridgethobart [dot] org
Web Page: www.schoolnotes.com/46342/stbreligionw.html

Music Teacher and Computer Teacher: Mrs. Brenda Bondi

Mrs. Bondi received her diploma from the Sherwood School of Music in Chicago and attended Ball State University as a music education major with a music therapy minor. She has also taken graduate music classes from VanderCook College of Music. She holds certificates for WordPerfect, Lotus1-2-3, MS Word, and MS Excel. Mrs. Bondi is the director of the St. Bridget School and adult choirs. She thinks the iPod is the perfect blend of her two teaching passions.

Email: bbond [at] stbridgethobart [dot] org
Web Page: www.schoolnotes.com/46342/stbcomputer.html
www.schoolnotes.com/46342/stbmusic.html

Art: Mrs. Lisa Peretin
Mrs. Peretin has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication/Public Relations from Valparaiso University with post graduate work in art, photography, theatre arts, and music certification. Mrs. Peretin has 14 years experience.

Email: lperetin [at] stbridgethobart [dot] org
Web Page: www.schoolnotes.com/46342/stbart.html

Gym: Miss Sara Kraus
Miss Kraus graduated in 2005 with distinction from Purdue University’s School of Liberal Arts with a Bachelor’s Degree Education specializing in Physical Education. She is a member of the Indiana Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, a member of the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, a member of the Health and Kinesiology Club, and a member of Dance Marathon benefiting Riley’s Hospital for Children.

Email: skraus [at] stbridgethobart [dot] org
Web Page: www.schoolnotes.com/46342/stbpek.html

Principal: Mr. Douglas Pearson
Mr. Pearson has a Bachelors of Arts degree from Purdue University, a Master of Science Degree from Indiana University and an Administrative Degree from Indiana Wesleyan University. He has been a teacher for 32 years; 28 years at Highland High School, where he served on numerous committees and in many capacities.

Read Mr. Pearson's biography