About Us:
Teachers and Staff
At the Academy, our faculty members hold bachelor’s degrees in education, and most of our faculty continue their higher education to achieve additional certifications and master's degrees. In addition, our faculty and staff are considered to be highly qualified according to the guidelines set by the No Child Left Behind Act. Each person on staff continues to professionally renew themselves with classes and workshops.
Director / Spanish Teacher
Mrs. Jennifer Hodge is the Director of the the Academy of St. Priscilla at Divine Savior. She is excited the Academy is going into it's second year as an Early Childhood Center in the Archdiocese of Chicago. This year, Mrs. Hodge will also be teaching Spanish to all of the students.
Mrs. Hodge has worked within the Archdiocese of Chicago for the past nine years, first as a Spanish teacher, then assistant principal, and now Director of the Academy. Her education began at St. Priscilla School, and continued at Dominican University, where she obtained a Master of Arts in Teaching. Later, she attended DePaul University for Administration certification.
Mrs. Hodge and her husband enjoy spending time with their three rambunctious cats, Minerva, Oliver, and Scout. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, sewing, and reading. It is also very important to her to spend time with family and friends. She is looking forward to a wonderful year with all of the new and returning families and students at the Academy.
Multi-Age (K-3rd) Classroom Teacher
Mrs. Rachel Sibick taught First Grade for 4 ½ years in a school in Berwyn. She and her husband have two cats, Chloe and Parusia, which they love to play with. They do not have any children, but plan to have some in the future. Mrs. Sibick's favorite leisure activities are reading and spending time with family and friends.
Mrs. Sibick is eager to join the Academy of Saint Priscilla. She looks forward to working with both parents and students.
Kindergarten Teacher
Ms. Kim Marquardt graduated from Bradley University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Ms. Kim taught kindergarten, first and third grades at St. Emily School. For the past three years, she tutored students at Sylvan Learning Centers. She enjoys coming up with fun and creative ideas to use with her students.
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Ms. Nancy Marek graduated from Northeastern Illinois University with a major in Elementary Education in 2004. She has more than fifteen years of preschool experience and recently taught preschool for three years at St. Josaphat School in Chicago. Ms. Nancy is excited to begin her journey here at The Academy of St. Priscilla at Divine Savior.
Ms. Nancy is looking forward to working with parents and their children so that children can reach their full potential. There will be many wonderful experiences and opportunities to learn and grow in the days ahead.
Pre-School Teacher
Ms. Margaret Lolich earned a Teaching Certification for Early Childhood Education from Northeastern Illinois University. She worked in preschool at St. John Brebeuf School in Niles. In her spare time she enjoys doing activities with her two daughters, Megan and Emily.
Pre-Kindergarten Classroom Aide
Mrs. Tracy Aguilar has been a volunteer at Hiawatha Park for baseball and at her children's Catholic school serving as a room representative and assisting with lunch duties. Mrs. A. is also an after school care worker and a Brownie troop assistant leader for her daughter. She has been married for 17 years and has four children.
Mrs. A. is excited to be the Academy's Pre-Kindergarten Classroom Aide and is looking forward to this school year.
Library, Art, and Physical Education Teacher
Mrs. Katie Brown is a St. Priscilla School alumna, who went on to earn a college degree in Sports Medicine. She is married with 2 little boys and a baby girl, who are her world.
Mrs. Katie worked for 6 years at the Galter Lifecenter in Chicago, where her greatest achievements were starting up successful fitness programming for children of all ages (still in place today!) and being able to train special populations. She is absolutely thrilled to be a part of the Academy team and hopes to get your child excited about physical activity!
Webmaster
Mr. Tom Schorsch is an alumnus of the former St. Priscilla School, St. Ignatius College Prep, and the University of Illinois, where he studied Rhetoric (Wiriting and Literature) and Philosophy. He also studied Acting at the British American Drama Academy at Oxford University.
Mr. Tom worked as the Pre-Kindergarten Aide at the Academy for most of the 2010-2011 school year before returning to college full-time. Mr. Tom worked for over 10 years at the Chicago Park District, working in the citywide Community Recreation department out of the central office. There he specialized in non-formal education in nature and the literary and performing arts. Highlights of his career in recreation include: running the Jazz Ambassadors, a summer internship for talented teen musicians, designing and leading historical bicycle tours, and managing and teaching for Words@Play, a nationally recognized after school poetry program for 8-12 year-olds.
Now pursuing a Masters in the Art of Teaching Elementary Education at National-Louis University, Mr. Tom spends his free time singing with the Irish folk band One of the Girls. He is very excited to work for this unique Catholic school that shares his passion and commitment to teach young children through creative play.
Director of Marketing
Ms. Amanda Gonsiorek is the Director of Marketing of the Academy of St. Priscilla at Divine Savior. She was born and raised in Chicago and attended Catholic grammar school and high school. She then went off to Arizona State University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Finance and graduated from the Barrett Honors program. Marketing has always been a passion of hers; she enjoys the creative process as well as making others interested and excited in a new opportunity. Ms. Amanda looks forward to helping the Academy grow.
Administrative Secretary
Mrs. Angie Clarke is the Administrative Secretary at the Academy. She is married with two children. Mrs. Clarke has been a part of the Catholic community for many years and believes in a Catholic education. She loves sports, traveling and quality time with her family.