Rev. Micah Greiner - Lead Pastor

I have served as one of the pastors at St. Peter since 2007, first as Associate Pastor for Outreach and then, starting in 2010, as the Lead Pastor. In this role, I serve as the primary spiritual leader of the church and school, as well as the organizational leader of all that happens on a day-to-day basis. What I love about this role is that it allows me to be involved in lots of different things at St. Peter, connecting with people of all ages, while entrusting the details to a large staff of passionate people who make sure it all gets done!

I grew up outside Lansing, Michigan, as part of a large family. I am the middle, middle, middle child: the 4th out of 7 children for my parents (plus another half brother and half sister)! My dad owned his own construction company and taught me everything he knew about how to build and care for a house. More importantly, he modeled for me how to be a man of faith and integrity as a husband, father, and leader in the community. My mother helped run the business and made sure all of us kids stayed alive and learned to thrive. She modeled for me what a kind, compassionate, loving woman of faith could do to change the world.

I met my wife, Sarah, while we both were studying for ministry at Concordia University in Ann Arbor. After finishing my undergraduate degree in 2002, we moved to St. Louis, so I could study at the seminary. During the first few years of our marriage, we were privileged to travel the world, living in places like Denver, Colorado, and Frankfurt, Germany, fueling a life-long passion for exploring different places and cultures. We’d love to bring you along sometime on a future trip!

We have two amazing children, Eva and Drew, both of who have grown up at St. Peter and are now crushing it in high school and middle school. We have been proud to see them each grow into their unique, God-given identity, discovering who Jesus is calling them to be and how He wants to use them to transform lives and communities as they become more like Jesus. That’s the beating heart of what St. Peter is all about, and I am humbled and grateful to see how it has blessed my own family, as I am sure it will bless yours!

Rev. Randy Rozelle - Teaching Pastor

My wife, Angie, and I grew up in Michigan. After one year at MSU, I transferred to Concordia, Ann Arbor, where I graduated in 1998 with a BA in secondary education. For two years I served as the social studies chair/teacher at Vail Christian High School in Edwards, CO, and as the youth leader at Gracious Savior Lutheran Church.

In 2000 we moved to Concordia Seminary in St. Louis so that I could study to be a pastor. I received my MDiv. in 2005. At that time God moved us to Buffalo, NY, where I served as a pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Clarence for 10 years. In 2015 I pursued a doctorate at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, and in 2017 I received my DMin. in Expository Preaching. From my doctoral thesis I published a book in 2019 on preparing Christ-centered expository sermons "The Expository Diamond" which is available on Amazon, and I currently have a second book waiting for a publisher on Martin Luther's own journey toward expository preaching.

God moved us to Illinois in 2017, and I came to St. Peter in December 2019. We have been blessed with three children - Kayla (college in Tampa), Ethan (junior at Lake Park), and Adam (8th here at St. Peter). I love digging into Scripture, spending recreational time with family, and routing for our lowly Lions, our rebuilding Redwings, and our green/white Spartans.

Sarah Greiner - Leader of Discipleship, Modern Worship Leader

Sarah is passionate about creating spaces for every girl, boy, woman, and man to become fully formed disciples of Jesus and lead others to do the same. Along with her husband and two teenagers, they share Jesus and build intentional relationships in their neighborhood. On weekends you can often find them around a bonfire, playing bocce ball with friends, or reading the Sunday comics.

Kayla Olson - Leader of Children and Family Discipleship

I have been on staff at St. Peter since December of 2023. The Lord led me to ministry in a rather indirect manner. I originally studied engineering out of high school before deciding it was not for me and entered the workforce. I held various positions in the Peoria Public School District before moving on to grocery management. These jobs afforded me the opportunity to reconnect with the faith I had been raised in and to get involved in my home congregation. Ultimately, I received a B.A. in Elementary Education and a B.S. in Director of Christian Education (DCE) from Concordia University Chicago in 2016.

Before coming to St. Peter, I worked in Children and Family Ministry in Yorkville, IL. I have a strong passion for equipping parents and families to grow in faith together and to connect children to faith mentors who can help them grow as disciples of Jesus. Sometimes this involves breaking the ice with silly games or crazy costumes.

I grew up in a small town in Central IL and enjoy spending my time camping, hiking, and backpacking. Spending time in God's creation is my favorite way to connect with the Creator. I also love sports, though I'm better at watching them than participating in them.

Paul Goffron - Principal

My family and I currently live in Lombard and have been members of St. John’s Lutheran Church for over ten years. My wife Dawn and I have been married for 14 years and have four amazing boys: Bryce, Shane, Crewe, and Jhett. Our schedules are very busy with swimming lessons and baseball games, and spending time together as a family. In my free time, I enjoy running, drinking coffee, and spending too much time studying the weather.

I am a graduate of Valparaiso University, where I earned my bachelor's degree (Psychology & Spanish minor) and my Master of Education through their LEAPs program. I graduated with my Master of School Leadership degree from Concordia University Chicago in 2012.

I have served as a teacher and school administrator in Lutheran schools within the Northern Illinois District for 17 years. I began teaching at Jehovah Lutheran School in Chicago. I also have taught at Walther Lutheran Academy in Forest Park. Later I moved into an administrative position at Walther Christian Academy, as well as principal for three years at Cross Lutheran in Yorkville, IL.

I'm very grateful and excited to have the opportunity to serve the St. Peter community.

Steve Heick - Middle School religion, Leader of Youth Discipleship

I have been with St. Peter since 2013. I earned a B.A. in Business Management from Bethel University, an M.B.A. from Loyola, and an M.Ed. from UIC. After undergrad, I did missions for a year living in Camden, NJ and Philly before joining the workforce in management for Wal-Mart and as a Service rep for Kraft. After 12 years, I was nudged to follow my heart and serve as a teacher. I worked for Chicago Public Schools for ten years before coming to St. Peter on a leap of faith.

I grew up in Barrington. I am the oldest of 6 kids, most of whom live nearby. My wife and I have two sons, one daughter, and two dogs. We keep busy with our large family (24 nieces & nephews). My favorite sport is skiing,  especially with my family out west, and I am a big football fan.

I see God working through St. Peter's students, staff, and families every day in many ways. God is a part of everything we do. I enjoy sharing God's truths in class and the privilege of pointing students to God in various situations, something I could not do as frequently in the public school system.

Mary Moussa - Middle School ELA teacher

As a middle school language arts teacher, I joined the St. Peter family in 2021. I graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor's Degree and received my Master's in Education from DePaul University. I have been teaching for nine years in grades 6-8. I have taught language arts, social studies, religion, and STEM.

I grew up in Cairo, Egypt, until the age of eleven, and then my family immigrated to the United States. I grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago and Wisconsin. I am married and have two kids. We love to spend time outdoors and travel. Recently, my kids and I have learned how to garden and are proud of our growing flower garden. 

I chose to work at St. Peter because I enjoy the welcoming community and Christ-centered approach to teaching. I hope to foster an environment of kindness, respect, and understanding among students that helps them grow closer to Christ while becoming life-long learners.

Shelly Nagle - Middle School history, Special Ed support

I have been with St. Peter since 2016. I graduated from Roosevelt University with a degree in secondary education and history. I hold my middle school and special education endorsements. My graduate courses were in English as a Second Language.

I have been married for 34 years, and we have four children and two grandsons. I grew up in South Bend, Indiana, and am a big Notre Dame fan. I love sports and competition. We host exchange students who attend St. Viator High School. We enjoy our four dogs.

St. Peter is set apart from other schools because it values each of its students' unique God-given gifts and talents and develops their spiritual, academic, and personal lives. All the teachers and staff show love for each student while challenging each to reach their greatest potential. In addition, we teach the students to care for each other and show Christ's love to their classmates. At St. Peter, you become part of a community that helps each other grow and challenges our students to go forth and lead the world to a better place.

Jennifer Axelrood - Preschool

I began at St. Peter in 2019 as a sub, then a classroom aide, and now a preschool teacher. I love teaching children and have worked in park district preschools, taught a parent and me class, religious education for 15+ years, and a library story time lady! I have a BA from the University of Chicago, Loyola; I studied in Rome, Italy, at the campus on Monte Mario, which was a highlight in my life.

I live in Lake Zurich with my family. Brian, who I’ve been married to for 25 years, my daughter Elizabeth who is currently getting her degree in early childhood education and dance, and my daughter Gabrielle who just started high school and loves the theater. My son Christopher just graduated college and took a job in Columbus Ohio and we love to visit him as often as we can.

St. Peter has been so welcoming since I started working here, and everyone is so kind and generous with their time. The students and families have been wonderful too. There is just a great feeling all around!

Angie Rozelle - 5th grade and Middle School

I began teaching at St. Peter in 2021. I graduated from Concordia, Ann Arbor, with an elementary degree in Social Studies and a minor in Math. I also have a Master's Degree from Concordia, Chicago, in School Leadership. I've taught for one year in Colorado, four years in Missouri, four years in New York, and three years at Greenbrook Elementary in Hanover Park, IL. 

I grew up in Michigan but have lived in five different states. Illinois is my favorite! I've also been married for twenty-three years to my wonderful husband, Randy Rozelle. We have three beautiful children. Kayla is in college at the University of Southern Florida, Ethan is a Senior and Adam is a Freshman at Lake Park High School. We enjoy family time by traveling, playing games, and watching movies and shows together.

I am very blessed to continue teaching at St. Peter. It continues to be an answered prayer for our family. Spreading the grace of Jesus to our students is such an honor. To watch them grow in their faith and understanding of Christ is unexplainable and such a gift. Teaching math is also a passion of mine, and I'm SO excited to be a part of this AWESOME Middle School Team.

Trudi Snively - 4th grade teacher

I began teaching at St. Peter Lutheran School in 2012. I served one year part-time in first grade for reading and math. Presently I am in my seventh year of teaching fourth grade. I received my bachelor's degree in Business Administration in Marketing from Loyola University in Chicago. I also have a Master of Arts degree in Elementary Education and teaching certification from North Park University in Chicago. I am also a Tech21 Certified teacher. 

As a life-long member of St. Peter Lutheran Church and a graduate of St Peter School, I have been involved in children and youth ministries (as a layperson) teaching Sunday School, Bible Studies, and leading and chaperoning youth events. I am presently involved in Precepts Bible Study, Altar Guild, and I am a Scripture Reader for worship services. I was blessed in 2018 by being part of the mission team who traveled to South Africa to work with the teachers and students at St. Peter Christian College in Middelburg, SA. 

I grew up here in Arlington Heights with three sisters and one brother. My entire family went to school at St. Peter, including my father, siblings, children, niece and nephew, and grand-nephews. My husband Scott and I reside in Arlington Heights, where we raised our three grown sons, Michael, Chris, and Ben, who are also graduates of St. Peter School. I love anything sports related- CUBS, Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, Univ of Wisc -Madison are my favs. I love my backyard flower gardens, traveling, reading, and coffee!

My true passion is being in the classroom with my students each day, not only educating them but also helping them discover exciting things about God, His fascinating world, and how they are so loved by Him! God's grace and love are interwoven throughout every part of our day, and His Word is infused into every corner of our classrooms. St. Peter is a wonderful place to discover, learn, and explore God's amazing world and how He loves each student so very much! St. Peter is a place where everyone can find the gifts God has uniquely given them and how they can use them and share them with others to shine the light of Jesus!

Jill Schutz - 2nd grade teacher

I am very excited to be teaching second grade at St. Peter! I have been teaching since 1993. I have my degree in elementary education and a minor in science. I have taught a variety of grade levels over the years, including preschool, kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 5. I have also been very involved in middle school at St. Peter, leading chapel services, facilitating middle school huddle/discipleship groups, and helping with our Christmas services.

My family became members at St. Peter Lutheran Church and School in 2007, when my oldest son began kindergarten. We made beautiful friendships here and decided this was where we wanted to raise our children in a firm foundation of faith. I have been married to my high school sweetheart, Adam, for 25 years, and we are blessed with two incredible sons, Trevor and Tyson. Both of our boys attended St. Peter from kindergarten through Grade 8. 

I am passionate about empowering my students with opportunities in leadership and discipleship. I love to engage students in the discovery process while integrating faith and technology whenever possible. I look forward to building deep relationships with my students and helping them lead a full life in Christ. My goal is to instill a love for Jesus and for learning that goes beyond the classroom into their daily lives. I love teaching at St. Peter because I can share the love of Jesus openly and weave Biblical truths into science, history, and all areas of our curriculum.

Anne Shields - 3rd Grade teacher

I started teaching at St. Peter in 2022. I graduated from Concordia University RF/Chicago with a degree in Elementary Education. I have been fortunate enough to teach grades 1-5 in previous years. I also spent many years working in preschool and infant care.

I grew up in Central Illinois and have attended Lutheran schools for most of my schooling. My husband, Patrick, and I live in Arlington Heights with our 2 children – Eleanor & Ryan. Eleanor started at St. Peter 2 years ago in preschool and is now in 1 st grade. Ryan is new to St. Peter this year and is in preschool. We are so blessed to call St. Peter our home. We became members of the church while our daughter was in preschool.

In my free time, I love to read, cook, travel, go camping, and spend time outdoors. For me, time with my family is everything! I am very excited to be a part of this community and family. I feel so lucky that each day I get to wake up and share the love of Jesus. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for me, my classroom, my students, and all of St. Peter.

Mackenzie Rogers - Kindergarten Teacher

The 2021/2022 school year will be my first teaching at St. Peter. While in high school, I was able to multitask and complete my high school studies while also earning my associate's degree from Harper College. After graduating high school, I took a gap year to discover how I wanted to move forward in my education while also finding my passion. I completed a six-month mission trip in Mexico during the gap year and spent two months in Brazil. In that time, I learned how to share the Gospel with people through meeting their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. During this time, I was able to help with a school enrichment program to assist students with differentiated learning needs. I learned that I have a passion for working with students. God softened my heart to the necessity of an education that meets the needs of students through this program. When I returned home, I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. I hoped to continue my education in School Psychology. However, I took another gap year after university and worked as a paraprofessional in a local school district. I quickly learned that my passion was to be a classroom teacher instead. Through God's grace, I graduated with a Master's degree in Elementary Education from Liberty University in May of 2021. I honestly believe that God prepared me as a teacher through each experience and am confident that the Lord has perfectly placed me at St. Peter!

I am so grateful to have grown up in Rolling Meadows with parents who intentionally cultivated family memories. My parents decided to homeschool their four children through high school. I believe this was a fantastic experience because of the exciting and educational field trips that I got to go on as a part of my curriculum. Throughout my childhood, I competed in competitive gymnastics for ten years and have since coached competitive teams and recreational classes. Through gymnastics, I learned the values of discipline and perseverance. Growing up, my parents challenged me to know the Bible through Scripture memorization and family Bible studies at the end of each day around the dinner table. During the family Bible studies, there was always lively discussion about the scriptures, and we always got to share about our day. I am hoping to cultivate experiences like these in the classroom. 

St. Peter is a special place because of our goal to equip the students with the Gospel through education. I was honored to complete my Student Teaching here in the spring of 2021. It was evident that God is working in the lives of St. Peter students through their desire to learn more about who God is and their identity in Christ. St. Peter prioritizes both spiritual and educational growth among students, families, and staff. Personally, St. Peter is also special to me because I was married here in December of 2019, and I am also excited to work with my Mom, Shelly Nagle!

Lindsey Smiegowski - 1st grade teacher

I was the first in my family to earn a master’s degree, and I teach to inspire lifelong learners. My degree is in teaching, along with an elementary certificate from Concordia University (Chicago). I have been teaching for about 15 years. I started my teaching career working with preschool ages two to five and taught kindergarten and first grade.

My husband and I have a son named Austin who is our greatest accomplishment. He brings so much joy and excitement to us every day. My church home is St. Peter, where my family and I attend Encounter each Sunday. I also enjoy all sports and have an energetic personality. My passion outside the classroom is gymnastics. I grew up a gymnast and now coach high school gymnastics. I love encouraging, supporting, and building confidence in student athletes.

I’m super thrilled to be teaching 1st grade here at St. Peter. I can’t wait to bring my enthusiasm, experience, and encouragement to each group of kiddos.

Katie Arthur- 5th grade teacher

I am so excited to be teaching 5th grade at St. Peter. I graduated from Concordia University and began my teaching career at Walther Christian Academy in Melrose Park. I taught math at Walther for seven and a half years. After getting my Master’s Degree in School Counseling, I spent five and a half years working as a teacher at the Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital in Hoffman Estates.

I’m very blessed to have found the love of my life, Wade. We have been married for over 11 years. We have two boys, Charlie and Owen, and the best furbaby, Ollie. I love to cook, cycle, read, run, and travel.

This is my first year teaching at St. Peter and I cannot wait to teach and share the love of Jesus each and every day.

Kristin Drake - Kindergarten Teacher

I have been a member and teacher at St. Peter since 1999. I have a B.S. in Psychology from Truman State University and an M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University. I am a graduate of Concordia University (Chicago) Lutheran Teacher program. I am also a National L.E.A. Early Childhood Teacher of the Year. 

In my time at St. Peter, I have taught preschool, kindergarten, and first grade. I have been involved with many activities and committees such as Grandparents’ Day, 150th Anniversary, Saints Shootout, LSA State Basketball, coaching, South Africa Mission team, and many more. I love to have fun with my students and make school a place they want to come back to each day to learn more. I am blessed to be teaching at St. Peter because I get to share Jesus every day with

students and families.

I grew up in southern Illinois and knew about St. Peter from playing in the LSA tournament as a student. As my husband, Brian, and I have raised our three children away from our extended families, the St. Peter community has become our second family. The community and support that are given to each other are special and unique to teachers and families.

Kaitlin Jagiello - Kindergarten Teacher

The 2021/2022 school year will be my first teaching at St. Peter. I graduated with honors with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Mathematics from Concordia University Wisconsin. Throughout my life, I have always sought out opportunities to continue to grow. I am blessed to have been able to lead a technology professional development for a group of teachers. As a teacher, I want to inspire my students to be lifelong learners. 

I grew up in West Lafayette, Indiana, on a farm. My father is a dairy farmer, and my mother is an Early Childhood Director for the Lutheran school I attended as a child. I played soccer, basketball, and track in high school and was blessed to have been able to play soccer in college. I am married to my college sweetheart and have a wonderful dog named Willow. I enjoy running, gardening, crafting, and playing with my puppy when I have free time. 

God has truly blessed me with the opportunity to share my love for Him with my students at St. Peter. I am very excited to be a part of this family and look forward to seeing what God has in store for my family, class, and St. Peter Lutheran Church and School.

Jen Koclanis - Kindergarten teacher

I have been a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church my whole life. I am an alum of St. Peter and graduated here in 1992. I went on to pursue my teaching degree at Winona State University in Minnesota and graduated in 2000. I worked in the public school system for six years, teaching both fourth and second grades. While working there, I pursued my Master's degree in Teaching and Leadership at St. Xavier University.
My family started to grow and I needed a job closer to the Arlington Heights area. I felt like God led me to St. Peter and I have been teaching here ever since. I loved teaching preschool at St. Peter for 13 years. In 2020, I moved into the kindergarten teaching position. My sister teaches here with me and my mother was also a teacher here for 15 years. My twins graduated from St. Peter in 2020 and my youngest son is in 7th grade this year.
The Christian foundation they have had at St. Peter is one of the greatest gifts my husband and I have given them. I'm thrilled to be teaching kindergarten this year and preparing them to excel spiritually, academically, and socially. I chose to come to teach at St. Peter because I wanted to spread God's love to as many children as possible. I wanted the same opportunity for my children that I had growing up. St. Peter is a loving, nurturing, and family-oriented school and church. It has been a blessing to many generations and will continue to be a blessing for years to come.

Lindsey Sustr - Transitional Kindergarten Teacher

I feel like I've been with St. Peter my whole life. My teaching career at St. Peter began in January 2013 as the Young 3's teacher. I graduated from Western Michigan University in 2003 with a B.S. in education. I taught for six years in Waukegan Public School District 60 in grades 1-3 and kindergarten. I am most grateful for my time working in the early childhood department at St. Peter. I have loved serving here and look forward to my continued growth as an educator here.

I grew up in Arlington Heights with a close-knit family. My parents are both retired educators. I am the middle sister of three, and we all followed in the footsteps of our parents in the field of education. Although I grew up with only sisters, I have been blessed as a mother of boys. My two boys, 4 and 8, are following in my footsteps as St. Peter students. My greatest joy is spending time with my family. My husband grew up spending his summers on a lake, and we continue that family tradition with his family and mine.  We love to go swimming, wakeboarding, and just enjoy time on a boat.

God is at work at St. Peter every day. I see that in how each student is loved and cared for by the staff here. I love that at St. Peter we can provide not only quality education but one filled with the joy and knowledge of Christ as our Savior. It's His unconditional love that shines through our students and staff.

Emily Ugorek - 5 Full day Preschool Teacher

I have been a Lutheran school teacher since 2011 and have always taught preschool/prekindergarten. I received my teaching degree in early childhood education from Concordia University Wisconsin. Four years after receiving my baccalaureate degree, I graduated with my master’s in special education from Concordia University Chicago. 

I grew up in Wood Dale and have attended Lutheran schools for most of my schooling. My mom is also a Lutheran school teacher.  I was married this past fall and am enjoying being a wife. I also enjoy: cooking, reading, bowling, crafting, and going on walks with my dog Louie. 

I am excited to join the St. Peter family and teach the students how great God is and of His unending love for us. I am hopeful to see God working in the lives of students at St. Peter in their actions towards others, both inside and outside of school.

Tiffany Burrow - 5 Full Day Preschool Teacher

I have been teaching at St. Peter since 2013. I attended Valparaiso University for my BA in Psychology and M. Ed. I've taught in East Chicago, Indiana, West Memphis, Arkansas, Evanston, and Glenview. I taught kindergarten for over ten years. I've also taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade, including multi-age classrooms.

I grew up in Worth, IL, "The Friendly Village." I've been married to my husband for 18 years, and we have two children. My son is in fifth grade. He loves baseball and is a Cub Scout. My daughter is a freshman at Palatine High School. She participates in cheer and choir. 

I love the family feel at St. Peter! I love seeing students share their faith with one another. I love when little ones look up to the big kids. They are great role models. 

Emily Dixon - Director of Enrollment

I started teaching preschool at St. Peter in 2021. I received my B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Roosevelt University. I have worked extensively with children with autism for 17 years, as well as taught preschool. 

I grew up in Arlington Heights and came back as my husband and I grew our family. I currently live in Palatine. I have been part of the St. Peter family for three years as a parent and now join the staff as a teacher. I have two boys that attend St Peter. I also have two dogs, Winston and Billie May. They are big loves that snuggle all the time. On the weekends, my family likes to visit with friends and be outside when we can.

I am so excited to teach at St. Peter and be an even greater part of the community. I always feel uplifted when seeing the staff and am eager to do the same for others.

Mandy Grissom - Leader of Preschool and teacher

I am a lifelong member of St. Peter and an alum of the school. I worked in the Extended Care/Summer Camp programs during college and have been a teacher here for 15 years. I am thrilled to have become the Leader of Preschool in 2021. I grew up here at St. Peter. I am part of 5 generations who have attended here, but I am the first to teach here and the first one of my family to graduate from college. I have a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University RF/Chicago and a Master's in Teaching & Leadership from St. Xavier University. 

I am a child of God. I am a mama of a sassy little girl who has taught me how to love deeply and fiercely and never give up on my dreams. I am a wife, married to my high school sweetheart, and am blessed that we love to live life fully together, even through the ups and downs. I am a teacher of little loves. I love that my job allows me to be creative every day. I love playing and creating art with students, even though I am not an artist. I love to set the bar high for my students and watch for that "light bulb" moment when everything clicks. I love the look of pure amazement when they accomplish something they never thought they could do! It is what makes my job the BEST! 

St. Peter is truly a family. What sets us apart is the community that we build among ourselves as teachers and with our students and their families. God is truly at work in our school, helping us plant "tiny seeds of faith" that nurture our students throughout their lives. I love being able to share the "overwhelming, neverending, reckless love of God" with my students.

Holly Leyden - Preschool teacher

I have been working at St. Peter since 2015 in the preschool department. I am so excited to be teaching 2's preschool this school year. 

I grew up on the Northwest side of Chicago, where I attended Our Savior and Luther North. I then received my degree from Southern Illinois University. I currently reside in Mt. Prospect with my husband. We have a daughter who is a freshman in high school and a daughter in fifth grade. Both girls play softball and, when time permits, we love spending time together as a family playing games, enjoying the outdoors, and traveling.

Prior to working here, as a school parent, I saw all the amazing things my girls did at school and the loving, Christian environment and family feel that St. Peter is. I decided I wanted to be a part of it.

I enjoy teaching my students how much Jesus loves them by sharing the gospel and how much their St. Peter family loves and cares about them.

Stephanie Nunez - 2's Preschool Teacher

I grew up in Batavia, IL, where I attended church at Immanuel Lutheran. My husband and I live in Pingree Grove with our two children, Parker and Violet, and our dog, Penny. We enjoy going for walks, playing at the park, and checking out Brookfield Zoo as a family. 

I attended Concordia University in River Forest and graduated with my degree in Lutheran elementary education and a middle school endorsement in Spanish. I have taught in Lutheran schools since 2009 and worked as a bilingual aide in a public school for two years.

I love working at St. Peter because of the sense of family and community here. There is never a shortage of prayer and support in times of need or in times of celebration! I love hearing all of the students talk about how God has worked in their lives or simply saying, “Jesus died on the cross for ME!” It doesn’t get any better than that.

Helen Brooks - Middle School Science

I am super excited to be the new St. Peter's science teacher for 6th-8th grades. I will also be teaching 6th & 7th-grade health.

In my 23 years of teaching, I have taught everything from ELA to social studies, to math, science, and STEM! I really have enjoyed the different aspects of teaching them all. (Favs are still math and science!)

My education degree is from Northern Illinois University, (GO HUSKIES!) and I have a Masters's degree in administration/leadership. My favorite thing about teaching is connecting with kids - I love to watch them mature and grow through each year - and more so - as they maneuver through middle school.

I live in Lombard with my husband Dave and our daughter Susan (15 years old!), a sophomore at Schaumburg Christian. We love to spend as much time as we can together - especially in Michigan. For us, family is everything! We are blessed to enjoy similar hobbies, like skiing, riding our ATVs or wave runner, kayaking, or watching sports together!

For me, St. Peter means opportunity, hope, and dedication - at a time when commitment and hope seem limited in the world - it is fully in place here! This devotion brings many rich opportunities to the students of our school.

All the members of St. Peter are truly committed to the education and well-being of the students. I am so blessed and thankful to be a part of this wonderful group of professionals!!

Cicely Samaan - Flex Preschool Teacher

I have been working at St. Peter since 2015, and I have a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from National Louis University.

I have been married to John for 19 years, and I am also mom to Ava and Matthew (11), Anna (8) and Layla (3-year-old labradoodle). I am your "typical sports mom."  Matthew and Anna play travel hockey, and Ava figure skates year-round.  Matthew also plays baseball while Ava and Anna play soccer. When I'm not driving my kids around, we love to play board games and hang out in our backyard. I also enjoy taking walks and going for bike rides with my family.

Growing up, my parents always taught me the importance of faith and family. I remember attending Sunday school as a child while my parents worshipped at our church, where my uncle was the lead pastor.  As I became older, I knew I wanted to become a teacher. I also wanted to share Jesus' love for me with other children in the same way my Sunday school teachers did for me.  St. Peter allows me to have my faith, family, church, and school go together hand in hand.

Kirsten Sendelbach - Preschool Teacher

The 21-22 school year will be my first year at St. Peter. I am an alum of St. Peter and am excited to be back in a teaching role! I earned my B.A. in Psychology from Texas Lutheran University.  I continued to Baylor University and received my M.S.W in Social Work. I finalized my higher education, achieving an Elementary Teaching Certificate in Education. I have always taught Early Childhood, and I find my joy with preschoolers.  

I grew up in Hawthorn Woods, IL, and graduated from St. Peter. I am married to Jason. Our son, Austin, is a student at St. Peter.  I love early childhood and I really enjoy art and sunshine!

I think God achieves discipleship and fellowship at St. Peter as it becomes your community and family.  I pray that God allows me to witness his love to students and family. I am so excited to be a part of St. Peter!

Mary Staehlin- 2 full day/3 full day Preschool Teacher

I have been teaching at St. Peter since 2005.  I have a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education and I completed the principal prep master’s program at Concordia University Chicago in May of 2021.

I grew up in Arlington Heights and am a long time member of St. Peter and an alum of the school.  I enjoy playing sports and coaching. I have been married for 15 years and have two children.  My daughter is six years old, and my son is two years old.

St. Peter is like family to me. It is full of hard-working teachers and families that care about the people and the school.

Matthew Doran - Fine Arts Director

I am a lifelong member of St. Peter and an alum of the school.  I have been the organist here since 2016 and a teacher since 2019. I have a Bachelor of Music degree with an emphasis in Music Education and Music Performance.  I graduated Summa Cum Laude with University Honors. I completed the LCMS Teacher Colloquy program through Concordia University Wisconsin in 2021.

I have been Band Director, A.P. Music Theory Teacher,  Pit Orchestra Director, Fine Arts Teacher, Choir Director, General Music Teacher at the Elementary, Middle School, and High School levels, both public and private.

I grew up in Arlington Heights and attended St. Peter Preschool through 8th Grade.  I am a baseball fan and music enthusiast.

St. Peter provides an exceptional and immersive education in a student-centered, family-oriented environment with Jesus at the center.  We work to lead students to a Full Life in Christ and prepare them for leadership and achievement throughout life.  From the 2’s through 8th Grade, I see God working in the students as they grow in faith, friendships, and knowledge.

Nancy Gilles - Art teacher

I have been with St. Peter since 2011. I have a B.A. in Fine Arts and K-12 Art Education degree from Indiana University.  I also earned a M.A.R. from Trinity International University in Church History.

I grew up in Northern Indiana. My mother and father created an environment of exploring the arts and creativity. My mother was an art teacher all her adult life, so I was privileged to learn from her and develop a love for creative expression and children from early on. I love being outdoors in God's creation and doing anything with my hands; painting, gardening, and cooking.

I have been teaching art to students of all ages for more than 20 years. It is a wonderful privilege to be serving at St. Peter for so many reasons. I love the faith-based focus, where I can incorporate Christian principles and Biblical stories into our art projects and art history exploration. All of the St. Peter teachers desire to help our students develop a robust Christian Worldview. Thus we can teach math, art, science, etc. from the same starting point and help integrate biblical principles into all the disciplines.

Daniel Roehrig - Athletic Director

I began working at St. Peter in 2022. I have a bachelor's degree of Science in Kinesiology and Sports Studies with Teacher certification K-12 from Eastern Illinois University. Currently I am completing a Master's of education program in Educational Leadership at American College of Education. I have been teaching for 10 years. Spending time teaching in and around the North West Suburbs of Chicago. I also have experience teaching in a therapeutic setting. I grew up in Hanover Park and attended Hoffman Estates High School. I have a two and a half year old boy and a seven month old baby girl. I enjoy gardening and landscaping around my house. St. Peter has been an empowering opportunity in teaching and I enjoy being a part this wonderfully supportive community.

Denise Murphy - Technology Coordinator

I have been with St. Peter since 2016. I have a K-9 teaching degree with endorsements in language arts, science, and middle school. I have taught remedial reading at the elementary level (two years) and middle school life sciences (ten years). About nine years ago, I transitioned into a middle school applied technology lab where I was able to teach students all kinds of new hands-on skills such as circuitry, graphic arts, woodworking, metals technology, aerospace, robotics, and much more!

I am from a somewhat nomadic family. I was born in Minnesota, where we moved several times, then moved to Indiana, then to Chicago. I stayed in Chicago while my family continued to move to Florida, where they currently reside. I get to spend tons of time on the beach when I visit them, which is my favorite place in the world! (besides my hometown of Duluth, MN). I am married with two kids: a 16-year-old boy obsessed with playing hockey, fishing, and golfing, and a 19-year-old girl who is just starting her first year of college.

The aspect I love most about St. Peter is the emphasis on the importance of family. Family first! I love that! Also, we have such a supportive network whenever needed: whether that's a prayer chain, words of comfort, someone to talk to, an encouraging hug. There's always support available in any form needed. It also makes me happy to see kids who love coming to school every day! Finally, I feel blessed to work in an environment where I am encouraged by colleagues to think outside the box and try something new. It's a safe place to be, for sure!

Colleen Bukala - Special Education Services/Administrative Assistant

I have been with St. Peter since 2017. I have a Bachelor of Science in Education from Illinois State University, where I majored in Special Education with a focus on students who are Deaf/Hard-Of-Hearing. I also have a Master of Education degree from National Louis University, where I majored in Technology in Education. My experience working with children is diverse and includes working as a residential service assistant, classroom aide, 1:1 aide, sign language interpreter, self-contained classroom teacher, and resource teacher, to name a few.

I grew up in Arlington Heights and attended St. Peter Lutheran from Pre-K - 8th grade. I have three children who have all attended St. Peter Lutheran. My favorite activity is spending time with my family and our dog, Bella. We enjoy going on long walks, bike rides, and family movie nights with popcorn, of course! One interesting fact about me is that I'm fluent in American Sign Language.

St. Peter is more than a school; it's a family! I count my blessings daily for the gift of teaching at a school where we provide excellent academics and share the love of our Lord Jesus with our students. I connect greatly with our school motto of "Start Here Lead Anywhere" and am a firm believer that, by providing our students with a firm foundation in their faith at an early age, no matter where they go after they leave St. Peter, they will be able to weather any storm that may come their way.

Mariana Knea - Director of Student Services

I have been with St. Peter since 1999. I earned a B.A. from Concordia University, River Forest, Illinois; completed coursework on differentiation from the University of Missouri; participate in ongoing professional development/training on assessment systems - NWEA MAP, Fastbridge, as well as best practices in differentiated learning. I have taught in Lutheran schools for 27 years with experience teaching k-8 in whole classes, small groups, and resource/enrichment formats. I currently coordinate K-8 benchmark assessments, intervention and progress monitoring needs, guide differentiation resources and strategies, lead a weekly differentiated WIN (What I Need) Time for grades 1 - 5, and teach a weekly thinking skills/technology class to K-5 classrooms.

I grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where I attended a Lutheran grade school and high school. I have lived in Illinois since attending Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois. I have one son who is an alum of St. Peter and currently finishing his degree in Cyber Physical Systems Engineering at DePaul University in Chicago. My interests include cooking/baking, logic puzzles, listening to music/books, photography, and Zoom family bingo nights!

St. Peter is a family deeply rooted in God's grace and love. The children learn to value the unique qualities and talents God has blessed them with and how to use them to serve others and glorify Him. We strive to build capable, confident, Christ-filled individuals who live a life full of hope and service.

Michelle Fritz - Extended Care and Summer Camp Director

I have been with St. Peter since 1998. I am an alum of the school and a long time church member. I have a degree from National Louis University. I started working for St. Peter as an aide in preschool, then kindergarten. I have also worked in the extended care program and summer camp for the past 20 years. I have worked every level of both programs and love running them as a director now.

I grew up in Arlington Heights. I am married to a Lutheran school teacher. We have two children who have also graduated from St. Peter. We love traveling, sports of all kinds, and just doing fun family events.

I love the St. Peter community of students and parents. I still have many close friends from my own St. Peter class.  My children are also very close to the ones they graduated with as well. The bonds you make here can last a lifetime.

Erin Zurek - 7th + 8th Grade Math

I started teaching at St. Peter in 2021. I graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in secondary education. I also have my Masters in Educational Leadership with a Type 75 from Northeastern Illinois University. I taught for 10 years before having children and was at Grayslake North High School.

My husband, Steve, and I have been together for over 7 years, and is a firefighter/paramedic in Rolling Meadows. We have three lovely children- Grayson (2nd grade), Declan (Kindergarten), and Vivienne is about to be 2! I grew up in a western suburb-Hinsdale, but work brought me north and my husband grew up in Arlington Heights, so we landed here to raise our family. A fun fact about me is I have played tennis since I was 7 years old and was on the state-winning team in high school.

I felt very called to come to St. Peter. I had always taught public high school math. But throughout the years of having children and 2020, I grew and changed. We first found out about St. Peter through a summer camp my boys attended. We fell in love with the community, teachers, administration, and other parents. I now love being able to have a close connection with all my students and help them grow not only in math but in their relationship with Jesus.

Joan Cummins - 2’s teacher

I have been a teacher at St Peter since 2018, with a little hiatus during Covid. I have a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University (Chicago). It is my 36 th year teaching preschool children! I grew up in Park Ridge and went to Edison Park Lutheran Church where I was baptized, confirmed, and married. It was there that the seeds of my faith started, grew, and were nourished throughout my years there.

I live in Palatine with my husband Steve. I am a mom to Kelsey (31) who just got married last year and to Jack (24) who is continuing his education. In my spare time, I love to read books, bake, get crafty, and go flea marketing/ antique hunting.

There is SO much I am looking forward to this year. I love the 2’s and all the exploring, learning, and fun we get to have! The best part is, I’m the first one, not only educating them but also helping them discover exciting things about God, His fascinating world, and how they are so loved by Him!

St. Peter is a great place to discover, learn, and explore God's amazing world and how He loves each and every one of us so very much!

Peter Sovitzky - Choir

I am very excited to join the staff at St. Peter and to share my passion for music with the students. I have been a cantor and music coordinator at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton since 2011 and have been teaching private voice lessons at Glenbrook South High School (Glenview) since 2004. I have a Bachelor of Music degree (Vocal Performance) from Northwestern University. I graduated magna cum laude with Departmental Honors in the Voice & Opera Program in 2000. I earned my Master of Music degree (Vocal

Performance) in 2003 from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. I recently completed the LCMS Director of Parish Music Colloquy program through Concordia University Chicago and look forward to my installation at St. John this coming Fall.

I grew up in Southeastern Wisconsin and moved to Arlington Heights in 2008. My wife works as a Speech-Language Pathologist and I have two children, Jack & Mia. I sang for 15 seasons with the Grant Park Chorus in downtown Chicago and have performed at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Opera Theater, Opera Theatre of

Saint Louis, Glimmerglass Opera, and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and others. I still perform in occasional oratorio concerts throughout Chicagoland. Martin Luther once wrote, “I place music next to theology and give it the highest praise.” I hope to instill a love and appreciation for God’s wonderful gift of music amongst the students at St. Peter Lutheran School.