Bethany Lutheran School

1550 Modaff Road

Naperville, IL 60565

PH: (630) 355-6607

General Information

Parent Groups

Faculty and Staff

By the power of God's Spirit, the

mission of Bethany Lutheran School

is to train, equip, and support witnesses

for His Kingdom.

Staff Member	Position	Bio
Pam Mueller	Principal	Pam received her call to teach 1^st grade at Bethany in 1997. In 2005 she was called to serve as principal of BLS. Before coming to BLS Pam taught 1^st grade for 22 years at Zion Lutheran School in Dallas, TX. Pam received her BA from Concordia University, River Forest and her MA from North Texas University. In the Fall of 2006 she completed her masters in administration from Concordia University, Chicago.
Laurie Cade	School Administrator	Laurie began working in the school office on a volunteer basis at the 919 Washington location. When the move was made to Modaff she was offered the position of full-time secretary. Laurie and her family have been members of Bethany Lutheran Church for over 36 years. Both of her children are Bethany graduates.
Deanne Lieb	School Secretary	Deanne started working at Bethany Lutheran School in April of 2006. Deanne and her family have been members of Bethany Lutheran Church since 1998, prior to that they belonged to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Brookfield.
Louise Bolt	Pre-Kindergarten	Louise received her call to teach at Bethany in 1992. Louise teaches the preschool 3’s. Before coming to BLS Louise taught for 18 years in Lutheran schools in Niles, IL, Farmington, MI, Arlington, VA, Forest Hills, MD, Concordia, River Forest, and Oxnard, CA. Louise received her BA from Concordia University, River Forest.
Aimee Walsh	Pre-Kindergarten Kindergarten	This is Aimee’s third year teaching at Bethany. In the past, Aimee was a substitute teacher at Bethany and co-directed Bethany’s Manna program. She has taught 3 and 4 year olds at St. John, Mt. Prospect in the past. Aimee teaches 4 year old preschool in the mornings and also serves as our Admissions Director. Aimee received her BA in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University, River Forest, IL.
Cyndi Nicccolai	Kindergarten ECE Dept. Leader	Cyndi taught preschool 3 and 4 year olds at St. John Lutheran School in LaGrange, Illinois. While working on her Masters degree in Early Childhood, she student taught in our day school with Miss Mueller in first grade. She completed her Masters degree from Concordia University, River Forest in 2003. Mrs. Niccolai taught third grade at Immanuel Lutheran school before accepting the call to teach Kindergarten at Bethany.
Marnie Esposito	Kindergarten Aide	Marnie is beginning her fifth year of teacher aiding at Bethany. Previously she has been a substitute teacher at BLS in grades preschool through 8^th grade. Before coming to BLS Marnie taught 6^th grade at Bryan Junior High in Elmhurst, IL Marnie received her BA degree from Valparaiso University and her MA from National Louis University.
Erin Thompson	First Grade	Erin was called to teach first grade at Bethany in 2005. Before coming to BLS Erin taught for 1.5 years at Trinity Lutheran in Alma, MO. Erin received her BA from Concordia University, River Forest in 2003. Erin received her MA in Reading from Roosevelt University.
Sharon Lenich	First Grade Aide	Sharon Lenich teaching experience encompasses early childhood to the middle grades. She has been a director of a preschool and also taught physical education here at Bethany for several years. Mrs. Lenich earned her bachelor degree from Illinois State University.
Charlene Fiene	Second Grade	Charlene began teacher in Bethany in 1967. She taught for 1 year in Elmhurst, IL before coming to Bethany. Charlene graduated from Elmhurst College with a BA. She has many hours beyond her bachelors. Over the years Charlene has served on just about every committee BLS has to offer.
Kirk Bolt	Third Grade Primary Dept. Leader Assistant Principal	Kirk was called to teach 3^rd grade at Bethany in 1992. Kirk serves as Primary department leader as well as assistant principal. Before coming to BLS Kirk taught first grade at Lutheran schools in Alexandria, VA, Sturgis, MI, and Oxnard, CA. Kirk received his BA and MA in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University, River Forest.
Nancy Yendrejczyk	Fourth Grade Aide	Nancy began teacher aiding in 1997 at Bethany. Before coming to BLS Nancy taught at Trinity Lutheran in West Chicago and Green Valley Elementary, Lombard. Nancy received her BS from Western Illinois University and her MA from Concordia University, River Forest. She also serves as our Library Coordinator.
Chad Baganz	Fourth Grade	This will be Chad's second year teaching at Bethany. Before coming to Bethany, Chad taught fifth grade and departmental third and fourth grade at Lutheran schools in Tampa, Florida, Racine Wisconsin, and Batavia, Illinois. He received his BA in Elementary Education from Concordia University, Chicago. Chad will also be involved in coaching at Bethany. Chad is currently working on his Masters degree in School Leadership from Concordia University Chicago.
Erin Dunwell	Fifth Grade Intermediate Dept. Leader Athletic Director	Erin received her call to teach at Bethany in 2005. Before coming to Bethany Erin taught for 5 years at St. Paul Lutheran, Mt. Prospect, IL. She taught for 1 year at St. James Lutheran in Lafayette, IN. Erin is coordinator for our 5^th grade Outdoor Education Program and serves as our Athletic Director. Erin received her BA from Concordia University, River Forest. Erin is currently working on her Masters degree in School Leadership from Concordia University Chicago.
Terry Dierking	Second Grade Aide Fifth Grade Reading Jr. High Math	Terry began teacher aiding at Bethany in 2001. In 2005 Terry began teaching our 8^th grade math class. Before coming to Bethany Terry taught for 5 years at Evergreen School, District 25. Terry is also an alumni of BLS. She received her BA from North Central College, Naperville, IL.
Angeline McKissick	PreK-6th Phys. Ed	In 2003 Angie began teaching preschool 3 through 5^th grade P.E. at Bethany. Before coming to BLS Angie taught for 5 years at Francisco I. Madero School. She received her BA from St. Norbert College, DePere, WI.
Michelle Stehle	Sixth Grade	Michelle began teaching at Bethany Lutheran School in 1995. She started in the 5th grade classroom as the teacher aide for 2 years. Then in 1997, she became the 6th grade teacher. Along with teaching 6th grade, Michelle taught 7th and 8th literature. This year Michelle has returned to the 6th grade classroom, after taking time off to raise her two sons. Michelle received her bachelors degree in Elementary Education in 1992 from Elmhurst College. She also earned a Minor in English. Currently, Michelle is taking courses online with Concordia University to finish her colloquy program. This spring Michelle will finish her colloquy program from Concordia University, Chicago.
Robert Johnson	Seventh Grade Jr. High Dept. Leader	Rob serves as our 7^th grade teacher, technology coordinator and Jr. High department leader. Rob was called to Bethany in 2001. He taught at Immanuel Lutheran, Crystal Lake, IL for 13 years before coming to Bethany. Rob received his BA from Concordia, St. Paul, MN. He received his MA from Concordia University, Chicago.
Glenn Sonlitner	Eighth Grade	Glenn was called to teach 8^th grade at Bethany in 1987. Before coming to BLS Glenn spent 17 years at Immanuel, Belvidere, IL, and 1 year at Zion, Ferguson, MO. Glenn is in charge of the school’s yearbook and Before School Study Hall. He received his BA and MA from Concordia University, River Forest. This year Glenn is celebrating his 40th year of teaching.
Holly Spooner	Special Education	This is Holly’s fourth year at Bethany. Holly has taught special education classes for sixteen years in Illinois and Arizona. She graduated from Arizona State University with a BA in Special Education. She has an Elementary Education certificate and an MA from National Louis University. Holly also teaches Sunday School and Vacation Bible School classes at Bethany.
Carole Staunch	Art	Carole began teaching art at Bethany in 1999. Before teaching at Bethany Carole taught in Batavia School District, in Elmhurst, and in public schools in PA. Carole received her BS from Kutztown University in PA, and her MA in Art Ed. from Columbia College. Carole is currently working on another Masters degree from Concordia University Chicago.
Mike Vasilie	Band Director	Mike came to Bethany to serve as the band director in January 2008. He graduated from Concordia University Chicago in December of 2007 with a BA in music education. Mike student taught at Oak Park and River Forest High School in Oak Park, IL and Trinity Lutheran School in Roselle, IL. Mike is the director of Bethany’s three bands, Chirstus Choir (4^th and 5^th grade choir), he team teaches the middle school music performance class with Cantor Magness, and teaches general music for grades 1, 2, 4, and 5. This past spring, Bethany Lutheran Church called Mike to serve full time as music teacher/band director of Bethany Lutheran School.
Phillip Magness	Cantor	Phillip came to Bethany to serve as Cantor in January in 2000. Phillip previously served parishes in Peoria and in Texas and has a B.M. and M. M. degrees in piano performance from the University of North Texas. As Cantor, he oversees the music of the parish and the day school, and prepares the liturgies for church and school worship. In addition to conducting various parish choirs and instrumental groups, he also assists with the teaching in the day school by teaching sight-singing and ear-training each week to grades 2-6.