Faculty and Staff

Click on Contact Us to send an email to any of the people listed below.

Staff Member Position Biography
Pam Mueller Principal Pam received her call to teach first grade at Bethany in 1997. In 2005 she was called to serve as Principal of BLS. Before coming to Bethany Pam taught first grade at Zion Lutheran School, 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 MA in School Leadership from Concordia University, Chicago, IL.
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 school administrator. Laurie and her family have been members of Bethany Lutheran Church for over 37 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, IL. Deanne and her husband have two children. One is a graduate of Bethany and the other is currently attending Bethany.
Jennifer Gutzwiller Pre-Kindergarten / ECE Dept. Leader Jennifer began teaching preschool at Bethany in 2009. Before coming to Bethany, Jennifer substituted in our preschool. This year she has two classes of three year olds and teaches the Book Bunch class. Jennifer also serves as our Early Childhood Department Leader. Jennifer graduated from Concordia University, River Forest, IL in 1997. Jennifer and her husband have two boys who currently attend Bethany.
Aimee Walsh Pre-Kindergarten Aimee was called to Bethany in 2007. In the past, Aimee was a substitute teacher at Bethany and co-directed the Manna program. She also taught preschool at St. John, Mt. Prospect, IL. in the past. Aimee teaches four year old preschool in the morning and also serves as our Admissions Director. Aimee and her husband have two boys, both attend Bethany. Aimee received her BA in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University, River Forest, IL.
Lisa Martin ECE Aide This is Lisa’s second year of teacher aiding at Bethany. Lisa substituted at Bethany for a number of years in our Early Childhood classrooms. Lisa received her BA from Concordia University, River Forest, IL. Previously, she taught preschool and fifth grade at Trinity Lutheran School, Bloomington, IL. Both of Lisa’s children are Bethany graduates.
Leah Gedvilas Kindergarten Leah was called to Bethany this past spring. Leah taught kindergarten and was the Early Childhood Director at Trinity Lutheran School, St. Joseph, MI before coming to Bethany. Leah graduated from Concordia University, Chicago in 2009 with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Leah and her husband just celebrated their first year of marriage.
Marnie Esposito Kindergarten Aide Marnie is beginning her seventh year of teacher aiding at Bethany. Before coming to Bethany Marnie taught 6th grade at Bryan Junior High in Elmhurst, IL. Marnie and her husband have two children. One is a recent graduate of Bethany and the other is a seventh grader at Bethany. Marnie received her BA from Valparaiso University and her MA from National Louis University.
Gretchen Brouch ECE Aide This is Gretchen’s first year of aiding at Bethany. She graduated from Concordia University, Chicago with a BA in Education. She taught at St. John Lutheran School, Arnold, MO, Concordia Lutheran in Peoria, IL. and at the Imago School in Maynard, MA. before beginning her family. She and her husband have three daughters, all who attend Bethany. Before taking the position of kindergarten aide, Gretchen substituted and served on the Day School Policy Board at Bethany.
Cyndi Nicccolai Kindergarten Cyndi taught preschool at St. John Lutheran School, LaGrange, IL and third grade at Immanuel Lutheran School, Batavia, IL before being called to Bethany. Cyndi received her MA in Early Childhood Education from Concordia University, River Forest, IL in 2003. Cyndi and her husband have one daughter who is a graduate of Bethany.
Sharon Lenich First Grade Aide Sharon has experience teaching preschool through middle grades. She has been a director of a preschool program and has also taught physical education here at Bethany for several years. Sharon earned her BA from Illinois State University. Sharon and her husband have four children. Three are graduates of Bethany and one graduated from Zion Lutheran School, Hinsdale, IL. Their son is currently serving our country in the Armed Forces over in Iraq.
Kari Janetzke Second Grade This is Kari’s second year at Bethany. Kari taught second grade for four years at St. Phillip Lutheran School, Chicago, IL before being called to Bethany. Kari received her BA from Concordia University, River Forest, IL in 2006. This past summer she and her husband celebrated their first year of marriage. At Bethany Kari is involved in the music and sports programs.
Kirk Bolt Third Grade / Primary Dept. Leader / Assistant Principal Kirk was called to teach third grade at Bethany in 1992. Kirk serves as Primary Department Leader as well as Assistant Principal. Before coming to Bethany 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, IL.
Nancy Yendrejczyk Third Grade Aide Nancy began teacher aiding at Bethany in 1997. Before coming to Bethany, Nancy taught at Trinity Lutheran School, West Chicago, IL and at Green Valley Elementary, Lombard, IL. Nancy received her BS from Western Illinois University and her MA from Concordia University, River Forest, IL. Nancy serves as our Library Coordinator. Nancy has one daughter and she is a Bethany graduate.
Chad Baganz Fourth Grade This is Chad’s fourth year of teaching here at Bethany. Before coming to Bethany, Chad taught third, fourth and fifth grade at Lutheran Schools in Tampa, FL, Racine, WI, and Batavia, IL. He received his BA from Concordia University, River Forest, IL. Chad completed his MA in School Leadership from Concordia University, Chicago, IL. Chad serves as our Co-Athletic Director. Chad and his wife have three children. Two currently attend Bethany and the youngest one will in a few years.
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 at St. Paul Lutheran School, Mr. Prospect, IL and at St. James Lutheran, Lafayette, IN. Erin directs our fifth grade Outdoor Education Program and serves as Co-Athletic Director. She is also our Intermediate Department Leader. Erin received her BA from Concordia University, River Forest, IL. She completed her MA in School Leadership from Concordia University, Chicago, IL. Erin and her husband have two children. Both attend Bethany.
Terry Dierking Second Grade Aide / Fifth Grade Reading / Jr. High Math Terry began teacher aiding at Bethany in 2001. She also teaches eighth grade math and fifth grade reading. Before coming to Bethany Terry taught at Evergreen School, District 25. Terry received her BA from North Central College, Naperville, IL. She is also a graduate of Bethany Lutheran School. Terry and her husband have four children. All four children are graduates of Bethany.
Angeline McKissick PreK-6th Phys. Ed In 2003 Angie began teaching preschool through fifth grade Physical Education at Bethany. Two years ago Angie moved her classes to include Kindergarten through sixth grade. Before coming to Bethany, Angie taught at Francisco I. Madero School. She received her BA from St. Norbert College, DePere, WI. She and her husband have three boys. The youngest one attends Bethany.
Michelle Stehle Sixth Grade Michelle began teaching at Bethany in 1995. She started in the fifth grade classroom as the teacher aide for two years. Then, in 1997 she became the sixth grade teacher. Along with teaching sixth grade, Michelle taught seventh and eighth grade literature. Three years ago, Michelle returned to the sixth grade classroom, after taking time to raise her two sons. Both boys currently attend Bethany. Michelle received her BA in 1992 from Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, IL. In 2010 Michelle completed the Colloquy Program with Concordia University, Chicago, IL. and was called by Bethany to serve as sixth grade teacher. In addition to classroom teacher, Michelle is the Student Council Advisor and directs the After School Care Program.
Robert Johnson Seventh Grade / Jr. High Dept. Leader Rob serves as our seventh grade homeroom teacher, Technology Coordinator and Jr. High Department Leader. Rob was called to Bethany in 2001. Before coming to Bethany he taught at Immanuel Lutheran School, Crystal Lake, IL. Rob received his BA from Concordia, St. Paul, MN. He received his MA from Concordia University, River Forest, IL. Rob and his wife have four children. Two are Bethany graduates and the younger two attend Bethany.
Glenn Sonlitner Eighth Grade Glenn was called to teach eighth grade at Bethany in 1987. Before coming to Bethany Glenn taught at Immanuel Lutheran School, Belvidere, IL and at Zion Lutheran School, Ferguson, MO. Glenn is the editor of the school yearbook and also supervises the Before School Care Program. He received his BA and MA from Concordia University, River Forest, IL.
Holly Spooner Special Education This is Holly’s sixth 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 a MA from National Louis University. Holly also teaches Sunday School and Vacation Bible School at Bethany. Holly has one daughter who is a sixth grader this year.
Carole Staunch Art Carole began teaching art at Bethany in 1999. Before teaching at Bethany, Carole taught in the Batavia and Elmhurst Public Schools. Carole received her BS from Kutztown University in PA and her MA in Art Education from Columbia University. Carole recently completed another MA from Concordia University, Chicago, IL in School Leadership. Carole and her husband have two children. Both are graduates of Bethany.
Mike Vasilie Band Director Mike came to Bethany to serve as our Band Director in January 2008. He graduated from Concordia University, Chicago, IL in 2007 with a BA in Music Education. Mike has done graduate work at VanderCook College of Music. In 2009 Bethany called Mike to serve as band director/ general music teacher. Mike currently is director of Bethany’s three bands and teaches general music to the elementary grades. He also team teaches the Jr. High Music Performance class with Cantor Magness. Mike is married and his wife is a Lutheran school teacher at St. Paul’s in Melrose Park, IL.
Phillip Magness Cantor Phillip came to Bethany to serve as Cantor in 2000. Phillip previously served parishes in Peoria and in Texas. He has a BM and MM 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 the 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 directing a variety of school choirs.
Page last updated August 26th, 2011