Ms. Carew is the PE teacher at St. Vincent de Paul. She has spent the majority of her life involved in athletics either playing or coaching. Having grown up in Iowa, she now enjoys living in Peoria. Her four children have been brought up in the Catholic faith and have attended Peoria Notre Dame and their home parish, St. Mark. Ms. Carew brings her Catholic faith into the gym daily through prayer and special projects.… Read Full Post

Mrs. Carlson is a Kindergarten teacher at St. Vincent de Paul since 2000 and a longtime member of our Parish. Mrs. Carlson earned her BA degree in Elementary Education from DePauw University and began teaching in 1992. One of Mrs. Carlson’s favorite things to do in Kindergarten is read Bible stories to her students. She loves teaching her students about God’s love for us. Mrs. Carlson’s favorite saint is her classroom patron saint, Mary, Mother… Read Full Post

Ms. Maureen Carroll serves as special services teacher for the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School community. Although she was born in New York, she moved to Illinois as an infant and was raised in Schaumburg. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Illinois State University and later completed her Master of Arts in Teaching and Leadership at Saint Xavier University. Ms. Carroll brings more than 34 years of experience in education,… Read Full Post

Mrs. Czirjak is the Math Interventionist at St. Vincent de Paul. She graduated from Illinois State University with both her Bachelor and Master Degrees in Special Education. She has taught at Glen Oak Primary School as a Special Education Teacher and Christ Lutheran as a Title 1 Tutor.  Mrs. Czirjak is originally from Bloomington Il, but Peoria has been home for  most of her adult life. Mrs. Czirjak and her husband, Steve, have been long time members… Read Full Post

Joanna Finch grew up in Washington, Illinois, and pursued her education at the University of Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. She later completed her Master’s degree at the University of Illinois. Mrs. Finch brings a wealth of experience to her role, having taught at St. Mark Catholic School and within the Peoria Public Schools District 150. In her classroom, Mrs. Finch fosters a faith-filled and loving environment where students build the… Read Full Post

Ms. Lynn Gibson a native Peorian and graduate of St. Vincent de Paul School as well as Bergan High School and is a member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish! Lynn is a Prekindergarten teacher aide. She comes to us with education in Early Childhood as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She has 25 years’ experience in nursing and over 12 years working as a teacher’s assistant in elementary and in middle… Read Full Post

Mrs. Grooss is a Preschool Aide in the all-day 4 year old program. She has been in education since 2007. Mrs. Grooss and her family have been parishioners at St. Vincent’s since 1998. She and her husband Jim have four beautiful children who all attended St. Vincent’s, Katie, Matt, Kelly and Joe.  Mrs. Grooss is blessed to have 5 grandchildren from 17 to not even a year! Mrs. Grooss makes her classroom a very welcoming… Read Full Post

Kristine Haley, a native of Peoria, Illinois, earned her degree in Marketing from Eastern Illinois University. After dedicating herself to raising her children, Mrs. Haley found her passion for education as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional, serving for many years at both St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School and within Peoria Public Schools District 150. Mrs. Haley is inspired by the example of Mother Teresa, her favorite saint, and finds solace and strength in the… Read Full Post

Mrs. Sarah Hansen grew up in Springfield, Illinois until she moved to Peoria her Junior year of high school. She attended Illinois State University and earned her degree in Music Education. Mrs. Hansen started teaching in 2008 and has taught music in kindergarten through 8th grade, as well as band. Her favorite saint is Saint Cecelia, the patron saint of music and musicians and she loves the Hail, Holy Queen prayer. Mrs. Hansen enjoys playing… Read Full Post

Ms. Lottie Heckman serves as the Music teacher at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School. Growing up in the Roanoke-Benson community with her father serving as a deacon in the Diocese of Peoria, Ms. Heckman experienced from an early age the powerful ways faith and music can bring people together. She is grateful for the opportunity to share her love of music, culture, and the Catholic faith with students each day. Ms. Heckman earned her… Read Full Post