The Staff
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Fr. Jerry Herda Pastor 18 years as a priest 1 year at St. Eugene Parish B.A., Cardinal Stritch University M.Div., St. Francis Seminary Youth Ministry Certification, Cardinal Stritch University |
"The long tradition of Catholic education has laid the foundation for many generations. At St. Eugene School we continue to lay this foundation of faith for our children." |
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Michael Taylor Principal 5 years of teaching experience 5 at St. Eugene School 9 years as principal 7 years at St. Eugene School B.A., University of New Mexico Teacher Certification, Ripon College M.Ed., Marquette University |
"At the heart of education is a relationship between students and a teacher. At St. Eugene we build a
relationship with each and every student: a relationship based on respect, care, even love, one that
supports and challenges each student to grow. In the context of a relationship like that, learning can flourish."
"We believe that education should develop not only our students' faith and knowledge, but also their talents and their self-confidence." |
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Vicki O'Neill Jr. Kindergarten 17 years of teaching experience 8 years at St. Eugene School B.A., Northeastern Illinois Univ. M.A., Northeastern Illinois Univ. |
"I teach at a Catholic school because I believe that the education process must recognize all aspects of a child.
I value being able to communicate to my students that God has a role in their development."
"Twenty years from now, my students might not remember that K4 is where they first learned to write their name, to count to 50, or to recognize the letters of the alphabet-but I think they will remember feeling that they belonged to a special classroom where they were safe, valued, respected, and loved." |
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Suzanne Veseth Sr. Kindergarten 6 years of teaching experience 2 years at St. Eugene School B.A., St. Norbert College M.A., Cardinal Stritch University |
"Being a mother before being a teacher gave me a deep appreciation for young minds and the various ways they learn.
My admiration and respect for St. Eugene School began as a parent and I feel quite blessed to now be a part of the staff."
"I love my students' humor, ways of thinking, and out of the box thoughts. I strive to decode each child and help set them on a path toward lifelong learning." |
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Loretta Gilbeck 1st Grade 10 years of teaching experience 10 years at St. Eugene School B.S., UW - La Crosse |
"I teach at St. Eugene School because it is an amazing learning environment for me and my students. We develop
our positive attitudes as we discover and learn more about the many gifts, talents, and abilities with which God
has blessed us."
"My mission as a teacher is to make learning fun and to instill a love for learning. I want to empower each child to reach his full potential." |
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Cathy Bartkowski 1st Grade 16 years of teaching experience 14 years at St. Eugene School B.S., UW - Eau Claire |
"One of the great pleasures of teaching is being part of each triumph a student experiences while learning."
"As a teacher, I want my students to be actively involved in the learning process. I provide an environment that encourages discovery and promotes a curiosity to learn." |
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Gail Stahl 2nd Grade 42 years of teaching experience 31 years at St. Eugene School B.S., Edgewood College |
"St. Eugene parents and I share the same ideals for their children. We want a faith-based learning atmosphere with
high academic expectations. When the parents and teachers work in unison for a common goal the children automatically
reap the benefits."
"Although I have taught for many years, the excitement of forming friendships and teaching new curriculum never wanes." |
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Joe Mirasola 3rd Grade 16 years of teaching experience 10 years at St. Eugene School B.S., UW - Milwaukee |
"There is no comparison as to what can be accomplished academically in a Catholic school versus a public school.
This is possible because of the students' strong morals and educational values that they bring from home."
"Learning can be fun. I try to instill this from the very first day. I let the children know that I once sat in their place in the classroom. Relating stories from my own childhood allows me into their lives, and this facilitates their learning." |
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Debi Logman 4th Grade 28 years of teaching experience 12 years at St. Eugene School B.A., Purdue University M.S., University of Illinois |
"Teaching is like a puzzle. The pieces are the materials, innovative teaching ideas, the child's learning style,
and creative activities. When all the pieces fit together, then I feel I am doing a good job."
"I can't imagine not teaching in a Catholic school. I am called to not only teach these children but to live a Catholic life as a role model for them." |
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Toni Robaczek 5th Grade 26 years of teaching experience 14 years at St. Eugene School B.A., Cardinal Stritch University |
"Teaching at St. Eugene School allows me to actively share my faith with my students each day. Every aspect
of the school day is affected by my belief in God."
"I hold high standards for my students. Besides encouraging them to be the best student they can be, I also expect and encourage them to be respectful, kind, and caring." |
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Mary Tulley 5th-8th Grade Scocial Studies 42 years of teaching experience 39 years at St. Eugene School B.A., Parsons College |
"The teachers in a Catholic school do much more than just instruct in particular grades or subject areas.
We are called on to witness our faith every day and to ready our students to be socially active, responsible,
moral, literate people who reflect their Catholic Christian values in their everyday life."
"I love the challenge of teaching. Every year I get a new fresh faced group of children with their own unique joys and problems, and as a teacher I have to adjust to that. I love getting to know them as individuals, learning their strengths and weaknesses St. Eugene's School, and helping them see their talents." |
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Jim Roche 6th-8th Grade Science 4 years of teaching experience 4 years at St. Eugene School B.S., Creighton University M.B.A., UW-Milwaukee |
"I teach in a Catholic middle school environment because of my faith and my sense of mission. I feel St. Eugene
is the perfect location because of my involvement in the parish and the wonderful sense of community that is here."
"I enjoy helping students see their world in a broader scope. I enjoy a hands-on style of teaching science where I try to bring concepts in a book to life." |
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Karen Prendergast 6th-8th Grade Literature and Language Arts 19 years of teaching experience 5 years at St. Eugene School B.S., UW-Platteville |
"My energy for teaching comes straight from the middle schoolers I teach. Every day is different, every day is
dramatic, and every day holds anticipation of what will happen next. Out of each day, though, comes new knowledge,
life lessons, and the fun of being with friends."
"It's not always about books - it's also about life and self. Listening and talking to middle school students is time well spent." |
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Suzanne Riesen 6th-8th Grade Math 4 years of teaching experience 2 years at St. Eugene School B.S., Physics, UW-Madison B.S., Math, Alverno College |
"I've always held the belief that God guides you to where you need to go. I can't help but chuckle to find
myself teaching at my children's school. The Lord does work in mysterious ways! He has challenged me to become
more of what He wants me to be, as a Catholic, as a parent, and now as a teacher."
"Now it is my responsibility to challenge my students to become more of what God wants them to be, as a person, as a classmate, and as a math student. My students and I are on this journey of learning together, and I'm so glad that our journey includes our St. Eugene community. I believe so strongly in this school's mission that I am truly honored to be a part of it!" |
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Martha Boyle Library 24 years of teaching experience 19 years at St. Eugene School B.A., Rosary College |
"There is a tremendous feeling of camaraderie, family, and community here - more than any other school
(college, high school, grade school) at which I have worked."
"I hope I impart to the students a joy of reading, by my own example and enthusiasm and by acquainting them with good literature. I want the library to be a place that they like being in and want to be in." |
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Elizabeth Junge Spanish |
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Pam Price Learning Resource Center 17 years of teaching experience 10 years at St. Eugene School B.A., Drake University M.A., Cardinal Stritch University |
"There is an expectation that flows through our school environment which calls for our students to be
respectful of life and of each other. This respect fosters learning and the steady growth of healthy minds and bodies."
"I want the Learning Resource Center to be a safe, fun, and positive place-one that helps students learn what they need to know to be successful in school, along with a confident feeling of 'I can do it!'." |
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Amy Koppa Guidance Counselor |
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Allene Ricker Art 24 years of teaching experience 16 years at St. Eugene School B.A., William Woods College M.A., Lindenwood College |
"I feel a strong sense of community at this school. Parents, faculty, and students support one another and
genuinely care about one another."
"I love to teach art! Each child is encouraged to share his/her unique vision of the world, and to feel confident in the creative process." |
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Jann Schmedeman Music 20 years of teaching experience 12 years at St. Eugene School B.S., UW-Whitewater M.A.E., Mount Mary College |
"I am very thankful to be at a school whose foundation is built on the Word of God and Jesus Christ.
Teaching is great at a school that is steeped in faith and one that promotes high values and morals."
"I believe that music is an integral part of human existence, culture, and religion. It is through music that we can express our emotions and feelings that cannot be expressed in words." |
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Sharon Webster Computers, Algebra 22 years of teaching experience 19 years at St. Eugene School B.S., UW-Milwaukee M.S., Cardinal Stritch University |
"I choose to teach in a Catholic school where I am free to promote and model the religious values and lessons
of our common faith. My students are asked to not only be seekers of wisdom but also of compassion."
"If students see that I am willing to support their efforts and that I care about them as individuals, they will accept my high expectations and rise to meet them." |
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Chris Winge Physical Education, Health 11 years of teaching experience 11 years at St. Eugene School B.S.E., UW-Whitewater |
"I love watching the children grow and learn and experience life. When a child learns a skill for the first
time is always rewarding to me."
"I enjoy the fact that students have a very close relationship with me as a teacher. It is easy to get lost in the shuffle at bigger schools. Here, students can find a teacher anytime, anywhere." |