- All
- Ministry Staff
- Early Childhood
- Elementary
- Middle School
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Pastor Joel HessSenior Pastor -
Pastor David KeatingAssociate Pastor -
Sheri MeyerPrincipal -
Warren GastPrincipal Emeritus -
Julie HessPreschool Teacher -
Sheila AmdurPreschool Teacher -
Jennifer MarcantonioJunior Kindergarten Teacher -
Brittani MosinskiJunior Kindergarten Teacher -
Marie AdamsKindergarten Teacher -
Kristina EcklundKindergarten Teacher -
Lora WebsterFirst Grade Teacher -
Maria SmithSecond Grade Teacher -
Stephanie BendingThird Grade Teacher -
Kaitlyn PegmanFourth Grade Teacher -
Becky GorcycaMiddle School Teacher -
Kim MayMiddle School Teacher -
Mitch DeBoerMiddle School Teacher -
Matthew RungePhysical Education and Health -
Karen GastMusic Teacher -
Katie WenzelSchool Counselor -
Lynda RungeDirector of Early Childhood -
Carole Anne CookDirector of Admissions -
Dot MinogueOffice Manager -
Rob JantzDirector of Finance and Administration
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Sam HerloFacility Manager -
Emily KroegerDirector of Ministry Services -
Olivia BeckerDirector of Marketing and Communications -
Meghan SleezerMusic Director -
Mikayla KeatingSunday School Superintendent
Besides being freely given the privilege to call God, Father, Pastor Hess is blessed to be the husband of Julie and the father of Henry and Samuel. He enjoys degrees in English and German literature from Michigan State University as well as a M.Div. from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
Sheri Meyer is the principal at St. James. Ms. Meyer has over 25 years of experience in the field of education. Over the past decade she has provided diversified services and leadership in the education industry. As an Education Leader Ms. Meyer has worked with both public and private schools to improve quality and integrate technology into the classroom. She has successfully worked with Lutheran Schools in Chicago to promote both improvement and excellence in the academic process.
Ms. Meyer holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Secondary Education from the University of Tulsa. Additionally, she holds her M.S. in Guidance and Counseling from Northeastern Illinois University.
Warren Gast has been an integral part of the St. James community since 1975. Mr. Gast serves St. James as Principal Emeritus. He also sings in the church choir and plays guitar with ”St. Jams.”
Mr. Gast earned his bachelor’s degree in Education from Concordia University, Ann Arbor and master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University, Chicago.
Mrs. Hess teaches the 5 half and full day early childhood class.
Email: jhess@stjames-lutheran.org
Brittani Mosinski teaches junior kindergarten. She has her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Northeastern Illinois University with a minor in fine arts with a focus in metals and painting. She also has a masters in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University where she wrote her thesis on the uses and benefits of environmental print in the classroom.
Lora Webster teaches first grade at St. James. Mrs. Webster comes to St. James with experience in both early childhood and first grade. Previously, she taught first grade and preschool at St. Matthew Lutheran School in Hawthorn Woods, as well as served as their Early Childhood Director. Mrs. Webster earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Concordia University, River Forest. She is a rostered and called teacher in the LCMS.
Email msmith@stjames-lutheran.org
Stephanie Bending teaches third grade at St. James. Previously, Mrs. Bending taught first grade at St. James and served the Downer’s Grove school district as an instructional assistant in the primary grades. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Northern Illinois University.
Kaitlyn Pegman teaches fourth grade at St. James. Mrs. Pegman is experienced in differentiating instruction and integrating technology into student learning. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Western Michigan University.
Becky Gorcyca is our fifth and sixth grade homeroom teacher. In our departmentalized approach to middle school, Mrs. Gorcyca focuses on the science curriculum. Her enthusiasm of subject matter is contagious and she captures the mindset of students at age level while anticipating their needs. Mrs. Gorcyca earned her bachelor’s degree from Concordia University Chicago.
Kim May is our seventh and eighth grade homeroom teacher and specializes in English Language Arts. Coming from a broad range of experience, from jr. high – graduate level, Mrs. May exposes students to a rich variety of genres of literature to kindle their love of reading, thinking and discovery. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education- English from Concordia University and her master’s degree in Linguistics from Northeastern Illinois University.
Matt Runge teaches Physical Education and Health and serves as our Athletic Director. Whether in the classroom, gym or playing field, Mr. Runge’s focus is on the total wellness of the child including nutrition, exercise and human relationships. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Saint Ambrose University.
Karen Gast teaches music in early childhood through fourth grade and directs the middle school Honor’s Choir. She focuses on the Orff method for music education that engages the whole child in learning music as it incorporates the natural rhythm of speech and language and builds in the movement that young children love. Now retired from the classroom where she enjoyed integrating music within all subject areas, Mrs. Gast focuses on her love of music education. She worked toward her Orff certification at DePaul University and continues her involvement in the GCAOSA, the greater Chicago Orff Association.
Ms. Wenzel is the school counselor.
Lynda Runge serves the community as the Director of Early Childhood. Mrs. Runge’s knowledge of child development and positive discipline allow her to develop independent problem solving and social skills programs for our students. Through observation she capitalizes on child interest to craft experiences where students observe and manipulate to expand their current understanding and synthesize and apply new information. Mrs. Runge earned her bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University and her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the Erikson Institute in Chicago.
Carole Anne Cook is the Director of Admissions at St. James.
Dot Minogue is the Office Manager at St. James. Mrs. Minogue has worked as an administrative assistance in the education field for 23 years. Our students love Mrs. Minogue – she takes care of us all!
Rob Jantz serves St. James as our Director of Finance and Administration. He has been a member at St James for 7 years and has been incredibly giving with his time and talents on Sunday mornings. Now he would like to utilize his 20+ years of tax/accounting experience to further God’s mission here at St James so Chicago can have hope and peace in Christ.
Sam Herlo manages the facility and maintenance needs of St. James. Mr. Herlo’s background includes electrical, plumbing, painting and general maintenance capabilities. He has worked as a Building Manager for several Chicago residential buildings since locating to Chicago from Romania.
Mrs. Becker is Director of Marketing and Communications at St James. She graduated from Bethany Lutheran college with a major in Media Arts.
Meghan Sleezer is the Music Director at St. James. In this role, she coordinates special music, directs the handbell choir, and serves as our organist. In addition to serving at St. James, she is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at Concordia University Chicago. Dr. Sleezer studied organ under Dr. Faythe Freese and earned her bachelor’s degree in Education from Concordia University at Austin, her masters degree in Mathematics Education from DePaul University, and her PhD in Mathematics Education from Illinois Institute of Technology.