2010-11 New Staff Members
Ms. Deanna Varagona – Music Instructor: We have reorganized our music instructional program and are happy to have ms. Deanna Varagona leading the weekly classes. Originally from Tennessee, Ms. Varagona has a history of both teaching and performing music. She is looking forward to continuing our instrumental instruction program and exposing students to new forms of music. She will complement Ms. Ortegon very well to enhance our music program.
Ms. Kathia Rivera – Preschool Aide: We are very happy to have Ms. Rivera join our strong preschool program. She will be working together with Mrs. Bullion (Ms. B) in the PreK-4 classroom. Ms. Rivera works very well with children and currently has her son in our preschool program. She is currently studying to become a teacher and is excited for the opportunity to support and enhance our program.
Ms. Brittany Ellis – Preschool Aide: Ms. Ellis brings a very interesting background to us as a performance artist with extensive experience performing for and working with school-aged children both in the U.S. and abroad. We are very happy to welcome her to our team and excited for all the personality and skills she will bring to Ms. Marquez’s classroom.
Ms. Emily Fruge’ – 5th Gr. Homeroom & Junior High Language Arts: Ms. Fruge hails from Louisiana and has taught the last several years in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. She brings a special emphasis on student writing and language arts proficiency. Ms. Fruge holds her bachelors and Masters degrees from LSU and North Carolina-Charlotte, respectively. She has settled into Chicago and is looking forward to being a big part of the St. Sylvester community. She is also engaged to be married this coming October.
Mr. Nicholas Parsons – 7th Gr. Homeroom & Junior High Social Studies: With prior teaching experience at Ella Flagg Young Elementary and St. Angela in Chicago, Mr. Parsons is now excited to be at St. Sylvester and looking forward to incorporating technology into his social studies lessons daily. A graduate of Ripon College and Northeastern Illinois, he was a banking executive for almost 10 years. We are very pleased with the new presence and perspective he will bring to our junior high.
Ms. Christina Copre – 8th Gr. Homeroom & Junior High Math: Ms. Copre comes to us with rave reviews as a math and junior high teacher. A math major from Northwestern University with her Masters from UIC, she is very excited to be once again teaching in the archdiocesan school system and happy to be a part of our team. This will be Ms. Copre’s 3rd year with an 8th grade homeroom and she is excited to help lead the students as they transition to high school.