Faculty
Stephanie Daczyszyn
Ms. Daczyszyn has been our 2nd/3rd grade teacher for nearly 10 years. Prior to that, she taught philosophy at the university level. She clearly enjoys cultivating young minds. "I believe we should use our own curiosity for learning to challenge children to grow in their understanding of themselves and our world," she says.
Ms. Daczyszyn has been married for 28 years and has two teenage sons, both of whom graduated from Pilgrim. Her hobbies are reading and gardening.
Beata Halter
Beata Halter, our kindergarten teacher, has 30+ years of classroom experience. She has taught 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th grades as well, but is happiest teaching small children. "Young children are explorers and active learners," she says. "I strive to discover their strengths and identify needs. My goal for each child is to enhance growth in their love of learning, love for themselves and others and their love for their Lord."
Mrs. Halter is married to a fellow teacher, and has two sons: one teaches high school English in Iowa and the other is a student at Cornell College. Mrs. Halter describes herself as a “slow” runner and an “average” bridge player, and she is the proud owner of a turtle.
Karen Huelskoetter
"All 6 and 7 year olds need to see and experience that learning is FUN!" says 1st/2nd grade teacher Miss Huelskoetter. "And I strive to teach to the whole child—incorporating a ‘brain building’ classroom experience and strategies."
She adds that "children need to discover that learning never stops--
not even for a teacher. I want to facilitate a classroom where we all
learn from each other."
Now in her 19th year at Pilgrim, Miss Huelskoetter has a total of 32
years of teaching experience under her belt. In addition to reading,
math and other homeroom duties, she teaches music to the primary grades and directs the children's choir. She's also a big basketball fan, and staff representative for grade 5-8 boys' and girls' teams.
Miss Huelskoetter graduated from Concordia University in River Forest, IL, and underwent graduate work at DePaul University and Vandercook College. In her spare time (yes, she claims to have some), she may be found teaching or playing piano, gardening, bike riding or quilting.
Michael Knuth
His duties are almost too numerous to list. He teaches at least one subject in seven different grade levels. His vast experience (31 years in the teaching field) qualifies him to teach everything from math to music.
In his spare time, Mr. Knuth serves as Music Director for Pilgrim Lutheran Church, gives private piano lessons, and with his wife, Doris, works on remodeling their 101-year-old house. He is a member of five professional associations, including the American Guild of Organists and the American Orff-SchulwerkAssociation.
"Learning is a lifetime venture," Mr. Knuth says. "I am most interested in helping each child discover their interests and learning style and then guiding them as the magic unfolds."
The Knuth family has deep roots at Pilgrim. Not only did both Knuth children graduate from the school but Mr. Knuth's wife is a former Pilgrim teacher who now directs the Early Childhood Education Center at Concordia University.
David Maring, Principal
Mr. Maring says, "I believe the three secrets to Pilgrim's success are that we maintain our identity as a Christian school, encourage parent involvement, and recruit and support dedicated and talented master teachers."
In addition to administering the day-to-day operations of Pilgrim, Mr. Maring enjoys teaching math at the 7th and 8th grade level. He has spent 43 years in the field of education, six as teacher and 37 as school administrator and teacher. He earned a Master’s Degree in School Administration from Concordia University and is certified as a School Administrator by the State of Illinois. He is treasurer and past president of the Chicago North Principal's Group, a member of the Lutheran Education Association (LEA) and the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association (ELEA). He has worked with the ELEA to create and pilot a new school accreditation process for Lutheran schools across the country. Mr. Maring is also an active participant in numerous committees focusing on various aspects of school improvement. He is married with two adult children.
Karl Redelsheimer, Pastor
Pastor Karl Redelsheimer has been pastor at Pilgrim since the fall of 2000. Pastor Karl had previously served parishes in St. Charles, IL and Woodstock, IL.
He was ordained in 1998 after graduating from Luther College, Decorah, IA (1992 B.A. Political Science,) and Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN (1998 M, Div.). He is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program at Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA.
He is active in the Ravenswood Ministerial Association and a member of the Board of Directors at Luther North High School. He enjoys partnering with the members of the Pilgrim community in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. In his spare time he bikes, reads, and roots for the Chicago White Sox. He is married to Kimberly and the proud father of Samuel, Micah, and Anna.
Beth Ruppe
Beth Ruppe is our athletic preschool teacher. A teacher for 15 years (nine of them at Pilgrim), she is also cross-country and track coach.
"Young children are fascinating," she says, "I strive to support and learn from them as they explore and discover the world socially, academically and spiritually."
Mrs. Ruppe holds an undergraduate degree from Purdue and an M.A. in Early Childhood Education from National Louis University. She will complete a second Master’s in School Leadership in the summer of 2009. She is married, and both of her children attended Pilgrim: her daughter graduated from Purdue in 208 and is employed as an apparel buyer. Her son attends Denison University. She enjoys reading--especially at the beach--and, of course, running.
Cheryl Saiki
Cheryl Saiki, our learning disabilities teacher, has spent 25 years in the teaching field. She has a Master’s degree in special education.
"I want children to experience success with what they learn, and I structure lessons and homework with that in mind," she says. Working with children in small groups in a resource room, she uses a "multi-sensory structured language approach" when working with children who have reading disabilities. The approach utilizes phonics but also includes practice with sight words. For children with math disabilities, Mrs. Saiki encourages the use of manipulatives and other aids.
In addition to working with children in groups, Mrs. Saiki assists in the regular classroom, observes students, administers screening tests and completes the necessary paperwork for full case study evaluations.
Married for 17 years, Mrs. Saiki has two children attending Pilgrim. She is a member of the International Dyslexia Association and enjoys reading and scrapbooking in her spare time.
Kim Sobjack
"All children are capable of learning," says Kim Sobjack, 5th and 6th grade teacher. "My goal is to find their individual abilities and help them reach their full potential."
After receiving a bachelor's degree in communications, it didn't take long for Mrs. Sobjack to realize that teaching was her true calling--so she obtained her teaching certificate and came to Pilgrim nine years ago. She went to part-time status four years ago so that she could spend more time with her young daughter Bailey. She teaches language arts, 6th grade math and religion.
Janet Taylor
The newest addition to the Pilgrim staff has 34 years of teaching experience behind her. A former high school teacher, Ms. Taylor now shares 5/6 classroom duties with Mrs. Sobjack. "It is my goal to promote and provide educational opportunity for students in a classroom setting," she says, "ideally in a Christian atmosphere."
Ms. Taylor holds a B.S. from Illinois State and an M.S. from Florida Atlantic University. She is entering her sixth year as an usher at Wrigley Field, she is active in Pilgrim's Hot Meals for the Homeless program, and she is a past chair and charter member of the Jefferson Park Historical Society. She is divorced, with two adult daughters and one grandson. In her spare time, she enjoys genealogy, crocheting, reading and crossword puzzles.
Kathy Tighe
A relative newcomer at Pilgrim, Mrs. Tighe is our 4th and 5th grade homeroom teacher. "I try to instill a joy for inquiry and learning in my students," she says. "We work hard at developing strategies for solving questions and problems with creativity."
Mrs. Tighe received her teaching degree from Northwestern, after which she taught in the public schools system. She came to Pilgrim five years ago.
She has been married for 30 years, and has a 28-year-old son as well as a 16-year-old daughter, who attended Pilgrim and now attends Loyola Academy. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and gardening.
Andrew Yearick
Mr. Yearick is the Spanish teacher for Preschool- 8th grade and the Technology instructor for grades 5-8. He graduated with a degree in Education from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania with concentrations in German and Spanish. In regards to classroom instruction, he emphasizes creativity and adaptability: "Each class has a wide range of abilities and learning styles, and I try to vary the presentation of the material to reach all of the students. Beyond any methodology, though, I just try to keep learning fun."
Andrew has a passion for music, and also plays in a rock band. He can also occasionally be found acting in a film or playing around town.
Debra Fanning
Debra Fanning is homeroom teacher for the 7/8 classroom. She is also the newest addition to the Pilgrim Staff. She graduated from Northeastern University with a Masters in Reading.
Mrs. Fanning is really active in helping out in various activities and helping the 7/8 graders prepare for high school.
In addition to being a teacher, Mrs. Fanning is married and has two children attending Pilgrim. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and walking and talking with her friends.
