St. John's Lutheran School Quality Teachers & Staff

Teachers & Staff

Linda Friesser - Kindergarten
Linda Friesser graduated from college in December 1970 from the University of Illinois, Chicago. She began teaching in the Homewood Public Schools. During this time, Linda married her husband, Greg. After 6 ½ years of teaching, Linda decided to pursue another career, that of being a full-time mom. Thirteen years and three children later (Melissa, Tracy, and Matthew), Linda decided to continue with her teaching profession. She has been teaching at St. John's for 17 years. When she is not teaching, Linda enjoys reading, crafts, doing word and number puzzles, and spending time with her granddaughter, Alyssa.

Phyllis Yurgin - 1st Grade
Phyllis Yurgin, of New Lenox, is our first grade teacher. She has a Bachelor of Education Degree from Northeastern Illinois University. She served as a Learning Center Supervisor in the Summit Hill School District in Frankfort for sixteen years and has served as the third grade teacher at Orchard Hill Farm School in Tinley Park. Phyllis and her husband, Nathan, have a son (Leigh) and a daughter (Suzanne). They also have three grandsons and one grand-daughter. Favorite hobbies of Phyllis are collecting dolls, reading, and gardening. She enjoys time spent with her grandchildren, especially sleep-overs. She is beginning her seventh year at St. John's and thoroughly enjoys teaching the first grade. Phyllis and her husband are members of St. Jude Parish in New Lenox.

Amanda Szymanski - 2nd Grade
Amanda Szymanski is excited to be returning to the staff at St. John's this year. Amanda graduated from Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, IL, with a B.A. in Elementary Education and a concentration in music. Prior to coming to St. John's, Amanda spent five years at Zion Lutheran School in Matteson, IL, where she taught third grade and directed the children's choir. She is looking forward to continuing her work with music at St. John's, directing a children's vocal choir, and a chime choir. Amanda and her husband Paul have been married two years, and recently welcomed their first child, Logan. In her free time, Amanda enjoys scrapbooking, coffee with friends, and spending time with her new son and her four year old niece, Sophia.

Angela Hird - 3rd Grade
Angela Hird is entering her ninth year of teaching at St. John's and her eighth year teaching third grade here. She finds teaching at St. John's a rewarding experience because the children are great; the parents supportive, and the staff is always friendly, helpful, and genuinely care about their students and about each other as well. Angela grew up in Milwaukee, WI and graduated from Messmer High School. She is also a graduate of The University of Wisconsin, Whitewater with a B.S. in Education. She previously taught at St. Mary's School in Port Washington, WI, Sacred Heart School in Fremont, OH, the Kids on Campus program at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL, as well as serving as an educational facilitator for Wheaton Warrenville School District 200 in Wheaton, IL. Angela has been married for 32 years to husband Darrell and has two sons, D.J. (daughter-in-law Lisa) and Michael.

Ollie Gil - 4th Grade

Ollie Gill is looking forward to a new year as 4^th grade teacher here at St. John's. Currently, she is pursuing a Masters of Art in Elementary Education at Chicago State University. Before joining the St. John's staff, Ollie was a Substitute Teacher for Country Club Hills School District 160, Bremen High School District 228, and St. John's for two years. From February to July 2008, Ollie served as the sixth grade teacher at St. John's. In addition to this, she is in her fourth year as an Adjunct Instructor at South Suburban College. Ollie has been married to husband, Dinisio for 13 years and has three children: Keith, Eboni, and Ray. Eboni and Ray are students at St. John's. Ollie loves traveling and spending time with her family.

Maria Bunte - 6th Grade

Maria Bunte is excited to be on the staff at St. John's as our 6^th grade teacher. She is entering her 29^th year of teaching with the past 15 years spent at St. Paul's, Chicago Heights. She graduated from St. Paul's and Bloom High School. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia Teachers' College, River Forest, IL in 1977 and her Master of Arts degree in Elementary Administration from the University of Missouri - Kansas City in 1991. Maria enjoys vacationing at her timeshare in Florida, camping in Michigan, or hanging out with friends and family.

Lois Stewart - 7th Grade
Lois Stewart is beginning her 24th year of teaching in Lutheran schools. She was raised in Chicago Heights where she attended St. Paul Lutheran School and Bloom High School. Lois graduated from Concordia College, River Forest in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in education. She received her Master of Arts Degree from Governor's State University with a major in Curriculum and Instruction. Lois enjoys running, being in the beauty of GOD's creation, and having the opportunity to assist children in their walk with Jesus.

Gary Pikalek - 8th Grade
Gary Pikalek was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1949. He graduated from Bethany Lutheran School in 1963 and Concordia High School in 1967. In 1972, he graduated from Concordia Teachers' College with a B.A. and in 1990 received a M.A. in Education, from Governor's State University. He taught for three years at Tabor Lutheran School in Chicago and for five years at St. Peters' Lutheran School in Joliet. He has taught at St. John's since 1980. Janice Pikalek is his lovely wife, and they were blessed with two children: Lisa Karlisch (CFO for her husband's company Buchanan-Edwards) and Jim (a computer programmer for Hinda incentives). Both of their children attended St. John's. Gary is the proud grandfather of Quinn and Ava Karlisch.

Rev. Peter Dorn - Pastor and Superintendent
Rev. Peter Dorn was born in the Philippines as the son of missionary parents. He completed Elementary and High School there at a Christian school. He graduated from Valparaiso University and Concordia Seminary. First Lutheran Church in Chickasha, OK, called him to be their pastor where he was from 1982 through 1991. In 1991, he moved to Grace Lutheran Church and School, Queens Village, NY, where he was pastor until coming to St. John's in 2005. He is married to Teena (a Texan) and they have two children from the Philippines: Angelica and Aaron. Both are currently enrolled in St. John's.

Email: pastor@sjcch.com

Rose Gustafson - Office Manager

Email: officemanager@sjcch.com

Cheryl Joynt - Church Secretary

secretary@sjcch.com