St. Mark Preschool and Enrichment Center Staff, 2026-2027 School Year
Allison Finnegan
Director
Mrs. Finnegan is delighted to be serving in her sixth year as Director of St Mark Preschool. Allison has extensive experience directing and teaching in preschools in neighboring communities over the past 15 years.
"My passion for quality early childhood education is guided by a philosophy of engaging young children in hands on experiences that spark imagination and inspire a love of learning."
Director
Mrs. Finnegan is delighted to be serving in her sixth year as Director of St Mark Preschool. Allison has extensive experience directing and teaching in preschools in neighboring communities over the past 15 years.
"My passion for quality early childhood education is guided by a philosophy of engaging young children in hands on experiences that spark imagination and inspire a love of learning."
Barb Zediker
Teacher/Former Director
Mrs. Zediker began teaching at St. Mark in 1997 and currently teaches the Kindergarten Enrichment STEAM Program.
Mrs. Zediker's daughter and son are both St. Mark Preschool alumni.
“I look forward to working with the children, families, and staff of such a fabulous school.”
Teacher/Former Director
Mrs. Zediker began teaching at St. Mark in 1997 and currently teaches the Kindergarten Enrichment STEAM Program.
Mrs. Zediker's daughter and son are both St. Mark Preschool alumni.
“I look forward to working with the children, families, and staff of such a fabulous school.”
Christine Renz
Teacher
Office Manager
Mrs. Renz is beginning her twenty-sixth year as a teacher at St. Mark Preschool and is also the Preschool Office Manager.
Mrs. Renz grew up in Mt. Prospect and she has a grown son, who is also a St. Mark alumnus.
“I find it so rewarding to be a part of a child’s first educational experience.”
Teacher
Office Manager
Mrs. Renz is beginning her twenty-sixth year as a teacher at St. Mark Preschool and is also the Preschool Office Manager.
Mrs. Renz grew up in Mt. Prospect and she has a grown son, who is also a St. Mark alumnus.
“I find it so rewarding to be a part of a child’s first educational experience.”
Carolyn Zim
Teacher
Mrs. Zim has been a Teacher and Aide at St Mark Preschool for over 18 years. She is a Lead Teacher in the Threes' Class and assists in afternoon care. Carolyn resides in the community with her husband and has two daughters.
"I want to share in the joy of teaching by celebrating childhood every day."
Teacher
Mrs. Zim has been a Teacher and Aide at St Mark Preschool for over 18 years. She is a Lead Teacher in the Threes' Class and assists in afternoon care. Carolyn resides in the community with her husband and has two daughters.
"I want to share in the joy of teaching by celebrating childhood every day."
Christine Eyles
Teacher's Aide
Mrs. Eyles is starting her thirteenth year as a Teacher's Aide at St. Mark Preschool and Enrichment Center in the Fours' Class. Christine and her family live in Mount Prospect.
“I look forward to watching your child grow and make many happy and fun experiences at St. Mark.”
Teacher's Aide
Mrs. Eyles is starting her thirteenth year as a Teacher's Aide at St. Mark Preschool and Enrichment Center in the Fours' Class. Christine and her family live in Mount Prospect.
“I look forward to watching your child grow and make many happy and fun experiences at St. Mark.”
Nancy Peterson
Teacher's Aide
Mrs. Peterson is entering her fifth year at St Mark Preschool as a Teacher's Aide and will be assisting in the Fours' Class. A resident of the community, Nancy enjoyed teaching and interacting with local school children, preschoolers, and scout troops in her previous position. “Children make your life important.” Erma Bombeck
Teacher's Aide
Mrs. Peterson is entering her fifth year at St Mark Preschool as a Teacher's Aide and will be assisting in the Fours' Class. A resident of the community, Nancy enjoyed teaching and interacting with local school children, preschoolers, and scout troops in her previous position. “Children make your life important.” Erma Bombeck
Terry Labanowski
Teacher
Mrs. Labanowski is beginning her fourth year at St. Mark Preschool where she will be a Resource Teacher the Threes' Class on Wednesdays and Fridays. Terry taught preschool for several years before having children and was thrilled to return to the classroom. Mrs. Labanowski and her husband are residents of Mount Prospect where they are raising two children.
Teacher
Mrs. Labanowski is beginning her fourth year at St. Mark Preschool where she will be a Resource Teacher the Threes' Class on Wednesdays and Fridays. Terry taught preschool for several years before having children and was thrilled to return to the classroom. Mrs. Labanowski and her husband are residents of Mount Prospect where they are raising two children.
Mary Schaefer
Teacher
Mrs. Schaefer is joining us in her second year as a Resource Teacher for the Threes Class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She brings a wealth of expertise as a retired Special Education Teacher in D62 and current Preschool Teacher for the Mt Propsect Park District. Mrs. Schaefer resides in the community with her husband. Her grandson John is a St Mark Alimnnae.
Teacher
Mrs. Schaefer is joining us in her second year as a Resource Teacher for the Threes Class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She brings a wealth of expertise as a retired Special Education Teacher in D62 and current Preschool Teacher for the Mt Propsect Park District. Mrs. Schaefer resides in the community with her husband. Her grandson John is a St Mark Alimnnae.
Christine O'Brien
Teacher's Aide
Mrs. O’Brien is excited to start as a Teacher's Aide in the Three’s Class. Christine has over 20 years' experience working with preschoolers both as a co-teacher and as an aide. She lives in the community with her husband, daughter and rescue dog.
Teacher's Aide
Mrs. O’Brien is excited to start as a Teacher's Aide in the Three’s Class. Christine has over 20 years' experience working with preschoolers both as a co-teacher and as an aide. She lives in the community with her husband, daughter and rescue dog.
Julie Dorjath
Teacher's Aide
Mrs. Dorjath is delighted to join the St Mark team as a Teacher's Aide in the Afternoon Kindergarten Enrichment program. After a career in the corporate world, she is eager to follow her interest in Early Childhood Education. She has a grown daughter and a son.
Teacher's Aide
Mrs. Dorjath is delighted to join the St Mark team as a Teacher's Aide in the Afternoon Kindergarten Enrichment program. After a career in the corporate world, she is eager to follow her interest in Early Childhood Education. She has a grown daughter and a son.
Comments from a parent survey about the staff at St. Mark Preschool and Enrichment Center:
"We have been thrilled to join St. Mark’s Preschool this year. We trust the teachers implicitly and we know that they have so much knowledge, patience, and creativity."
"We cannot say enough wonderful things about the warm and inspiring environment created by [our daughter's teachers]. We are always impressed by the huge variety of creative activities tied to each unit. Our daughter absolutely loves being at school. Thank you to all three teachers!"