Patti Smith, President
Patti most recently served seven years as an Admissions Officer at Loyola Academy. In this position, she worked extensively with current and prospective students and has in depth knowledge of the admissions process. Her other professional experiences include serving as Region Vice President of a subsidiary of Barclays Bank, specializing in financing of high risk transactions including mergers and acquisitions. Patti was also the Director of Marketing for PACT, a not for profit organization which arranged for life care for mentally disabled adults. Ms. Smith serves on the school board of St. Ann’s School in the Pilsen neighborhood. She is a graduate cum laude from the University of Notre Dame. She and her husband John are committed to Catholic education, in part, in thanksgiving for the many benefits and formation that it has afforded their four children.
Sandria Morten, Curriculum Director
Sandria Morten has worked for the Archdiocese of Chicago for the past ten years as a teacher, the principal of St. Matthias School, and most recently directing the development of an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme at St. Matthias, the first in any Catholic grade school in Illinois. She also serves as adjunct faculty for Loyola University of Chicago, mentoring principal candidates in the M. Ed. Program in Instructional Leadership. Sandria considers herself a life-long learner and is excited to continue her education, currently pursuing an ED.D in Curriculum and Instruction at Loyola University of Chicago. She has received a M. Ed. From Loyola University of Chicago, a Master of School Administration from the University of Notre Dame, and a B.A. from University of Notre Dame.
Margie Rosmonowski, Curriculum Consultant
Margie currently serves as Principal of St. Cyprian School. She most recently served as Assistant Principal to Sacred Heart School in Winnetka. After graduating from University of Notre Dame, Margie was chosen for the LU-CHOICE Program at Loyola University. This highly competitive program places students as elementary Catholic school teachers in low income areas while earning a Masters Degree in Elementary Education. She has spent most of her career as a math and science teacher and is currently studying at DePaul University for her Masters in Educational Leadership and Type 75 certification. Margie has been an enthusiastic presence among her students and is a very competent and motivated administrator.
Becky Hansen, Curriculum Consultant
Becky is a middle school language arts teacher and has been teaching for six years at St. Matthias School in Lincoln Square where she is much beloved by her students. Becky has a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Fairfield University in Connecticut and her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from DePaul University in Chicago. As a lifelong recipient of Catholic education she feels passionate about contributing her teaching talents to Catholic schools and is committed to teaching in a faith filled classroom.
Our Instructors
The course will be taught by high-energy, highly skilled Catholic grade school teachers, many of whom are graduates of University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) program or Loyola University’s LU-CHOICE program. Teachers from these highly selective programs have earned masters degrees while teaching in low-income schools and are now teaching in local Catholic schools. Teachers are chosen not only on their ability to convey curriculum concepts in a clear manner but also on their ability to encourage and instill confidence in students. They are also committed to Catholic education and social justice.
Supporting Catholic Education
PEACE Educational Services is committed to supporting Catholic Education, achieving this mission through a three-fold approach:
1) PEACE supports students’ transition from elementary school to Catholic high schools by providing confidence-centered educational services such as HSPT and other test preparation, study skills, tutoring, and advisory services.
2) PEACE supports Catholic elementary education by encouraging the retention of excellent Catholic school junior high teachers by providing these teachers with meaningful additional income.
3) PEACE provides these support services to students in very low-income schools by means of fundraising support.