St. John the Baptist Staff

Joanne Policht

Principal

Mrs. Policht is in her seventh year at St. John the Baptist and is truly honored to serve as the principal. Mrs. Policht has been an educator for over thirty-five years, including teaching for over 10 years instructing students with behavior challenges, students with learning disabilities, third grade, and additionally was a Reading Specialist. Mrs. Policht, along with her principal partner, were the first job share principals in the state of Illinois. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Special Education from Wartburg College, a Master of Arts in Reading Education from National-Louis University and a Master of Science in Educational Administration and Supervision from Northern Illinois University. Her inspiration and influences stem from many of her family members who have worked with children and who have been educators. Mrs. Policht’s grandfather was even a teacher in a one room schoolhouse!

Favorite Bible Verse

"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4

Daily Inspiration

"Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love."

St. Therese of Lisieux

Teri Hardesty

Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Hardesty is the face of St. John the Baptist every time you enter the school! As our Administrative Assistant, Mrs. Hardesty can help with any question you have. She began working for the Diocese of Joliet in 2004, and has been at St. John's since 2007. Having attended Catholic grade school, high school and college, Mrs. Hardesty has a love for Catholic education.

Daily Inspiration

"Serve the Lord with laughter."

St. Padre Pio

Karen Reed

3-Year-Old Preschool

Mrs. Reed has been our 3-year-old preschool teacher for 3 years, and a teacher for 17 years. She holds her BA in Elementary Education, Middle School Approval, Reading and Social Science Endorsements. Mrs. Reed is also a graduate of St. Pius the X in Lombard!

Favorite Bible Verse

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13 

Teaching Philosophy

Mrs. Reed believes the purpose of education is to provide children with the resources and skills that they need to become lifelong learners so they can pursue a passion or interest later on in life. Her goal is to provide the basic framework of information and skills while also inspiring students to be curious, ask, questions, and discover answers. As a teacher, Mrs. Reed is excited to have the opportunity to challenge, support, and guide each child in their own discoveries. Teaching the Catholic faith involves guiding others to understand and live according to the teachings of Jesus Christ, the sacraments, and the traditions of the Church.

New Title

3-Year-Old Preschool Aide

Valerie Murphy

4-Year-Old Preschool



Favorite Bible Verse

Teaching Philosophy

Beth Fuhrmann

4-Year-Old Preschool Aide

Stefanie Potts

Kindergarten

Favorite Bible Verse

God has more in store for you than you can ever imagine.

Ephesians 3:20

Teaching Philosophy

Mrs. Potts believes every child is a unique gift from God, filled with purpose and promise. Her classroom is a joyful, faith-filled space where children learn, grow, and come to know they are deeply loved. She teaches with a heart for both academics and the soul—helping little ones grow in knowledge, kindness, and faith. Through prayer, story, and play, she guides them to discover the beauty of God’s world and their special place in it. Mrs. Potts believes that teaching is more than a job—it’s a calling. Watching children grow, wonder, and shine is one of the greatest blessings of her life.

Carole Russo

1st Grade

Annamarie Simon

2nd Grade

Mrs. Simon has been teaching at St. John’s for 4 years, and this is her 5th year as a teacher. She holds a BA in Psychology and Religious Studies from Nazareth University, a Masters in Education Policy from The University of Rochester and a Masters in Elementary Education from Lewis University. Her favorite prayers include the Memorare and Hail Holy Queen.

Memorare Prayer

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, we fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins my Mother; to thee do we come, before thee we stand, sinful and sorrowful; O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not our petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer them.

Lori Seay

3rd Grade

Michele Wozniak

4th Grade

Mrs. Wozniak has taught Middle School and Preschool before staying home to raise her 6 children.  She holds a BS in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University. Mrs. Wozniak is excited to return to teaching in the Catholic schools. She began her career at St. Kieran in Chicago Heights. Mrs. Wozniak and her family are members of St. Michael Church and reside in Wheaton.

Favorite Bible Verse

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrong."

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Teaching Philosophy

Every student is an individual and as a teacher I will take into account each child's cognitive, spiritual. social, and emotional needs in order to create a positive learning experience in the classroom.

Angela Murray

 5th Grade

Mrs. Murray has been teaching 4th grade homeroom and 5th grade Social Studies at St. John’s for 6 years. For the 2025-26 school year she will be teaching 5th grade homeroom and 4th grade Social Studies. She has been a teacher for almost 20 years, including the time she was subbing while raising her children. Mrs. Murray holds a BA in English from Illinois State and a Masters in Education from National Louis University. Mrs. Murray loves the staff and families at St. John there is nowhere else she would rather be!

Favorite Bible Verse

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

Teaching philosophy

Every student is someone’s child. So, I always think of my own children and what I want for them when deciding how to teach my students, providing the best education in the best environment.

Scott Valenta

6th Grade, Jr. High Science

Mr. Valenta has been teaching science at St. John’s since 2017, and a teacher since 2016. He holds a BA of Science in Biology from Western Illinois University and a Masters of Science in Biology from Clemson University. Prior to college, Mr. Valenta attended St. Francis High School and St. Michael Parish School, both located in Wheaton. Mr. Valenta is very active in the science community and recently was awarded the 2024 Bob Thompson Excellence in Energy Education Award, was seated on the Governing Board of the 2021 American Association of Chemistry Teachers and acts as a Facilitator for the National Energy Education Development Project. In his free time, Mr. Valenta is a father of two wonderful boys and an avid Peloton rider.
 
Favorite Bible Verse

The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed."

Matthew 8:8
 

Teaching Philosophy

In a world of ordinary classrooms, why not be extraordinary? Let's do weird stuff like track satellites and download images from them or be a fish hatchery and raise Rainbow Trout. Let's do something you won't forget.

Jamie Buhnerkemper

7th Grade, Jr. High ELA

Mrs. Buhnerkemper has been at St. John’s since 2007 as a coach, substitute teacher, paraprofessional and now a teacher! Her first year as a teacher was in physical education, and now she is our middle school art teacher. With over 7 years of teaching experience, we are thrilled to have her at St. John’s. Mrs. Buhnerkemper earned her BA degree in English Education with a minor in Communication and an endorsement in Art from Western Illinois University, as well as a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Physical Education from North Central College. When Mrs. Buhnerkemper is not teaching, she coaches volleyball as the girls' head coach at Neuqua Valley High School and boys head coach at St. Charles North.

Favorite Bible Verse

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”

Romans 15:4
 

Teaching Philosophy

Mrs. Buhnerkemper’s teaching philosophy is focused on encouraging students to find their unique personality. She believes in process-based learning and being a resource for students through visual language, media, and history.

Katie Pierscionek

8th Grade, Jr. High Math

Gabrielle Wilson

PS - 5th Grade Art

This year is Mrs. Wilson’s first year teaching art to 4-year-old preschoolers - 5th graders at St. John’s. Since 2015, she has worked in the education field as a substitute teacher and a paraprofessional, so she is very familiar with education! Mrs. Wilson holds a BFA from The Columbus College of Art and Design, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from National Louis University. Additionally, she has completed graduate coursework in Art Therapy at Adler University. Mrs. Wilson is thrilled that she can come to St. John’s every day with her three children who attend SJB. She and her family are very grateful to have found such a supportive, academically rigorous, and safe community.

Favorite Bible Verse

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

Hebrews 11:1

Teaching Philosophy

Mrs. Wilson seeks to guide students by teaching them useful skills in their everyday lives, whether this is through prayer, discernment and interpretation of the world around them, or by building community. When God comes first, everything else falls into place.

Jamie Buhnerkemper

6th- 8th Grade Art

Mrs. Buhnerkemper has been at St. John’s since 2007 as a coach, substitute teacher, paraprofessional and now a teacher! Her first year as a teacher was in physical education, and now she is our middle school art teacher. With over 7 years of teaching experience, we are thrilled to have her at St. John’s. Mrs. Buhnerkemper earned her BA degree in English Education with a minor in Communication and an endorsement in Art from Western Illinois University, as well as a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Physical Education from North Central College. When Mrs. Buhnerkemper is not teaching, she coaches volleyball as the girls' head coach at Neuqua Valley High School and boys head coach at St. Charles North.

Favorite Bible Verse

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”

Romans 15:4

Teaching Philosophy

Mrs. Buhnerkemper’s teaching philosophy is focused on encouraging students to find their unique personality. She believes in process-based learning and being a resource for students through visual language, media, and history. 

Danielle Rooney

Technology

This is Mrs. Rooney's 11th year of teaching. She spent 7 years teaching prior to staying home to raise her children and then returned to teaching in 2021. Mrs. Rooney has a BA in Education with a minor in Spanish from Aurora University along with an MA in Educational Technology from Concordia University Chicago. She previously taught Pre-K at St. John the Baptist and is excited to teach technology to all of St. John's students!

Favorite Bible Verse

Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later."

John 13:7



Teaching Philosophy

Mrs. Rooney's goal is to create a classroom community where students feel supported and loved. She wants students to develop a growth mindset, feel comfortable making mistakes, walk out of the classroom feeling confident that they learned something new, and follow the example Jesus set for us. Mrs. Rooney understands that every student has unique strengths and different learning styles. She enjoys using different teaching methods to help meet the needs of every student. She believes in mutual respect between teacher and student and works very hard to provide a safe and loving learning environment. 

Mary Slowinski

 Physical Education and Math Resource

Mrs. Slowinski started her career at St. John’s during the 2024-25 school year, as our physical education teacher for all grades - 3-year-old preschool through 8th grade. She has over 20 years of experience teaching and loves to learn and loves to teach! She greatly enjoys building positive connections and relationships with students and their families. Mrs. Slowinski earned her Bachelor degree in Elementary Education from Mount St. Joseph University, her Bachelor in Special Education degree from Mount St. Joseph University and her Master of Arts degree in Recreation Administration and Outdoor Pursuits from Aurora University. She is a proud graduate of St. Bernadette Catholic Grade School in Evergreen Park and Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School in Chicago.

Favorite Bible Quotes:

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me." ~ John 10:14

"You created every part of me; you knitted me together in my mother's womb." ~ Psalms 139: 19

"The Lord your God is with you; His power gives you victory. The Lord will take delight in you, and in His love, He will give you new life. He will sing and be joyful over you." ~ Zephaniah 3:17

Teaching Philosophy:

Mrs. Slowinski believes that we are all created on purpose for a purpose and that our gifts and talents are unique to each of us; to be developed and used to glorify God and to build the Kingdom of Heaven here on Earth. She believes that students learn best through experiential activities and play. Her goal is to help students further develop into the people they are called to be.

Name

Music

Favorite Bible Verse

Teaching Philosophy