Dear Parents, Faculty, and Staff,
As we prepare to launch another exciting school year, I am thrilled to welcome our new faculty members, whose talent and passion will further enrich our vibrant learning community. We are confident that their presence will bring fresh perspectives and continued excellence to our classrooms. At the same time, we are deeply grateful for our returning faculty, whose unwavering dedication, experience, and care continue to be the foundation of our school’s success. Together, this exceptional team promises an inspiring year of growth and achievement for our students.
Below, you’ll find brief bios introducing our new faculty members—please take a moment to get to know the wonderful individuals joining our faculty this year.
Sincerely,
Katie Stangel
Head of School
Welcome to our New Faculty!
Ms. Sarah Fairbank, History Teacher
B.A. University of Notre Dame
Ms. Fairbank recently graduated from Notre Dame with a Bachelors of Arts in History and Theology. During this time, she simultaneously pursued coursework and certification in secondary education. She completed her student teaching at Mishawaka High School where she taught AP World History and U.S. History.
She loves all things history and Notre Dame, where she also competed in mock trial competitions, and enjoys teaching catechism on the weekends to OCIA kids. She was born and raised in Chicagoland and is the middle of five kids in her family. Three of her siblings attended Northridge/Willows and she is excited to be a part of the Willows community herself!
Dr. Gioconda Garcia, Chemistry Teacher
Ph.D. North Dakota State University
M.S. Polytechnic School of Chimborazo
Dr. Garcia joins us with a degree in Agronomy Engineering from the Polytechnic School of Chimborazo in Ecuador as well as a Doctor of Philosophy Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Sciences, specializing in Breeding and Genetics. She has more than ten years of experience as an undergraduate professor in Life and Earth Sciences departments, including environmental science, environmental biology, plant molecular genetics, and physiology. Dr. Garcia has also taught Earth and Space science and Physics at the high school level.
Mrs. Teresa James, Art Teacher
Mrs. James have been a part of the Chicago art community for over 30 years focusing on printmaking, drawing, and photography. She enjoys teaching specialty art workshops and giving lectures to colleges around the country as well as showing her art at selected fine art galleries. She spent some time at the Art Institute of Chicago and has 13 years of experience as Master Printer at Big Cat Press working with well known artists in printmaking.
Having grown up in in a family of artists, Mrs. James always knew art was a passion and talent that God had blessed her with. Her husband is an art collector and her daughter makes art as well.
Ms. Mary Kurkowski, English & History Teacher
B.A. University of Dallas
Ms. Kurkowski spent three years in the classical charter schools of Texas at the elementary grade levels. She has a passion for sharing the beauties of literature and the treasures of history with her students.
Ms. Kurkowski spent all her middle and high school years at Willows and is excited to return. She enjoys singing, reading, and spending time with her new nephews.
Mrs. Madeline Ortiz, Spanish Teacher
University of Puerto Rico – Cayey
Mrs. Ortiz has an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and her B.A. from the University of Puerto Rico – Cayey is in Social Science and History.
In addition, Mrs. Ortiz earned her “Certificación de Profesora de Español como Lengua Extranjera” (Certification for Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language) at the University of Salamanca, Spain, and is currently working toward her Master’s Degree in Continuing Education in International Teaching of Spanish as a Foreign Language.
She has enjoyed teaching her native language and sharing her culture with students of different ages and backgrounds for over ten years. She has volunteered as a missionary in the Dominican Republic, and as a Confirmation catechist in Cayey, Puerto Rico and Chicago, IL.
Mrs. Cindy Pasowicz, Chamber Choir
B.S. University of Evansville
M.A. National-Louis University
For over 30 years, Mrs. Pasowicz has taught music and led choirs in both school and private settings. Currently, she serves as Academic Dean of Students and music/choral director at St. Mary of the Angels School, directing two choirs for Mass and school events.
Her passion for a range of musical styles—liturgical, classical, musical theater, jazz, and contemporary—informs her diverse choral programming. She emphasizes encouragement, clear instruction, and a joyful, supportive learning environment.
In 2018, she founded an all-girls choir in her home studio for junior high and high school students, performing three-part harmonies at local events. Several of her students have pursued music in college—many on scholarship—attending schools such as Belmont, NYU, DePaul, and the University of Illinois. She also prepares students for ILMEA competitions and elite camps like Interlochen and Blue Lake. Mrs. Pasowicz remains an active performer and cantor in her community.
Mrs. Lucy Rowan, Theology & English Teacher
B.A. Hillsdale College
As an English major, Mrs. Rowan enjoyed working as a tutor at Hillsdale’s Writing Center where she helped students throughout their essay writing process.
She developed a love for teaching and working with kids during her summer teaching and mentoring at Metro Achievement Center. She is a proud Willows alumna and loved her time here! After Willows, she went on to Hillsdale College where she met her husband, Colman. They were married this past June. She is excited to return and be a part of the Willows community–now as a faculty member!
Ms. Clare Stangel, Music Teacher & Chamber Choir
B.S. DePaul University
M.Ed. DePaul University
Ms. Stangel is a Willows Alumni (‘21) who went on to pursue a degree in Psychology while also studying music at DePaul University (‘24).
Ms. Stangel was an active member of all choirs at Willows, has worked as a private cantor, and took over 7 years of private vocal lessons. She specializes in choral music, musical theater, and liturgical music and is excited to instill a love of music in all her students.
Ms. Stangel has performed at various churches across the world including St. John Cantius, St Mary of the Angels St. Stanislaus, St Paul of the Cross, Santa Maria Maggiore (Rome), the Pantheon (Rome), and the high altar at St. Peter’s Basilica. She attributes much of her musical growth and experiences to Willows Academy and is looking forward to giving back to the place from which she received so much.
Welcome to our New Staff!
Mrs. Maureen Buttkus, Director of Alumni Engagement
B.A. Marquette University
Mrs. Buttkus worked at the Willows a few years ago in the front office and last year became a TA for Special Education at a local middle school. She is also going into her 5th year coaching middle school sports at Willows.
She has deep rooted connections to Willows as a Willows Alum herself (Class of ’96) as well as two daughters currently at Willows in high school!
Mrs. Jamie Stenson, Front Office
Ms. Stenson was the Front Office Manager at St. Zachary School before sending my 2 daughters to Willows Academy. She also has a sophomore at Northridge. She loves the sense of community that both Willows and Northridge provide for students and families and feels so blessed to be part of such a wonderful school!
Mrs. Angelina Swon, Front Office
A.AS. Robert Morris College
Mrs. Swon worked for over 10 years as a Paralegal/Office Manager and has an A.AS as Paralegal and Legal Secretary from Robert Morris University. She has a daughter currently enrolled at Willows and is married to Northridge Alumni Gregory Swon. She has a love of gardening, baking, cooking, reading and the arts!