Saint Patrick High School welcomed ten new teachers to the faculty for the start of the 2007-08 school year.  Ranging in age, experience, and area of expertise, the new additions to the faculty should energize the school.  The administration is proud to add these new teachers to the already outstanding faculty at Saint Patrick.

Bill Frere brings a wealth of experience with him to the Saint Patrick Religion Department.  Teaching won’t be new to Frere, but the all-male student body will be a dramatic change.  Frere, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree from Loyola University of Chicago, spent 29 years at all-girls schools, 11 at Alvernia and 18 at Trinity.

Bob Prokopowicz takes over for the legendary Tom Buscarini as the school’s attendance officer.  Buscarini retired last spring, following 40 years at Saint Patrick.  Prokopowicz isn’t a newcomer to Saint Patrick; he has served as an assistant coach on the Shamrocks’ varsity baseball staff for five years.  When Prokopowicz is not at school, he can be found at Fastball USA, where he works as a hitting instructor.  He is also an associate scout for the Philadelphia Philles organization.

In contrast to these veterans, some of the new teachers are just beginning their teaching careers.  Elena Bartzen arrives fresh from earning her Master’s Degree in Library and Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin.  Bartzen, who holds a Bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s in English Literature and Secondary Education, will serve as the new assistant librarian.  Danielle Buckingham will teach British Literature and sophomore English.  Buckingham earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Marquette University and did her student teaching at Milwaukee High School for the Arts.  Marla Rivera, who came to Saint Patrick last winter as a substitute for Judy Petersen, returns for a full year of teaching art and visual design. 

Two Illinois State University Graduates replace the departed Kevin Long in the Performing Arts Department.  Geoffrey Arndt will lead the Theatre Department, and part-time teacher Jamie Szynal will lead the Men’s Choir.  Arndt, who holds a Master’s Degree in Theatre History and Criticism and has two years of professional theatre experience, will direct the annual fall play and spring musical.

Peter Lamkin will teach Physics.  Lamkin holds a degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University.  Matt Reardon takes the place of Tom Mahoney in the Business Department.  Mahoney retired last spring, following 37 years at Saint Patrick.  Reardon, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Eastern Illinois University, will also help coach the freshman football team.

Chaoyi Li, a native of China, who is currently living in Chicago, will teach Mandarin Chinese.  Meeting before school, three days per week, the class will focus on the language and culture of the Chinese people.  In the inaugural year, the class will be offered as an “Enrichment Class,” with students able to earn a half-credit.