St. Mark's Lutheran Church & School
Our Faculty & Staff
St. Mark's Lutheran School
504 North James Street
Steeleville, IL 62288
(618) 965-3838
Dr. Janet Wicker, Administrator
I have a long history with St. Mark's Lutheran School having taught at the school from 1981-1999. I graduated from Concordia College in River Forest in 1981 and began my teaching career at St. Mark's. While at St. Mark's I taught 5th grade, 2nd grade, and 1st grade. I earned my Masters degree in Reading and Language Studies in 1998 and went on to earn my Ph.D. in Reading Education at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 2004. I continued my teaching career at McKendree University beginning in 2004 and retiring this year after 20 years.
Dana Warren, Secretary
Dana has serving St. Mark's School as the secretary since 2023.
Rhonda Hall, Kindergarten Teacher
My first year at St. Mark's, I taught third grade. This year, I am thrilled to be teaching the Kindergarten class.
I am excited to teach the Kindergarteners essential skills and help them gain knowledge to succeed in their academic careers. I am eager to observe the children as they develop a wide range of academic skills in language, literacy, thinking and cognitive awareness. Along with the academic skills they will develop, they will also increase in their physical, social and emotional development.
My prayer for each of the children is that they grow not only in academic knowledge but also develop a love of Jesus to be carried with them throughout their lives.
Judy Sarwark, 1st Grade Teacher
This is my sixth year teaching first grade at SMLS. I graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. degree in Education for grades K-9. I have taught first grade for over 15 years.
I am excited about this coming year and proud to be a part of your child's first grade year in a Christian based school. My goal is to make learning a wonderful and safe experience for your child, so that he/she will be excited about becoming a lifelong learner. I also want to make each and every one of the students feel good about themselves by giving them opportunities to succeed. I truly want to create independent readers and writers, as well as great problem solvers. I'm looking forward to a great year!
Beth Poenitske, 2nd & 3rd Grade Teacher
I am the 2nd & 3rd grade teacher at SMLS. Last year, I taught fifth through eigth grade Math as well as some 4th grade curriculum.
I look forward to teaching second and third graders as these are important years in a child's education. These children learn essential skills in language, reading, math, and social-emotional development. I love that by the time students begin second and third grade, school isn't new to them, but a continuation of skills they have developed.
It excites my teacher heart to observe and scaffold for these students the skills necessary to move forward in their education. I can't wait to see their academic growth as well as their learning to walk closer with Jesus.
Elizabeth Rees, 4th & 5th Grade Teacher
This is my third year teaching at SMLS. This year I will teach the combined 4th and 5th grades. These formative years are extremely important in a child's education. Now is when the foundation is laid for academic success. I am extremely excited to have this opportunity to work with your children, to build upon the skills they have learned, and to watch their growth in their walk with Jesus.
Let me share a little about myself. I was born in Carbondale and raised in Harrisburg, Illinois. I graduated from Southern Illinois University with a B.S. in speech communications and a minor in journalism. I later graduated from Western Kentucky University with a B.S. in middle school education. On returning to Illinois, I obtained my Illinois teacher certification in grades K-9.
With the support of the church, the administration, teachers, and staff, I am confident this will be an amazing year at SMLS.