Early Childhood Faculty & Staff

Preschool Team

Ms. Jessie Granitz is excited to begin her 8th year here at St. Benedict Prep and her 12th year of teaching—all in PreK! She was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has been living in Chicago for almost 9 years. Ms. Granitz graduated from UW-Madison with a degree in Child Development and then attended UW-Milwaukee to get her Early Childhood Teaching License. When she’s not teaching, she loves spending time with family & friends, traveling as much as she can, cooking & baking, and binge-watching lots of TV & movies. Ms. Granitz is looking forward to a brand-new year of learning and exploring with her students! jgranitz@stbenedict.com

Ms. Kristen Hayeswas born and raised on the Northwest side of Chicago and attended Catholic Schools from preschool through high school. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Ms. Hayes started at St. Benedict Prep twelve years ago as an assistant in preschool and ran the aftercare program. This will be her tenth year as lead teacher in the preschool program. When she is not teaching, she loves to spend time outdoors with her dog Bella, watch her favorite shows, exercise, read, and spend time with her family, especially at their house right outside New Buffalo, Michigan. She is looking forward to a great year learning and exploring new things with her students.  khayes@stbenedict.com

Mrs. Cathy Kattner has always lived right here on the north side of Chicago.  She has 2 children who are both are graduates of St. Benedict Prep and are now successful young adults.  She graduated from Northeastern University with a BA in Early Elementary Education and an additional Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education.  She has previously taught kindergarten here at St. Benedict Prep and is now happy to be part of the Preschool Team here at St. Benedict.  She loves teaching and looks forward to seeing bright, happy children eager to learn and have fun while learning. ckattner@stbenedict.com

Mrs. Malgorzata Pikulski grew up in Poland and moved to Chicago shortly after graduating from the University of Rzeszow.  Mrs. Pikulski graduated from Dominican University with a Master Degree of Science in Education (Early Childhood).   For the past 25 years, she has been teaching preschool children within the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools. This year is her tenth year at SBPS.  She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, going on walks with her dog Trevor, and reading.  Her favorite travel destinations are mostly surrounded by mountains and beaches. Mrs. Pikulski is looking forward to having a wonderful school year.   mpikulski@stbenedict.com

Ms. Sherry Smith moved to Chicago, from Ohio, several years ago to be near her children.  She has taught for many years - 1st grade, 2nd grade, kindergarten, and was even a computer teacher at one point for grades K-5 - all in Catholic education.  She graduated from St. Catherine University with a B.A. in Elementary Education; several years later she received her M.A. in Education from Hamline University.  This is her fifth year at St. Ben’s - she spent one year as a Preschool Assistant, two years as a Preschool Teacher and last year she was in second grade.  This year she will be returning to the preschool environment in a new capacity – as the teacher in the new 2 year old program – Bengal Cubs!  She is excited to begin her 5th year at SBPS and is looking forward to being a part of the new program!! ssmith@stbenedict.com

Kindergarten Team

Ms. Marnie O'Daniel graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, Barrington, and always knew that she wanted to come back and to teach here in the city. Entering her 8th year as a kindergarten teacher at St. Benedict Prep, Ms. O’Daniel is excited for this coming year and watching the new kinders grow! When she isn't teaching, she loves spending time with her family and friends, cooking, traveling and watching college sports. Go Hoosiers! modaniel@stbenedict.com

Mr. Jesse Garibaldi grew up in Des Plaines, Illinois, and moved to Glenview, Illinois when he was ten. He went to Glenbrook South High School and while there was on the drum line, played water polo, and was on the swim team. After High School, Mr. Garibaldi got his bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Eastern Illinois University and did his student teaching in kindergarten. Once he graduated, he taught fourth grade abroad in Nassau, Bahamas, and coached the kindergarten soccer team. Mr. Garibaldi is excited about his fourth year at SBPS and is looking forward to continuing to grow with the community. jgaribaldi@stbenedict.com

Ms. Mary Taras graduated from Northeastern Illinois University with a degree in Elementary Education and a Masters in Reading.  She comes to St. Benedict Prep with 20 years of experience in kindergarten.  She is looking forward to her third year at SBPS with the children, teachers and staff.  When Ms. Taras is not teaching, she enjoys traveling, cheering on the Cubs and participating in dog walks to support the local shelters. mtaras@stbenedict.com

Physical Education

Ms. Kyle Wilson is excited to begin her first year teaching early childhood P.E. at St. Benedict and her third year teaching! She grew up attending Catholic school in Atlanta, Georgia and moved to lakeview Chicago with her best friend this summer. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Mississippi. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, going to comedy shows, playing with her cat Jimmy, and exploring Chicago restaurants. kwilson@stbenedict.com

Mrs. Maryanne Johnson has been an Early Childhood Music teacher at St. Benedict Preparatory School since 2014. A native of Detroit, Mrs. Johnson earned a Bachelor's of Fine Arts at Wayne State University. After graduation, she moved to Chicago and got a job teaching Wiggleworms and Kid’s Piano classes at the Old Town School of Folk Music. While working there, she completed the basic certification program for Early Childhood Education at Truman College. Mrs. Johnson's music program at St. Benedict Prep (PreK-1st grade) is designed to develop a child's musicality, creativity, and rhythmic skills through song games, classroom percussion play, acting, and movement. In addition to music, Mrs. Johnson teaches Kindergarten art classes. Starting this year, she will also teach a beginner level guitar class as an elective choice for Middle School students. She is excited for this new challenge and opportunity at St. Ben’s! mjohnson@stbenedict.com

Ms. Caitlin McDonough Ms. Caitlin McDonough is in her 12th year teaching Spanish in the Lower School at St. Benedict Preparatory. She grew up attending Catholic school in Chicago, and received her Bachelor of Arts in the Teaching of Spanish at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She also studied for one year at the University of Barcelona in Spain. Ms. McDonough loves traveling, playing with her dog Topo, and reading, both in Spanish and English! cmcdonough@stbenedict.com

Heather Perez, RN began her St. Benedict career in 2003 as a paramedic/trainer for all high school sporting events.  She has been a paramedic for 19 years, a nurse since 2012, and is an American Red Cross CPR instructor.   Nurse Perez started fulltime as St. Benedict Prep’s nurse in 2013 and has been keeping families, students, and faculty safe since 2013 and loves what she does and is excited about entering her tenth year at St. Benedict.  hperez@stbenedict.com

Dawn O’Farrell graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in Elementary Education and is working on her Master’s Degree in Special Education at Northeastern University. For the last fourteen years, she has worked at St. Benedict Preparatory School. She taught Preschool for two years, Second grade for eight years and is now going into her fourth year as the Inclusion Facilitator. This year, she will work with students in grades Pk-3. Mrs. O’Farrell is excited to help each student succeed. dofarrell@stbenedict.com

Cathy Nota has been working at St. Benedict Prep for eighteen years.  She started as the Assistant to the Athletic Director of the High School and Elementary School.  At that time one Athletic Director handled both school’s athletic programs. When the elementary school hired its own Athletic Director, she continued working for the high school athletic program.  She also was the Food Service Coordinator for St. Ben’s, handling the free/reduced lunch program for all on campus.  After the closing of the high school she accepted the position of Administrative Assistant/Receptionist in the Preschool and is very happy working with the new families and our youngest Bengals! cnota@stbenedict.com