Staff

Staff Spotlight

Maureen Bentley received her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Miami of Ohio. She went on to receive her Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Illinois State University. Before coming to St. Thomas School, she taught fifth and sixth grade for nine years at Lowpoint Washburn Middle School. Mrs. Bentley began her principalship at St. Thomas School in 2004. She was recognized in 2017 as “Principal of the Year” for the Peoria Diocese.

Staff Spotlight

Trina Schmidt is a graduate of Murray State University and received her masters in Educational Administration from Illinois State University. Mrs. Schmidt has taught 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades. After many years as a classroom teacher, Mrs. Schmidt felt it was time to move into administration. She spent several years as the principal of a local Catholic grade school and eventually came back to St. Thomas, her home parish, to serve as its assistant principal. While not at St. Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt, along with their children and grandchildren, enjoy golfing, hiking, boating, bonfires and the “call of the loon.”

Staff Spotlight

Kate graduated from Holy Family, Bergan High School (PND) and Eastern Illinois University with a bachelors in Elementary Education. When Kate is not teaching she enjoys shopping, making baby blankets, and donating them. Kate has 5 children and lots of grandbabies she loves to spoil any chance she gets. All 5 of her children attended St. Thomas and currently one of her grandbabies is a Comet!

Staff Spotlight

Mrs. Sarah Tamburro graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She went on to obtain a Master’s Degree in Profession and Practice from Lesley University. Mrs. Tamburro is also a proud graduate of St. Thomas and Peoria Notre Dame High School. Her family has been active members of the St. Thomas Parish for over 35 years. She has experience in teaching both Kindergarten and Pre-K and is thrilled to be teaching some of the youngest Comets!

When she is not teaching, Mrs. Tamburro enjoys spending time with her family, especially her husband and two daughters, Lily and Chloe. In her free time, she loves to cook, travel and take walks with her dog.

“While we try to teach our children about life, our children teach us what life is all about.”

Staff Spotlight

Mrs.Jamie Hallam graduated from Illinois State University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She has taught several different grade levels over her twenty plus years as an educator, but her passion is early childhood education. She taught kindergarten for seven years in the Dunlap School District before coming to St. Thomas.  This is her first year teaching Pre-K.  Mrs. Hallam enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys, Ryan and Nate.  Together they enjoy playing sports, going to the movies, and visiting with extended family.  Mrs. Hallam also enjoys photography, gardening, and shopping in her spare time.

“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.” ~ Margaret Mead

Staff Spotlight

Miss Sarah Schertz graduated from New York University with her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education with a minor in English.

Sarah also attended St. Mary’s in Metamora from Kindergarten to 8th Grade. She enjoyed and valued this experience in Catholic education and was drawn back to it as a teacher.

When Sarah is not teaching, she enjoys going to musicals, painting pottery, going to Cubs games, traveling, and spending time with family and her 10 nieces and nephews.

Staff Spotlight

Mrs. Kate Scrivner received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Loras College. She is also a graduate of St. Thomas the Apostle School and Peoria Notre Dame High School. She started teaching in the St. Thomas Preschool and is now teaching Kindergarten in her 11th year at St. Thomas. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, Stella and Hudson. She loves getting together with her friends, tutoring students and reading.

“All I really need to know…I learned in Kindergarten.”  – Robert Fulghum

Mrs. Ann DeVore attended St. Thomas School, taught here years ago, and now is back! Once a comet, always a comet! Mrs. DeVore earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Illinois State University. She has taught several grade levels in public and private schools. Her favorite accomplishment is being a mom to her son Ben and daughter Colleen.

Outside of school Mrs. DeVore loves to take walks, read, and go to the beach.

Ann Devore – Comet Leader Spotlight

Staff Spotlight

Mrs. Becky Creek student taught at St. Thomas many years ago and is very excited to be back where her teaching journey began. She graduated from Illinois State University with a BS in Elementary Education and she also holds a Special Education Certification.

She has taught in Virginia, Italy, and Illinois, both in parochial and public schools. Out of school, Mrs. Creek enjoys reading at the pool, walking, watching movies, shopping, and spending time with her husband and two sons. She loves traveling to Florida Gulf Beaches with her family.

Staff Spotlight

Mary attended St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame where she received her Bachelor’s Degree. She later attended Bradley University and St. Xavier University where she earned her Master’s Degree. Mary thoroughly loves the parents, students, and faculty here at St. Thomas School. Outside of school you will find Mary visiting with friends, helping others, and enjoying her favorite food, lobster.

Mrs. Kate Crim is a graduate of Ohio University, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Master’s Degree in Reading Education. While in Ohio, she taught second grade and Preschool. In 2016, Mrs. Crim moved to Wilmington, NC where she taught fourth grade and Kindergarten at St Mark Catholic School. Mrs. Crim grew up attending Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Washington D.C. and feels very blessed to join St Thomas and help continue Catholic Education.

In her free time, Mrs. Crim enjoys walking her dog, spending time with family and friends, working out, sewing and crafting.

“Be truly glad, there is wonderful joy ahead!” 1 Peter 1:6

Staff Spotlight

Mrs. Janine Crim graduated from Western Illinois University with her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Elementary Education. She holds a special endorsement in Language Arts. Upon graduating from WIU, Mrs. Crim taught Middle School Language Arts in Dunlap as well as 6 years of Pre-K at Methodist Family Childcare Center and 2 years of Second Grade in District 150. Mrs. Crim is delighted to be returning to St. Thomas School to teach Middle School English. Mrs. Crim spent 14 years as a Kindergarten Teacher at St. Thomas before moving to North Carolina in 2016. During her time in North Carolina, Mrs. Crim taught Kindergarten at St. Mark Catholic School in Wilmington, and she also taught online English classes to children in China. When she is not teaching, Mrs. Crim enjoys spending time with her family and dancing and singing in musical theater productions at local community theaters.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

Bio forthcoming.

Staff Spotlight

Forthcoming…

Staff Spotlight

Jennifer Longanbach loves being the “techie” teacher at St. Thomas. Mrs. Longanbach grew up in West Virginia and received her Education degree from West Virginia University. After a long career with Barnes & Noble, she returned to the elementary school, first the librarian and now the Technology teacher. Outside of school, Mrs. Longanbach stays busy with her husband and two teen daughters.

Staff Spotlight

Mrs. Kilian was born and raised in Peoria.  She attended St. Bernard’s grade school and Peoria Notre Dame High School. Mrs. Kilian earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Bradley University.  Mrs. Kilian began working at St. Thomas in January of 2010 as the school librarian and started teaching 5th grade in 2014.  She currently teaches 5th grade Science, Social Studies and Religion.  She also enjoys being one of the Scholastic Bowl coaches. Mrs. Kilian lives in Peoria with her husband John and their four children.  The oldest, John, is a student at Peoria Notre Dame and Harry, Grace, and Matthew all attend St. Thomas.  When the school day ends, Mrs. Kilian can be found rooting on her children’s many sports teams and attending their many other activities.  In her spare time, she loves to cook, bake, and watch her favorite Chicago sports teams.

“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” – Albert Einstein

Staff Spotlight

Mrs. Elena Kiser is a native of San Luis Obispo, CA. She graduated from University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in mathematics. She moved to Illinois in 1996 with her husband Matt and they have raised their three children in Illinois. She worked for many years as the Director of Religious Education at St. Edward in Chillicothe. She returned to school, Western Governors University, in 2013 to earn a secondary credential to teach 6-12th grade math. She teaches 6th, 7th and 8th grade math and 6th grade religion. She enjoys sewing, traveling and spending time with her family.

Staff Spotlight

Patrick graduated from Bradley University with a Bachelors in Elementary Education and a Masters in Educational Administration. He continued his education past his Masters by completing coursework to obtain a School Superintendent Certificate from Illinois State University. Outside of school, Patrick enjoys many family outings in the community. His students will see him cheering on his teenagers at St. Pat’s in Washington and Peoria Notre Dame High School. He also loves reading and maintaining his yard and garden.

Staff Spotlight

Mrs.Jill Ward received her Bachelor’s Degree from Bradley University in Elementary Education.  Mrs. Ward teaches 6,7,8 grade Literature. She likes to spend as much time as possible outdoors (in the sun) and loves to float in the lake, run, play golf and read. She enjoys moderating the St. Thomas Student Council students. She enjoys watching her son run cross country for PND and looks forward to anytime she can visit her daughters when they’re away at college.

Staff Spotlight

Mrs. Angela Birge graduated from Eureka College in 2011 with her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Elementary Education. She holds endorsements in language arts and social sciences. She is also a graduate of St. Thomas the Apostle School and Peoria Notre Dame. St. Thomas School and Church hold special places in her heart. Mrs. Birge loves teaching and the excitement her students exhibit when learning and applying new ideas. When she is not teaching, Mrs. Birge enjoys spending time with her family and friends, crafting, scrapbooking, watching baseball (Go Cardinals!) and reading.

“Let all that you do be done in love.”  1 Corinthians 16:14

Ms. Jane Mathews Cushing received her Elementary Education and Special Education degree from Quincy College. Later she received her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and obtained an Administrative License. She spent many years in Peoria Public Schools teaching in self-contained special education classes, Kindergarten, first grade, assistant principal, principal, and curriculum department resource support. Her second career was spent at Bradley University as the Clinical Coordinator and Licensure Officer. Outside of school Ms. Cushing’s greatest joy is her six grandchildren along with traveling with her lifelong friends she met from highschool at Academy of our Lady/Spalding Institute.

Mrs. Julie Selburg graduated from Western Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education. She spent many years teaching for Seapco and District 150. In 2005, her sister Jan Crim was teaching at St. Thomas and encouraged Julie to apply for a Collaborative Teacher position. She happily accepted the role and led the Primary Resource department until she retired in 2019. Mrs. Selburg returned in 2023 and has loved being with the older students. Outside of school she enjoys reading, traveling, and playing golf. Her favorite pastime is spending time with her husband, two sons, and precious granddaughter Kaliyah who is also a Comet!

Staff Spotlight

Mrs. Jennifer Sturm received her Master’s Degree from Bradley University in Liberal Studies and her Bachelor’s Degree from University of Missouri-St. Louis in Spanish and International Studies.   She has also studied in Purchase, New York and Chester, England.  She currently teaches Spanish K-8.  She likes to spend as much time as possible outdoors and loves to hike and canoe.  When she decides to sit down she enjoys reading and spending time with her friends and family.

“Spread love everywhere you go.  Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” -Mother Teresa

“No pasa nada”  (no worries)

Staff Spotlight

Mrs. Donna Palkovic grew up on a farm in rural Sparland. She was involved in 4-H for 9 years which helped her develop her love for sewing, cooking and art. She also showed steers at the fair!!! Mrs. Palkovic graduated from Western IL University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a minor in Home Ec Design. She has worked as a graphic designer for Media Consultants in Chillicothe, IL. Next, was a preschool teacher at the YMCA in Madison, WI. Then a substitute teacher, 1st grade teacher’s aide and now art teacher at St. Thomas Grade school. All 4 of her children graduated from St. Thomas. Mrs. Palkovic has designed and built costumes and sets for the Peoria Ballet and many local community theatres. Her favorite art projects include calligraphy and watercolor! Mrs. Palkovic and her husband Mike like to hike and spend time with their 2 grandaughters, Luci and Glori, who live near Atlanta, GA.

“God is the Artist, I am the Canvas”

Mr. Todd Furniss is a Limestone High School graduate. He received his Associate’s degree from Lake Land College, where he also played baseball. He then received his Bachelor’s Degree from Illinois State University in Health and Physical Education. Todd is a former instructor and baseball coach at Illinois Central College. At STS, Mr. Furniss teaches Physical Education for all classes from Pre K through 8th grade. Mr. Furniss is also a Certified hitting instructor and gives lessons to kids from all over central Illinois. Mr. Furniss has an adult daughter, Nicole, living in Athens, Georgia, and a son, Derek, who attends Limestone High School.

Staff Spotlight

Molly earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from OSF St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing. She attended Catholic Schools her entire life, as did her grandparents, parents, and 3 siblings. Molly loves the tradition Catholic schools provide and believes the community here at St. Thomas is unmatched! Right now Molly’s son Abe is a Comet and also her cousin Eloise.

Outside of school, Molly enjoys Spending time with family, reading, puzzles, volunteering, and coaching STS sports!