SPECIALS
CREATIVE DANCE
Danny DiFoggio
He/Him/His
Hello !
My name is Danny and I go by Mr. D to the students. I started at OSM in 2022. I am the Creative Dance teacher and I have been teaching dance for over 15 years. I have danced for many companies here in Chicago and before joining the OSM family, I spent 14 years at sea dancing with Royal Caribbean.
SPANISH
Luiza Franco
She/Her/Hers
My students call me Profe Luiza and I teach Spanish from Kindergarten to 8th grade, I am from Bogotá, Colombia. I have been happily living in Chicago for 8 years.
I started teaching spanish in 2022 and this is my first year at OSM and I am really happy and grateful to have the opportunity to teach my language.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Keenan Franklin
He/Him/His
My name is Keenan Franklin, and this is my first year at Old St. Mary’s. I’ve been teaching PE for 7 years in the Chicago community. Originally from Rockford, IL. I’ve called Chicago home for the past 6 years. In addition to teaching, I’m the head freshman boys' basketball coach at DePaul College Prep. I’m excited about the year ahead and look forward to a great experience with everyone!
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Mike Kaye
He/Him/His
Hi Families, My name is Michael Kaye, commonly known as Coach Kaye in the OSM community. I am entering my seventh school year as a Physical Education teacher at OSM, since moving to the U.S from Australia in 2017. I have a background in education upon graduating with a Bachelor of Educational Studies, from the University of Canberra, Australia. During my OSM stint I have taught all grade levels and have thoroughly enjoyed teaching our Knights specific skills, games/activities, and how to cooperate in team atmospheres. I have also coached or assisted athletic programs including: basketball, floor hockey, volleyball, soccer, and track & field. This year I will teaching part time at OSM, whilst also pursing coaching freshmen boys basketball at Mount Carmel. Looking forward to a great year!
ART
Cydney Lewis
She/Her/Hers
Hello! My name is Cydney. I am Ms. Cydney to the students. I am excited to continue my journey at Old St Mary's School by sharing my love of Art with your children. When asked," What do you want to be when you grow up?" My response was an Artist. I studied Architecture at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign and had a career as a set designer for film. Currently, I am a multimedia artist and a mother of two. I feel art making is healing and I hope to inspire curiosity, imagination, innovation and creativity.
CHOIR
Heather Stewart
She/Her/Hers
I am a conductor with the Chicago Children’s Choir, a 65+ year-old singing organization dedicated to our mission of "inspiring and changing lives through music." We serve singers in grades 3-12 throughout Chicago in school and after-school programs. We teach music that represents many cultures and genres from all over the world. The Old St. Mary’s Chicago Children’s Choir started in 2020. We met virtually during the pandemic and had a successful year in-person last year. Last year, we performed for our OSM community and in other communities across Chicago. One of our highlights was performing downtown at the Pritzker Pavilion at our end-of-year concert called "Paint the Town Red"! I am excited to continue making music with Old St. Mary’s singers this year! I hold a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Masters of Music Education from Northwestern University.
IN-BUILDING SUBSTITUTE
Ora Jacox
She/Her/Hers
I'm Mrs. Jacox, known as Mrs. J. I'm a retired teacher, I taught for 38 years. This will be my fourth year at OSM. My role is a sub/lunch supervisor for grades 4 and 7. I'm also a Kindergarten Extended Day teacher and a teacher in the OSM Summer Camp program. I'm looking forward to a great year at OSM!
IN-BUILDING SUBSTITUTE
Mark Stohlquist
He/Him/His
Teaching at OSM is actually my second career, having spent over 30 years in corporate banking. I will be beginning my fifth year at OSM, reprising a previous role as a full-time substitute for grades Pre-K through 8th Grade. I have also been an Academic Supervisor during COVID isolation, a member of the Student Support team, a Pre-K co-teacher, a BeforeCare teacher, an AfterCare teacher, and a teacher in OSM's Summer Camp program, teaching classes in Chicago history, farming, and the Paris Olympics.
I'm looking forward to another good year.
Onwards & upwards.