Music/Technology
Biography
Steve Chalupnik is a born and raised Chicagoan, growing up on the northwest side and therefore swearing allegiance to the greatest team of all time, the Chicago Cubs! Always adventurous, time was spent in St. Philomena School, Our Lady of Grace School and finally an 8th grade graduation from St. Wenceslaus School. After graduating from Lane Technical High School, he attended Western Illinois University with a double major in Music Education and History Education.
Although his very first musical instrument was the accordion, Mr. Chalupnik gravitated to the not so petite Double Bass and has performed with the Monmouth, Galesburg, Quincy, Wheaton, Southwest, and West Suburban Symphony Orchestras including performance tours in the United States and in Europe.
Thirtysomething years in the classroom really is his true calling though. Straight Outta College found Mr. C. at St. Michael School in Wheaton, before moving to the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus School in Joliet for 20 years. Saints Peter and Paul School has been his home away from home for the last 9 years.
Favorite Bible Quote
Instead of a Bible Quote I am selecting the refrain from one of my favorite hymns. This refrain draws from multiple verses from the Bible:
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place,
I can feel His mighty power and His grace.
I can hear the brush of angel's wings
I see glory on each face;
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place
Teaching Philosophy
The world would be a much different place without Music. It would be a much sadder place indeed. I want my classroom to be that space where we all learn something new that we may or may not draw upon later in life. I want it to be that space where each time we walk out it is with something that we may not have known when we walked in. Most importantly I want it to be that space that ignites the passion and love for music in anyone that may not know they have that spark within them, and gives them reason to nurture it when they leave Saints Peter and Paul School.
Art
Biography
This is Mrs. Casey’s first year at SSPP and fourth year teaching Art. She previously worked as a Graphic Designer and Yearbook teacher at an independent private school in Chicago. For the past 3 years she lived in Austin, Texas teaching Art & P.E. at a K-8 Catholic School. When she is not teaching, Mrs. Casey enjoys her work as an Artist, Photographer and Basketball Coach. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and with her very large extended family.
Mrs. Casey grew up in Lisle and attended St. Joan of Arc Grade School and St. Francis High School. She continued her catholic education by graduating from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota with a B.A. in Graphic Design and a M.A. in Visual Art Instruction. At St. Mary’s she played four years of Collegiate Women’s Basketball and was a part of the Liturgical Choir.
Favorite Bible Quotes
"Be strong and courageous, for the Lord is with you wherever you go!"
Joshua 1:9
“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”
St. Catherine of Siena
Teaching Philosophy
I strive to create a classroom environment where children can challenge themselves and express themselves comfortably. It is my goal to teach my students to recognize the beauty of the world around us and how to use that spark to find their own unique sense of creativity. I feel blessed to guide students in discovering a passion for Art.
Spanish
Biography
My name is Susana Alonso, and I have the pleasure to be since October last year the Spanish teacher of Saint Peter and Paul Catholic School. I am from the north of Spain; from a small but beautiful city called San Sebastian. When I was 20, I moved to England, where I lived and studied for several years and obtained my bachelor degree in Nutrition and Science. Then for a few years, I moved to south of Spain where I worked in a private school as a Science teacher. I came back to England in 2009, where I lived dedicating my time to my family until we all moved to Naperville in Christmas of 2017 as my husband was transferred by his company. In the US, just a month after arriving to this country, I began doing voluntary work, teaching “US Citizenship” in Waubonsee Community College in Aurora. A few months later, I joined Ann Reid Early Childhood Center, as teacher assistant in the Dual Program and occasionally doing substitute teaching for the same school. In September of 2019, I started working as substitute teacher for district 203 and then in October of 2019, I joined St.Peter and Paul Catholic School.
Favorite Bible Quote
My favorite bible quote is “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
Teaching Philosophy
I believe that everybody can learn a second language with the proper combination of appropriate instructions, personal motivation, low stress, and the opportunity to talk in the classroom. My goal is to make Spanish fun and enjoyable, so students can engage and captivate their interests in language, for the beginning of the course.
Physical Education
