SPECIALTIES
2006

Guidance/Extended Care
Mrs. Karen Lengell
I have an undergraduate degree in Social Work. This is my 20th year of working as a school counselor. WOW! It is true that time flies when you are having fun! I began working part-time at St. Joseph School in Wauwatosa with Mr. Goeden and Mrs. Sheridan. This is my 15th year here at Lumen Christi. I believe that it is a privilege to be a part of our student's lives every year that they attend our school. I am greatly blessed to be a part of this faith community.

Learning Center
Mrs. Julie McCarragher
My husband, Kevin, and I have lived in Mequon for the past twenty-one years. We have five sons between the ages of 13 and 25, so our extra time is usually spent attending / coaching / participating in their activities. Kevin is very active in the Scouting program here at Lumen Christi, and in addition to my classroom responsibilities, I coach cross country and track. I started from humble beginnings, working one day a week in the junior high religion department. Over the years, I worked in Learning Centers at both campuses, first in Thiensville and later at Mequon. More recently, I have taught English/Language Arts in 6th, 7th, and/or 8th grade, and this year I am enjoying one section of 8th grade English, one section of 8th grade Reading, and one homeroom of 6th grade Religion. The camaraderie of the staff and the interactions with the students are what I look forward to each day. Junior high students are so interesting, and it is especially rewarding to see the growth from year to year, most significantly throughout 8th grade. Their enthusiasm is unmatched, and that helps to keep me young and aware of what it's like to grow up in society today. Living in this community also gives me opportunities to be a faithfilled witness as our students explore what it means to be Catholic.

Librarian
Mrs. Jo Ann Pecor
I am the Librarian at both campuses. I teach library skills during library times for K4-6, Technology/Computers 1-3, and supervise 7th Grade Study Hall. I am the Coordinator for Battle of the Books (4-6), Pizza Hut Book It (K5-6), Six Flags 600 Minute Reading Challenge (K5-6), and the WE Energies/KEEP Bookmark Contest. I've been the tennis coach for the past 4 years. I have a B.S. in Mass Communications with a Biology Minor, and a Master of Library Science and Information Services, (MLIS). This is my 8th year here. I have been teaching at Lumen Christi since 1999. I love the enthusiasm of the students. They are here to learn, and it makes my job worthwhile. We have a great staff and parents, and I love the way they all pitch in to get things accomplished. My biggest job in life is to raise happy, healthy kids. I have 2 teenagers, both at Nicolet. Gard is a Freshman and MacKenzie is a Senior. They are great! My life is pretty consumed by whatever they are doing and I love it. I play soccer with the Women's Soccer Club weekly; I am the team's goalkeeper. We keep a garden, I love to read, and I run or swim every day. We do a lot with my whole family; my parents, 4 sisters, 1 brother, 17 nieces and nephews. I am also a great aunt 2 times over! We spend summers up North with them all. Our Siamese cat, Velvet, is 14, and our baby Persian, Sasha, is just over a year.

Music
Mr. Larry Theiss
Mr. Theiss’ bio to come.

Physical Education
Mrs. Dana Berns
Mrs. Bern’s bio to come.

Mrs. Bobbe Polikowski
I teach 4th - 8th grade physical education and 6th -8th grade health. This is my 21st year at Lumen Christi. I am married to Ken and we have three adult children: Alicia, Pat, and Justin. We also have a cat, Moses, and an Old English Sheepdog puppy, Bosley. In my spare time, I referee swimmming U.S.A. and WIAA. I love the school, and have fun watching the children grow and change through their years at our school and as adults.

Art
Mrs. Betty Bruhn
I have been teaching in the Archdiocese for 21 years, and have been at Lumen Christi for eleven years. I have my BA in Elementary Education from Mount Mary College and my M.E. in Educational Technology from Cardinal Stritch University. My teaching certification is for grades one through eight. I have taught all grades in various situations here at Lumen Christi - computers from grades one through eight and religion to seventh graders. Presently, I teach art to grades one through three, and computer classes in the elementary and middle school grades.

Mrs. Dianne Tarcin
I started teaching at St. Cecilia's School (now Lumen Christi) in 1978 when I received a call to accept a short-term "subbing" position to help out in junior high when one of the teachers resigned. I agreed to stay until another teacher was found. I am still here! I have always wanted to be a teacher, and I love the environment here at Lumen Christi School. The people with whom I work have become "family" to me--they are generous, compassionate, and understanding. I appreciate the opportunity for prayer and the inclusion of Catholic tradition in our daily lessons. I really enjoy working with all of the students; I feel that I learn so much from them. I have spent many years teaching English 8; however, I now work as a Supportive Consultant in the Learning Center and as Team Leader at the Mequon campus. My husband, Richard, and I reside in Mequon, although many week-ends and school breaks are spent at our "cottage" in northern Wisconsin. Dick and I have a son, a daughter, and five grandchildren, three of whom attend Lumen Christi School. We also have one "grand-dog." We enjoy hiking, gardening, cooking, golfing, and most outdoor activities. Our "hobby" this year involved rebuilding the old cottage we had purchased on our lake property, a challenge we probably underestimated!

Mrs. Barbara Barras
Ms. Barras’ bio to come.