Meet Our Staff

From a young age, I realized that I wanted to be a teacher.  I have discovered that I was so correct!  My passion is education.  I started my career at Holy Redeemer parish, where I taught Middle School Reading and English.  When that school was in its final year, I was hired by MPS, where I taught Middle School Science.  I ended my public school career at the Academy of Accelerated Learning.  As the IB Coordinator, I helped AAL become the first school in Wisconsin to become authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program.  When I was recruited to help Wauwatosa Catholic implement the IB Program, I was excited to return to the Catholic school setting.  Being with WCS at its very beginning has been such an amazing experience! I truly enjoy the opportunity to watch our students grow both academically and spiritually.  I am blessed to be part of this phenomenal school.

I truly stumbled upon my role as Business Manager at Wauwatosa Catholic over 7 years ago.  I was looking for a 4K program for my son because the plans that I had made for him for 4K fell through.  We toured Wauwatosa Catholic and my son was so comfortable here that I knew this was the right place for him.  One year later when he was in 5K, the Business Manager job opened up and I’ve been a permanent fixture ever since.  My son still attends school here too.  This was a new role for me to embrace - in my former life, I was a Financial Analyst for Journal Broadcast Group (now part of EW Scripps Media).  I can truly say that Wauwatosa Catholic is my 2nd home and we are genuinely a family-oriented group.  I belong here.  I love the fact that I am able to positively impact students and their families on a daily basis.  When I am not at WCS, I love to read, travel, and spend time with my family. 

I have been a life-long member of the Basilica of St. Josaphat. My uncles and cousins were Franciscans so of course I grew up on the south side of Milwaukee because if the Basilica is your spiritual home you can’t live too far away. St. Josaphat School was home to 3 generations of our family. I am so happy that my mother lived long enough to take my son to the same school that 2 other generations before him attended. Our Catholic education was very important to our family. I was proud to be a “Mercy High Gal” and my son loved the Jesuits and was a Marquette High – Marquette U grad. I have served in many roles at the Basilica including children’s choir, Home and School President, Christian Women President, Eucharistic Minister and typing the church bulletin to name a few. I spent 38 years as an employee of Milwaukee Public Schools – Department of Human Resources . I was then offered a position as the Administrative Assistant at Wauwatosa Catholic School – a job that I truly feel blessed to have. My favorite past time is attending athletic events at Catholic Memorial High School, watching my 2 grandchildren. While we all have experienced some rough times this past year, I have never doubted my faith nor was I ever in doubt about how blessed I am to be part of Wauwatosa Catholic School. I am very grateful to Fr. Paul, Fr. Phillip and Fr. Will for all their support and also to our Principal, Lori Suarez for the phenomenal job she does and the faith that she truly lives on a daily basis.

Hello! I earned my degree from UW- Eau Claire in Education Grades 1-8. My minor is Language Arts. I grew up in Kaukauna Wisconsin, a small town close to Appleton. My dad was an elementary teacher for almost 40 years. I have 5 siblings who are spread out all over the country!

I moved to Oak Creek in 2005 to teach kindergarten and then 2nd grade. I coached the girls basketball team including being an assistant on the 2008 state qualifier team.  

I married my husband Dan in 2007. He is currently the Community Director at Pius XI High School in Milwaukee and the Head Boys Basketball coach.

We have three daughters, Emily, Maggie and Audrey. They all attend Wauwatosa Catholic School. We love the warm inviting community. I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of this staff.

Hello!  I am looking forward to teaching your child at Wauwatosa Catholic School.  I attended UW-Milwaukee where I earned my Early Childhood Education Degree.  I have been a teacher for ten years and have taught grades K4, K5 and 3rd.  I was born and raised in Milwaukee, attended St. Pius X grade school, and Dominican High School.  I am married and have three sons who attend Wauwatosa Catholic School. 

Teaching has been a passion of mine since I was in high school.  In my classroom, I show my students that I care about them by getting to know them and listening to what they have to say.  I provide a routine and consistent learning environment for them.  We will have a lot of fun with hands-on activities, learning about our IB Units, learning from each other, and going on field trips. I look forward to getting to know my students and their families.

Hi!  My name is Penny Steinke and I am so excited to be a part of Wauwatosa Catholic!  

I grew up in Waukesha and attended St. Mary’s for grade school and St. Joseph’s for middle school. I have about 18 years of teaching experience mostly in 5K.  I earned National Board Certification in 2006 and re-certified in 2017. 

My Mission Statement:

• I want my students to become life-long learners.
• I am committed to providing a safe, positive and supportive learning environment for my students where they will learn and become successful members of society.
• I believe education is successful through collaboration, teamwork and communication.
• Reading is very important in my life and I try to instill my love and passion for reading in my students.
• I want my students to enjoy coming to school every day. 

I am a cat mom to Nala & Ducky.  My favorite hobby is playing horseshoes.  I travel with my dad and many friends across the United States to compete in tournaments year-round.  Other hobbies include writing, crafting, reading, watching Wisconsin sports and watching movies.  

My favorite part of the school day is teaching young people about God.  I thank God that He brought me to this school and community.  I am very blessed! 

Please visit our class website!

I am a dedicated, caring and flexible teacher.  I am certified to teach preschool through eighth grade but my passion is working with three, four and five year olds.  I am also a devoted mother of two.

Personal Goal: I deeply value my own Catholic education and wish to impart my knowledge and love of God and family to my students.  My goal is to instill a love of learning in a faith centered classroom.  I foster positive self-concepts and a positive self-worth.

Here is a little bit about me!

I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2013 with an Elementary Education major and an English minor. This is my eighth year teaching, and first year teaching here at Wauwatosa Catholic. I have worked with multiple grade levels and enjoy every adventurous day I have in the teaching profession. I truly believe Wauwatosa Catholic is an excellent environment for students to learn.  I teach students with patience and respect.  My top priorities as a teacher are to make sure students feel safe and nurtured in my classroom environment, are challenged but not frustrated at their ability levels, are actively engaged in classroom activities, and have lots of fun and great memories in the process!

After 16 year in education, I still see myself as identifying most with the reflective IB attribute. I continually look at how I can improve how I present materials to students to create an engaging learning environment that meets each student at their ability level. I want each student to feel success and be the best version of themselves.

I am thrilled to be joining the middle school team at Wauwatosa Catholic!  Originally from Glenview, Illinois, I moved to Milwaukee after high school to attend Marquette University.  I graduated from there with degrees in Broadfield Social Sciences and Elementary Education.  I also have a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University.

I spent the first ten years of my career teaching social studies and language arts at a middle school in the Milwaukee Public Schools. After taking seven years off to spend time at home with my children, I returned to the classroom five years ago to teach Title 1A reading to grades K-6th.   I feel incredibly blessed to now have the opportunity to work with the wonderful middle school students at Wauwatosa Catholic in a faith based setting.

In my free time, I love to spend time with my husband and three daughters, all of whom attend Wauwatosa Catholic. 

My name is Mary Jo Wales and I was born in Milwaukee WI. I am 1 of 4 children adopted into a very loving Catholic family. I  began college at UW-Whitewater but ended up moving to Florida where I graduated from the University of Florida. I have three children who are all adults now, living their own wonderful lives. My two miniature dachshunds ((Lily and Chester) are my walking pals. I’ve known since 7th grade that I wanted to teach Physical Education. GYM is WHERE I teach, I teach Physical Education!  I’ve been a Catholic School educator for a LONG time and love it more every year.

I grew up just two blocks away from Wauwatosa Catholic School never knowing that someday I'd grow up to be an art teacher there. After many years of PR and education elsewhere, I am happy to use my BA in Communicative Arts from Wisconsin Lutheran College with the K3-8th graders here. When I'm not teaching, you could find me spending time with my husband and two kids, hiking the Ice Age Trail, camping, baking, reading or swimming. I look forward to exploring fine arts and making masterpieces with my students. 

I am thrilled to be a part of the team here at Wauwatosa Catholic School.  Teaching Spanish and being in the classroom, working with students to help make the connections from their own languages and cultures to Spanish is what keeps me coming back each day.  

I graduated from UW-Whitewater with a degree in Spanish and French.  After college, I began working in corporate training while also working as an adjunct for a local technical college, teaching Spanish.  When my position in corporate training evolved into more of a project manager role with lots of time behind a computer, I decided to return to school.  I needed the interaction, the "ah-ha" moments, once again.  I obtained a Master's degree at Aurora University in teaching.  I then taught for 8 years at Messmer Catholic High School before coming to WCS.  I am excited to bring my passion for the Spanish language and classroom teaching to WCS.  

Fr. Phillip Bogacki is the Pastor of Saint Bernard and Christ King Parishes. From Milwaukee, he has benefitted from Catholic education his whole life. He has an accounting degree from Marquette University. Ordained a priest in 2008, he has served in several parishes and Archdiocesan roles, but most of all enjoys serving as a pastor at Saint Bernard and Christ King and being connected to two parish schools.

​I am a member of the Society of the Divine Savior (Salvatorians).  I was born “James” in Hazleton, PA, in 1946 and entered the novitiate of the Salvatorians in Colfax, IA, in 1964, receiving the name “Paul.”  After this, I attended Mount St. Paul College in Waukesha, WI, and received a B.A. in English and Philosophy, along with a Secondary Teaching Certification.  I received a M.A. from the University of Wisconsin and taught English there before entering Washington Theological Union to study Theology.  On May 14, 1976, I was ordained in Washington D.C.

After my ordination I spent:

1 year in Pittsburgh, PA, as a campus minister and working in a downtown drop-in center for young adults

2 years at Brescia University in Owensboro, KY, as a campus minister and English professor

15 years in Milwaukee taking on 5 Salvatorian provincial administrations, the last 2 as provincial

1 year in a parish in México to learn Spanish

4 years as Director of Hispanic Ministry at Queen of Peace parish in Mesa, AZ

4 years as pastor of St. William parish in Shelbyville, TN, and St. John the Evangelist parish in Lewisburg, TN

1 year in Cuernavaca, México, as director of a retreat center

2 years in San Juan del Río, Querétaro, México, as an associate pastor

6 years in Rome on the general council of the Salvatorians as First General Consultor and General Secretary

In April of 2013, I began my service here at St. Pius X and Wauwatosa Catholic School.  I am also a Provincial Councilor and Director of Candidates for the Salvatorians, living and working with men who are entering our religious community.

The highlight of my day is celebrating the liturgy and being with people.  I love the sense of community and the social justice focus of St. Pius X.  I encountered the International Baccalaureate Programme in Europe and am pleased to see it reinforce Catholic education at Wauwatosa Catholic School: “catholic” means “universal” and the I.B. curriculum promotes world citizens with an open mind to differences, something desperately needed in our country.  I am proud to be part of St. Pius X and Wauwatosa Catholic School.  

Father Michael first felt an inclination to the priesthood after his First Communion. He knelt down after receiving the Holy Eucharist and thought to himself, “I want to do that”. During middle school, Lawinger began to question what God wanted, and what purpose He had for him. On one evening of questioning God, Lawinger experienced an awareness of what he now regards as his call to the priesthood, and the complete peace that followed it. Since then, he has been actively pursuing the call.

Father Michael entered college seminary at Loyola University Seminary in Chicago right after high school in the fall of 2013. He graduated from Loyola in 2017 and entered St. Francis de Sales Seminary in the fall of 2017.

Mr. Bryan has been the groundskeeper for St. Bernard's Parish since Fall of 2021. He assists with projects within the Church as well as in the school building. He is an incredibly hard worker and the students love to see him throughout the day. We are grateful for all that he does for our school community. 

Ms. Janet serves the school lunches to our students and assists with lunchroom duty. The kids enjoy seeing Ms. Janet everyday!

Hello! Faith is an important part of my daily life. I feel that the combination of attending public and private schools helped me become a well-rounded person. As a graduate of DSHA I was able to continue my passion for athletics and spent 4 years on the Varsity swim team. Today I remain active with yoga which helps create and maintain balance in my mind, body, and spirit. I also developed lifelong relationships with a core group of wonderful women throughout my time there whom I remain friends with today. As I branched out into my adult life and later graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a B.S. in Education coupled with a certificate in Cultures and Communities, I began to understand the direction of my life by recognizing the people and things I placed value in.

Family is important to me. Giving is essential to personal growth. And recognizing the goodness in life is an artform that most definitely becomes hard to recognize at times when difficulties in our life show up unannounced. It is at those times that we must cling to our faith. Looking back at my lifelong journey thus far, I recognize that it has had its challenges (I was just brought to tears while writing this) but yet who would I be without the strength I’ve gained every time I didn’t lose faith? God never leaves us. In the times when we are afraid and think we are alone, we are being cradled, and eventually carried to our next destination of personal growth that almost, always leads to remarkable levels of gratitude.

I had always hoped for tons of siblings and a huge family of my own! Neither happened of course. And looking back I figure that is why I had been called to work with children. God knew, and has always known, what I have needed long before I ever did. I enjoy hearing children laugh! I love the funny things they say out of pure innocence! I have had an affiliation with St. Pius X for 15+ years and I have been a part of the WCS community since its inception in 2011. That is why I take such great pride when students return to visit and say hello. That’s the best feeling and the biggest compliment! That tells me, I did my job. I left a mark. Thank you for taking the time to read a glimpse into my life. Vaya con Dios… 

I’m very happy to share a bit about myself with you! Children, education, and teaching are my passion. I started with Wauwatosa Catholic in May of 2015. I have worked in almost every area within our school including co-directing our child care program, filling the role of assistant teaching within multiple classrooms, substitute teaching in each grade level and for specials, and assisting with serving lunch, lunch duty, and on the playground. I am beyond grateful to have a diverse background within our school. I have watched almost all of the students grow and learn in multiple areas, and they have gotten to know me extremely well since they see me throughout so many aspects of their day. It’s definitely bittersweet for me to watch our 8th graders move on to high school each year, because I have known most of them since they were very young. 

My job history also includes working within a public school and two child care centers for several years, multiple years of health care, management, and HR experience. Each of these experiences has aided me in some way with my roles within Wauwatosa Catholic. In all, I have nearly 30 years of experience working with children of all ages. I started babysitting at the age of 12, and it planted the seed that being with children is something I was meant to do. I used to even play teacher with my stuffed animals when I was a little girl!

The rewards I get from working with children are endless. The laughs, their smiles, the hugs, the “light bulbs” going on when something new is learned or understood, helping them problem solve, and being part of teaching them valuable life skills make working with kids the best job there is. Recently, when a former Wauwatosa Catholic student came to visit us, he thanked me for everything that I have done for him over the years. It brought tears to my eyes, and those are some of the proudest moments I could ask for. 

My own son has been enrolled in our school since 4K and is currently a 5th grader. The friendships, learning experiences, and bonds with his teachers over the years make me proud to have both of us be a part of such a caring environment. I’ve been married since 2010 and I have a stepson and a son. As a family we enjoy going to movies, traveling, trying new restaurants and foods, sports of all kinds, listening to music and playing instruments or singing, shopping, and laughing and just being together. 

I’m very excited about getting to know our new families that join us along the way, and I will never forget the families that I have gotten to know. It is truly a pleasure to be able to work with your children. They teach me as much as I teach them, and they make me smile every single day. Thank you for letting me be a part of your child’s daily life. I am dedicated to helping them become strong people who can make a difference in our world. Many blessings to all of you for the blessings you have given me in my years at Wauwatosa Catholic.