MEET OUR FACULTY AND STAFF...

Lumen Chrsti Catholic School is blessed with an incredible team of teachers and administrators who are passionately dedicated to their mission. Every day they allow the Holy Spirit to work through them and make our mission a reality!

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Bob Collins
HEADMASTER
​TEACHER: HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY

BA Urban Studies, Yale University
MA Liberal Studies, Wesleyan University
bcollins@lumenchristischool.org

Mr. Collins

​I taught at Catholic high schools in Ohio and Connecticut for 11 years. After that, I was a writer and editor for a range of companies and non-profit organizations, both as a staff member and consultant. My career also includes stints in the office of Sen. Richard Lugar, and as an adjunct economics instructor at Butler University. I'm a member of Holy Rosary Parish, Kairos Prison Ministry, and the Knights of Columbus.

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Mary Rose Collins
HIGH SCHOOL COORDINATOR
TEACHER: H.S. RELIGION, U.S. GOVERNMENT, ENGLISH

BA History, Mars Hill College
MA History, University of Maryland
MA Theology, Xavier University
Th.D. Theology, Graduate Theological Foundation
mcollins@lumenchristischool.org

Dr. Collins

I'm a career teacher--since 1980--as well as having some government work experience (CIA) and being a mom. I have a permanent teaching license and I've taught at Lumen Christi since 2005.

Bob and I have been married for 27 years. Our adult children Maureen and Peter went to Lumen Christi. Maureen is a 2010 high school graduate. We are members of Holy Rosary parish.

I encourage lifelong learning for our high school students with the motto "Live and learn," and I encourage students' keeping temptation at bay socially by "Keeping good company." Attending Lumen Christi high school supports both goals

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Kris Barnes
ELEMENTARY School COORDINATOR
TEACHER: grades 7/8 - MATH

BS Accounting, Miami University (Ohio)
kbarnes@lumenchristischool.org

Mrs. Barnes

Tom and I have been married for 35 years and are the parents of six, children ages 18-33, and two grandchildren. I homeschooled each of them for differing amounts of time and when given the chance to go back to work and send the youngest ones to Lumen Christi OR work at Lumen Christi with them, it was an easy choice.

Here I have taught 2nd grade and pre-algebra math classes. I believe I have subbed for every class Lumen Christi has taught in the last 10 years! Hence I now "coordinate."

Academically: I love teaching Math because I believe all children can be good at it if they acquire structure and confidence.

Spiritually: Lumen Christ has kept my family in the presence of God over the past 10 years......And so, we daily give ourselves to the work of Lumen Christi.... for the children's salvation and my own.

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​If we wish to make any progress in the service of God we must begin every day of our life with new eagerness. We must keep ourselves in the presence of God as much as possible and have no other view or end in all our actions but the divine honor.
--St. Charles Borromeo

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MARIE ANN MASCARI 
School Secretary

Oldest Employee of Lumen Christi (in age!)

University of Hard Knocks -- Street Cred
Graduate Sacread Heart High School, Class of'65
mmascari@lumenchristischool.org

Mrs. Mascari

I was born and raised in this Italian neighborhood and am lifelong member of Holy Rosary. My three children were educated in Catholic schools, central Catholic and Roncalli. 

I worked for 11+ years as the Secretary of the Central Catholic Board of Education. I also served in the same position on the Holy Rosary Parish Council. I work part time for Holy Rosary as the Parish Wedding Coordinator and I help with the church cleaning, (lots of prayer time).
I have shared with many families the story of how I begged the school’s founder, Edie Fitzgerald, to allow me to work as Lumen Christi’s admin assistant. I enjoy keeping busy and accomplishing something every day.

I feel privileged to be part of the children’s daily adventures in learning and witnessing their growth in faith. I love children and being around them makes me feel young again! ​

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life
-- Confucius

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EMILY ROSKO
DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS PRE-K TO 12

BA, Political Science, Purdue University
JD, Cum Laude, Indiana University
​erosko@lumenchristischool.org

SHANNON DENNY
TEACHER: PRE-KINDERGARTEN & PE GRADES 1-4

​sdenney@lumenchristischool.org

Mrs. Denney

I grew up in Greenwood and studied early childhood education at IUPUI.  I was an assistant director at a daycare center in Greenwood, where I implemented all preschool programs ages 2-5.  After years of teaching, I was offered a job in the cosmetics field where I worked until the birth of my third child.
 
After being brought up in the Methodist Church, I joined the Catholic Church in 1998. My husband, Todd, and I have seven children ages 19-6: one in college, two in high school, and four in the elementary school at Lumen Christi this year:  A.J. in 1st grade, Nolan in 3rd, Sophia in 5th and Jack in 8th.. We are members at Holy Rosary Church and our children play CYO sports through Holy Name, where I have also coached.
 
This is my third year teaching Pre-K at Lumen Christi and our 14th year as a family.  I am blessed to be able to teach these children and to be in this building every day.  I am also grateful to be supported by other families and teachers that uphold traditional Catholic values and education.  I consider it my utmost responsibility as a teacher at Lumen Christi to uphold and teach the values that we were founded on: Faith, Virtue, Truth and Reason.

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SARA BUTTERFIELD
TEACHER: KINDERGARTEN​

BA Liberal Arts, Purdue University
sbutterfield@lumenchristischool.org

Mrs. Butterfield

I have been teaching at Lumen Christi since 2003, but teaching was not my first career.
After graduating from Purdue in 1982 with a liberal arts degree, I worked as a commercial interior designer for an architectural firm.  I loved the work, but after I met and married my husband Scott, I chose to be a “stay at home mom” when our son Kevin was born.  We were sadly unable to have more children, so when Kevin went to school I went back to school as well – this time to the University of Indianapolis, to get my teaching license.

I then worked in a Decatur Township elementary school.  At the time, we lived next to one of the founding families of Lumen Christi, and when they told me of an opening at this budding elementary school I decided to make a change, and I have been very happy ever since.
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As a child, I too went to a Catholic school, St. Barnabas, where my parents were one of the founding families. It is such a pleasure to work with the children in the loving, nurturing Catholic environment that Lumen Christi is.

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MICHELA PERILLO
 TEACHER: GRADE 1 LANGUAGE ARTS

Miss. Perillo

STACEY DOWELL
TEACHER: GRADE 2

BS Elementary Education with Computer Literacy Endorsement - Indiana State University
sdowell@lumenchristischool.org​

Mrs. Dowell

I was born and raised in Terre Haute, Indiana.   My husband and I met in high school and have been together ever since.  I was a cheerleader and he played football.  I have three children; Makayla, Maximus, and Graham.  We belong to Holy Rosary Catholic Church, and I am a convert.  My husband inspired me to join the faith.

I have taught in Atlanta, Georgia, for two years, then Curtis Wilson Primary School in Indianapolis for five years, and I’ve been at Lumen Christi since.  I love teaching and feel so blessed to get to guide and teach students on a daily basis.  That moment when they grasp something for the first time makes everything worth it!

Do unto others as you would have them do to you.
Luke 6:31

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​NICOLE HENSON
TEACHER: grade 3

BA Theology & Catechetics with a minor in Mental Health 
Franciscan University of Steubenville
nhenson@lumenchristischool.org

Miss. Henson

Before joining Lumen Christi in 2015 I taught third grade at Saint Anthony's Catholic School in Sterling, Colorado; I also was a substitute teacher in the Wintersville, Ohio area for kindergarten through fourth grade 

Currently, I am enrolled in the Masters in Education Graduate Program through Franciscan University.I am originally from Bloomington, Illinois, and I have three younger sisters. The third graders ask great questions, especially Theological questions, and I strongly believe that my Theology background is essential in helping the students to understand more about our Catholic faith.

I played soccer through high school and volleyball through college. I have helped coach Lumen Christi volleyball and basketball teams.I am so blessed and thankful to be a part of the Lumen Christi family! I hope it is a part of God's plan for me to teach here for many years to come!

My teaching style involves an environment in which each of the students sincerely knows they are loved by me and that I truly want to help them succeed.

Get them to love you, and they'll follow you anywhere. 
-- Saint John Bosco

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Sarah rinaldi
TEACHER: GRADE 4

BA History, Hillsdale College
srinaldi@lumenchristischool.org

Miss Rinaldi

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sonia Gurdian
Teacher: Grade 4 science

BS Electronics Engineering, Universidad Distrital Francisco Jose de Caldas (Bogota, COL)
sgurdian@lumenchristischool.org

Mrs. Gurdian

I have worked as an engineer and IT consultant for more than 18 years in several corporations (oil companies, information technology companies & pharmaceuticals, etc.).

​During high school and college, I volunteered as a teacher and as a science lab assistant; I have also tutored children and adults in math and physics.

I come from a family of teachers -- both of my parents and several of my uncles and aunts are teachers. My parents always taught me and my sisters the best methods for learning, practicing and applying knowledge, both at school and in the real world.

​My husband, Will, and I have 4 children, all of them currently attend Lumen Christi. We are parishioners of OLMC in Carmel. 

Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth
-- St. Pope John Paul II 

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MARIBETH SHEWMAKER
TEACHER: grade 5

BA Elementary Education, Saint Mary's College at Notre Dame
mshewmaker@lumenchristischool.org

Mrs. Shewmaker

I’m a graduate of Cathedral High School, Indianapolis, and Saint Mary’s College at Notre Dame, with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, a Reading Minor, with Concentration in Theology.

I worked as an elementary teacher at Our Lady of Mount Carmel for seven years – grades 1, 2, and 5.  I also homeschooled our children for eight years, grades pre-K through 7.  I have taught 1st grade at Lumen Christi for the past two years.

My husband, Barry, and I met in the high school youth group at Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish.  We continue to worship and serve at OLMC with our eight children: Zachary, 20; Nathan, 18; Jeremy, 17; Avery, 15; Jill, 14; Benjamin, 12; Joseph, 9; and Matthew, 6.

Love the children, then teach them.  
– Saint Theodore Guerin

Robert Jenkins
Teacher: Grade 6, science 5-6, history 6-8, High school geology and astronomy

BS in Biology, University of Dayton
rjenkins@lumenchristischool.org

Mr. Jenkins

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BETH RICHERT
Teacher: GRADE 6 CATECHISM, LITERATURE & SPELLING, GRADE 3 SCIENCE

BA Elementary Education, Indiana University
brichert@lumenchristischool.org

Mrs. Richert

I worked as a special education resource aide and a substitute teacher in elementary schools before beginning a career at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis as a full-time educator.  Later, I stayed home to raise my family and homeschool my five children.  Currently, I am a catechist at Holy Rosary Catholic Church.  As a teacher at Lumen Christi, I hope to instill in my students an enthusiasm for learning, an appreciation for beauty, and a desire to store treasure in heaven.

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DEBORAH VESSELS
TEACHER: GRADES 7-8, GRADES 5-8 GRAMMAR/COMPOSITION, GRADES 7-8 LITERATURE

MS Elementary Education, Indiana University
dvessels@lumenchristischool.org

Mrs. Vessels

I have been teaching for many years; I have taught every grade from 1-8 at one time or another. In the last several years, my concentration has been the instruction of composition, grammar, and literature, especially in grades 5-8.

For most of that time, I have been certified by the Institute for Excellence in Writing, using Teaching Writing with Structure and Style. Superb writers have been formed with their method of instruction of composition.

I am a member of St. Maria Goretti parish in Westfield, and my husband, Dennis, and I have been married for 44 years. We have two daughters, Hollie and Heather.  Hollie is a superb teacher, and Heather is a superb nurse. We have six wonderful grandchildren; we are truly blessed

​Composition is key to delivering an idea: 
​A bad idea well-presented is far more powerful that a good idea poorly presented.

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JULIE CHADWICK
TEACHER:  7/6 MATH, GRADES 7-8 SCIENCE

BS Chemical Engineering, University of Kentucky
jchadwick@lumenchristischool.org

Mrs. Chadwick

I have a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Kentucky.  I worked as an engineer for Dow Chemical for six years until my family relocated to Louisiana.  While in Louisiana, I worked for Curtiss Wright for two years until we relocated to Michigan.  I have three daughters and decided to stay home with them while they were young.  I volunteered in their classrooms and discovered my love of teaching children and sharing my knowledge.  I have tutored children in both math and chemistry. 

Rob and I have been married for 17 years.  We have three daughters: Madelyn (15), Katie (12), and Olivia (9).  We are currently living in Zionsville, Indiana.  Most of our free time is spent watching the girls play soccer and basketball. 

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​SHERYL DYE
TEACHER: GRADES 6-8 & HIGH SCHOOL LATIN, HIGH SCHOOL APOLOGETICS

​BA Psychology & Sociology, Butler University
MA Social Work, IUPUI
Certificate: Elementary Education, Ball State University
​sdye@lumenchristischool.org

Mrs. Dye

After working as a children's therapist for 5 years I left the workforce to stay home with my children.  During this time, I began substitute teaching and fell in love with the profession.  I earned my teaching certificate through the Ball State Transition to Teaching program. I spent 8 years as a 4th grade teacher at St. Maria Goretti in Westfield before joining Lumen Christi. ​

​The entire effort of the Catholic teacher is oriented toward an integral formation of each student.
– William Cardinal Baum

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CARIS ROLLER
TEACHER: GRADES 1-8 AND HIGH SCHOOL ART

BA Fine Arts, Indiana University Herron School of Art
croller@lumenchristischool.org

Mrs. Roller

My husband, Rob, and I are members of Holy Rosary, we are very active in the parish and are constantly volunteering for one thing or another (maybe we just have a problem saying "No" to Our amazing Priest!).

As well as working part time at Lumen Christi, I Coach Gymnastics at a non-competitive gym called The Rec Room. I have been coaching gymnastics for 20 years.

I also work for the parish. Father McCarthy and I are the dynamic duo behind the altar flowers. He brings me lovely fresh flowers every week and I arrange them.

I have been teaching for over 20 years, 12 of those at Lumen Christi! I believe that creating art takes skill, confidence and bravery. My goal is to help my students gain artistic skill so that they feel enough confidence to express themselves and brave enough to make mistakes and work through them.

It makes me sad when people tell me, "they can't draw a straight line". I say..."Who needs a straight line anyway?" ​

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.
-- Pablo Picasso

ELIZABETH WELCH
TEACHER: ALL GRADES MUSIC AND CHOIR, HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH

Bachelor of Science in Music, University of Indianapolis 2006. 
ewelch@lumenchristischool.org

Miss. Welch

Elizabeth studied voice throughout her college career. Since that time she has directed youth ensembles and choirs at churches around Indianapolis and taught music to students in first through eighth grade.

Elizabeth has been singing professionally for ten years. She has performed at concerts, conferences, recitals, and church services. Elizabeth has experience in giving both private and group voice instruction. She enjoys helping others find their true musical ​voice through acquiring technical facility  and music literacy.

​TOM COPE
TEACHER: HIGH SCHOOL MATH & SCIENCE

BS Anthropology, Southern Illinois University
MA Behavioral Sciences, Southern Illinois University
MS Anthropology, University of Wisconsin
tcope@lumenchristischool.org

Mr. Cope

The greatest strength of the Catholic Church in the United States is seldom acknowledged, it is this: We have the best schools! previous generations created and passed them on to us. We must preserve and cherish what they gave us, and then pass it on to future generations.

It's kind of fun to do the impossible.
-- Walt Disney

JEANNE CARR
TEACHER: HIGH SCHOOL HEALTH AND GRAMMAR

BA Journalism, AD Nursing, Indiana University
jcarr@lumenchristischool.org

I work full-time as a nurse at a downtown hospital and very part-time as health and grammar teacher at the high school since 2008.  

​I’m a member of Holy Rosary Church and the Indianapolis secular Carmelite community.

“God save us from gloomy saints.”  
-- St. Teresa of Avila

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​ANN LEWIS
TEACHER: HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH & DRAMA

BA English, Michigan State University
alewis@lumenchristischool.org

Mrs. Lewis

Dr. Kevin Deardorf
Teacher: high school CHEMISTRY

BS, MA, DDS, MSD (Dentistry), Indiana University
kdeardorf@lumenchristischool.org

Dr. Deardorf

I am a life-long resident of Indianapolis’ west side.  I attended St. Christopher grade school and Brebeuf Prep before receiving two degrees from IU Bloomington.  I began work for a PhD program at Notre Dame but opted instead to pursue dentistry and finished my education with an advanced degree in Endodontics from IU School of Dentistry.  I also had the fortune to teach part-time at IUSD for the past 30 years and to enjoy 25 years of full-time practice at Indianapolis Endodontics.
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I am a member of the St. Christopher community and participate in a Bible study at St. Alphonsus in Zionsville.  I consider my teaching at Lumen Christi as a God-send, coming at the right time in a blessed community.  I have not been married but enjoy my relationships with the children and grandchildren of my sisters.

As long as you seek to serve, you’ll always have a job.

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