My name is Anne Guerino and I am one of the K4 teachers at St. Mary’s Visitation School. Before coming to SMV I taught in the West Allis/West Milwaukee Public schools. I taught kindergarten, first, second and third grades. I took a short break from teaching to be at home with my two small children. Realizing that my true passion is to be in the classroom, I returned to the teaching profession to pioneer the K4 program at SMV. At the time, this was a relatively new field in schools. Now, 17 years later, I feel that our K4 program has achieved an exceptional reputation in the community. I am very proud to have been a part of its growth.

Mary Schneider - SMV K5 Teacher
My name is Mary Schneider and I have spent my entire teaching career at St. Mary’s Visitation School. During my 33 years at St. Mary’s, I have taught sixth grade, first grade, kindergarten for the past 27 years and I currently teach second grade. Because I have taught in one place for so long, I have been able to watch many of the children grow and mature into wonderful adults. I would like to think I had a tiny part in helping them to accomplish this. I have formed many friendships with the families here and I will cherish them forever.

Many people have asked me why I have stayed at St. Mary’s so long. The answer is simple! The families and children are truly a blessing to me. The families want their children to become successful, not only in academic areas, but in their knowledge of their faith. The children are expected to live their faith each day. Due to these Catholic values, y job is so much easier and a joy. Not only are the families here generous with their financial support, but with their time as well. I know not all teachers receive the support I do. I have felt loved, appreciated and respected at St. Mary’s. What more could I ask for?

Gail Lauer - SMV 2nd Grade Teacher
My name is Gail Lauer and I teach second grade at St. Mary's Visitation. I have a long history at St. Mary’s, and it all began with my attending grade school here. I grew up on Brook Avenue and my mother was the school secretary at St. Mary's for 25 years. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1973. My first teaching experience was at St. Mary’s Visitation. My experience was so rewarding that I never thought to leave. I continued teaching for eight years until I left to raise my three children, Kim, Courtney and Mike. My children all attended SMV and I returned in 1999 to resume my teaching career. I have taught grades kindergarten through fourth grade and I helped establish the first all-day kindergarten program.

From a personal standpoint, my husband and I were married here at St. Mary’s parish 33 years ago. We were president of Home and School for a year, my husband was on the athletic board and he coached basketball for many years. When I am not in the classroom, I enjoy spending time on our lake, traveling and decorating my home.

Betsy Wilinski - SMV 5th grade teacher
It seems that teaching has always been in my blood. My parents, grandmother, and a sister were teachers, and I taught a younger sister to read before she went to school. Over the years I have taught grades four through eight, subbed in all grades including kindergarten, and been a special education aide.

When I first came to St. Mary’s Visitation, I taught Junior High Literature. Since I love to read, that was a good fit. After five years in Junior High, I moved to fifth grade and have been teaching there for six years. I have liked the flexibility of the fifth grade schedule and teaching more than one subject. In both positions I have appreciated the wonderful students and supportive parents of SMV. The enthusiasm for learning here is invigorating. The teachers here are hard working, creative, and supportive.

My new favorite thing is to spend time with my grandchildren. In fact, it is obligatory for fifth graders to tell me how cute my grandkids are if they hope to make it to sixth grade. Other interests besides reading include traveling, spending time with family, and riding my sister’s horses.

Kathy Biernat - SMV Junior High Science Teacher
This year marks my sixth year at SMV and I am excited to get back with students. I have a bachelor’s degree from Marquette and a master's degree in education from the University of North Texas. I spent over a dozen years at the Medical College of Wisconsin working as an instructional designer when the opportunity arose for me to teach computers at my home parish of St. Charles Borromeo. While working there, I earned my license in Science and started at SMV in 2006.

Teaching is the most challenging career I have had and absolutely the most rewarding. I enjoy the students at SMV and their passion for learning. What a blessing to spend three years with these teenagers before they go off to high school. I can’t imagine teaching anything other than junior high! The parents at SMV are supportive and involved and I appreciate the gifts of the faculty I work with. I like coming to work! It is further a blessing to be able to share my faith with students and to participate in their faith formation. I have learned so much from them and from having the opportunity to worship here. Our school is a caring and nurturing environment that emphasizes academic excellence – the education of the whole child – spiritually, physically and emotionally. Thank you to all of the parishioners here who support our school.

In my personal life, my husband and I enjoy spending time at our cabin in northern Wisconsin with our three sons and yellow lab. I love being out on the boat, in the sun and reading, and I am also a self declared space geek. I participated last summer in Honeywell’s Space Academy for Educators and this summer learned about radio telescopes in California through a NASA fellowship. I can’t wait to bring this information back to students – they will be manipulating a 70 meter radio telescope and listening to Jupiter from our computer lab! (You are welcome to join us!) I feel so blessed and fortunate to be a part of SMV!

Burke Seeberg - SMV Junior High Social Studies Teacher
I am grateful and honored to be in my ninth year of teaching at SMV, my twelfth overall. My Catholic roots run deep having attended St. Norbet’s School, an SMV-like Catholic grade school in Northbrook, IL. My high school years brought me to Loyola Academy in Wilmette, IL, an all boys school (now it is coed) which was very similar to Marquette University High School. Loyola was central to my formative years having been attended by my Dad, my two uncles, my five cousins, and my four older brothers. My college days were at the University of Dayton in Ohio where I graduated in 1992 with a B.A. in History. Finally, I earned my Master’s Degree in Education at Loyola University Chicago. I love teaching in the junior high at SMV and do not view as separate the academics and skills that the students need to go out into the world, from the solid Catholic identity that rounds out our students. SMV has some of the most incredible parental support I have ever had the pleasure to teach among, and have found my experience in this community nothing less than brilliant.

Michael Falk - SMV Junior High Math Teacher
My name is Michael Falk, and I am the junior high mathematics teacher at St. Mary's Visitation. My prior teaching experience was at Nathan Hale High School in West Allis, Milwaukee High School of the Arts, I.D.E.A.L. K-8 Charter School, and the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, where I was a math lecturer.

My teaching certification also comes from UWM, complementing my bachelor's and master's degrees in meteorology from Iowa State University. Before teaching I worked as a meteorologist and, before that, a computer programmer. When I'm not teaching I like to play basketball and softball, play music, cook, and appear on game shows now and then.

I was attracted to St. Mary's Visitation because I want to live my Catholic faith daily and walk with others who are doing the same. What I love most about teaching math is helping students see the power of mathematics and its importance in their lives. I'm having a great year getting to know the students and doing mathematics with them.

Gary Newman - SMV Junior High Theology Teacher
My name is Gary Newman and I am the Junior High theology teacher at St. Mary’s Visitation. I am in my third year of teaching and find each day a new blessing to behold. The students in our school are eager to learn -- especially about their rich Catholic faith. Every day we unpack our faith through prayer, lively discussions, music and Scripture reflections, plus much more. There is never a dull moment in theology class! Likewise, each day I challenge the students on how they an truly “be good and be holy” in their own faith walk.

I always tell the students I have the best curriculum to teach here at SMV because I get to talk about my favorite person, Jesus Christ, all day long. Starting with the Old Testament study in grade six, we move to the life and mission of Jesus in grade seven and examine the life of the Church from Pentecost on to today in grade eight. We hit it all in Junior High Theology! It is a wonderful experience to help our students understand each level of their studies in our faith.

I come to SMV with a long history in youth ministry, having been a youth minister in the Milwaukee Archdiocese for ten years professionally and much longer than that as a catechist. I am currently finishing my post baccalaureate certification for teaching at Marquette University (go Warriors!) while also pursuing my master’s degree in Christian doctrine. In my free time I enjoy landscaping and gardening, painting and going to every MU home game I can. My wife, Kim, works at MU and both of our children, Zach and Bekah, attend MU too! We bleed blue and gold at our home!

I look forward to many more years here handing down the teachings of our faith and watching how our students grow in their Catholic faith along the way. It is truly a blessing to be a part of this parish school community!

Sue Benson - SMV Library Media Specialist
I come from a family of educators, but I never aspired to be a teacher. I grew up in Wauwatosa and as a child wanted to be a circus performer, then a nurse, a ballet dancer, an interpreter, an actor and an anthropologist. It was while observing in an elementary school classroom as part of a college psychology class that I got the “teaching bug” and there was no turning back. My first teaching position was at St. Aloysius in West Allis and it was there that I grew to love the mission and culture of Catholic schools. I have continued to work in Catholic schools and parishes throughout the archdiocese for over 30 years. During this time I have taught in grades 1-8 and served as Christian formation director, curriculum director and school principal. I am always looking for new challenges, which is what brought me to my current position. As Media Specialist, I have the privilege and joy of working with students and teachers in using technology to engage with the world and increase student achievement. Our two computer labs, abundance of hardware to enhance teaching and learning (SmartBoards, document cameras, projectors, laptops, etc.) and a superb technology committee enable us to prepare our students with 21st century skills. I also direct the school library. If you have never been to our library, stop in and see the wonderful space that was part of a previous renovation. Our collection encompasses over 12,000 books and our electronic catalog system will soon be updated to include new features that will make materials even more accessible. Some of our library events include book fairs, Battle of the Books and Children’s Book Week.

St. Mary’s Visitation Parish embraces education as part of its mission and that is why it is a privilege to serve and minister here. I am thankful to the parish for an environment where families thrive, students grow in faith and parishioners embrace and celebrate the life of a vibrant faith community.