Mary Kikta

8 years Literacy Coach/Instructional Coach (Everett F. Kerr Middle School, Blue Island, IL)

16 years Reading/Language Arts Teacher (Everett F. Kerr Middle School, Blue Island, IL)

5 years Reading/Language Arts Teacher (Dunbar-Pulaski Middle School, Gary, IN)

3 years English/Journalism Teacher (Holy Trinity High School, Winsted, MN)

Bachelor of Arts in English Education (Saint Mary’s College, Winona, MN)

Master of Arts in Educational Administration (Governors State University)

Master of Arts in Education: Reading Specialist (Olivet Nazarene University)

I am excited to be joining the junior high staff at Saint Damian School! I have been a teacher for just over thirty years, mostly in the English language arts at the middle school level. I have spent the last eight years working with middle school teachers in all subject areas as a building literacy/instructional coach, and while I enjoyed co-planning and co-teaching with my colleagues, I am also excited to have a classroom of my own once again and to be able to teach from a Catholic perspective.

I have always thought of teaching as a calling, and I love spending my days with adolescents, teaching them the value of reading and listening, and helping them to hone their communication skills and develop their own writing voices.

When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with friends and family; reading and meeting with my book club; running, walking, or hiking; playing guitar and singing; learning Spanish; and participating in Bible study groups. I currently live in Orland Park, and I am a member of Saint Julie Billiart Parish in Tinley Park.