Biographical Info
Mr. Daniel Flaherty, Principal
Mr. Flaherty comes to our school with a wealth of experience behind him. After serving many years at The Academy of Sacred Heart and St. Pius, in Lombard, we are excited to have him join our school family.
Mr. Flaherty is married with 4 children. He enjoys golf in his free time. He is very excited about this unique opportunity and is impressed with our community, as being accepting and understanding. He wishes to join us in defining how his role will develop, will look, and will work for both school communities.
While COVID-19 has left us with a new normal, Mr. Flaherty will strive to not lose what makes BCA and St. Gabriel’s schools unique, and uniquely Catholic. A phrase he wishes to live by in serving is: Always err on the side of mercy.
Biographical Info
EXPERIENCE & RESPONSIBILITIES:
For 20 years, Mrs. Thompson has worked in 40+ Chicago schools in the capacity of classroom teacher, Information Technology Director, Educational Consultant, Mentor Development Coach, and Instructional Coach. Mrs. Thompson holds a Master’s Degree in Education and has experience working with Kindergarten through 12th grade students and teachers. She has served on BCA’s School Board and Home and School Association.
Biographical Info
Mrs. LiFonti serves as the Administrative Assistant for BCA. She handles all registration and tuition matters and is a great resource for BCA parents, students, and staff. Mrs. LiFonti has a strong history with BCA: three of her five children are BCA graduates, and the oldest of her four grandchildren, Danny, graduated in 2013.
Biographical Info
B.S. in Education from Northern Illinois University. Dual Illinois certification in Elementary education and Special Education. Additional classes towards a Master’s Degree in Reading have also been taken.
EXPERIENCE & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Taught 1st grade at the former St. Peter & Paul School for 6 years. Substituted and tutored at BCA prior to returning in 1999 to teach Kindergarten. Student Council & fundability Coordinators.
Biographical Info
B.A. in Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Infants and Toddlers from Kendall College.
Biographical Info
B.A. in Unified Early Childhood Education with a Reading Endorsement from Loras College. Illinois certification in Early Childhood Teaching and certified by Archdiocese of Chicago as a Teacher Catechist. Member of the International Reading Association.
EXPERIENCE & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Taught Kindergarten and worked as Director of Children’s Campus, Inc. Child Care Center from 2004 through 2007. Instituted the first Father/Daughter and Mother/Son nights, Book Fair. In a statewide preschool of the year competition received a second place award. Yearbook co-coordinator at Bridgeport Catholic Academy. Tutors reading for second grade at Bridgeport Catholic Academy.
Biographical Info
Ms. Samatha Tracy
1st Grade Teacher
Graduated from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2019 with a B.A in Early Child Education.
Student taught and a substitute teacher in the Cincinnati Public Schools.
Biographical Info
B.A. in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education from St. Xavier University. Illinois State Certification in Elementary Education.
EXPERIENCE & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Taught 2nd grade at St. Ethelreda (1 year), began teaching at BCA in 1985 presently teaching 2nd grade (grades 4-8 previously). Served as Assistant Principal and on Social Committee. Past nominee for the Heart of the School award and belonged to the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA).
Biographical Info
Graduated from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN in 2015. B.A. in Elementary Education with a minor in Mild Intervention. Illinois Sate Certification in Elementary Education.
EXPERIENCE & RESPONSIBILITIES
Biographical Info
Graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a B.A. in Urban Elementary Education and a concentration middle school social sciences. Student taught at McClellan Elementary and worked for two years as a teacher’s assistant.
Biographical Info
B.A in Secondary English Education with endorsements in Middle School, Language Arts, and Social Science. Illinois Type 09 certified from Northeastern Illinois University, graduated in the Spring of 2015.
EXPERIENCE & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Student Services teaching assistant in Chicago’s North Shore suburbs, working with 7th and 8th grade Special Education students in English/Language Arts. Began teaching at BCA in the Fall of 2017. Coordinates English/Math Enrichment after school programming and participates in professional development projects.
Biographical Info
*News and announcements can be found on Google Classroom!
Biographical Info
B.A. in Elementary Education with a concentration in History and a M.A. in Language & Literacy from Roosevelt University. Dual Illinois certification, Type 10 and Type 3 with a Middle School Endorsement.
EXPERIENCE & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Began teaching at BCA in 1998 (grades 4-8). Coordinated Student Council activities and Environmental Club projects. Member of the School Intervention Team (ICEP) Member of International Reading Association and Illinois Reading Council.
News and announcements can be found on Google Classroom!
Biographical Info
News and announcements can be found on student’s Google Classroom!
Mrs. Glowacki is a National Board Certified Middle Childhood Teacher since 2008. She holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from St. Xavier University; a BA in SPeech Pathology and ELementary Education from the University of St. Francis, in Joliet; Gifted teacher endorsement; Married and proud mom of three adult sons.
Experience and Responsibilities: Worked in the Chicago Public Schools for over 20 years, 5 of those years managing the district program for over 200 teachers each year seeking National Board Certification; Presented at several conferences on topics such as classroom management, mentoring teachers and adult education; Trained in Cognitive Coaching;
Her most recent experience involves teaching 4th grade, both regular education and gifted students. She has served as a member of the Instructional Leadership Team and the School Improvement Planning team. Prior to working in the public schools, she worked for 11 years in the Catholic schools, teaching in Elementary and Middle School environments.
Biographical Info
B.A. in Mathematics from the University of St. Francis. Masters in Arts of Teaching with a Middle School Endorsement from National-Louis University.
EXPERIENCE & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Began teaching at Bridgeport Catholic Academy in 2006 (grades 5-8). Taught Math (grades 5-8), Religion (grades 5, 6, and 8), Science (grades 5 & 8), and English (grade 8). Currently teaches Computers and Technology (grades K-8). Member and Math Teacher Leader of the BSF-UIC Mathematics Initiative. Nativity of Our Lord Church Religious Education Coordinator. Member of the Bridgeport Catholic Academy School Board.
