The Administration, Faculty and Staff at St. Gabriel Catholic School are dedicated to serving the needs of the students and their families and would be happy to assist you in any way we can! You may contact staff members directly or by contacting the school office by email or at 773-268-6636.
Father James Hurlbert is the oldest of seven children and grew up in the suburbs of Detroit and Chicago. He attended Catholic grade schools and Catholic High Schools (Loyola Academy in Wilmette and Brother Rice in Birmingham, MI). He graduated from Kalamazoo College in 1985 with degrees in Psychology and Philosophy. He studied for the priesthood at the University of St. Mary of the Lake- Mundelein Seminary and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1990. He concluded his studies in 1991, receiving a Licentiate in Sacred Theology. He served as associate pastor at St. Pascal in Chicago (1991-1996) and St. Anne in Barrington (1996-1999). He has served as pastor at St. Alphonsus in Chicago (2000-2012), Ascension in Oak Park (2015-202-), and Nativity of Our Lord and Saint Gabriel (2020-present). From 2013-2015 he served as chaplain at a home for orphans and at-risk children in Guatemala.
Ms. Bourrell is entering her first year as Director of Parish Schools for Nativity of Our Lord and St. Gabriel Parish's Education Ministry. She has a B.A. from Purdue University, an M.Ed. From Olivet Nazarene University, and is a graduate of Notre Dame's ACE Principal Academy. Previously, she was principal at Cardinal Joseph Bernardin School and St. Hubert. Ms. Bourrell is a strong advocate for Catholic Education and strongly believes in its mission of creating disciples of Jesus Christ and productive members of society. She has two college age daughters who are pursuing their dreams in various medical fields. Ms. Bourrell is looking forward to aligning both schools in terms of their curriculum, calendars, and policies and procedures while respecting each communities rich histories and traditions.
Julie Jurisic is the Principal of St. Gabriel Catholic School. Mrs. Jurisic taught 3rd grade in the Archdiocese for 18 years and had a dual role as Assistant Principal for 12 years before coming to St. Gabriel in 2019. Mrs. Jurisic received her BA in elementary education from DePaul University and is currently pursuing her MA in Educational Leadership with Principal Licensure from DePaul University.
Ms. Theresa has been with St. Gabriel for 16 years. Her children are alumni of the school. She loves working with the children of St. Gabriel everyday.
Julissa Carmona is the kindergarten teacher. Ms. Carmona has taught kindergarten in the Archdiocese of Chicago for four years. She has experience in both urban and suburban settings. Ms. Carmona grew up in Bridgeport and attended Trinity Christian College.
Mary Kate Byrnes is the 1st grade teacher. Ms. Byrnes has been teaching at St. Gabriel Elementary School for 3 years. She graduated from Roosevelt University with her bachelor in biology. She is currently getting her masters in education at National Louis University. In her free time she loves to coach volleyball at De La Salle High School and 1st Alliance Volleyball Club. Ms. Byrnes lives in the Bridgeport area and is an alumni of Bridgeport Catholic Academy.
Angela Tremore is the 2nd grade teacher. Mrs. Tremore worked as a paraprofessional with Chicago Public Schools for five years before returning back to St. Gabriel where she was once a student! She grew up in Canaryville and is excited to continue tradition by sending her children to St. Gabriel too. Mrs. Tremore attended Lewis University and is currently completing the Masters program at St. Xavier University.
Morgan Stewart is the 3rd grade teacher and 3rd-5th science teacher. Ms. Stewart worked as a 3rd grade teacher for 3 years between St. Richard and Sts. Bruno and Richard. Ms. Stewart graduated from Albion College with a bachelors in Science and Elementary Education. She is currently attending National Louis University to pursue her masters in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in English as a Second Language and Learning Behavior Specialties. Outside of teaching she enjoys coaching Girls on the Run. Ms. Stewart is extremely excited to be teaching in the neighborhood she grew up in.
Sara Radejewski is the 4th Grade teacher and 3rd-5th grade Social Studies teacher. She received her Bachelors in Education at St. Norbert College and hr Masters in Education from Dominican University. During her 21 years at St. Gabriel she has taught 2nd, 4th and 5th grades. She really loves being a part of the St. Gabriel family. Sara has 2 sons: one is a 2022 St. Gabriel graduate and the other is currently a St. Gabriel 7th grader.
Carol (Dolly) Falk is the 3rd Grade home room and 3rd-5th Grade Math teacher. Mrs. Falk has been teaching 3rd Grade at St. Gabriel School for 22 years. She is an alumni of St. Gabriel and her 3 children are alumni as well. Mrs. Falk attended Illinois Benedictine College earning her bachelors degree in Elementary Education. She also attended Benedictine University earning a Master’s Degree in Reading and Literacy.
Monica Lozano (Budzak) is the Middle School Math and 6th grade Homeroom teacher. This is her 10th year at St. Gabriel School. Mrs. Lozano attended Dominican University where she got her Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Education. At St. Gabe's Mrs. Lozano has been a 6 time chaperone to Brush Creek Science Camp sponsored by Big Shoulders Fund in Wyoming and also has been a part of the Girls on the Run program.
Kelly Archambault is the middle school Reading teacher. Ms. "A" has taught at St. Gabriel since 2018. Before joining the St. Gabriel staff, Ms. A taught at the high school level in both Denver and Chicago. She received her BA in English Writing and her MA in Curriculum and Instruction. Ms. A has coached high school soccer and swimming. Pre-CoVID, Ms. A was the site coordinator and coach for Girls on the Run here at St. Gabriel, and she's looking to bring it back!
John Pigott is the 8th grade Homeroom Teacher and Middle School Social Studies teacher.He has taught at St. Gabriel since 2013 and has continued to develop a new Social Studies curriculum that is engaging to all students and prepares them for the future.He is a graduate of St Joseph’s of Calumet with a Bachelor Of Science and pursuing a Masters in the Art of Education.Mr. Pigott is a lifelong resident of St. Gabriel Parish as well as a Graduate of St. Gabriel and St. Rita High School.
Mary Kay Nicholson is the middle school science teacher. She has taught in the Archdiocese of Chicago for forty-four years. Miss Nicholson taught at Saint Cornelius for thirty-six years before being hired at Saint Gabriel’s eight years ago. Since being at St. Gabe’s she has taught fifth, first, seventh, and sixth grades. Miss Nicholson has always lived on the north side and attended college at St. Norbert’s in De Pere, Wisconsin.
Mrs. Mary Bell currently teaches Humanities at both St.Gabriel Catholic School and BCA. She is a DePaul University graduate with a B.Mus in Music Therapy. She worked for a few years as a Music Therapist in Special Ed. She picked up remaining education courses at Chicago State and St. Xavier Universities and began teaching Kindergarten at Queen of Martyrs. She taught Kindergarten and music for 16 years at Q of M, Most Holy Redeemer and St.Christophers. After a long break, she returned to teaching seven years ago as the music teacher at BCA. This is her third year at St.Gabes teaching Humanities; music, art and what makes us human!
Paola Bordon has been teaching Spanish at St. Gabriel Catholic School for three years. She studied in Argentina where she is from. Maestra de Escuela Primaria y Maestra de Danzas Folklore y Tango. She has been teaching tango for 20 years and has experience in performances and acting.
Dawn Urso-Pegausch is the Physical Education Instructor specializing in Fitness & Nutrition. Dawn studied Health Science at Harold Washington College & Continues lifelong education with (ESA) Exercise Safety Association with an Advanced Proficiency Certification. Growing up in Bridgeport & residing in Canaryville, Dawn continues to develop community outreach programs as a personnel trainer & Strength/Conditioning Coach.
Kim Osowiec is the Operations Director for Nativity of Our Lord & St. Gabriel Parish, St. Gabriel Catholic School and Bridgeport Catholic Academy. She has 20+ years of experience in Operations Management within the Archdiocese of Chicago and Catholic Schools specifically. Prior to joining the Archdiocese she held positions in administrative management in a national Human Resource Consulting company as well as a retail operation in the Chicago Suburbs. Kim was born and raised in Chicago area and has raised her family here.