Faculty & Staff

Administration

Rev. Walter M. Ciesla — Pastor

Father Ciesla was a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement for eight years before joining the Diocese of Gary in 1977. Ordained to the priesthood at Holy Angels Cathedral in 1981, Father served parishes throughout the diocese, becoming pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka in 1999. He also served as Senior Chaplain and Director of Volunteer Services at the Westville Correctional Center.

Father Ciesla is currently the Diocesan Spiritual Director of the Apostolate of Our Lady of Fatima, a board member of Catholic Family Services, and a member of the Diocesan Cemetery Board. In his spare time, Father plays guitar and collects records and digital music.

B.A. Philosophy, American University
Bachelor’s of Sacred Theology, Saint Mary of the Lake University
M.Div, Saint Mary of the Lake University
Additional studies: Clinical Pastoral Education at Loyola University Medical Center

Brother Shaun Gray — Pastoral Assistant

Prior to joining St. Stan’s, Brother Shaun spent 34 years as the Residential Director for LeMans Academy in Rolling Prairie. He made his First Profession in 1967 and took final vows in 1973.

Brother Shaun’s hobbies include model railroading, woodworking, skiing, and sausage making. He is also a skilled rosary craftsman. One of his favorite quotes is, “You can never learn less, you can only learn more.”

Brother Shaun leads the students in devotional activities and also drives them to many of their field trips.

Mrs. Denise Delaney - Principal

Denise Delaney has been a member of the Saint Stanislaus School Family for over 20 years. She has taught kindergarten, first and second grades at Saint Stan’s. This year, she is our new Principal. She is excited to continue building her strong relationships with the students, families and staff. Mrs. Delaney is committed to making Saint Stan’s school a place where everyone feels welcome and able to succeed. She was born and raised in Michigan City. She attended Notre Dame Catholic Grade School, Marquette High School and graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Education Administration. Mrs. Delaney is proudly married to her husband Damian for 29 years. They have one daughter Kailyn who is attending Purdue University. Her daughter is also an alumni of Saint Stanislaus School. She is also a fur mom to her dog and cat (Smokey and Lillie).

Faculty

Mrs. Amy Donkersloot — Preschool

Mrs. Donkersloot grew up in Michigan City and graduated from Rogers High School. Both of her parents are teachers and she knew from a young age that she would follow in their footsteps. She began teaching in 1994 and continues to look forward to each day with her students.

Mrs. Donkersloot has been married to her husband Ron for over two decades. They have two children: a son, Ryker and a daughter, Anneke. In her free time, Mrs. Donkersloot is an avid reader, has a passion for technology, enjoys scrapbooking, and loves doing activities with her family.

B.A. Elementary Education with Computer Endorsement, Purdue University

Mrs.Tareyn Sebert - Kindergarten

Mrs. Sebert recently graduated from Indiana University South Bend where she earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She not only attended college in South Bend, but it is also the place where she grew up. After getting married right here at St. Stanislaus to her husband Nick, she made the move to Michigan City. In the classroom she wants to teach her students with the knowledge they gain, there are endless possibilities as to what they do with it.

In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband Nick, friends, and family. She also loves doing crafts, playing volleyball, and thrifting. Being from South Bend, she is also a huge Notre Dame fan. GO IRISH!

B.A. in elementary education with a concentration in special education from Indiana University South Bend.

Mrs. Michele Ohms- First Grade

Mrs. Ohms has been teaching for over 30 years. She has taught at many different levels. Her experience includes teaching at Notre Dame Catholic School, Marquette Catholic High School, Pine Elementary, and being a full time substitute at Saint Stanislaus Kostka. Her goal is to help each child reach their potential and be successful.

Mrs. Ohms and her husband raised their four children here in Michigan City. All four are now college graduates. Additionally, Mrs. Ohms has three grandchildren that she enjoys spending time with very much.
Currently she and her husband share their home with a chocolate lab named Bud.

Mrs. Jessica Vesecky — Second Grade

Mrs. Vesecky has been teaching for 15 years, first in Hammond public schools, then in the Diocese of Gary. She began her career helping students in Kindergarten through eighth grade improve their reading and writing skills, then moved to teaching Kindergarten, First Grade, Third Grade, Fifth Grade, and Sixth Grade reading. Her favorite part of teaching is making learning fun through games, hands-on activities, and friendly competition. Her love of Harry Potter carries into the classroom beginning with a sorting ceremony at the start of the school year, awarding the House Cup at the end of the year, and incorporating a variety of thematic activities throughout the year. In her free time, Mrs. Vesecky enjoys spending time with her husband, step-daughters, and the rest of her family. She also loves building Harry Potter LEGO sets, reading, bicycling, and hiking. Elementary Education degree including a reading endorsement and Communication Disorders minor from St. Mary's College

Mrs. Terri Bartels — Third Grade

Mrs. Bartels has been teaching at Saint Stanislaus Kostka School for over 10 years, teaching a variety of grade levels during that time. She has been in the third grade classroom for the past five years and views teaching as an honor and a pleasure.

“Having a job that I love is something I am truly thankful for. With each new school year comes a feeling of excitement and anticipation that sparks our enthusiasm as we encounter our fresh learning journey.” Her biggest desire is to pass on her love of reading and writing to her students.

In her spare time, Mrs. Bartels likes to read, write, exercise, hike, cook, and go to the beach. Her favorite activity is spending time with her family. To give back to the community, she volunteers at the soup kitchen.

Graduate, Summa Cum Laude, Purdue University

Mrs. Theresa Riehm - Fourth Grade

Mrs. Riehm comes from a devout, Catholic family, and she has dreamed of becoming a Catholic school teacher since she was in the 3rd grade. She grew up in Highland with her loving parents, 3 sisters, and 3 brothers, including Fr. Ben Ross and Deacon Robert Ross.

Mrs. Riehm has always loved school and learning. As soon as she could, when she was 17 years-old, she got into classrooms and started gaining teaching experience. Although she knew she was ready to be a teacher right out of high school, she knew she had to go to college first to obtain a license. God blessed her with a full-ride scholarship, and in 2021 she graduated as valedictorian from Calumet College of Saint Joseph with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in Theology.

She cannot be more excited to start her 3rd year at St. Stanislaus School. And this year, she will also be teaching music to the whole school!

B.A., Calumet College of Saint Joseph, Valedictorian 2021
Major: Elementary Education
Minor: Theology

Mrs. Lexa Allison - Fifth Grade

Mrs. Alexa Allison grew up in Ledge, Michigan, and attended Western Michigan University for two years. She then moved to Indiana with her husband and her son and graduated from Purdue University North Central. She also had another son and a daughter prior to graduating. Mrs. Allison taught preschool for 16 years at St. Stan's, along with K-8 health and art. This is her 25th year of teaching and she is happy to be back at St. Stan's! She enjoys animals, nature, music, reading, cooking, and traveling. Her passion in teaching is using differentiation and witnessing her students' joy of learning. B.A. Elementary Education; Reading endorsement; Purdue University North Central

Mrs. Elizabeth Rohl — Seventh Grade

Mrs. Rohl grew up in Jacksonville, NC, where she met her husband, Nate, while he was stationed at Camp Lejeune with the United States Marine Corps. She graduated from the University of NC- Wilmington then taught 6th grade social studies and math at Northwoods Park Middle School until her husband received orders to San Diego, CA. While in CA Mrs. Rohl stayed at home with her son, Ian. After 3 years in CA her husband retired from the military and the family relocated to his home state of IN. Mrs. Rohl is an avid Pokemon Go player, loves all forms of puzzles, and enjoys board games. -B.A. Middle Grades Education with concentrations in Mathematics and Social Studies- University of North Carolina Wilmington

Mrs. Diane Borawski — Eighth Grade

Mrs. Borawski’s teaching experience includes everything from kindergarten to directing a prison-based college program — and a good deal in between.

“Lifelong learning” is a saying she likes to share with all her students and she applies it to herself as well, taking courses through Hillside College’s online offerings, and by reading biographies, and nonfiction historical accounts.

Mrs. Borawski enjoys family game nights with her children and sisters and their families, big family dinners, and sitting on her back porch in the sunshine reading a good book while being serenaded by birds.

B.S., Ball State University
M.S., University of Nebraska