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. Now she is our 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 30 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 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, knowing that with the knowledge they gain, there are endless possibilities as to what they do.
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. Heather Margraf-First Grade
Mrs. Heather Margraf is a graduate of Kentucky Christian University. She has lived in Michigan City since she was fourteen years old. She is excited to be teaching 1st grade! Reading is one of her favorite subjects and she looks forward to instilling a love of reading in her students. This is her first-year teaching in her own classroom: however, she has been a substitute teacher and St. Stan's for several years and was an assistant teacher at St. Stan's last year.
Mrs. Margraf has been married to her husband Dan for almost seventeen years. Theyhave three children: Gabe Liam and Sylvia. Her oldest child will be starting high school and the other two will be attending middle school here at St. Stan's. Besides her love of reading, she likes to crochet, bake, and spend time with family and friends.
Mrs. Anna Pyke-Second Grade
Ms. Anna Pyke graduated from Purdue University. Anna grew up in Portage but has lived and raised her family in La Porte County for the last 10 years. This is going to be Anna’s 4th year teaching, she previously taught at a public school in Michigan City and before that taught kids with Autism in Merrillville. Anna’s favorite subjects are reading and history.
Anna has been married to her husband for 10 years, they have two sons, two cats, and a golden retriever.r
Mrs. Terri Bartels — Third Grade
Mrs. Bartels is beginning her nineteenth year teaching at Saint Stanislaus Kostka School. She taught first grade for a year, kindergarten for five years, and this is her fourteenth year teaching third grade. She graduated from Purdue University with Highest Distinction. She feels right at home in any academic arena. “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.” She adores passing on her love of reading and writing to her students. Mrs. Bartels views teaching as an honor and privilege. In her spare time, Mrs. Bartels likes to read, write, research, exercise, hike, cook, and go to the beach. Her favorite times are time spent with family.
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 Fr. 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 4th year at St. Stanislaus School. 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. Coren Balsley — Sixth Grade
Mrs. Balsley grew up in North Judson and graduated from North Judson High School. She knew she wanted to be a teacher at a young age when she would play school with her cousins Mrs. Balsley graduated from Purdue Northwest this year, with a teaching degree. Mrs. Balsley will be celebrating her anniversary on September 5th. She has a son, named Eli. In her free time Mrs. Balsley loves to read and draw. She is a huge Harry Potter fan.
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
