Pastor
Pastor Jeffrey P. Howell has served the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod since 1988 as a classroom teacher and administrator in St. Louis, Missouri and the greater Chicago area. He was ordained and called as pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in 2011. Currently, Pastor Howell also serves as the Programs & Services Director for Lutheran Special Education Ministries in Michigan. He provides leadership to Christian schools, administrators and churches in developing, coordinating and promoting effective inclusive education environments for students with various learning needs. Pastor Howell and his wife, Andrea have three children—Jeffrey Jr., Chavon, and Jasmine; and four grandchildren—Jeffrey III (Trey), Aaliyah, Delia, and Jeremiah.
Principal
Dr. Robyn Jacks-DuBose is the principal at St. Paul. She has over 22 years’ experience in education. She worked for Chicago Public Schools as a teacher, curriculum coordinator, teacher director, staff developer and assistant principal. She earned her doctorate degree in Education Administration and Supervision from Roosevelt University. She has served as a board member of Christ Our Savior School in South Holland, IL for 7 years. She is married with one son who attends parochial school. What she loves most about St. Paul is how the teachers, students, parents, and church community come together as one to create a positive atmosphere for learning and Christian Education.
Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Sharon Hill-Hunter came to St. Paul fifteen years ago from Altgeld Elementary School and St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church. She began in the classroom as a Pre-K and Kindergarten teacher before coming into the office as an administrative assistant. She is also the director of the school choir, the Christmas and Easter programs, and the praise dancers. Her hobbies include singing, styling hair, teaching Bible classes and writing plays. She is married with six children and ten grandchildren. Her favorite thing about St. Paul is sharing the Word of God with all who enter.
School Manager
Mrs. Clarisse A. Brown A member of St. Paul Lutheran Church for 35 years. She served on St. Paul school Board of Christian Education for many years. Two years after retiring from ComEd in 1999 with 34 years of service, she took on the awesome task of managing St. Paul school. This was done on a volunteer basis (2001 – Present).She takes great pride in being instrumental in the task of keeping St. Paul school open / flourishing. She is married with one daughter, son-in-law, one granddaughter.She gives God all the Glory, Honor and Praise for allowing her this opportunity.
Pre K-Kindergarten
Ms. Shermaine Herndon began working at St. Paul six years ago. She previously filled two positions one as the teacher assistant for Pre-K/Kindergarten and one as an after care assistant. She attended Gage Park High School, DeVry Institute of Technology and Dawson Skill Center. She is the mother of four children two St. Paul graduates and one current student. In her spare time, she is a gardener and avid book reader.
1st – 2nd Grade
Mrs. Gloria Evans is a graduate of Olive Harvey Community College and Roosevelt University. She has taught in public and private elementary and high schools for fourteen years. Also, Ms. Evans has worked as a Title One Teacher for the Rocket Learning Tutoring Program for six years. This is her first year teaching at St. Paul. She teaches 1st and 2nd grades. Ms. Evans is a widow and has one daughter who lives in Brooklyn, New York. She is an active member of Christ Universal Temple. She enjoys decorating and making floral arrangements.
3rd – 4th Grade
Mrs. Marilyn Simmons has returned as our 3rd /4th grade teacher. She has taught primary and intermediate grades at St. Paul and other public and parochial schools for over 18 years. She earned her undergraduate degrees in education and business at North Park University and an MBA in HR Management at Phoenix University. Married with 3 children, Mrs. Simmons is first lady and a choir member at Preparing the Way Ministries. She is also a volunteer at the DuPage County food pantry. She enjoys reading and traveling.
5th – 6th Grade
Mr. Ryan Pickett is in his second year teaching 5th-6th grade at St. Paul. He studied International Studies and Economics at American University in Washington, D.C., and is currently pursuing his Masters in Education at Valparaiso University. Prior to St. Paul, Mr. Pickett worked in various nonprofits doing after-school mentoring programs. He enjoys reading, biking and playing tennis.
7th – 8th Grade
Ms. Cynthia Amezola teaches 7th and 8th grade. She is originally from California and moved to the midwest in 2013. She graduated from California State University where she received her degree in Education with a science concentration. During her free time, Ms. Amezola enjoys cooking, baking and watching movies. Ms. Amezola states, “My favorite thing about teaching is watching the aha moments my students get during a lesson. I love to see their eagerness to learn more and strive to do better.
Pre K-Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
Ms. Donquia Jackson is our pre K-Kindergarten assistant teacher. This is her first year at St. Paul. Ms. Jackson has worked as a volunteered at various day care centers in Chicago. She is a graduated of South Shore High School and attended Chicago State University and now attends Kennedy King College. She is working towards her Bachelor’s degree. Her favorite things about St. Paul are the students and the activities. Ms. Jackson’s mother is a nurse, her father and engineer and her brother attends St. Paul School. Her favorite things to do are read fictional novels, music, cross word puzzles and study Japanese. She and her family are members of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Lunch Supervisor, After-Care Supervisor
Mrs. Tasha Branch has worked at St. Paul for 10 years as our lunch supervisor and after care supervisor. Prior to coming to St. Paul, she worked at Zion Lutheran School. She attended DuSable High School and Olive Harvey College. She is married and has two daughters. She enjoys dancing, bowling and skating and is member of Sweet Holy Spirit Church.
Literacy Coach
Dr. Della Weaver is the Literacy Coach at St. Paul. This is her first year and she feels uplifted that at St. Paul the students are a part of Christian Education and taught to put God first. She has served as an educator for over 35 years in Chicago Public Schools where she taught KDG-8th grades, With over 20 years teaching self-contained 6th grade. During her tenure with Chicago Public Schools, she also served as Curriculum Coordinator, After-School Coordinator, Librarian and New Teacher Mentor. Her greatest joy is to work with students and see the happiness on their faces when they master new skills and know that they can achieve and become a lifelong learner. Dr. Weaver is endorsed as a reading teacher/specialist with the Illinois State Board of Education and served as a Chicago Public School Literacy Coach for over five years. She received a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Chicago State University and inspired her five children and a host of nieces and nephews to understand the importance of learning by continuing her own education. She received a M.Ed. in Reading Instructional Leadership from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Type 75 General Administrative Certification from Loyola University at Chicago and a Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Illinois State University at Normal, Illinois. For relaxation, she enjoys traveling and family gatherings. Her hobbies are gardening, reading and quilting.