Ms. Lottie Heckman serves as the Music teacher at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School. Growing up in the Roanoke-Benson community with her father serving as a deacon in the Diocese of Peoria, Ms. Heckman experienced from an early age the powerful ways faith and music can bring people together. She is grateful for the opportunity to share her love of music, culture, and the Catholic faith with students each day. Ms. Heckman earned her… Read Full Post

Mrs. Hefti is a Preschool Aide in the Pre-K 4 all day program. She has been at St. Vincent’s as an aide since 2010. She attended Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Mrs. Hefti has been a member of St. Vincent de Paul since 2005. She and her husband Jim have 3 beautiful daughters Caroline, Jameson and Allie. Her daughters attended St. Vincent before moving to Dunlap… Read Full Post

Originally from South Georgia, Ms. Ginny was raised there before serving in the United States Army in Wiesbaden, Germany. After returning to Georgia, she worked in the financial and healthcare fields before moving to Peoria in 2022. Shortly after arriving, she joined the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School family, where she has joyfully served in the lunchroom. She attended Columbia College in Missouri, earning an Associate’s degree in General Studies before continuing her studies… Read Full Post

Mrs. Joseph is a 3rd grade teacher at St. Vincent de Paul. She graduated from Illinois State University and earned her degree in Special Education. Mrs. Joseph began as a resource teacher at Deer Path Middle School in Lake Forest, Illinois. She then moved to a 3rd grade position in the same district at Sheridan Elementary School. Mrs. Joseph got married and moved to Chicago where she taught 3rd grade at Frances Xavier Warde Catholic… Read Full Post

Megan Kelly is the director of the before and after care program at St. Vincent de Paul.  She has worked at the school since 2002. Two of those years were spent as a long -term substitute and the rest were in the CARE program. Megan went to SVdP, and did her service hours here while attending Peoria Notre Dame High School. After high school, Megan attended Bradley University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with… Read Full Post

Mr. Chad Mackey is a middle school math teacher at St. Vincent de Paul and has served as an educator since 1990.  He earned his Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Eastern Illinois University with an emphasis in mathematics and social studies.  In 2001, he earned his Master of Science of Education degree from Eastern Illinois University in Educational Administration. Mr. Mackey exercises his faith daily in his classroom.  His favorite saint is St.… Read Full Post

Mrs. Matheny is the school secretary at St Vincent de Paul. She and her husband, Ken, are members of St. Jude parish in north Peoria where she also teaches 5th grade CCD. She feels blessed to be a part of this faith filled community to not only share her faith but to grow it as well! In her free time, Mrs. Matheny enjoys spending time with her four grown children and her 11 grandchildren, as well… Read Full Post

Cassie Miller grew up in Bloomington, Illinois, and earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from St. Mary’s College in South Bend, Indiana. Her passion for Catholic education was further nurtured through her formation in the Seton Teaching Fellowship. Ms. Miller brings experience to her role, having previously taught pre-kindergarten and kindergarten at Embers Academy in Niles, Illinois. Ms. Miller’s favorite saint is Our Lady of Guadalupe, and her favorite prayer is the Anima Christi. She… Read Full Post

Mrs. Nauman is the 5th-7th grade Science teacher and 5th grade Religion teacher at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School. She has been teaching since 2021 after she graduated from Western Illinois University where she earned her BA in Elementary Education. She spent her first two years teaching in Catholic schools in the Quad City area as well as served as the Director of Religious Education at her home parish. Mrs. Nauman has a deep… Read Full Post

Señor Polillo is the K-8 Spanish teacher at St. Vincent de Paul. He received a BA in Spanish Language Arts and Literature from Northern Illinois University in 2010. Upon graduating, he retired the red of the NIU Huskies in order to dawn the blue of SVdP and has been a proud Viking ever since. Señor Polillo is also the Scholastic Bowl Coach at SVdP. Go Vikings! Señor Polillo attended Costa Catholic School in Galesburg, Illinois… Read Full Post