Mr. Palkewick is a graduate of Concordia College, Bronxville, New York with a BA in Elementary Education and a Lutheran Teacher's Diploma. He received his MS in School Supervision and Administration from the College of New Rochelle. Before coming to Immanuel, Mr. Palkewick spent nine years at Our Saviour Lutheran School, Bronx, New York. In his years at Our Saviuor, he held many positions. He taught 6th Grade, Elementary School Physical Education, Director of Student Recruitment., and helped develop a preschool program and served as Director of the Universal PreK. This year at ILS (Mr. Palkewick’s 3rd year here.), along with serving as principal, Mr. Palkewick serves as the Middle School homeroom and religion teacher and is also the PE teacher for all students. When he is not at Immanuel’s school or church, Mr. Palkewick can be found involved in a number of volunteer activities. Mr. Palkewick is an active volunteer in his hometown fire department and is on the planning committee for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life. He also helps to raise awareness and money for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Mr. Palkewick, his wife and son currently reside in New Fairfield.
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Preschool
Sylvia Person is in her 27th year of teaching at Immanuel Lutheran school. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education from Central Connecticut State University, and a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Bridgeport. Prior to coming to Immanuel, Mrs. Person taught for seven years at early childhood programs in Connecticut. Her hobbies include photography and computers/technology. She and her husband live in Danbury, CT.
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Kindergarten
Suzanne Puglisi graduated from Clemson University in South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. She received her Master's Degree in Elementary Education from Western Connecticut State University. This year will mark her eighth year at Immanuel Lutheran School. Mrs. Puglisi resides with her family in New Milford.
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Kindergarten
Joanna Vill is a 2008 graduate of Western Connecticut State University where she received a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education concentrating in American Studies. This is her second year serving at Immanuel Lutheran School as the Kindergarten Assistant. Miss Vill worships at St. Elizabeth Seton Church in Ridgefield.
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First Grade
Christine Murphy began her teaching career here at ILS. Before teaching first grade, Ms. Murphy was a Publicist for Scholastic where she worked with many childrens book authors and illustrators. Ms. Murphy received her BA in Communications from The College of Mount Saint Vincent and her Masters in Science-Teaching from Iona College. She lives in Brewster, NY.
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Second Grade
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Third Grade
Ms. Zabawar began her teaching career at Immanuel Lutheran School and is in her sixth year teaching third grade. Ms. Zabawar received her Bachelor’s Degree in Childhood Education from Concordia College in Bronxville, NY. She completed her Master’s Degree at Western Connecticut State University, specializing in Curriculum. Besides her love for teaching, Ms. Zabawar enjoys scrapbooking, cooking and traveling.
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Fourth Grade
Emily Richter Napp began her teaching career at Immanuel Lutheran School in 2004. She previously taught Kindergarten for four years, and is in her second year of teaching fourth grade at ILS. Mrs. Napp graduated from Concordia College in Bronxville, New York, in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in Childhood Education. She also received her Master's degree in Education specializing in Curriculum, from Western Connecticut State University in 2008. Mrs. Napp is an active member at Cheshire Lutheran Church, and enjoys cooking, traveling, and reading in her spare time.
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Fifth Grade
Vickie Baker is in her 16th year of teaching in a Lutheran school. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Mercy College, and a master's degree in Education from Buffalo State College in New York. Prior to coming to Immanuel, Mrs. Baker taught for six years at Nazareth Lutheran School in Buffalo. Her hobbies include scrapbooking, stamping and spending time with her five-year-old, Jolene. She and her husband live in Dover Plains, N.Y.
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Math
Mitchell Morton just recently graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a degree in mathematics. This is his first year teaching and he is looking forward to it. Some of his hobbies include hiking and enjoying sports, some of his favorites being football and baseball in his spare time he coaches basketball. Mr. Morton is Catholic and is an active member at St. Stephens Church.
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Science & Computers
Before becoming a teacher, Carol Ann Lutz lived in Ecuador (Peace Corps) and managed computer systems in the Fashion District of New York City. She started teaching in 2004, first in a private elementary school in Westchester, and then in a public middle school in the Bronx, before coming to Immanuel Lutheran School in 2007. Mrs. Lutz holds a B.A in Psychology and Communications from Oberlin College, an A.A.S. in Pattern making from the Fashion Institute of Technology, and a M.A. in Educational Psychology from Marist College. At Immanuel, Mrs. Lutz teaches Middle School Science and K-8 Technology.
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Art
Linda Nemergut holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Illustration from Western Connecticut State University and a B.S. in Applied Arts from Charter Oak State College in Newington. She's taught watercolor painting at the Washington Art Association in Litchfield County, and has served as an instructor at Artspot in Brookfield. Linda has exhibited her work throughout the state.
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Music
Joanne F. Archibald(Music Teacher at ILS and Music Director/Organist at ILC) received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education with a Major in Organ from Western Connecticut State University. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Ministry Degree through Newburgh Theological Seminary. Ms. Archibald has served in the field of Church Music Ministry, directing children’s choirs, adult choirs, instrumental ensembles, handbell choirs, praise bands and folk choirs since her high school days. She has taught private piano, keyboard, guitar and organ for 30 years. Actively involved in many musical theaters in the Danbury area for over 30 years, she has been Music Director at Brookfield Theater for the Arts and Music Director for Immanuel Lutheran Players as well as Choral Director for Brewster High School Theater Department. She has also worked at Sherman Theater and Richter Theater. Ms. Archibald is currently the accompanist for Danbury High School Choral Department. She has worked as vocal coach/accompanist at WCSU, Brewster High School and New Fairfield High School. She has been the accompanist for the NYSSMA and NATS Vocal Competitions. Ms. Archibald also has a great love for handbells and has presented many workshops and concerts as a handbell soloist. She is interested in music composition/arranging and has composed a children’s Christmas musical, music for ILC’s Last Supper presentation and several other Christian pieces. Ms. Archibald resides in northern Danbury with her two children, Daniel and Heather (when they are not at college) and her dog Sango.
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Spanish
Señora Rago has 20 years of experience in education, including science, Spanish and bilingual programs. Her most recent professional experience includes teaching in the bilingual program at Rogers Park Middle School in Danbury and teaching Spanish at Immaculate High School in Danbury. She was also an E.S.L. tutor at South Street Elementary School and a Special Education tutor at Hayestown Avenue Elementary School, both in Danbury. She received her B.S. degree from Dr. Adolfo Alsina Teachers College in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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