Mathematics Department

A message from Mathematics Department Chair Sheila Walsh...

The Saint Ignatius College Prep Mathematics Department provides a robust offering of math classes from Algebra 1 to varying levels of Calculus. For our foundational courses (Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2/Trig) there is a non-graded math lab course for students to enroll in to receive extra support with the content. In addition, students can access the Math Resource Center every day, before and during school! We staff this center with members of the Saint Ignatius Math Department.

Galileo

"Mathematics is the alphabet with which God has written the universe."

Resources

Meet the Mathematics Department

List of 17 members.

Ms. Sheila Walsh 10

Mathematics Teacher/Department Chair

Bio
Following in her father’s footsteps, Sheila Walsh ‘10 made Saint Ignatius College Prep her high school home. Little did she know that decision would lead her to her life’s work.

“I absolutely loved my teachers here in high school. They were the best and actually inspired me to be a teacher. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have been a teacher at all,” says Walsh.

The educator who inspired her most? Math teacher Lynne Ruozzi.

Ruozzi’s passion for sharing information made Walsh more interested in math than any other discipline.

She says, “I love that math is everywhere, and I love the problem-solving aspect.”

That aspect, according to Walsh, is what can help regardless of the career you choose. She points out that you take math to develop problem-solving skills which you can apply to real-life situations.

“You have to feel confident that you can do whatever task is in front of you,” Walsh emphasizes, “You don’t have to love math, you just have to know you can do it.”

The alum who was inspired by a Saint Ignatius teacher now hopes to light a fire with her own students – giving them essential problem-solving skills to help them tackle challenges the world will inevitably send their way.
Mr. Gregory Beatty

Math Resource Center Facilitator
Ms. Jennifer Boka

Mathematics Teacher
Mrs. Kathryn Borg

Mathematics Teacher
Ms. Margaret Brewick

Mathematics Teacher
Mr. Stephen Cahill

Math Teacher
Mr. Sean Curtin 11

Mathematics Teacher

Bio
Mr. Sean Curtin ‘11 describes the Saint Ignatius College Prep community like a home. “You know how at your home there are those little improvement projects you find to do?” he asks. “I have those projects here. That is how I know that this campus is a home to me.”

Mr. Curtin’s been a member of the Wolfpack for four years as a student and seven years as a teacher. “I’ve been part of this community for about a third of my life,” he shares. “I have a memory in just about every hallway, classroom and field across this campus.”

Mr. Curtin realized how essential the Saint Ignatius community was to him when he arrived at university. “I found at college that many of my peers had different experiences in high school from the one I had. I felt a gratitude for this place that I didn’t feel when I was a student for the teachers, coaches and classmates who really helped me grow.”

Mr. Curtin was a soccer player when he was a student and was coached and taught by Mr. James Luzzi, one of the many faculty members he credits for inspiring him to return to campus to teach. He followed in Mr. Luzzi’s footsteps and currently coaches JV boy’s soccer and teaches Algebra and Calculus.

Participation and application are Mr. Curtin’s key focuses in the classroom. “I aim to create an environment where my students are comfortable taking risks and challenging themselves,” he says. On the subject of application, he notes, “I learned how to apply mathematics to the non-academic world during my master’s degree work. So, in my classroom, we’re going to be applying every concept that we learn to something.”
Mrs. Heather DeJonker

Mathematics Teacher
Mr. Tom Dorrance

Mathematics Teacher
Dr. Anthony Evensen Ph.D.

Mathematics Teacher
Ms. Connie Koustenis

Mathematics Teacher
Ms. Alexandra Lehan

Mathematics Teacher
Mr. James Owens 81

Mathematics & Social Studies Teacher
Ms. Nicola Steele

Mathematics Teacher
Mr. Todd Strobel

Mathematics & Science Teacher, Head Boys Volleyball Coach
Mr. Patrick Winter

Mathematics Teacher
Ms. Amy Zabojnik

Mathematics Teacher

Bio
The apple didn’t fall far from the tree when Amy Zabojnik decided to teach.

Both of her parents were educators and encouraged her to join the ranks. Given her natural strength in math, that became her focus.

Zabojnik loves teaching because of the students.

“They care about you, and they know you care about them,” says Zabojnik.

She hopes her students know she’s there to help them grow in the classroom, and she’s rooting for them personally as well. She wants them to succeed in all aspects of life, not just in mathematics.

She leads by example, and works to be well-rounded. It’s not unusual to hear folks refer to Zabojnik as a “supermom.” On any given day you’ll see her taking her kids to and from various sports and extracurricular activities, preparing meals and spending time with her family.

Outside of the house, her favorite place is the gym. Her passion for fitness runs deep – so deep she wakes up at 3:30 a.m. to be at her workout by 4:00 a.m!

Then it’s off to school, which has become a family affair. Zabojnik says she was thrilled when her two sons decided to join the Wolfpack. From firsthand experience, she knows that “the kids here are truly amazing.”

Her message to students: Make good choices, and don’t make decisions based on temporary feelings.

Saint Ignatius College Prep

Saint Ignatius College Prep, a Jesuit Catholic school in the heart of Chicago, is a diverse community dedicated to educating young men and women for lives of faith, love, service and leadership.