Teachers
Meet our dedicated team of educators at Mary Queen of Heaven Preschool, where passion for teaching meets a commitment to nurturing each child’s unique journey of learning and discovery.
Hello!
Genet Pinkerton
Preschool Director
Genet Pinkerton is the preschool director. She has a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Illinois State University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Roosevelt University.
She has taught early childhood through 8th grade in public schools as well as owned and operated a home daycare preschool. She has lived in Elmhurst and been an active parishioner at MQH with her family since 1999.
She has worked at the MQH preschool since 2008 and was a preschool catechist in the religious education program for five years. She likes being in the outdoors, riding her bike, and spending time with her family. Genet teaches young children because she believes that when they are given a strong well-rounded foundation, they will experience more success in the things they strive to do in their future.
Diane Gornick
4's Lead Teacher
Diane holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA where she performed with the Duquesne University Tamburitzans. She taught at the preschool, elementary, and middle school levels in OH, PA, and IL and was a preschool catechist for eight years at Mary Queen of Heaven.
She and her husband Joe live in Elmhurst with their three children-Ben, Greg, and Claire. They have been parishioners since 1993. She was the KEP teacher from 2010- 2020 and is very excited to be teaching the 4’s class this year. She enjoys reading, gardening, traveling with her family, and being part of the Mary Queen of Heaven faith community.
Diane enjoys incorporating our Catholic faith into all aspects of her teaching. She believes that each child is unique and she has developed a differentiated program to meet the various needs of her students.
Deidre (Dee) Weiler
4's Lead Teacher
Dee received her Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Saint Mary’s College in South Bend, IN, and her Master’s degree in reading from National Louis University in Evanston. She taught grades one through three in Elmhurst and in Northlake. She was a preschool catechist at Mary Queen of Heaven for four years. Dee was our main substitute teacher for the preschool and the KEP class for many years.
She grew up in Elmhurst, and then she and her husband raised their two sons in Elmhurst. She and her family have been parishioners of Mary Queen of Heaven since 2005. She enjoys working with small children, figuring out how they learn best, and watching their self-confidence bloom.
Marlene Alcorn
3’s Lead Teacher
Marlene Alcorn is the lead teacher in the 3’s program. She has a Bachelor of Arts
degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education from Rosary College and a
Master of Art degree in Early Childhood Education from Concordia College plus 59
graduate hours in Developmental Psychology and Family Relations/Parenting.
She holds two Illinois Teachers Certifications for grades 6-12, and birth-kindergarten.
She managed a lab school within the high school. She taught special needs
college students Human Development at Elmhurst College. She taught 2nd and
3rd gr. Faith Formation at Mary Queen for many years.
Marlene was married in 1980, they moved to Addison in 1990, and they joined Mary Queen of Heaven in 2007. They have 3 adult married children and 6 grandchildren that she loves
greatly. She loves to dance, sing, and play games. Her passion is to encourage children’s overall development by offering an integrated curriculum as they discover their world.
Kathryn Mooradian
4's Assistant Teacher
Kathryn is our teacher’s assistant in the preschool 4’s class with Dee Weiler. She has lived in Elmhurst since 1999 with her husband Michael and 3 children. Her children attended Immaculate Conception
Grade School (P3-8th gr) where Kathryn volunteered in the preschool, kindergarten, and upper grades throughout her children’s schooling.
Kathy enjoys family time, playing tennis, pickle ball and many other games (cards, board, computer, tv)! She enjoys connecting and working with the children to make a difference in their lives!
Kristy Carambot
Preschool Teaching Assistant
Kristy Carambot moved to Villa Park in 2009, and joined Mary Queen of Heaven parish that summer. Her family joined RCIA, and became a practicing Catholic in 2010.
Kristy has two sons, who both attended MQH preschool. When her kids were young, she became a home daycare provider.
She has taught Religious Education at MQH since 2014, volunteered frequently at her sons’ elementary school, and substituted regularly at the preschool. Kristy enjoys laughing, disc golf, stargazing and making memories with her husband and kids.
Michele Sciabica
4’s Teaching Assistant
Michele Sciabica is a teaching assistant in the 4’s class with Diane Gornick. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dominican University in River Forest, IL. She has lived in Elmhurst since 1996 with her husband John and two children.
They have been Mary Queen of Heaven parishioners since 1998. When her kids were young, she stayed home with them and provided home day care for other children. She has done various volunteer work at Emerson Elementary School and she was a catechist at Mary Queen of Heaven for 10 years.
She began working as an assistant teacher for MQH preschool in 2009. Michele enjoys traveling with her family, reading, and playing tennis and pickle ball. She loves working with young children and she is dedicated to making a difference in the life of every student.
Elise Waite
Lead teacher for the afternoon preschool
Elise Waite began at MQH Preschool in 2022 as a substitute assistant teacher and fell in love with the program and teachers at MQH. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL.
She is passionate about nature and about connecting humans with their natural environment. She has worked as a naturalist, preschool program leader, and camp leader with children and families through Skokie Park District, Lake County Forest Preserves, and Friends of the Forest Preserves. Growing up in Elmhurst, she has followed the family business in children’s entertainment.
Elise is practiced in the art of face painting, balloon twisting, and leading children’s activities at parties and events. When not swinging on the MQH playground swings, you can find Elise playing frisbee with her 2 dogs, going on nature walks, and singing show tunes.
Kristy Carambot
3's & 4's Teaching Assistant
Yadira early Childhood education was obtained at Harold Washington College.
She had the opportunity to be part of a parent mentor group at Conrad Fischer with the dual language program. She worked closely with teachers to help the students with one-on-one reading and writing. This is where she gained more knowledge and experience with the development of young children and teaching strategies for them.
She is so happy to be a part of the Mary Queen family! She loves the work that she does and believes in a learning environment that allows children to be challenged and supported with the right tools that allow their curiosity to thrive.
What Our Families Are Saying
