Faculty & Staff
Carlo Giannotta, Principal
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Experience: Carlo Giannotta has been the principal at Grace Christian Academy for the last 25 years. He has been part of GCA for 23 years, teaching 5/6 for 3 years and 3/4 for 4 years before taking on the role of principal while also teaching 7/8. He completed both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Concordia University River Forest.
As principal, he finds himself wearing many different hats. Whether supporting his teachers, planning school improvements, coaching basketball, or tackling a variety of odd jobs around the school, Mr. G continues to enjoy getting to know many wonderful students and families. He is happy to be part of providing quality, Christian education to families in the community. Outside of Grace: When he’s not at Grace, Mr. G enjoys watching his Detroit sports teams, golfing, and spending time with his family. What makes Grace special: Grace has great staff, great students, great teachers, and great families. We all work together to give our students a wonderful Christian education. Word of Encouragement: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 |
Mrs. Deyanira Gutierrez, Pre-K 3 & 4
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Email: dgutierrez@gcachicago.org Experience: Mrs. Gutierrez has a background working with Latinos Progressando for 15 years as an Immigration Specialist. She has dedicated her life to helping her community in as many ways as possible. She started off as a volunteer over 4 years ago and recently transition to our new Pre-K teacher. She is dedicated to teaching her class independence and life skills they can take with them where ever they go. She also loves the smile on all the students'faces when they finally learn something they didn't know. Outside of Grace: She enjoys time with her family, and traveling. What makes Grace Special: Starting the day teaching about God’s love to her students. The friendly and safe environment that Grace provides for students to learn and grow academically. A word of encouragement: Matthew 19:14 NIV "Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these." |
Jill Giannotta, Kindergarten
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Email: MrsG123@gcachicago.org Experience: Mrs. Jill Giannotta (Mrs. G.) has been part of the Grace Christian Academy family for over 20 years. She attended Concordia University in Chicago to prepare for her teaching career. She has taught full time for 13 years including teaching 2nd grade, 1st/2nd grade, kindergarten, and extended care. While her children were still small, she led and taught the Title 1 tutoring program for 6 ½ years. In addition to her current role teaching kindergarten, she helps coach volleyball and cheerleading at Grace. She also makes time to teach Sunday School during the school year and lead VBS at her church during the summer. Outside of Grace: With her oldest daughter in high school, her husband serving as GCA’s principal and her youngest 2 daughters attending Grace, finding time outside of school can be a challenge. Mrs. G. says her free time is most often spent watching her children in competitions or concerts and taking them to practices. She enjoys time with her family and free moments to surf Facebook and Pinterest. Other hobbies include gardening and sewing although she admits she doesn’t get to do them much anymore during this busy season of life. What makes Grace special: Mrs. G. loves the freedom to share the love of Jesus and His salvation with all of her students. She has loved watching so many children grow up at Grace including her own! A word of encouragement: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 |
Mrs. Arleen Diaz, Teachers Aid
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Experience: Mrs. Diaz has an Associates in Early Childhood Development from Northeastern Illinois University. As a former student, Mrs. Diaz loves being a teacher's aid, as she is able to give back what she learned as well as make learning enjoyable while creating relationships with students. Outside of Grace: Mrs. Diaz loves spending time with her famly, loves to work out, cooking up new recipes and enjoys shopping! What makes Grace special: Mrs. Diaz loves the values that GCA holds and their connection to the Little Village Community. She also enjoys teaching to the smaller class sizes! Words of encouragement: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phillipians 4:13 |
Mrs. Arroz, 1st/2nd Grade
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Email: Marroz@gcachicago.org
Experience: Mrs. Arroz is a University of Illinois alumni where she earned her bachelors in Elementary Education. She also earned her Master's degree in Cirriculum and Instruction from Northern Illinois University.This will be her 28th year of teaching. (12 years teaching Science, primary and intermediate grades at CPS, 4 years teaching primary grades in District #89, 11 years teaching 4th grade at a private school in Skokie.) Outside of Grace: When Mrs. Arroz is not teaching, she enjoys her family time, traveling, and fishing with her husband. She also loves musicals and karaoke. What makes Grace special: Every morning, the staff gathers together for devotion and prayer. Then, we have the wonderful opportunity to not only teach, but to share the love of Jesus with our students. I am grateful to be a part of GCA’s Christ-centered community. A word of encouragement: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) |
Mrs. Estrada, Teachers Aid
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Experience: Mrs. Estrada discovered her love of children while assisting at Grace Christian. She is an asset as a teacher's aid and looks out for the best for all the children who come under her care. Outside of Grace: Mrs. Estrada enjoys spending time with family, going to church, praying for others, and walking. What makes Grace special: Grace allows students and staff to share their faith through a Christian education. The small class sizes create space for individualized academic instruction. A word of encouragement: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 |
Ms. Ashley Grace Burkholder, 3rd/4th Grade
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Email: Agburkholder@gcachicago.org
Experience: Ms. Burkholder has over three years of experience as a writing tutor and summer school teacher prior to Grace Christian. This academic year will be Ms. Burkholder's first teaching position in 3rd & 4th grade. She is also completing her Masters degree in Elementary Education. Outside of Grace: When she is not teaching, Ms. Burkholder enjoys running, baking, and spending her time outdoors. What makes Grace Special: Ms. Burkholder loves how welcoming Grace Christian is. Everyone is happy and it makes time spent together at school very joyful for everyone. A word of encouragement: "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33 |
Mrs. Pamela Segal, 5th-6th Grade
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Email: pdsegal@gcachicago.org
Experience: Mrs. Segal has been teaching for 23 years. She has taught 1st Grade for 10 years and spent 10 years teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Language Arts and Social Studies at Eberhart Elementary School. She also taught 3 years at Eli Whitney as a 6th Grade Social Studies teacher. Outside of Grace: Mrs. Segal enjoys singing for her church worship team, painting, playing the piano, and spending time with her family. What makes Grace Special: Grace Christian Academy is special because it provides a Christian teaching, moral values, and a stellar education to the students. GCA also a great sports program including a basketball, cheerleading, and volleyball team. Grace also provides students an the opportuntiy to learn how to play an instrument. A word of encouragement: "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 1-4 |
Joseph Hansa, 7th-8th Grade
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Email: jhansa@gcachicago.org Experience: Joseph Hansa returned to Grace Christian Academy after completing his teaching degree 16 years ago. He is an alum of GCA and has taught 7th/8th grade for his entire teaching career. He attended Concordia University River Forest and Concordia University Chicago. He also has prior experience as an instructional coach at Fleetwood and a summer camp counselor. Outside of Grace: Mr. Hansa enjoys life outside of school with what he describes as an ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge and fun. What makes Grace special: For Mr. Hansa, giving back by serving the community where he grew up in the school where he received his elementary school education are part of what makes his teaching experience at Grace so special. He says he loves that Grace is providing Christian education to the Little Village community and continues to offer small class sizes that makes Grace feel like a family environment. A word of encouragement: “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 |
Mr. Simonson, P.E Teacher |
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Email:
Experience: This is will be Mr. Simonson's first year at GCA while entering his 29th year in total teaching physical education and health. He has coached both high school and college football. He earned his Ordination into the Ministry in 2021. Outside of Grace: Mr. Simonson was born and raised in Wyoming near Yellowstone. He is known as a Coach, Pastor, Author, dedicated Father and Husband. He is currently the defensive line coach at the University of St. Francis in Joliet. He Attended Concordia University in Nebraska, and received his Master’s Degree at Concordia University Chicago. He is the author of a youth Christian novel called “The Parables of a Pastor’s Kid”. He truly enjoys teaching and spreading the love of Christ. A word of encouragement: “For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it!” Jesus of Nazareth Fun Fact: Mr. Simonson has visited all 50 States |
Additional Staff:
Office Manager: Dianne Perrin
Email: admin@gcachicago.org
Director of Admissions & Community Outreach: Hilda Morales
Email: Hmorales@gcachicago.org
Lunch Program/Drama Teacher: Belinda Bjorkland
Email: admin@gcachicago.org
Email: admin@gcachicago.org
Director of Admissions & Community Outreach: Hilda Morales
Email: Hmorales@gcachicago.org
Lunch Program/Drama Teacher: Belinda Bjorkland
Email: admin@gcachicago.org