Mrs. Lea Hilke

Mrs. Hilke has been an integral part of the St. Paul community since 2007. She started her career in a different field earning a Bachelor of Science degree from North West Missouri State University, majoring in History with a minor in Criminal Justice. While her children were young, she had an ‘aha’ moment. She started to feel her true calling in becoming an excellent teacher while working as a teacher’s assistant in Omaha (NE). She then attended the College of St. Mary in Omaha earning her teacher’s certificate. In the late 2000s, her husband was transferred back to the Joliet area, and renewed their membership at St. Paul the Apostle Church.  Fortuitously, Mrs. Hilke was able to complete her student teaching at St. Paul and was soon hired as the junior high Language Arts teacher. A few years later, she returned to school and earned a Masters in Instructional Technology at Lewis University.   Mrs. Hilke is thoroughly dedicated to teaching junior high students and works diligently to build lasting relationships. Her passion for teaching is truly a calling.