Foreign Language Department

Angela Vock, Foriegn Language Chairperson
French I-V, AP Frenchn French Club & Honor Society/Pep Club

Mrs. Vock, '97 graduate of Rosary, is entering her 8th year teaching French at Marmion. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Teaching of French and a Bachelor of Arts in French Commercial Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She teaches all levels of French. Mme Vock moderates the French Club, National French Honor Society, and Pep Club. She has been nominated by a student for the Disney Hand Teacher Award. She is also a member of the American Association of Teachers of French. The primary teaching technique used in her classroom is TPRS (Teaching Language Through Reading and Storytelling) which is supported by research and is meant to provide fast language acquisition. In order to further interest students in the study of French, Mme Vock encourages them to become involved in fun activities during National French Week and to strive to be inducted into the National French Honor Society.

Isla Arcaro, Spanish I/III (H), Italian

Mrs. Arcaro joined the Foreign Language Department as an instructor in Spanish and Italian in 2008. She was employed by District 214 (Rolling Meadows High School) for 35 years and just recently retired from there. Mrs. Arcaro is a graduate of DePaul University, earned a Master’s Degree from Northwestern University and has studied at the Catholic University in Barcelona, the Italian Cultural Institute in Chicago and the Italian Language Academy in Florence.

Norma Ortega, Spanish I/IV/V (H), AP Spanish

Mrs. Ortega joined the faculty in 2004 as a member of the Foreign Language department.She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Finance at La Salle University in Mexico City, Mexico, and later a Master of Arts in Foreign Language and Latin-American Literature at Northern Illinois University. For the last two years, Mrs. Ortega has been teaching introductory classes in Spanish at Northern Illinois University and introductory classes at St. Peter Grade School in Geneva. She teaches the lower-level Spanish courses here at Marmion.

Deborah Thur, Spanish II/III (H)

Mrs. Thur joined the Marmion faculty in 2006 as an instructor of Spanish II and III courses. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish Language and literature and a Master’s degree in Education (reading) from Northern Illinois University. She most recently taught all levels of Spanish at Indian Creek High School in Shabbona, IL and previously taught at Wredling Middle School in St. Charles.

Mary Strand, Latin I/II, Advanced II, Latin Literature, AP Vergil.

Mrs. Strand joined the Marmion faculty in 2006 as an instructor of Latin. She studied the Classics at Rockford College and most recently taught at Boylan Catholic High School.