Welcome to our new Principal, Wayne Wenzel! Principal Wenzel is a Chicagoan born and raised in Albany Park. He received his teaching certification from Northeastern Illinois University in 2001 and Masters in Educational Leadership from Concordia University Chicago in 2006.  Principal Wenzel has spent many years in the classroom teaching US History, World History, Economics, American Government, Geography, Eastern Civilizations, World Religions, World War II, and the History of American Sports. Over the past four years, he has been the Principal at St. Joseph Parish School in Issaquah, Washington. He and his family are moving back home to Chicago to be close to his family and join our St. Monica Academy one. 

Principal Wenzel will not only be the head of our school but looks forward to becoming an active member of the St. Monica Parish along with his lovely wife Meghan, son Marcus (Marc), and daughters Alexandria (Alex or Al) and Audrey (Auds), who will be a third grader here at SMA in the fall. The Wenzels also have two amazing dogs: a 13-year-old lab mix named Foley (who was not pleased with the move out west and will be even less pleased with the second trip back to the Midwest because he hates car travel and is relatively old) and a 1-year-old husky/heeler mix named Addison, who was named for the street, since this is where one would find the iconic Wrigley Field.  On any given day, Addison can waiver between being man’s best friend and man’s greatest adversary.   

When asked about his philosphy toward education, Principal Wenzel reflected upon his thoughts while reading,  “Why Catholic Education Still Matters in 10 Reasons.” by Reverend Ronald J. Nuzzi, Ph.D. Principal Wenzel said, "Fr. Nuzzi, he states that 'Catholic school students learn to experience God’s grace and presence in their lives through their relationships with family, friends, and teachers.  The loving and supportive relationships they experience [at Catholic schools] are reflections of the love and life-giving dynamic of the Trinity.'  When I read that, I very literally said to myself, 'what a statement!'  A school’s teachers, its administrators, the parents that volunteer, all parents in the community really, and the parishioners should demonstrate to all students, the presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in their daily lives.  I believe it is one of my foremost jobs to ensure that the relationships the students at St. Monica Academy (now that I can say our students) will encounter will demonstrate to them the grace and presence of God.  To me, that’s incredible."

Principal Wenzel went on to say, "You will find that I hold to two core pillars:  Excellence and Unity.  I believe it’s our duty to serve an excellent God.  In order to do this, a school must be outstanding.  This is one of the reasons I jumped at the chance to be a part of St. Monica Academy.  I believe it is only right that we all put forth our best effort to strive for this in order to honor and serve an excellent God.  I am eager to bring my skills as an educational leader to this community and work with you and the faculty as partners in education to ensure your child’s success.  That success will then demonstrate excellence.

I also often focus on unity, specifically as it is described to us in Ephesians 4:  2-6.  These verses state:  With all humility and gentleness, with patience bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace:  one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.  I believe that these verses guide a school community in promoting a sense of togetherness.  These verses share with us that we are baptized brothers and sisters that have been bonded together in the Holy Spirit.  Unity will strengthen as we intentionally carry ourselves with humility and gentleness, extending to one another additional patience and grace in times of challenge and frustration.  I hope the principles referenced in Ephesians will always be at the center of all that I do for St. Monica and all that we do together."

Outside of school, Principal Wenzel is a rabid Cubs fan, and an avid movie watcher (and movie quoter) and whether on or off Principal duty he has been known to sport some pretty cool Air Jordans, even with a suit. 

Principal Wenzel is as excited to join SMA as we are to have him!

Got questions for Principal Wenzel or just want to hear directly from him, register for our Zoom Q&A:

• Tuesday May 23 @7pm  Zoom Q&A Registration