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We thank you for your interest in St. Therese Chinese Catholic School. The following guidelines are for prospective St. Therese Chinese Catholic School parents of children in our Early Childhood Program (Pre-Kindergarten through Kindergarten) and in first grade. Please follow the guidelines listed below.
We thank you for your interest in St. Therese Chinese Catholic School. The following guidelines are for prospective St.
Therese Chinese Catholic School parents of children  
in our Early Childhood Program (Pre-Kindergarten through Kindergarten) and in first grade. Please follow the guidelines listed below. 
We thank you for your interest in St. Therese Chinese Catholic School. The following guidelines are for prospective St. in our Early Childhood Program (Pre-Kindergarten through Kindergarten) and in first grade.
Time Block 1
2:50-3:20 p.m.
Time Block 2
3:20-4:20 p.m.
Time Block 3
4:20-5:30 p.m.
Time Block 4
5:30-6:00 p.m.
School Administration
Fr. Francis Li
Pastor

Email: email to come

Fr. Francis Li is the Pastor of Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish and Administrator for our school. Fr. Li grew up in a Catholic family (and village) in the Shanxi Province of mainland China. He is the youngest of seven siblings, and his parents were devout Catholics. Fr. Li was ordained a priest in China. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Barbara Church, then as Pastor of St. Therese Chinese Catholic Church until the two parishes were combined into St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.  

In 2014, Fr. Li received his Doctorate in Ministry from the Catholic Theological Union. He also serves on the board of directors of the U.S. Chinese Catholic Association and is very involved with the faith formation of Chinese Religious priests and sisters through DePaul and Loyola Universities.

When he is not busy in the parish office, Fr. Li enjoys reading, biking, working out regularly at the gym, a good game of basketball, going to the movies, and visiting friends. Fr. Li always prays for guidance and wisdom. St. Francis of Assisi is his favorite Saint (his love for nature is inspirational).
Ms. Lisa Deborah Oi
Principal

Email: doi@sttheresechicago.org 

Principal Lisa Deborah Oi has been with St. Therese since 1997. She spent the first 16 years in the classroom as the 2nd grade teacher, and then transitioned into the role of Assistant Principal and Director of the Resource Department in 2012. In this role, Ms. Oi worked closely with the school Principal to help ensure the smooth running of the school, managing school resources, and overseeing programs within the school. During her tenure as the Assistant Principal, St. Therese School saw tremendous growth in student academic achievement, expansion of curriculum and program offerings, and increased student enrollment. Throughout these years, St. Therese continued to be recognized nationally and internationally, winning numerous awards and accolades, including a National Blue Ribbon Award in both 2011 and 2018. In 2019, Ms. Oi became the principal of a two-campus school, opening the second campus of St. Therese Chinese Catholic School at the St. Barbara Campus in Bridgeport.

As principal, Ms. Oi is committed to advancing the school’s tradition of expanding Catholic faith formation, raising academic excellence, supporting student development, deepening parent involvement, and increasing the school’s capacity to reach for and achieve even greater results.

Ms. Oi is the first Chinese American woman to lead St. Therese Chinese Catholic School. 

Ms. Oi was honored with The Catherine T. McNamee, CSJ Award by the National Catholic Educational Association. This award is presented to an individual who offers exceptional leadership in promoting a vision of Catholic education that welcomes and serves cultural and economic diversity or that serves students with diverse needs. Ms. Oi was also recognized as Assistant Principal of the Year for West Cook in 2016. She is currently on the Golden Apple Teacher Selection Committee, a member of the Illinois Principal Association, the International Society for Technology in Education, and the National Catholic Education Association.

Ms. Oi has a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in Bloomington and a master’s degree in Administration from Concordia University. Ms. Oi wrote and presented “Expanding College and Career Readiness: College Readiness- It Begins in Kindergarten!” at the 2015 Illinois ACT State Organization Conference. She also presented “Building Intercultural Awareness - Serving Chinese Americans in Today’s Catholic School” at the National Catholic Educational Association, and participated on a panel entitled "Mutual Benefits of Hosting International Students” also at the NCEA conference in Chicago.

Ms. Oi is an active member of our Parish, including participating in the Parish Leadership Committee in the Canary/Bridgeport/Chinatown grouping for the Renew My Church effort. She also is a recognized leader in Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood.
Ms. Susan Leef
Assistant Principal 

Email: sleef@sttheresechicago.org

Susan Leef is the Assistant Principal at both the St. Therese and St. Barbara Campuses.  Ms. Leef has worked as an educator in both public and private schools in her career.  She completed her undergraduate degree at National College of Education in Evanston with a BA in elementary education and special education.  She received her masters degree in educational leadership and special education supervision/directorship from Lewis University in Romeoville, IL. Ms. Leef holds certifications in elementary education, special education, english language learners, and director of special education. Ms. Leef is interested in the arts and spent many years studying a variety of dance at dance studios in the Chicago area.
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St. Therese Chinese Catholic School