Welcome to the Preston High School Theology Department: the home for your mind and your spirit! The spiritual and academic goals of our department are complementary and mutually enriching. The underlying principle of all our courses is to give reasons for our faith and to give faith to our reason. While, in fact, each course is Catholic and academic in focus, the reflective and spiritual integration in each student is strongly emphasized. Her religious heritage and practice, as well as the application of moral and religious principles in contemporary society are encouraged and nourished through course work and co-curricular requirements for retreats, community service and Catholic liturgical celebrations. Particular emphasis is placed on ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue to promote peace and understanding and help the students to become active participants in building a more united world!
- BA - Religious Studies - Fordham University (2000)
- MA - MA Theology - Fordham University (2002)
Mrs. Dekajlo became fascinated with the study of Theology when she was an undergraduate student in Fordham University. At Fordham College at Lincoln Center, she earned a B.A. in Religious Studies. A Hebrew Scriptures professor inspired her to continue to do graduate work, and she got her M.A. in Old Testament Theology from the Fordham Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Till this day, she is happiest when the topic of her class includes the Bible!
Mrs. Dekajlo started teaching at Preston in 2002. Currently, she teaches courses in Salvation History and Psychology & Faith, oversees the Christian Service Program, assists in Campus Ministry, and is the moderator of the Compassion Connection community outreach club.
Mrs. Dekajlo loves the fact that Preston is constantly living out its mission of compassion. Compassion Matters... Pass It On!
- BA - Daugavpild Pedagogical University, Latvia (1998)
- MA - Religious Education - Fordham University (1999)
- PhD - 2010 PhD - Fordham University (2010)
Dr. Ilze King earned her MA and PhD in Religion and Education at Fordham University.
She has taught at Preston for the last 18 years, grades 9 to 12. She has taught Foundations in Catholicism, New Testament, The World’s Religions, Becoming a Woman of Mature Faith, and Psychology and Faith. She presently teaches the junior theology Christian Morality and Catholic Social Teachings course, as well as senior theology, The World’s Religions, and Psych and Faith.
Dr. King has a long and abiding interest in Catholic social teachings and social justice, as well as women’s experience in the Catholic tradition. She strives to assist her students to become more aware of themselves connecting to their inner center and light. She encourages her students to explore and own the best that the Catholic tradition can offer and to expand in their perspective about ways they can share their inner light with their family, friends and wider community.
- B.A. - History and Religious Studies - St. Thomas Aquinas College (2019)
- MA - History - Lehman College (2023)
Ms. Marrero, Class of 2015, is a proud Preston alumna whose love for learning was nurtured within these very halls. Inspired by the strong sense of community at Preston, she chose to attend St. Thomas Aquinas College, where she double-majored in Religious Studies/Philosophy and History. With a desire to give back, Ms. Marrero always knew she would return to Preston to help shape and inspire the next generation of students. She later earned her Master’s degree in History and is thrilled to be back home, sharing her enthusiasm for faith, and lifelong learning with today’s Prestonites.
- BA - Theology - St. John's University (2019)
Mrs. Innamorato always knew she wanted to be a Theology teacher, even from a young age. She earned her degree in Theology and Philosophy from St. John’s University, where her love for Scripture deepened. She has always been especially fascinated by the ways in which the prophecies of the Old Testament are fulfilled in the New Testament—an experience that continually renews her faith and inspires her teaching.
Mrs. Innamorato joined Preston in 2024 as a member of the Theology Department and as a Campus Minister. Over the years, she has taught a variety of courses including Introduction to Christian Studies, Old Testament Scripture, New Testament Scripture, Christian Morality, and Christology. Of all these, Christology remains her favorite subject to teach, as it allows her to explore the heart of who Jesus is with her students.
She feels blessed to be part of a community that not only teaches compassion but lives it out every day. And remember, God is good, all the time!