Hi, I’m Rita, and I’m a teacher and the photographer behind Pia Marie. I live in Lemont with my two beautiful daughters. In 2006, I joined the faculty of Marist High School where I currently work as the Curriculum Coordinator of the Art and Technology Department. I also teach photography and design. 

I am passionate about photo and design. My teaching philosophy is stolen from a quote from Milton Glaser, “The real issue is not talent as an independent element, but talent in relationship to will, desire, and persistence. Talent without these things vanishes and even modest talent with those characteristics grows”. I believe that every student can achieve success, if they have will, desire and persistence. I have seen students who have modest talent, but have these characteristics grow and gain confidence and become beautiful artists.