Donald W. Firke
Head of School
Upper School Language
B.A. Williams College, MALS Wesleyan University

Shelley Addison
Senior Kindergarten, Co-Director Extended Day Program
B.A. National-Louis University

Eve Alexander
Middle School Mathematics, Co-Department Chair
B.A. Lake Forest College, M.S. University of New Hampshire

Tom Alexander
Vice President of Finance and Operations
B.A. California State University
MBA Pepperdine University

Cynthia Arreola
Upper School Foreign Language
B.A. University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana

Nicholas Baer
Upper School Drama and Technical Theatre
B.A. University of Illinois

Megan Baltruzak
Second Grade
B.A. University of Notre Dame, M.Ed. Boston College

Matthew Bardoe
Middle and Upper School Mathematics
B.S. Ohio State University
M.S., Ph.D. University of Illinois at Chicago

Mary Jane Baughman
Upper School Language
B.A. University of Michigan

Carrie Beredo
Junior Kindergarten
B.S.Ed. Miami University, M.Ed. Erikson Institute

Kenneth Bowen
Middle and Upper School Technical Theatre
B.S. Carleton College

A. Thomas Bower
Middle and Upper School Athletic Director
B.A. Plymouth State College

Sarah Brewer
Associate Director of College Counseling
B.A. Wake Forest University
M.A. The Ohio State University

Elise Brooks
Upper School Counselor
B.A. University of Michigan, MSW University of Illinois

Frankie Brown
Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
BFA The School of the Art Institute, M.A. University of Chicago

Peter Brown
Director of Facilities and Operations
B.A. University of Illinois

Barbara Burdick
Director of Human Resources
B.S. Northwestern University

Thomas Canright
Middle School Mathematics
Seventh Grade Dean
A.B., M.S. Indiana University

Matthew Casey
Middle School Science
B.S. Iowa State University

Catherine Cates
Lower School Nurse
B.S.N. at the College of St. Teresa

Daley Chan
Lower School Math Lab
B.A. Carleton College

John Choi
Upper School Science
B.S. University of Illinois at Chicago, M.S.Ed. Northwestern University

Anil Chopra
Upper School Science
B.S. Colorado School of Mines

Steven Coberly
Upper School Science
B.A. Brown University, J.D. University of Michigan Law School

Regan Coin
Senior Kindergarten
B.S. Loyola University, M.Ed. Erikson Institute

Nicole Collias
Upper School Physical Education
B.A. Kent State University

Gail Connelly
Lower School Reading Resource Coordinator
B.A. Ripon College, M.S. University of Illinois

Timothy Cronister
Director of Student Life
B.A. Haverford College, M.A. New York University

Stuart Cushman
Middle and Upper School Language Department Chair
B.A. University of Wisconsin

Anna Czajun
Upper School Dance
B.A. Northeastern Illinois University

Fiona Deeney
First Grade
BFA The School of the Art Institute, M.Ed. DePaul University

Kim Diorio
Upper School English
B.A. Sarah Lawrence College, M.A. Northwestern University

Richard Dolezal
Upper School English
B.A., M.A. DePaul University, M.Div. Theology, Catholic Theological Union, Ph.D. Loyola University

Jane Donovan
Middle School Learning Resources
B.A. Saint Mary’s College, M.A. Northeastern Illinois University

Ingrid Dorer-Fitzpatrick
Upper School History and Social Studies
B.S., M.A. Loyola University

Marsha Dragonetti
Upper School Language
B.A. Mundelein College, M.A. Northeastern Illinois University

Manju Durairaj
Lower School Music
B.S. University of Poona
M.Mus.Ed. Middlesex University, M.Mus.Ed. VanderCook College of Music

Mary Durkin
First Grade
B.A. Webster University, M.S. State University of New York at Buffalo

Terri Eaton
Senior Kindergarten
B.S. University of Pennsylvania, MAT National-Louis University

Barbara Etchingham
Middle and Upper School Librarian, Chair
B.A. University of Illinois, M.S. Rosary College

Maureen Finch
Co-Chair of the Physical Education Department
Middle and Upper School Physical Education
Eighth Grade Dean
B.S. Illinois State University

Andrew French
Middle School History
B.A. Valparaiso University, MAT National-Louis University, M.A. DePaul University

Marilyn Freund
Lower School Learning Resources
B.S., M.A. Northwestern University

Brenda Van Halsema Friedman
Lower School Art
B.A. Calvin College, M.A. University of Chicago

Mark Friedman
Upper School Language
B.A. Carleton College, MAT Indiana University

Saul David Fript
Upper School History and Social Studies
B.A. Roosevelt University, MAT University of Chicago

Lara Frohlich
Lower School Learning Resources
B.S., M.A. Northwestern University

Rose Gantenbein-Friedson
Junior Kindergarten
B.A. St. Norbert College, M.Ed. Loyola University

Jerrilyn Gifford
Middle and Upper School Librarian
B.A. Truman University, M.A. Dominican University

Robert Giosh
Upper School Language, Director of Academic Technology
B.A. Northwestern University, M.A. Middlebury College

Patti Golden
Lower School Learning Resources
B.A. University of Illinois, M.A. Northeastern Illinois University

Lourdes Gonzalez
Upper School Language
B.A., M.Ed. DePaul University

Stephen Gordon
Upper School English and History
B.A., M.A. University of Dallas

Ted Graf
Director of the Upper School
B.A. University of Vermont, MFA Brown University

Tasha Green
Executive Director High Jump
B.A. Brooklyn College, M.A. University of Illinois-Chicago

Shelley Greenwood
Vice President of Advancement
B.S. New York University, M.S. University of Wisconsin

Kirk Greer
Upper School Humanities
B.A. Kenyon College, M.A. University of Chicago

Laura Steenveld Hamilton
Middle School Performing Arts
B.S.Ed. Northern Illinois University

Russell Harris
Middle and Upper School Visual Arts
BFA, MFA Maryland Institute College of Art

Derek Haverland
Upper School Visual Arts
B.S. Northern Illinois University

Warren Hawley
Middle and Upper School Mathematics Department Chair
BSAE Chicago Technical College, M.S. Northeastern Illinois University

Susan Heglin
Director of Finance and Accounting
B.A. St. Mary’s College

Brian Hennelly
Middle School English
B.A., M.A. Middlebury College

Patricia Hicks
Upper School History
B.A. University of Denver, Ed.M. Harvard University

Jeanel Hoagland
Upper School Mathematics
B.S. Pennsylvania State University, MBA Temple University

Gregg Hoffenkamp
Middle and Upper School Language
B.A. Elmhurst College, M.A. University of Iowa

Thomas Hogan
Upper School Dean of Students, Upper School History and Social Studies
B.A. Lawrence University

Christine Holloway
Upper School Visual Arts
BFA Kansas City Art Institute, M.A. The School of the Art Institute

Mary Jo Houck
Middle School English, Co-Chair of the English Department, Sixth Grade Dean
B.A. National-Louis University, M.A. Northeastern Illinois University

Daniel Houlihan
Upper School Physical Education, Director of Fitness and Wellness
B.S. Kenyon College

Stan Izen
Upper School Mathematics
B.A. Roosevelt University, M.S. DePaul University

Bryan Jackson
Third Grade
B.S. University of Minnesota, M.A. Columbia University

Tasha Jackson-Jones
Senior Kindergarten

Anne Johnson
Third Grade
B.A. DePaul University, M.A. National-Louis University

Jane Kelly
Lower and Middle School Dance/Movement
B.S. Indiana University, MFA Mills College

Vicki Kendall
Senior Kindergarten, Co-Director Extended Day Program
B.S. Purdue University, M.Ed. National-Louis University

David Kim
Upper School Science
B.A. Washington University in St. Louis

Lori Kloehn
Middle School English
B.A. Marquette University

Judith Kritzberg
Upper School Mathematics
B.A. University of Pennsylvania, M.S. Illinois Institute of Technology

Celeste Laub-Norman
Aquatics Director
B.A. Northeastern Illinois University

Elissabeth Legendre
Middle and Upper School Language
B.A., B.S. Louisiana State University

Jonathan Legendre
Upper School Science
B.S. Lousiana State University, M.Ed. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

William Lombardo
Upper School Service Learning Program Director
Upper School English
B.A. Loyola University

James Lunsford
Middle and Upper School Vocal Music
B.A. Pomona College, M.M. Arizona State University

Frances Lyne
Middle and Upper School Language
B.A. St. Xavier College, M.A. Loyola University

Eleannor Maajid
Science Librarian
B.A., M.S. University of Illinois

Edward Mahoney
Upper School Mathematics
B.S., M.S. University of Illinois at Chicago

Eleni Margaritis
Senior Kindergarten
B.A. Bowling Green State University, MAT National-Louis University

David Marshall
Middle and Upper School English
B.A. Wake Forest University, M.A. Columbia University, MFA Bennington College

Cynthia Mazura
Affective Education & US Counselor
B.A. Earlham College, M.A. Loyola University

Pamela McCarthy
Co-Chair of the Physical Education Department
B.S. Quinnipiac University

Matthew McCutcheon
Upper School Science and Mathematics
B.A. Lawrence University, M.A. University of Maryland

Michael McPharlin
Fifth Grade Social Studies
B.A. Kenyon College

Pamela Buchanan Miller
Middle School Counselor
B.A., M.A. Michigan State University, M.A. Northeastern University

Becky Myers
Second Grade
B.A. Stanford University

Jennifer Nabers
Middle School English
B.A. Villanova University

Jackie Nees
Lower School French
B.A. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, MAT National-Louis University

Jeffrey Newmark
Fifth Grade Mathematics
B.S. Western Illinois University, M.Ed. National-Louis University

Katie O'Dea
Director of Communications
B.S. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, M.S. Northwestern University

Sally Ott
Lower School Director
B.S. University of Oregon, M.Ed. University of Washington

Theresa Pfister
Upper School History and Social Studies
B.J. University of Nebraska-Lincoln, M.A. Roosevelt University

Elizabeth Pleshette
Director of College Counseling

Stephanie Theresa Ramirez
Upper School Science
B.S. St. Louis University, M.A. Washington University

Amy Roberts
Middle School Language Arts
B.A. Bryn Mawr College, M.Div. Princeton Theological Seminary

Betty Lark Ross
Middle and Upper School Visual Arts Department Chair
B.S.Ed. Eastern Illinois University, M.A. Governors State University

Max Rouse
Middle School History and Social Studies
B.A., M.Ed. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Sarah Rouse
Middle and Upper School Library Assistant
B.A. The College of St. Scholastica, M.A. Western Michigan University

Leslie Rumney
Lower School Librarian
B.A. Monmouth College, M.Ed. National-Louis University

Kris Sabel, R.N.
Middle and Upper School Nurse
B.S.N. Marian University

Debra Sampey
Middle School Director
B.S. George Williams College, M.S. University of Wisconsin

Amanda Kubek Schirmacher
Fourth Grade
B.A. Denison University, M.A., MBA Webster University-London, UK, M.Ed. Loyola University

Geraldine Schmadeke
Upper School Science
B.S., M.S. University College Cork, Ireland

Andrew Schneider
Fourth Grade
B.A., M.A. DePaul University

Frank Schneider
Upper School Technical Theater
BFA New York University, MAT University of Illinois at Chicago

Charles Sebastian
Lower School Physical Education
B.S. Southern Illinois University, M.S. University of Illinois

Sujin Seo
Upper School English
B.A. Swarthmore College, M.A. University of Virginia

Timothy Sheehan, After School Resource Program Coordinator
Fourth Grade
B.A. DePaul University

Weixin Shi
Middle and Upper School Language
B.A. Mount Holyoke College

Carrie Smey
Third Grade
B.S. Butler University, M.Ed. National-Louis University

Elizabeth Stark
Upper School Learning Resources
B.A., M.A. Boston College

Stephanie Stephens
Middle and Upper School History and Social Studies Department Chair
B.A. Lawrence University, M.A. Wesleyan University

Lisbeth Stone
Lower School Learning Resources
B.A. Vassar College, M.A. Northwestern University, MST University of Chicago

Kasey Taylor
Lower School Language
B.A. Spelman College

Michael Teolis
Middle and Upper School Performing Arts Chair, Instrumental Music Director
B.Mus.Ed. DePaul University, M.Mus.Ed. Vander Cook College of Music

Betsy Thompson
Fifth Grade
B.A. Hamilton College

David VanderMeulen
Middle School Dean of Students, Middle and Upper School Physical Education
B.S. Bowling Green State University, M.S. Northern Illinois University

Victoria von Ammon
Lower School Librarian
Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator
B.A. Sarah Lawrence College, M.A. Northwestern University

Jeffrey Walkington
Vice President of Academic Affairs, Upper School English
B.A. DePauw University, M.A., Ph.D. University of Tennessee

Laura Wangerin
Upper School History
B.A. Ripon College, M.A. Indiana University, MLS University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Emily Warren
Upper School Math
B.A. Smith College

Robert Wellen
Middle School History and Social Studies
B.A. Haverford College

Janice Wilson
Lower School Physical Education
B.S. University of Illinois

Jeffrey Windus
Ninth Grade Dean of Students
Upper School English, Co-Department Chair
B.A. Carleton College, M.Div. Yale University

Brian Woodhouse
Lower School Science and Computer Lab
B.A., M.A. Binghamton University

Aveva Yufit
Lower School Counselor
B.A. University of Wisconsin, M.A. University of Chicago

Cory Zeller
Upper School English and History
B.A. University of Pennsylvania, M.Ed. University of Michigan

Assistant Teachers
Anne Canright
Susan Chong
Christy Cook
Melissa Corey
Alexandra Gross
Kate Hawley
Helen Kopec
Maura Kwilosz
Jesse Lewin
Marla Marshfield
Susan Medina
Julia Northover
Bukola Pedro
Lindsay Ann Simoneau

Upper School Science Lab Manager
Susan Vescovi


Administrative Offices

Head of School's Office
Donald Firke, Head of School
Tracy Franklin-Smith, Assistant to the Head of School

Academic Administration
Jeffrey Walkington, Vice President of Academic Affairs
Frankie Brown, Dean of Multicultural Affairs
Brendan O'Toole, Registrar
Robert Giosh, Director of Academic Technology

Lower School
Sally Ott, Director
Pauline Brakebill, Office Assistant
Melissa Pence, Assistant
Cheryl Vlazney, Receptionist
Aveva Yufit, Counselor
Kathleen Gruber, Counselor
Shelley Addison, Jennifer Carberry, and Vicki Kendall, Directors of Extended Day Programs

Middle School
Debra Sampey, Director
Armenta Porter, Office Assistant
David VanderMeulen, Dean of Students
Pamela Buchanan Miller, Counselor
Thomas Canright, Seventh Grade Dean of Students
Maureen Finch, Eighth Grade Dean of Students
Mary Jo Houck, Sixth Grade Dean of Students

Upper School
Ted Graf, Director
Timothy Cronister, Director of Student Life
Elizabeth Pleshette, Director of College Counseling
Sarah Brewer, Associate Director of College Counseling
Natasha Jenkins, College Counseling Assistant
Thomas Hogan, Dean of Students
Jeffrey Windus, Ninth Grade Dean of Students
Elise Brooks, Counselor
William Lombardo, Service Learning Program Director
Veronica Vela, Office Assistant
Shamina Moore, Administrative Assistant, Extended Time Testing Coordinator

Athletic Department
A. Thomas Bower, Athletic Director
Janice Wilson, LS Athletic Director
David VanderMeulen, MS Athletic Director
Celeste Laub-Norman, Aquatics Director
Liz Tortorello-Nelson, Volleyball Programs Director
Linda O'Keeffe, Assistant to the Athletic Director

Health Services
Catherine Cates, LS Nurse
Kristin Sabel, MS/US Nurse

Shelley Greenwood, Vice President of Advancement

Admissions/Financial Aid Office
Frankie Brown, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
Marcy Moreno, Associate Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
Mary Grace Bateman, Assistant Director of Admissions
Deanna de Leon, Admissions and Financial Aid Coordinator
Carol Spreitzer, Assistant Director of Admissions
Donna Underwood, Admissions Assistant

Communications Office
Katie O'Dea, Director of Communications
Melissa Jarmel, Associate Director of Communications for Public Relations
Evelyne Girardet, Associate Director of Communications for Public Relations
Trisha Flassing, Assistant Director of Communications for Web Development
Tamara Fraser, Assistant Director of Communications for Publication Design and Production

Development and Alumni Relations Office
Anne Hobbs, Senior Development Officer
Abigail Humphrey, Assistant Director of Development for Alumni Relations
Carrie Scott, Assistant Director of Development for Parent Programs
Kirsten Trainer Mallik, Assistant Director of Development for Annual Giving
LaNardia Pollard, Database Management and Gift Accounting
Lynne Wellen, Live & Learn Coordinator
Teresa Sutter, Research and Alumni Coordinator

Special Programs Office
Catherine Curry, Director of Summer at Latin
Melissa Rice, Assistant Director of Summer at Latin
Tasha Green, Executive Director of High Jump
Janie Wu, High Jump Program Director
Stephanie Mayer, High Jump Development Director
Cara Bucciarelli, Recruitment and Alumni Officer

Tom Alexander, Vice President of Finance and Operations

Business Office
Susan Heglin, Director of Finance and Accounting
Donna Klemz, Senior Accountant
Jovita Monarrez, Accounting Clerk


Human Resources
Barbara Burdick, Director of Human Resources
Sylvia Jumawan, Human Resources Assistant

Peter Brown, Director of Facilities and Operations
Kevin Bohlig, Director of Maintenance
Christine Eustice, Director of Information Systems
Shandor Simon, Director of Network Services
Noel Craig, Evening Facilities Manager
Rich Mohr, Facilities Assistant
Trisha Flassing, Webmaster
Marko Hrstich, LS Computer Technician
Phillip Yogore, Support Specialist
Jeff Olthouse, Network Administrator
Michael Gillett, System Administrator
Kathleen Rosas, Mail/Copy Center Supervisor
Byron Henderson, Mail/Copy Center Assistant
Robbie Conley, Food Service General Manager
Doris Raggs, US Food Service Supervisor
Roosevelt Vaughns, M/US Food Service Supervisor and Traffic Management
Linda Foster, US Day Receptionist
Liqui Scruggs, MS Day Receptionist
Donna Underwood, US Evening Receptionist
Jessica Sanchez, MS Evening Receptionist
Frank Calderon, Security
Roy Fondren, Security
Tomella Griffin, Security
Joe Riley, Security
Tyrone Tate, Security
Ryan Anderson, Traffic Management
James Davenport, Traffic Management
Eric Ramsey, Traffic Management and Security
Stephen Wilcox, Traffic Management
Jeremiah York, Traffic Management
Isidro Cabral, Custodial Manager
Greg Czernecki, Assistant Director of Maintenance
Rafael Aldama, Maintenance
Harold Krug, Maintenance
Hamdi Hachim, Maintenance
Luis Martinez, Maintenance
John McHugh, Maintenance
Larry Beets, Custodian
Alejandro Delgado, Custodian
Victor Farfan, Custodian
Jesus Flores, Custodian
Gonzalo Hernandez, Custodian
Sophan Mok, Custodian
Enrique Naranjo, Custodian
Enrique Ramirez, Custodian
Gentil Salcedo, Custodian
Domingo Salgado, Custodian
Itiel Solano, Custodian
Joel Ramos, Custodian