LTHS welcomes new faculty, administrators

La Grange IL

17 August, 2021

11:24 AM

Description

Fourteen teachers, two administrators and two directors will join Lyons Township High School for the 2021-22 school year. Recently, teachers new to LT embarked on an intense week-long Induction and Mentoring Program that launched a comprehensive, four-year path of continuous professional growth and development. At the root of this program is the belief that learning is a life-long process. The program is designed to prepare new teachers for and become acclimated to LTHS. New teachers met with the superintendent, principal, director of student activities, their division chair and a variety of other administrators. New teachers were also paired with a mentor, a veteran teacher in his/her department, who assists throughout the year with everything from logistics to curriculum. New teachers heard presentations on Professional Learning Communities, LT's evaluation model, technology training, discipline, assessment, curricular integration, etc. Please welcome the following new faculty to LT for the 2021-2022 school year: Bryan Aloisio: Physical Education Master of Arts, 2017 -Michigan State University Bachelor of Science, 2009 -Michigan State University Candace Jackson Fauth: Science Master of Education, 2017 -Northeastern Illinois University Master of Science, 2010 -University of Illinois at Chicago Bachelor of Arts, 2006 -University of Illinois at Chicago Brielle Hawrysz: Science Master of Science, 2009 -Purdue University Bachelor of Science, 2005 -St. Xavier University Luke Jansen: Social Studies Bachelor of Arts, 2018 -University of Iowa Allison Laskowski (Madonia): Social Studies Master of Arts, 2020 -University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Master of Arts, 2019 -Pace University Bachelor of Science, 2015 -National Louis University Britt Lindahl: Math/Science Master of Arts, 2018 -Aurora University Bachelor of Science, 2013 -University of Illinois Brendan McCormack: Business Education Bachelor of Arts, 2015 -Illinois North Central College Brittany Milovanovic: Art Bachelor of Arts, 2009 -DePaul University Edward Petrak: Special Education Bachelor of Science, 2020 -University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Natalie Petrevski: Science Master of Education, 2018 -University of Illinois Bachelor of Arts, 2014 -University of Illinois Bianca Spalla: Mathematics Bachelor of Science, 2020 -Northern University Brooke Spencer: Student Services Master of Arts, 2020 -Lewis University Bachelor of Arts,2013 -Aurora University Victoria Steinbrunner: Science Bachelor of Science, 2017 -Northern Michigan University Kylie Tunk: Social Studies Bachelor of Science, 2019 -Illinois State University In addition to new teachers, two new administrators will join LT, as well as two directors – one new to LT and the other transitioning into a new role. ADMINISTRATORS Division Chair for Counseling and Student Support Services Drew Eder Drew Eder will begin in his new role on August 17, 2021. Eder began his career in counseling in 2005 as an admissions counselor at Lewis University. Two years later, he joined Loyola Academy as a guidance counselor then as a college counselor. In 2010, he transitioned to Highland Park High School where he served as a school counselor for eight years. Most recently, he served as the director of guidance at Victor J. Andrew High School for the past two years. Eder received a bachelor's degree in Communications and master's degree in Counseling & Family Therapy from Saint Louis University. Eder earned a second master's degree in School Counseling and an Educational Leadership certification from Lewis University South Campus Associate Principal Greg Gardner Greg Gardner began his role as South Campus Associate Principal on July 1, 2021. He began teaching Art at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School, then became the Art Department chair at Mother McAuley. He served as Fine Arts Department chair and director of Student Activities at Hinsdale Township High School for five year and then as an assistant principal at Carl Sandburg High School for seven years. Gardner received a bachelor's degree in Art Education from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, followed by a master's degree in Education Administration also from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. DIRECTORS Director of Equity and Belonging Dr. Jennifer Rowe Dr. Rowe began her career in education in 2005 as an English teacher at Waubonsie Valley High School. In 2009, she served as a dean of students at Metea Valley High School for 10 years, and for the past two years, served as executive director of Educational Equity at Indian Prairie School District 204. She received a bachelor's degree in English from University of Ohio and earned a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a doctoral degree in Education from Loyola University, Chicago. Director of Student Services Leslie Owens Owens has been with District 204 for 15 years. Last school year, she served as the division chair for Student Services, and prior to that, she was the Special Education assistant division chair for three years. As a Special Education program coordinator for eight years, she worked closely with students and families and served on the department leadership team, helping improve the efficiency of the department and implement professional learning for Special Education teams. She also worked as a school psychologist at both the LaGrange Area Department of Special Education and Utica Community Schools. Owens received a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan, a Specialist Degree in School Psychology from the University of Detroit-Mercy, and a master's degree in School Leadership from Concordia University-Chicago. She is currently working toward a Doctor of Philosophy, Educational Leadership with Superintendent's Endorsement also at Concordia University- Chicago. She will defend her dissertation, entitled Superintendents' Understanding and Application of Evidence-Based Funding Principles into District and School Budget Decisions, this fall.