District 181 Welcomes New Staff Members for 2012-13

New Administrators (alphabetical by last name)

 Christine Cagney (Principal, Walker School) has a B.S. in Business Administration from Fordham University, as well as an M.A. in Teaching in Special Education and an M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision, both from National Louis University. Ms. Cagney was an Assistant Principal at Hunting Ridge Elementary School in Palatine Community Consolidated School District 15 for two years and was a special education teacher in Woodridge School District 68 for four years.

Deborah Doyle (Pupil Services Administrator) has 16 years of experience in schools. Ms. Doyle worked for eight years in Naperville Community Unit School District 203 as an Assistant Director for Pupil Services and as an Assistant Principal, one year in Birmingham Schools as a Special Education Department Chair, two years in Clarkston Community Schools as a Supervisor of Student Support Services and a middle school special education teacher, one year as a special education teacher in Downers Grove, and four years as a special education teacher in Lockport. She earned a B.S. in Special Education from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh and an M.A. from Governors State University.

Gary Frisch, CPA (Assistant Superintendent for Business) comes to District 181 with 25 years of experience in school business management, including 19 years as the chief school business official. Mr. Frisch most recently worked at Barrington Community Unit School District 220 and in Glenbard Township High School District 87. He serves as an adjunct professor at Aurora University and Concordia University, teaching graduate courses in school finance and school ethics. Mr. Frisch earned his B.S. in Business Administration from Illinois State University – Normal and his M.S. in School Business Management from Northern Illinois University – DeKalb. Mr. Frisch has a Type 75 certificate and Chief School Business Official endorsement.

Casey Godfrey (Principal, The Lane) had been principal of Fairmount Elementary School in Francis Howell School District in Missouri for the past three years. Prior to that, Mr. Godfrey worked in the Lincoln County R-III School District in Missouri, where he was a teacher and later a principal of Hawk Point Elementary. He began his career in education as a 4th and 5th grade teacher at William Cappel Elementary. He has an M.Ed. from Lindenwood University in Missouri, in addition to a B.S. in Elementary Education from Murray State University in Kentucky.

Bridget McGuiggan, APR (Director of Communications) served as the Community Relations Coordinator at Orland School District 135 for six years before joining District 181 in July. Prior to working in Orland 135, she was the Coordinator of Marketing and Public Relations at Queen of Peace High School, her alma mater. Her B.S. is in Mass Communications and Marketing, earned from Saint Joseph’s College in Indiana. Additionally, she has earned Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) and is Past President of the Illinois Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association.

Dr. Kurt Schneider (Assistant Superintendent for Learning (Pupil Services)) comes to District 181 from Wisconsin, where he had been the Co-Administrator of Teaching and Learning, Director of Student Services, for the Stoughton Area School District for the past eight years. Dr. Schneider began his career as a high school special education teacher at Madison East High School. He has served as an adjunct university instructor for graduate and undergraduate courses in the Departments of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis and Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and also at Edgewood College in Madison. He earned a doctorate in educational administration, a master’s degree in special education and a bachelor’s degree in special education, all from the University of Wisconsin - Madison.

New Teachers, Interventionists, Therapists (Alpha by Last)

 Kristi Awtry (Resource, HMS (.5FTE)) returns to District 181 this year after serving as a long-term substitute. Her experience includes work at Elm, Oak, and HMS, in addition to four years of experience in the Oklahoma area with Pre-K, 1st grade, and 7th and 8th grade students. She has a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Central Oklahoma and has completed coursework in the special education field and earned a Learning Behavior Specialist I endorsement.

Karen Berman (ECE, Sp. Ed., Oak) is no stranger to Early Childhood Education, with experience in Early Childhood programs in both Waukegan and Palos Heights schools. She has a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Special Education, both from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Ms. Berman has also earned a Learning Behavior Specialist I endorsement.

Kathryn Cox (Science / Language Arts, Grade 6, CHMS) holds a B.A. in Elementary Education with a minor in Biology from Elmhurst College, where she graduated with Highest Honors and was a member of the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society. Ms. Cox has seven years of experience in schools, including one year with Keeneyville Elementary School District 20 in Roselle and six years with District 181 at both CHMS and HMS.

Jessica Czerniuk (P.E., Madison (.94FTE)) will bring experience in Physical Education from two previous districts when she comes to Madison. Ms. Czerniuk was a P.E. teacher in South Holland School District 151 and Maercker School District 60. She has a B.A. in Kinesiology and Physical Education from Northern Illinois University and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Olivet Nazarene University.

Jennifer Duffy (Assistive Technology, District-wide (.5FTE)) will spend time in all District 181 schools through her role in Assistive Technology. She earned a B.A. in Special Education from Northern Illinois University and has completed coursework related to brain-based learning and technology for students with disabilities. Ms. Duffy previously worked for the Kendall County Special Education Cooperative and in Indian Prairie School District 204, serving students in Aurora and Naperville. Ms. Duffy is currently a Literacy Consultant for Gretchen Courtney & Associates, Ltd.

Erin Eder (School Psychologist, District-wide) holds a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and an Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology from National-Louis University. Her previous work experience includes three years as a school psychologist with the Southern Will County Cooperative for Special Education.

Jean Fitzgerald (Art / Computer Graphics / MS Skills, CHMS (.5FTE)) is a winner of the 2011 Hillbrunner Artists Book Fellowship through the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she earned an M.A. in teaching. Ms. Fitzgerald also holds a B.F.A. in Painting from the University of Michigan.

Laura Ghera (Music, Monroe) comes to District 181 with experience as a chorus and general music teacher, with time spent in Butler School District 53, Geneva Community Unit School District 304, and Lisle Community School District 202. She also taught e-Learning for District 53. Mrs. Ghera earned a B.A. in Vocal Performance and Hispanic Studies from Illinois Wesleyan University and an M.M.Ed. from the VanderCook College of Music.

Karen C. Johnson (Balanced Literacy Coach, District-wide) will work with students at all grade levels through her role as a Balanced Literacy coach. With a B.A. from Northeastern Illinois University, an M.A. in Reading from National Louis University, a Learning Behavior Specialist endorsement, and training in Reading Recovery, Ms. Johnson is ready to succeed in District 181. Her experience includes work in Naperville Community Unit School District 203 and Plainfield Community Consolidated District 202, where she earned an award from the Coordination of Administration and Parents Groups for Educational Efficiency.

Dr. Kathy Kula (School Psychologist, District-wide) holds a B.S. in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an M.A.T. in Elementary Education from Dominican University, as well as an M.Ed. in School Psychology and a Ph.D. in School Psychology, both from Loyola University Chicago. Dr. Kula’s previous work experience includes an internship with Park Ridge-Niles School District 64, a specialty practicum at Edwin G. Foreman High School, and a practicum at Morton West High School. She also taught 6th and 7th grade math, science, and social studies at the Chicago International Charter School in Washington Park.

Justine Legner (3rd Grade, Prospect) taught math and reading at District 181’s The Lane and holds a B.A. in K-9 Elementary Education from North Central College.

Cherise Madden (Resource, Elm (.5FTE)) earned a B.A. in Elementary Education from Elmhurst College and an M.A. Reading Specialist degree from National Louis University. Ms. Madden also holds a Certificate of Advanced Instruction in Special Education. Her background includes teaching 1st grade in Melrose Park, 2nd and 3rd grade in Elmwood Park, and kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade for St. Giles School in Oak Park.

Juliette Nardulli (Resource, Oak) is currently working toward an M.A. Reading Specialist degree from Concordia University. Mrs. Nardulli earned a B.A. in Elementary Education from Benedictine University and holds a Learning Behavior Specialist endorsement from Roosevelt University. Mrs. Nardulli’s experience includes teaching 1st grade and kindergarden at Kingswood Academy in Darien. She also taught 4th grade at Noonan Academy in Mokena. Mrs. Nardulli served as an instructional aid at Oak and as a long-term substitute in Monroe and Madison Schools in District 181 in the 2011-12 school year.

Meg Neubauer (Social Worker, Madison) earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work from Loyola University, where she also earned a B.A. in Sociology. Ms. Neubauer holds a Type 73 certificate, as well. She has been an Early Childhood Social Worker in McHenry School District 15 and in the LaGrange Area Department of Special Education (LADSE).

Margo Rodenbostel (Social Studies, CHMS (.33FTE)) worked in District 181 for three years before returning now as a 6th grade social studies teacher at CHMS. She has a B.A. in International Relations from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and an M.A. in Education from DePaul University.

Ele Santini (Social Worker, CHMS) has a B.A. and an M.A. in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago, in addition to a Type 73 certificate. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Accredited Case Manager, as well. Ms. Santini served as a social worker for 11 years in a medical setting and also interned as a social worker at HMS.

Chris Taylor (Intermediate (3-5), Monroe) has an M.A. in Teaching with Certification from Aurora University and earned a Learning Behavior Specialist I endorsement. Mr. Taylor worked for two years in Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 as a 5th grade teacher. He also taught 5th grade in Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202.

Lindsay Wagner (4th Grade, Oak) comes to District 181 from the Colorado area, where she taught 4th and 5th grade literacy. She also served as a long-term substitute for 4th grade at Oak in District 181 and also in 1st and 4th grades in Western Springs District 101. Her previous work experience also includes seven years in advertising. Mrs. Wagner earned a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of Iowa and has completed graduate work towards an elementary license and an elementary literacy leadership endorsement at the University of Colorado at Denver.

Patricia Ward (SLP for ECE, Oak) has an M.S. in Speech-Pathology from Marquette University and is certified in Neurodevelopmental Treatment. She is presently studying for Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification in Applied Behavioral Analysis at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Ms. Ward previously worked for LaRabida Children’s Hospital, Children’s Memorial Hospital, and a private practice in Orland Park, in addition to time in Naperville Community Unit School District 203. As a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Ms. Ward was presented with the Award for Continuing Education in recognition of continued professional study.

Aleisa Woodward (1st Grade, Oak) worked in Georgia’s Whitfield County School System and then in Pleasantdale School District 107 in Burr Ridge, both for four years as a kindergarten teacher. Ms. Woodward most recently taught kindergarten and 2nd grade for one year each at The Lane. She has a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from the University of West Georgia.

Polly Yukevich (Orchestra, District-wide) can tell her new District 181 students about an exciting project she completed with a previous district, in which she implemented a $7,000 ukulele grant and worked with world-renowned ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro. Ms. Yukevich also led her students in a performance at the 2012 Illinois Music Educators Conference. Her previous districts include Glenview Public School District 34 and Community Unit School District 300. Ms. Yukevich holds a B.M.Ed. from the VanderCook College of Music and an M.M.Ed. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Previously Employed (Moving to Full-Time OR New Positions)

The following individuals were previously employed in District 181 and have moved positions for the 2012-2013 school year and/or moved from part-time to full-time: Doug Eccarius, Jamie Guerin, Ehren Hill, Meghan Kappmeyer, Justine Legner, Eileen Logan, Joan Rickert, and Kevin Russell.