Andrew Schroeder
I was born in St. Louis, MO and graduated from Orion High School in 1985. I attended Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska and graduated in 1990, with my Bachelor's of Science degree in education (math and health/safety). I received my Master's of Science in education degree (Curriculum and Instruction) from Central Missouri State University, in Warrensburg, MO. This year will be my 20th year (6th year at Lakes) of teaching high school and have taught Geometry, Geometry Honors, Fundamentals of Geometry, Algebra 1, Algebra 1A, Algebra 2, Algebra 2 Honors at Lakes and Probability and Statistics, and Trigonometry at another school. I live in Wisconsin with my wife, four children, two dogs, and one crayfish. In addition to teaching I am the Head boys Cross Country Coach and Assistant boys Track Coach.
Brian Phelan
Born and raised in Joliet, Illinois and graduated from Joliet West High School where I also became a member of NHS. I attended Joliet Junior College and then went on to attend and graduate from North Central College where I also played football for three years. I earned a degree in Mathematics with a minor in Secondary Education. My first six years of teaching, I've taught mathematics at Minooka Community High School, Lemont High School, and McHenry. For the past five year, I taught Algebra and Geometry at Lakes Community High School. Along this journey, I've coach boys and girls basketball and football. I've been a class sponsor and I'm currently the head boys basketball and math team coach. Lastly, I have a master’s from St. Xavier in Illinois for Teaching and Leadership. Go Bulls.
Scott Leverentz
I grew up in Arlington Heights, IL and attended John Hersey High School. I spent 2 years at Marquette University pursuing a biomedical engineering degree before changing plans. I transferred to the University of Illinois and graduated with honors while earning a Bachelors of Science degree in mathematics. This is my third year at Lakes Community, and I'm currently teaching Geometry Fundamentals, Pre-calculus, and AP Calculus AB. I'm one of the current math team coaches at LCHS and an avid Blackhawks fan.
Jenny Jaworek
I was raised in Winthrop Harbor, IL and graduated with honors from Zion Benton Township High School. Then I attended Minnesota State University, Mankato and received a Bachelor's of Science degree in mathematics. During the past four years at LCHS I have taught AP Statistics, Probability and Statistics, Algebra 2 and Algebra 1 Honors. In addition to teaching I am also an assistant bowling and softball coach. Go Cubs!
Kelly Kelleher
I graduated from Barrington High School in 3 years. I went to Indiana University where I got my BA in Economics. I went to work for a large brokerage firm in downtown Chicago. I spent 3 years there, then transferred to New York where I worked on the floor of the New York Mercantile Exchange. We moved back to the Chicago area and I retired from the brokerage industry in 1994. I went back to school and got a masters' degree in Special Education from National -Louis University. This is my 10th year teaching Math in District 117.
Justin Cooper
I was raised in Elk Grove Village and graduated from Conant High School. I attended Carthage College where I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics. This is my first year teaching at LCHS. I have 2 wonderful sections on Algebra I students and 3 lovely sections of Geometry students to work with this year. Go Cubs and Go Bulls, bring back Michael Jordan!!!!
Jori Bowen
I grew up in Arlington Heights, IL, and earned my Bachelor’s of Science from Miami University with degrees in Secondary Education and Mathematics. I have two Master's Degrees -- an Master’s of Arts from the University of Illinois at Springfield in Teacher Leadership and a Master’s of Education from Olivet Nazarene University in Administration. I have taught mathematics in Texas, Washington State, and New Mexico. I am currently the Math Chair at LCHS and am starting my eighth year in District 117. I have two children that are already looking forward to being in the LCHS classes of 2018 and 2024!
Jill Farrell
I was raised in Bellevue, IA and graduated from Marquette High School. I then attended Clarke College in Dubuque, IA and graduated with honors with a major in mathematics and education and a minor in music. I taught in Dubuque, IA for 3 years before I married my husband and moved to Chicago, IL. In Chicago, I taught for 5 years and earned my first master's degree in Mathematics from NEIU. Then I moved to Lake Villa, and I have taught in the district ever since. Last year I completed my masters program for my Administrative Degree. In addition to going to school, I enjoy spending my time with my children, reading or making puzzles.
Susan Arendas
I was born and raised in Hammond, IN, and since have lived in three states and seven different cities. I married and raised four children before going back to school to earn my Bachelor of Arts in Math and Computer Science. Three of my children graduated from Antioch High School and one from Lakes. I am scheduled to complete my Master's in Curriculum and Instruction this summer. I plan to further my education by pursuing a Master's degree in Applied Math beginning fall 2010.
Brittany Wiegel
I went to Antioch High School and attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater after high school. I graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor's of Science in Mathematics Education. I taught at Grant High School for one year and this is my second year at Lakes. In addition to teaching, I coach cheerleading and enjoy working out and wakeboarding in my free time.
Vikki Ecker
My name is Mrs. Ecker. I was born on April 15th and grew up in Deerfield with my two brothers and parents. I went to Deerfield High School and continued on to the University of Illinois where I received a Bachelors degree in Architecture. Once I received my degree I worked for an architecture firm designing residential houses and condos in the Chicago land area and continued with my education at DePaul University where I received a Master’s in Secondary Education. In the past 5 years I have been at LCHS, I have taught Algebra 1A, Algebra 1B, Honors Algebra, Geometry, Honors Geometry and Algebra 2. In addition to teaching at LCHS, I am the Varsity Field Hockey Coach and on the Student Achievement Committee.
In my free time I read books, travel, play softball and field hockey, watch football and of course cheer for my fellow ILLINI! I'm also a Chicago White Sox and Bears fan!! My favorite TV shows are Deadliest Catch and CSI and my favorite movie of all times, is Top Gun with Tom Cruise. I love kids and spending time with my friends and family. Most of all, I think teaching is one of the most rewarding professions ever and that’s why I’m here: to teach YOU!!
Camelia Ivan
I was born and raised in Transylvania, Romania. That’s right, it really exists! During 1968 my parents and I moved to the capital of Romania, Bucharest, where I graduated from Mathematics & Physics High School. Later, I attended the University of Bucharest and received Bachelor’s of Science degrees in mathematics and mechanical engineering. After teaching math for a few years in Romania I married my high school sweetheart, had twin daughters, and lived through the revolutionary times of 1989. The Revolution of 1989 greatly altered the balance of power in the world and marked the end of the Cold War. My family moved to the United States three years after the subsequent events of 1989. Here I attended National-Louis University, IL and received a Master’s Degree in Education in 2003. During the past three years at LCHS I have taught AP Calculus AB and BC, Algebra I, Algebra II, and Algebra II Honors. This past summer I joined the thousands of dog-loving-Americans and now have my very own Siberian Husky puppy.
Carolyn Barry
I am an honors graduate of Antioch Community High School. After high school I attended Augustana College and obtained a Bachelor's of Arts Degree in Accounting and enjoyed a semester abroad in Europe. I went on to earn my CPA and Master of Science and Tax Degree (DePaul University) and worked for several years at Deloitte and Touche in Chicago in their tax department, consulting with and preparing the tax returns for many of Chicago's largest corporations. One of my clients was so well off that she had used a check for $1,000,000 as a book marker and had to be reminded 6 months later to deposit the check. While working at Deloitte & Touche, I began volunteering with the Junior Achievement Program. I quickly saw the reward and fulfillment of working with our youth and I realized that I was born to teach. I went back to school and obtained my Masters of Arts in Mathematics Education. I then proudly took the job at ACHS where I coached tennis for 8 years. I have also coached the math team, organized the annual math fair, served as a representative on the Board of Directors, been a faculty advisor for NHS, and was on the Advisory Planning Committee. Two years ago I got married and this summer we got two new cockapoo puppies named Mocha and Payton.
Melissa Cross
I grew up in Hoffman Estates, IL and earned my Bachelor’s Social Work from Winona State University. I continued my education at National Louis University where I earned my Master’s of Arts Teaching Special Education. I have worked in District 117 for the past six years. Along with teaching, I am also the Sophomore Class Sponsor and the Varsity Girls Bowling Coach. As for sports, I am a huge Chicago Fan ~ Cubs, Bears and Blackhawks. I enjoy reading and taking my St. Bernard Wrigley on walks. |
