We had the opportunity to catch up with Connie Michiels, who serves West Chicago 33 as the Building Secretary for Turner Elementary School.  Prior to becoming the secretary, Connie was involved as a parent as far back as 1995 and as the years progressed, her 3 children attended Turner full-time.  In 2004 Connie became the Clerical Aide and PTO Co-President for 4 years.  And then, these last 8 years, she has served as Building Secretary.  This means that Connie has been working in D33 for the last 20 years!

Connie recalls the experiences that her own children had as students at Turner.  Her daughter, who is her youngest, experienced some reading challenges.  And it was Miss Dodson who really helped her learn and grow into a strong reader.  She soon became an honor roll student in the West Chicago Schools and graduated from Drake University with a degree in Environmental Sustainability and a Minor in Sociology.  She is currently working in the Palatine schools.  Connie’s middle son was a quiet kid and played baseball for West Chicago.  He moved on to the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point and received his degree in Natural Resources.  He is now the Supervisor of Parks & Recreation for Breckenridge, Colorado.  Her oldest son, who attended Turner throughout his elementary years, also graduated from West Chicago High School.  He, too, struggled in math and reading, but with the guidance and support of his teachers, he ended up becoming an honor roll student in high school.  He graduated from Ole Miss in Parks & Recreation and currently serves as the Manager for Snowmass Village in Snowmass, Colorado, which is near Aspen, Colorado.

On the lighter note of being the secretary, while her own children attended school, Connie recalls a time when her daughter was being mischievous and decided to “sign” the parental approval for her home reading log.  The form was turned into the office and Connie was able to verify that the signature was indeed NOT her signature.  And her daughter was not successful in her endeavor to get credit for the reading log.  Connie laughs when recalling, “They thought they could get away with things because their mother worked here.”  But sincerely, Connie is thankful for her children’s experiences in the West Chicago Schools.  She shares that her adult children also are thankful for the diversity of their experiences growing up that helped them later in their adult lives.  And now she wants to continue that tradition of helping all the Turner families receive the highest level of support and education for their own children.

When asked to describe how the district has changed since her own children were students here, Connie recalls, “My oldest had 32 students in his kindergarten class. Back then, we had many parents who came in to help out as unpaid volunteers.  You would see many parents in our building helping out teachers in their classrooms as volunteers.  We have much smaller class sizes now.”

When asked about her start at Turner and who her greatest mentor was, Connie shared, “My greatest mentor was former Turner Principal John Rodriguez. He was always a very good listener and always wanted to help me and others be the best we could be either at work or in life situations. One conversation that I think of often is when I was contemplating if I should take the position as Secretary or not. John said, ‘Just remember you have a great support team that wants to see you thrive’ and also remember there is no stupid question; you are asking questions because you care and want to learn.’  To this day, I use those statements with my colleagues and with my own children.”  Connie further explained that her list of people who have supported her is big.  She credits her current co-workers for providing the support she needs by saying, “If it wasn’t for my coworkers, I couldn't have done this job alone.”

Connie chose to stay at D33 because she found inspiration in a very hard-working and caring community. She explains that she has met many wonderful people who take pride in Turner School in so many ways, whether they attended Turner and now their kids go here or they work here. Connie remains a proud West Chicago resident.

In reflecting on why Turner has a special place in her heart, Connie shared, “It's so warming & comfortable - everybody is very supportive of each other.  They provide guidance on how to get to where we want to be as a community.  For example, I was able to watch this fall while we experienced difficult situations with student behavior.  Everyone was very supportive of each other asking how they could help each other out.  Everybody knows their roles here.  We know what our jobs are, but we are willing to help each other out when needed.”

When asked if someone was looking to come work for D33, what would you tell them?  Connie shared, “I would highly recommend it because everyone is very friendly and helpful. D33 offers so many different job opportunities and is willing and wants their employees to better themselves in their careers.  As for myself, coming in as a parent and now a longtime employee, I have always felt welcomed. And if a problem arises, I was listened to, and it was taken care of in a timely manner.”

The advice that Connie would give to new employees is as follows, “As I think about anyone that is new to either our district or their position, please be patient and always ask questions of your grade level team and your school secretary. I know the first couple of years can be challenging, but remember that no one wants to see you fail, and we all started out new at one point and needed help as well.”

Connie then closed out the interview with these parting thoughts for the children of our school community, “Thinking of our students in the near and far future, I would like every student to know to work hard for their dreams and NEVER GIVE UP. I also want them to know it might seem that your teachers are tough at times but that they have your best interest in them and want you to succeed.”

These are great words of inspiration from someone who has devoted over 20 years to supporting our staff and community.  And these are the reasons Connie Michiels is someone you should know.

When Alma Garcia arrived in the U.S.A., she was just six years old.  Her father had moved here from Mexico and lived with a brother-in-law for a year before bringing his family to join him. When it came time to register Alma for school, her mother made preparations to take her to Gary School to complete registration.  Her mother was also new to the country and did not know how to drive, nor did she have her driver’s license.  So Alma, her older sister, and her mother walked across town from the Timberlake apartments to Gary School to get her registered.  With her mother’s hand guiding her through this new community, it was the first of many journeys that Alma would make as she navigated the American school system as a young child.  And the rest, as we say, “is history.” As we all know, because of Alma’s many gifts and the support from her family and teachers, she would soon become one of the key team members, helping the Superintendent and School Board to lead our school district forward into the future.

Throughout her K-12 education, Alma attended Gary, Turner, Indian Knoll, Lincoln, and West Chicago Middle School.  She also graduated from West Chicago High School.  Alma recalls attending many elementary schools because not all had bilingual programs, and grade levels were often combined to create a multi-grade bilingual classroom.  She was often just one of a few students who followed similar life journeys, and these students were shuffled around to create learning communities that could better serve their transition.  She now has three children attending West Chicago schools: her youngest daughter is in PreK, and her two sons attend Leman and West Chicago High School.

Before Alma began her career in D33, she was an active member of the Gary School PTO. She worked as an office manager at a doctor’s office that served as a general family practice office.  She eventually resigned from her position to spend more time with her children, which led to her joining the Gary PTO.  And naturally, because she spent so much time at Gary for PTO work, she thought she might as well get a job there! She was recruited by her principal as an attendance aide.  Her journey in D33 saw her work in the Health Office as Secretary for Currier Elementary School and then she moved into the Superintendent's Office as the Executive Secretary.

It is important to note one of the challenges that Alma faced while she supported our school district in so many ways.  This story began just before the 2016 presidential election when she started the process to renew her DACA status in order to remain working in the U.S.  Having been born in Mexico City and then moving to the U.S. while a child, she was very familiar with the process.  However, renewal applications for DACA individuals (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status were taking much much longer under the new federal administration.  During this difficult time, the federal administration remained a roadblock for Alma.  If her DACA permit expired, then the district could not legally employ her.  Essentially, she would lose her job.  A process that typically would take a few months, she planned ahead and applied six months prior to the expiration date.  However, the renewal process was purposefully delayed much longer under the new administration.  Many believe the purpose of delaying DACA renewals was motivated by political reasons.  Unfortunately, this caused Alma to be required to stop working while waiting for the renewal.  Alma has been working with an attorney to get the renewal processed for over six weeks.  We are fortunate that Alma was persistent in this endeavor and remained committed to West Chicago through this tough time.  We know she could have gone on to work for several companies that were offering new opportunities, but she decided to stay here and serve our students, staff, and families.

Looking back at the people in her life who have helped mentor her along this journey, Alma shared, “My greatest support has been my parents. My dad always believed in me more than I believed in myself. My greatest mentors are Kristina Davis and Mark Truckenbrod. Ever since I was a parent in the district, I have seen Kristina as an empowered woman who stood out anywhere she went. It gave me confidence. Mark and I started on the same day at Currier, and although we were both new, he was always there to guide me. There is a huge difference between a leader and a boss. He led me through difficult learning situations and has always encouraged me to continue to grow.”

When asked why she decided to remain in D33, Alma shared, “I chose D33 because it was home. We moved away from West Chicago when I was in 4th grade, but then moved back in 6th grade. I attended Gary, Turner, Lincoln, Indian Knoll, and the middle school here. Being part of the district where I learned so much, I am determined to help my community in every way possible.”  When asked if she would recommend others to come and work in West Chicago ESD 33, she enthusiastically stated, “Yes! I believe that D33 has given me the opportunity to grow. I feel the district is moving in the right direction to help staff continue with their education.”

Our next question was, what advice would you give our new and veteran employees?  Alma shared, “Smile, even on your not-so-good days.  There will be times when you feel overwhelmed, but just know that too shall pass. When you smile, the day just gets a little better, and you never know who might really benefit from your smile.”  We couldn’t agree more!  Alma’s infectious smile and upbeat attitude are appreciated by all who have the privilege of working with and alongside her!

Alma further reflected on our school district by sharing, “One of the main reasons why I really wanted my children to attend D33 was due to the Dual Language program.  My dream for our students is for the majority, if not all, to be bilingual! They will benefit from being bilingual in so many ways.” She further explained, “And on a personal note, I could not be more proud of my own children who are successful students here in West Chicago.  And I’m excited for my oldest son, who graduated from West Chicago Community High School D94  with the Seal of Biliteracy and is attending college to study engineering.  He will be the first member of my family to pursue a 4-year college degree! This was all possible because of the many amazing teachers and support staff in the West Chicago school system.  And I am equally proud to be a part of this team because we look for success in all of our children.”

And because we could not have said it any better, we present to you Alma Garcia, someone you should know!

It was on an extremely chilly day when we could host an early morning [virtual] meeting with Someone You Should Know.  Even though school buildings were closed due to the dangerous temps outside, it certainly did not diminish the warmth we felt from our colleague as we experienced her kind and genuine demeanor through the glow of the computer screen.  Michelle Lewis currently holds the dual language kindergarten teacher position at Gary Elementary School.  She is in her 16th year in D33 and has been at Gary the entire time.  She started as a second-grade teacher, and after three years, she moved to kindergarten.  In sharing with us about her decision to move to kindergarten, Michelle recalls, “I was on maternity leave, and I came to the school to show my colleagues my newborn baby.  The current kinder teacher had just left, and they asked me to fill that position.  I really thought I would never want to move from 2nd grade.  And now, after having taught kindergarten, you could not move me away from that grade level.  It is just the joy of that age.  There’s nothing like a 5-year-old.  The younger they are, the more unfiltered they are.  Everything is wonderful because they are curious and want to know everything.”  

This story represents who Michelle Lewis is as a teacher and staff member - she is a dedicated professional who embraces change in a manner that welcomes the challenge and then celebrates her growing into that new challenge.  She finds the positives in all she does while caring deeply about her students.  And what a great change this was for the many kindergarten students who are lucky enough to call her Maestra!

Having only served D33 at Gary, we were curious about whom Michelle sought out for mentorship and guidance.  With a smile, Michelle shared, “I’ve been fortunate to work with many people who have supported and mentored me throughout my years here. Letty Valdivia was my first mentor and supporter here, and she inspires me daily.”  Michelle further explained by asking,  “You know how they say the ‘little things can be the biggest things?’ When I met Letty and observed her, her classroom management was incredible.  I copied everything she did!  She is firm but so caring. Because of her amazing classroom management, she can try new things with her students.  She tries anything new but is patient, kind, and open.  She is so humble.  She doesn’t realize how great she is - I see her and am still inspired by her daily!  Pat Chamberlain and Adriana Medina have been instrumental in inspiring growth in me as well. It’s difficult to name only a few people because so many help you grow along the way.”

When asked why she chose to stay in D33 and what she values most about those reasons, Michelle shared, “D33 feels like home, and when a place feels like home, you don’t feel a need to look or live elsewhere. The families I’ve built relationships with are important to me, and I want to be there for all of them.”  

When asked if Michelle could recommend coming to D33 to join our staff, she shared, “We work in a unique, special, tight community that rewards you in so many ways.  And D33 always strives for growth and provides opportunities for us to grow.  I feel like I can see the little bit that I have put in, that each of us puts in, you see the result of it in action.  If you are here long enough, you get to see how the kids grow up and their choices.  You see that they’re successful.  Even the kids that struggled, and you see them later, and they are so successful.  I feel that’s how the community rewards you.  We are challenged all the time to get better as teachers.  But it is always in the interest of progress.  You can’t get comfortable; you need to grow.  We can’t get stuck in our ways.  It's challenging, but it's rewarding.”

Thinking of the near and far future, we asked Michelle for some advice she has for our 1st and 2nd-year staff members. Without hesitation, she explained, “There isn’t one of us who had it easy the first few years.  But the thing that got me through it was building strong relationships with students and families. Every year, it’s foremost on my mind, and it has provided me with the foundation for a great school year every single time.”

In closing, Michelle shared her dream for her students: "I want every single student to leave my classroom feeling confident that they can conquer anything. It starts here in kindergarten, and it’s up to all of us to help students develop their confidence and give them the tools to make it happen.”  

And because of her dedication to improving not only her students’ success but also her own successes, we present Michelle Lewis, someone you should know.

Krisann Castro is Someone You Should Know.  Currently serving as a MLL Coach at Currier School, she began her professional journey in D33 in 1993, right after she graduated from college.  She was a paraeducator at Lincoln School for one year and then left to teach self-contained special education in another district.

In 2001, Krisann returned to D33 and has been here ever since. She has spent 16  years in D33, mainly teaching 2nd grade and a few years of kindergarten. In 2017, Krisann was invited to transfer from Wegner to Currier School to teach kindergarten. After five years as a kindergarten teacher, she taught SEL/Health for one year, and now this is her 2nd year as an MLL coach. This brings the total number of years working in D33 to 23 years.  And in her words, “There has never been a teaching position I did not love.”

When asked about her mentors in D33, Krisann shares, “I have had many wonderful professional mentors through the years, but the most recent individuals would be Mark Truckenbrod, former Currier School principal, and Anthony Hugelier, current principal of Currier School.  I moved to Currier School after being well-established at Wegner, and Mark and his staff were so welcoming that Currier felt at home very early on. He had a way of validating all opinions and ideas but could still guide a person to see more. Mark taught me that vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness, because he built a foundation based on trust. “

“Similarly, Anthony has quickly become a mentor to me because he puts himself in other people's shoes and tries to understand their perspectives. Every student in our building knows who he is, and any parent who has ever been to the building most likely knows him. He put himself out there in the best interest of his staff, students, and families. Anthony is a great leader; the kind of leader people want to work hard for each day.” 

She also shared, “I could name more who are still here. But most importantly, all of my mentors made me feel comfortable and allowed me to ask questions.”

Krisann quickly shared that “having a variety of positions in the district has provided many opportunities. For example, moving to Health/SEL allowed me to reach more students. And now, as the MLL coach, I have a whole new perspective on my community. I have a new fire to open a door and help positively change our students’ trajectory.  I want students to know that their future has not been written yet.” 

Krisann closed her comments on this topic with a nod toward her family, “But when I think about my greatest supporters - through life changes, professional changes, and world changes - those would absolutely have to be my six daughters. They have spent time setting up and tearing down classrooms with me, babysitting the little ones. At the same time, I have faculty and committee meetings, sharing themselves with “my kids” at school, waiting for my attention while I’m doing continuing education classes, and celebrating wins with me! They are my own cheerleaders.”

When asked why she chose to return and stay in D33, Krisann said, “I grew up in West Chicago. I did not go to D33; we were in an unincorporated area, but I went to the High School, and 3 of my daughters went to D33 and the High School. In fact, one of my daughters was a teacher at LMS for a year and is now a teacher at West Chicago  Community High School D94. This is my home. These families are my people. The success of these students is my mission. I have watched my former 2nd graders cross the stage at high school graduation. I had a former student, now a zookeeper,  give my kindergarten class a virtual field trip at the San Diego Zoo. I receive emails and pictures from parents and grandparents of students who have moved away and want to share special moments. I participate in after-school events, join committees, and work after school and summer programs because I want to empower our students, staff, and families with the gift of opportunities.”

When asked if she would recommend others to come and work in D33, Krisann stated, “I have and continue to recommend others to work in D33. First, I want great people in our district, and those I have recommended who work here are great! Second, so many people are willing to share their expertise and mentor our new teachers until they feel like a part of the family.”  That’s such a great tribute to our D33 family!

We were able to learn some of Krisann’s advice for our teams as follows:

Here are the words of advice I always tell my student teachers before they leave (that I have learned from experience):

1. Eat lunch in the lunchroom. You need a break, nourishment, and, most importantly, you need to build relationships. 

2. Start the year with clear expectations and tight reins because you can always loosen them later, but starting loose and tightening them later will be very difficult.

3. It takes three years to feel acclimated to your standards and curriculum, team schedules, etc. By year 4, you are ready to add something new each year and keep up with the rest.

In closing, we asked Krisann to think of the near and far future and what dreams she has for our students.  “My dream is for our students to realize their potential, recognize the gifts they bring to the table, and understand that their future is not yet determined because there are so many opportunities for them to explore. My dream is to make a positive impact on their future.”

We are inspired by the many talented, courageous, and dedicated staff members who make our school district a great place to be.  Thank you, Krisann, for sharing your story and your thoughts!  And this is why Krisann Castro is Someone You Should Know.

We had the wonderful opportunity to learn more about the work of Piedad Ahmad, who serves our District  33 community as a Family Liaison in the Birth to Three program.  In 2017 Piedad came to work in D33 with a degree in elementary education from her home country, Columbia, S.A.  She moved to the Oswego area, where her cousin lived.  She worked at Rush Copley for a time, but became restless and wanted to do more to support struggling families.  This is when she decided to apply for a job in D33 and she couldn’t be happier working and thriving in a place that allows her to fully use her talents!  She has now called St. Michaels,  the building in which the Birth to Three program is housed,  her “home base” for all of her years in D33.

During this time working in the district, she points to her co-workers as the people she can count on, and from whom she has learned so much. She describes them as, “The people that work with their heart and all their strength each day.”  And when asked to name a mentor, Piedad points to the Birth to Three program supervisor, Katey Baldassano.  It is clear that Piedad has a great amount of respect for Katey, and excitedly explains her experiences during “supervision” have helped her thrive and grow in her work.  She describes this collaboration by stating, “Through Reflective Supervision, as we call it in our program, we receive comprehensive training during our work time.  This training is in such a way that I can integrate some of my skills with the application of the work curriculu, until I can reach the families according to the moment and the situation in which they find themselves.”  She goes on to further explain, “During my time in supervision, I have the opportunity to express my frustration, my areas of difficulty and at the same time, I have the opportunity to create goals. Keeping in mind that in order for me to do my job correctly, I first need to take care of myself, this being one of the components in our program that we also have a chance to explore.”  When pressed for more information about self care, Piedad explained, “It used to be a tense time for me, but now I can discuss everything that challenges me because Katey does not judge me.  She seeks to understand me and asks me ‘why’ I feel this way and how can I support you?”

In reflecting on the reasons why she has decided to stay in D33 and dedicate her career to this community, Piedad explained, “I started working in the school district with the goal of promoting the development of children's skills at an early age.  Over the years, the requirements of the program have changed to meet the needs of families. This has made my work more interesting as I am now able to complement my home visits by supporting families in their difficult times and connecting them to resources that the community offers, providing well-being in all areas of their lives.”  Piedad went on to explain further that she used to go to homes and it was very difficult.  Now she partners with her Social Workers for support as well as the mental health clinicians.  She shared that she is able to discuss all of her challenges and struggles.  And this has created a bond keeping her team together and supporting each other.  She shared, “My families are supported by me, I am supported by my case workers, and we get to meet with Katey every month, and this is very helpful.”

When asked how she describes District 33, Piedad shared, “I love working in District 33. It allows me to pass on my knowledge and at the same time support families in the community. The school district works in conjunction with several city agencies that help its residents and is supported by other DuPage County agencies.”  She further explained, “And to my co-workers, who are just starting out in the school district, I want to say that this district offers many opportunities for the professional development of its employees.  I have personally appreciated the Parents as Teachers program for 0-3 years old, as well as, the infant massage training and the Baby Talk curriculum.”

In closing, we had the chance to hear about the successes of her two wonderful daughters (pictured below) and to also hear one last piece of wisdom shared by this dedicated D33 employee: “In the near future, I would like to see the students of West Chicago attending college classes and working for a wonderful future for their children.  Also providing personal satisfaction to their parents for having done an exemplary job in the development of their families.”

It is with these words of wisdom, encouragement and gratitude that we present to you our very own B-3 Family Liaison, Piedad Ahmad, who is SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW.

PHOTO: 

We would like to introduce you to both of Piedad’s wonderful daughters.  On the left is Piedad’s daughter Sara Campuzano Amad, who is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Ocean State Veterinarian Specialists in Rhode Island.  She specializes in emergency/critical care.  On the right is Piedad’s other daughter, Lina Campuzano, who is a Civil Engineer graduate from UIC. She now serves as the Project Manager at STV. Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia 

Both daughters represent the dream that Piedad has for each of her families that she supports.  Piedad believes that all of our West Chicago children should have the opportunity to become whatever they want!

You don’t have to look far in D33 to see the “hidden” talents displayed throughout our buildings. Whether it be an artifact or the delivery of an idea, we are blessed with individuals who amaze us with their creativity and talent. We recently learned of the artistic talents of one of our staff members on a recent visit to Turner Elementary School. Tori Farquhar is in her third year working for D33. She was hired in the fall of 2021 as the part-time library aide at Turner. The following year, the library aide position became available at Pioneer, and Tori offered to become full-time, splitting her time between the two buildings. Like a lot of our staff, Tori grew up in West Chicago and attended both Pioneer and LMS. In addition to her, several of her family members, including her parents, attended D33 schools. Now, as a parent, Tori gets to watch her own two children share in that D33 experience. Tori has a daughter in 4th grade at Turner and a son who is a 6th grader at LMS. 

When asked who her greatest mentor has been, she states, “I have always had tremendous support from my whole family. My children and husband are always rooting for me. I’m so fortunate to have great relationships with my parents, and they’ve always encouraged me in all my endeavors. I’ve also worked with some pretty amazing individuals at both schools. I’m inspired daily by the way they interact and engage with the students, and everyone is very supportive of one another.”

This may be a reason why Tori chose D33 as a place to work. She shared, “When I started part-time, it was a great opportunity to be more involved in my kid’s school and be in an environment that I love, but it’s evolved to so much more than that. It’s incredibly rewarding to interact with the students every day, and I see it as an opportunity to invest in my community. Libraries hold a VERY special place in my heart. When I had my son, I was a stay-at-home mom, and our public library became like a second home. I was blown away by the resources, activities, and programs available to families. I had been to the library a few times as a kid but definitely wasn’t aware of all that it offered to the community. Those special library trips with my children cultivated a love for reading for us all. My hope is to create that same experience for the students who walk through the door, whether they’re a reader or not. Being an aide allows me to work alongside two very gifted & passionate librarians whom I greatly admire and respect.”  When asked what she values the most about working in D33, she points out the strong sense of community we have in D33. Tori emphasizes, “I genuinely feel like I’ve entered a great big family, and I look forward to coming to work every day.”  When asked if she recommends D33 as a place to work, she responded, “I have had an overwhelmingly positive experience working for the district, and the devotion the staff has for the students is evident in their teaching. It’s a great team to be a part of.”

Tori’s hopes and dreams for her students include receiving an excellent education and that they leave this building every day knowing that they are loved and valued for exactly who they are. Tori adds that her students should feel that their school is a space where students feel safe to learn, make mistakes, and hopefully have fun in the process! She commented, “I think we all know the lasting impact an educator can have on our lives. So if they can walk into their future careers & relationships with an incredible sense of self-worth, I think they’ll be set up for success.”

If you ever have a chance to visit the Turner Library, be on the lookout for some of Tori’s fantastic artwork. Take the time to talk with her about the current project that she and Jenny Totman have designed to contribute to their philosophy for connecting our students to the library and fostering a love for reading. Tori’s artwork is incredible; we’ve witnessed this firsthand. She has Miss Garcia, her Pioneer art teacher, to thank for encouraging her early on. She had always been drawing as a young child, and Miss Garcia always encouraged her, which made her feel comfortable. Commenting on her connection with art and where she may continue to use this talent, Tori shared, “I’ve always thought about becoming an Art Teacher or a children’s book illustrator. It’s something I’ve thought about.”

In closing, Tori reflected on her current work as a Library Aide in sharing, “It’s been great to work with Jenny Totman and Joelle Nelson. From the moment we started working together, we clicked instantly. We share the same philosophy - I feel welcome because they value my input. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to work with them. These past few years, I have always loved interacting with students. It can be emotionally taxing, but seeing our kids each day and being a little part of their education each day, I’ve built some great bonds with these kids. This encourages me to think, “What would that look like if I became a teacher?”

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou.

Tori referenced this quote as she contemplated further her thoughts about becoming a teacher. It is comforting to know that an individual with such a great spirit and kind soul is considering a future in the teaching profession. Our students deserve nothing less. And this is why Tori Farquhar is Someone You Should Know.

(Tori's artwork is hanging on the wall above the bookshelves in the photo)

After teaching for six years in Oak Park, and ten years in Bensenville, Jennifer Szwaya joined District 33  in 2020.  During the 2020 and 2021 school years, she served as an instructional coach at Currier. Then, while at a conference, Jen was approached by a publisher after presenting her work focused on teaching Shakespeare to 3rd through 8th graders at a conference.  The publisher, Prufrock Press / Taylor Francis Group, invited her to turn this work into a book.  Jen then took a leave of absence to complete this work during the 2022 – 2023 school year.  She is now excited about returning to District 33 as the lead GATE teacher.

Jen has only worked at Currier, while also popping her head into the preschool buildings when administering language screeners.  She is excited, as the lead GATE teacher, to soon be spending time supporting and learning from colleagues across the entire district. 

When asked about her mentors in the District, Jen reflected, “When I came to District 33 I was lucky enough to be mentored and supported by the entire Currier team,  by all of the instructional coaching team, and by my coaching partner Melinda Johnson, who never made me feel less than for not knowing something!  Throughout my career, though, my greatest mentors and supporters over the years have been my students.  When working with students, I always let them evaluate my teaching around report card times.  Their feedback has been instrumental in shaping my classroom practice.  And, in the past several months alone, I have had coffee with 14 former students who are now college freshmen, sophomores in high school, or middle schoolers.  Maintaining relationships so that I get to see the seeds of my efforts bloom within them gives me the support I need to keep striving as an educator.”  What a great testament to Jen’s teaching and mentorship over the years!

When we asked Jen why she chose to remain in District 33, she replied, “There are two reasons why I knew that after I finished writing my book Shakespeare Amazes that I would definitely be returning to District 33.  One is loyalty!  Since I was a small child I imagined being an author, and now, because of the trust extended to me by the board of education, I was able to take leave in order to seize the opportunity presented to me to make the dream a reality.  The second reason is not fit for printing, but I’d be happy to tell you in person!   It involved a conversation I once had with a person who did not believe that gifted learners existed outside of certain communities. I am dedicated to proving that person wrong.”

And when Jen describes what she values the most about our school community, she shares, “What I value most about District 33 is the sense of community that exists within our buildings and across our teams.  I’ve spent time in several different districts and, based on my experience, District 33 is full of the most friendly, funny, welcoming, and non-judgmental people I have had the pleasure of working with.  A year ago, in April, I got to see how deep the kindness of the District 33 community runs when I suddenly lost my younger brother to a drug overdose.  I felt Currier and the entire D33 family’s love and support.  District 33 is a place that honors our humanity.  For that reason, it is a place worth investing time and effort in.”

And when asked if she would recommend D33 as a place to work, Jen confirmed, “District 33 is an exceptional place to grow and learn because it is a safe place in which to make mistakes. We simply can not grow without falling on our faces, and I’m glad to be able to grow in an environment where someone reaches out to help me up when I struggle.” 

In closing, Jen shared her dream for our students, “My dream for our students is that they have teachers who feel lit up inside about the work they get to do each day.  Passionate, effective teachers, who believe in the magic they have to make kids' lives better are a life-changing force. “

We are thankful for Jen Szwaya’s expertise and devotion to our students and our community.  She is definitely someone you should know!

In 1990, Karen Laukaitis was hired to teach in the Primary Learning Disabilities classroom at Gary School.   This year signals another long-time professional who chose to remain committed to West Chicago for her entire career.  33 years in District 33. In that year of 1990, all kids in our district with the learning disability label on their IEP were bused to Gary to attend the primary or intermediate room. The sign above her  classroom door read “Learning Disabilities Room.” Karen reflected that “It’s hard to understand how no one thought that there was anything wrong with that at the time.  The philosophy was that kids with special needs needed to be in a separate classroom to get their needs met.”

During this time, the district began piloting an experimental program at Turner School called Inclusion.  The goal was to include all students with disabilities in their home school in the general education setting with modifications and supports.

Karen reflects on how proud she is to be in a district willing to take on this challenge long before surrounding districts were considering it and despite the enormous pushback.  She commented, “It was such a complete reversal in educational philosophy that it was hard for people to understand.  Long before Trauma Informed Training, District 33 knew it was what is right for kids and persisted.  It’s something that I’m still most proud of today. It’s also one of the underlying reasons why I stayed.  I was in a district that is committed to all children despite their differences. It never occurred to me to leave.”  Within three years, the goal of the inclusion program was fully realized, and Karen transitioned to general education first grade at Gary and later moved to first grade at Wegner where she is currently a proud Eagle.

When asked about a mentor in D33, Karen identified Ed Leman, the principal at Gary School and for whom Leman Middle School is named, as a tremendous support.  She described Ed, “He was my coach from the sidelines in those early years when every day was challenging.  He encouraged me to trust my instincts, not fear taking risks, and continue my education. Also, Susan Grissom, the speech and language pathologist at Gary, was a wonderful mentor to me long before our formal mentor program existed.  She took me under her wing and invited me to her home in the evenings to help with planning.  At the time, she was pregnant and keeping an eye on her toddler while cooking dinner.  Talk about dedication!”

Karen encourages new teachers to come to District 33 where they’ll be supported by a great mentor program, provided with numerous training opportunities, and encouraged to continue their education, all while receiving a strong salary and benefits package. She also emphasizes, “They’ll also become a part of a special team of people who are dedicated to what they do and who are so often willing to go the extra mile to help just as Ed and Susan did for me.”

When asked what her hopes and dreams are for her students, Karen ended her interview with, “I sincerely hope that my students and their families feel how deeply loved and cared for they are.  I want them all to feel fully included in our classroom and school community.  I hope they’ll be able to look back as adults and say that they received the skills they needed to pursue their dreams and have happy memories of their time here.”

And with those words of encouragement, dedication, and appreciation for her opportunities, we are inspired to share Karen’s story because she is SOMEONE YOU SHOULD KNOW in D33!  Thank you Karen for all that you do for our students and for your colleagues.  It is a bittersweet announcement to congratulate you on your 33 years of service to our school community.  We will greatly miss you!

We met up with a dynamic duo over at Currier Elementary School recently.  Soona Farag is a paraprofessional who began her career in D33 over 25 years ago, in 1998.  Her colleague, Anna Leuer, began her career in D33 over 30 years ago, in 1993!  Both of them have worked at Currier for the past 25 years, with Anna having started at Pioneer as her home base while she traveled to five other schools as an ESL Teacher.  After her first year, she moved to the newly built Currier School and continued to travel to other schools until 1998, when she became a 5th-grade teacher and also met her colleague Soona.  Anna recalls the reason she was moved to Currier was that all of the children of the Fermi Lab families were enrolled at Currier, so her work as an ESL teacher took a focus there in that building.  

If you ever visit the Currier gymnasium, you will see the many national flags hanging on the walls.  These flags represent the countries of the newcomers and the Fermi families.  Soona and Anna recall the amazing activities of International Day.  Anna organized the day to provide food for the students as well as welcome other ethnic foods, which gave the students a “taste” of the other countries represented at Currier.  Soona made her famous Baklava from her native Egypt as well as some delicious lentil soup.  

As they recalled their important mentors who helped them along the way, Soona named Anna Leuer and Beth Goettsch.  She describes them both as patient and friendly.  Soona recalls a memory of first meeting Anna, “When I came to Currier, Anna was the person who always introduced herself to the new people and asked ‘how can I help you?’ She was always there for you.  And whenever we had the same lunch, we would walk together.  It was good therapy.  Time to talk and support each other.”

Anna recalls her mentor, Pam Nelson, a first-grade teacher.  “She allowed me to observe her teaching.  I saw a lot of “whole language” centered around thematic units.  She was so calm and kind with a sweet, soft voice.  Differentiation of instruction was a hallmark of her teaching.”

When asked for the reasons why they chose to stay in D33, Soona was quick to share that “Currier is my second home.  I love everybody here.  They have my heart.  They always welcome people and are there when you need them.”  Anna added that when she moved to West Chicago, she became very involved.  She volunteered for local access TV - channel 17 news - and developed/reported on several news coverage topics.  She states, “I feel that I love this community because of the people in our community and for our forest preserve.  I love the history of West Chicago and I love the people - the families.  I have been invited many times to family dinners and quinceañeras and I think that because I live and shop in this area, I enjoy seeing a lot of my students too.”

When ask what they value most about working in D33, Soona shared, “There is a lot of diversity of cultures here.  The district cares about all of our families.  We have different people from different nationalities and the district cares about all of them.  They offer a lot of services for our families that I don’t see in other school districts.”  Anna’s thoughts turned to the early years of the school district sharing, “When I was first hired, the district was starting the inclusion program.  It was a progressive movement and I feel that our district has always welcomed innovation - dual language programs - GATE - to meet the needs of our students.”

When asked if and why they would recommend D33 to others, Soona shared, “They will experience a lot about different cultures.  When I came here, I learned a lot.  We have hard-working families who have taught me a lot.”  Anna added, “I feel, especially here at Currier, our school is situated in a forest preserve, which is a classroom in and of itself.  I’ve always found opportunities to get professional development through the district.  I’ve participated in several committees.  New teachers should know that if they are motivated and you devote the time, they have so many opportunities to learn and grow through the district PD offerings and committee work.  You can bring back this knowledge to your classroom.  It's a good practical experience.”

When thinking of a dream they have for their students, Soona shares, “I hope that all of my students look to continue their education after high school - at least for two years.” And Anna shared, “Come back into the community.  I have several students who are children of my past students.  It's nice that families stay and raise their children in our community.  I want my students to give back to the community and be useful.  I want them to believe that West Chicago is a place that will always welcome them.  It's our home - together.”

We can’t think of a more powerful connection than learning and growing together in the profession as colleagues and friends.  It is bittersweet that we congratulate both Soona and Anna on their retirements at the end of this school year.  They both leave very, big shoes to fill, and their impact on the West Chicago community will continue to remind us of their legacy of developing a caring and welcoming community of learners at Currier Elementary School.  And for a few more months, you can catch them on a brisk, lunchtime walk around their favorite forest preserve!  Soona and Anna are definitely “someone” you should know!

Sal Tamayo is a 30-year veteran of District 33, however, this was not his first career.  Sal graduated with a degree in Mass Communication from the Universidad del Tepeyac in Mexico City and was producing TV programs in Mexico when he decided to make the move to the U.S. At this time it was difficult to find a job in his field, so he went on to complete his Master's Degree in Education from Columbia University in Chicago, as well as, a second degree in Mass Communication.  He worked several jobs to get through school. In 1993 he was hired as a teaching assistant at West Chicago Middle School, (now Leman Middle School), for a short time before moving to Turner Elementary to work for Dr. Auer, as a bilingual teacher. His classroom consisted of students in the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. And after 30 years in education, Sal is not hesitant to say that he is not even thinking about retirement.  He loves his work in District  33 and cherishes his time with the students and their families!

Even though Sal has worked at all levels, he enjoys working with middle school students the most.  He credits Liz Perez, a former social studies teacher at LMS, as his greatest mentor.  He explained that when he was new to education, he learned so much from her through her example and watching her work with kids.  He describes her as “very strict, but she knew how to work with her students and their parents.”  He described her genuine care for her students and their success.  When there were issues, she would go directly to their parents and that was something that Sal admired.  Sal shared, “I think the relationship with parents and making connections with her students was the most important thing about her work.”  Sal referenced Greg Mortenson’s book, “Three Cups of Tea” as a similar source of inspiration for what makes his experience special in District 33  He shared that his students and their parents become like family.  Sal shared that it is just like in the book when that 3rd cup of tea means you are accepted - that you belong here.  And a proud realization for Sal is the fact that he has many god daughters and god sons.  He recalls the numerous invitations that he receives from families to events such as graduations and quinceañeras.  

When asked why he decided to remain in West Chicago 33 and make a career here, without hesitation he affirmed the community.  Sal shared, “When I came to West Chicago, the bilingual program was in the back corner.  I saw the needs of the kids.  I saw the needs of the parents.  I started asking questions and then I could see the needs of the community.  After I met my wife at Turner, I decided to stay in the community.  It's home for me now.  My kids went through the West Chicago school system.  It's definitely the people too. You have to fall in love with the community you stay in.  Even if you don’t live here, you have to get to know the people who live here.  Spend more time with them.  You have to relate to the people here. And when you do, that grows on you.  That’s why I stayed.”  Sal’s most cherished moments are when his students come back to share their experiences with him.  He likes catching up with what they are doing in their lives.

When asked what he values most about working in D33, Sal shared, “Whatever opportunity or idea I had to help the community, I received total support from the school district.”  He also shares his love for soccer and being able to coach young soccer athletes as an important part of his mentorship here. Having coached future State Soccer Champions is something that is a definite highlight on his resume.  And if you didn’t believe his commitment to the soccer program here, he confirmed that if he were ever to win the lottery, he would donate the money to build a state-of-the-art soccer field for the Leman athletic program!

When asked what he would say to other teachers who may be thinking about West Chicago for a career, he shared, “We need you.  We really need you!  The only thing is that it is a lot harder these days.  If you can survive the pressure of dealing with all the behind-the-scenes work, you can do it. Get involved with the kids. I always tell my students, when they go to high school, to get involved with something.  I think the same is true for new teachers.  If you get involved with school activities, you will appreciate the community and the kids a lot more. They will see you after school.  They will see that you enjoy what they do and that you are comfortable with their families.  Let them get to know you somehow.”

As a final thought, we asked Sal what he dreamed of for his students.  He shared that he would tell them, “Do what you enjoy doing.  Become a good citizen and a good person so that you can give back to your family and your community.  It doesn’t have to be a lot.  You worked hard through all of this - now share it!”  Teacher, Coach, and Parent, Salvador Tamayo, we thank you for all you do for our kids and our school community.  And we thank you for your many years of service and dedication to the students and families of our school district.  You are definitely someone we should know!

When asked when he first started working in D33, Pancho not only knew the year, but he also knew the exact date - June 8, 1998.  Being a veteran of D33 for 25 years qualifies him to have a unique perspective on what it means to work and thrive in our great school district.

It was back in 1998, after talking to a friend who was working at West Chicago Middle School (Leman Middle School) as a custodian, Pancho applied and was hired for his first D33 job at Gary and Turner Elementary Schools.  And in 1999 he first met Fred Cadena, our current Director of Buildings and Grounds, who at the time was the Head Custodian at Currier Elementary School.  Pancho was then offered the night custodian position at Currier and their partnership and friendship of 25 years began to grow.

Soon Pancho was promoted to Head Custodian at Currier, where he proudly served from 2001 until 2015.  During that year, Fred was promoted to Director, and Pancho was promoted to Facility Engineer.  This was a time when Pancho reflects on who his greatest mentor in D33 was and it is no surprise that he names Fred Cadena as the person who helped him grow into his current role in D33.   Pancho recalls that Fred pushed him to grow and pursue his career goals.  He describes Fred as supportive in everything that he did.  Pancho respects Fred for the many skills that he has and his ability to mentor those around him.  But he stresses that Fred is all about safety too - making sure that the work is completed safely and that our school buildings are safe for our students and staff.

In addition to mentorship on the job, Pancho points to his friendship with Fred and the advice he has given him from a personal perspective.  Their mutual respect is a strength that isn’t always evident in work environments.  And through the years, their partnership has ensured that the work they do is of the highest level of quality and safety to best serve the West Chicago Elementary School Community.  Pancho commented, “You can find a lot of friends out there, but they might not always be there for you.  I know one thing…if something happens, I know I can count on Fred.”  Pancho added, “Fred says, Don’t ever give up, keep trying and you can do it.”  And it is with this advice from his mentor and friend that Pancho closed with, “I don’t give up easily, I need to figure out how to do something, and 80% of what needs to get done we figure it out together.  No matter what time you call Fred, he will always answer his phone. I never worry.”  And that is the perfect example of the high level of dedication and commitment that Pancho and his team have while they serve our school community.  Pancho also names former Currier Principal Vicki Sanillo and Dr. Leman as leaders who cared for him, helped him understand their work together, and encouraged Pancho to learn and grow in his job.  He is very thankful for their support.

Pancho now has a team that reports to him and he takes his role very seriously.  He knows that it is his responsibility to help teach them the skills they need to thrive and grow as committed members of the D33 team.  He stresses to them that they need to be responsible, be on time, and take initiative.  “Don’t ever say there’s nothing to do in this district, there is always something to do and to learn.”  And using his time wisely is something that Pancho takes pride in.  He is always learning something new.  He is taking classes at the College of Dupage to learn more about the safety initiatives that our district is implementing.  And with the many new air conditioning units being installed in the upcoming years, Pancho has his work cut out for him.  But in the end, knowing that our staff will be more comfortable with a good running system to cool our buildings gives Pancho a high level of satisfaction in the work that he leads.

Pancho describes D33 when he states, “I feel it’s a good environment and there’s always room to grow for us.  There are career advancement opportunities and if you want to, you can do it.”  He also shared, “I would recommend anyone to come work here because the district is bilingual and we need a lot of bilingual staff to help support our programs.  There is a good environment here and I feel that every morning when I wake up I think about work and that I enjoy what I do.  Even on the weekends, I am here and no matter what time it is, I will come and help.

When asked about the future, Pancho plans to (eventually)retire and split his time between here and Mexico.  Even in retirement, Pancho sees himself working part-time to help out the district which helped him grow and learn to love his work.  As a matter of fact, his work became a family endeavor when both of his sons sought work in D33 and worked alongside their father.  His younger son currently works in the evenings and is pursuing coursework during the day.  His older son will be graduating from the University of Illinois this year with a degree in Electrical Engineering.  Pancho’s stepdaughter is pursuing a degree in Social Work.  Pancho takes great pride in their accomplishments and we are confident he has meant a lot to each of them as he has supported and guided them toward starting their careers.

Father, friend, mentor, colleague, and lifelong D33 employee.  Francisco “Pancho” Jimenez, we are fortunate to work with you and celebrate you as “Someone You Should Know” who makes D33 a great place to work and serve.

This month we were intrigued by an individual we met during curriculum night at Pioneer Elementary School. Mrs. Courtney Daily began her teaching career in District 33 17 years ago and has never looked back. She started as an instructional aide at Turner School for a few weeks and then moved to Pioneer as a dual language teacher. At the time the D33 program was a transitional bilingual program, and the model has changed quite a bit since then. Courtney really enjoys the fact that we honor our students’ native languages and engage them in both of their languages, rather than transitioning them solely to English. She recognizes the great benefits for her students to maintain their native language, both in terms of academic growth and cultural pride.

Courtney did not grow up with two languages. She hails from Naperville, a former student of the Indian Prairie SD 204 schools, where language classes were taught, but there was no dual language program for her to experience. She credits her high school Spanish teachers at Waubonsie Valley High School with giving her a solid foundation in the Spanish language. She describes them as teachers with a very high standard for learning, but an equally high level of support for her to grow and learn a second language. Courtney only took a semester of Spanish in college, which further validates the quality experience she received while still a high school student at Waubonsie Valley.  

While Courtney grew up in Naperville, her heart is truly in West Chicago, where she prefers to give back to the school community as a teacher.  Courtney shared, “I love working with our students because they know right away if we care about them.  Working with this group of students is special and unique, and I really like that we honor both their culture and language.  We are striving for more equitable practices, which is such a big part of making meaningful changes in our society.”  When asked who inspired her to become a better teacher and to remain dedicated to West Chicago, without hesitation, she shared her two mentors, Doris Stroebel and Tori Moyski.  They worked together as a team for 7 years and Courtney learned many great skills as they modeled their passion for teaching.  Courtney describes her mentors as professionals who strived to get better every day at their craft.  She observed them creating meaningful connections with the families of their students.  She observed them as always humble and striving to improve themselves as teachers.  She credits these experiences as a large reason she wanted to become a stronger teacher herself.  Courtney shared, “They were so inspirational.  They always wanted to make things engaging for our students, and had such a positive attitude about learning and growing their skills to best support our diverse learners.”  So it was no surprise that when we asked Courtney why she had chosen to remain in West Chicago that she pointed to these two mentors as a major influence in her decision.  She also added that the support of her colleagues and the way they bounce ideas off each other is something really special about Pioneer.  “We have always been able to come together and play to our strengths to support each other, '' Courtney shared.

When asked what she values most about working in D33, Courtney did not hesitate to point to her principal of 13 years, Gloria Trejo.  “She was such a supportive principal.  She always encouraged us and pointed to our successes, while helping us to set attainable and measurable goals. Similarly, she would always remind us when we were being too hard on ourselves.  She is really great with students and their families and was able to balance all of the input well.  She was also a great listener and problem solver.”  And it is that compassion and guidance that Gloria showed Courtney that helped her frame her vision for her students.  Courtney shared, “My biggest dream for my students is that they find their passion and contribute to the world in positive ways.  We used to always say college was the only desired path, but I want them to grow into careers that they are passionate about, whatever that looks like for them.  I just spoke with a mom during conferences about her work in the factory, and she said her biggest dream is that her daughter finds a job where she doesn’t have to work herself to death. I completely respect that, whether her daughter goes to college, a technical school, or another form of advanced training.  I want my kids to end up in careers that they really care about.  I always try to remind them that school gives you more opportunities. More choices than our parents ever had.”

Courtney lives in Glen Ellyn with her husband and 6 ½-year-old twin boys who are following their mother’s path by attending the only dual language program in the Glen Ellyn schools.  “It's been really cool to share that experience with them.  We love to come to West Chicago and we practice our Spanish together and go on adventures that are diverse and educational.  It's been amazing to share that part of my own life with them.”  Truly a teacher who “walks the walk” and we couldn’t be prouder to call Mrs. Courtney Daily, a colleague and “someone you should know”.