LTHS Welcomes New Faculty, Administrators

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.