Staff stats: Meet the new District 88 staff members for the 2013-14 school year

Each week, District 88 will feature a new Willowbrook staff member to introduce you to the school’s newest members.

Meet Cristian Iliescu

Title:
Custodian at Willowbrook

Educational background:
I received my high school diploma in Romania. I also speak four languages – Romanian, Italian, Spanish and English.

Career background:
I worked at Hostess Brands for 14 years, where I cleaned and washed equipment. I also was a painter and group leader, going to safety meetings to communicate issues to management for the purpose of ensuring safety throughout the plant.

What are you looking forward to as a new member of the District 88 family?
I am looking forward to working with the Custodial Department to keep Willowbrook a clean and safe environment.

What made you choose this profession and district?
I chose this profession because I like things clean and neat.

What do you hope to accomplish during your first year with District 88?
My hope is to keep Willowbrook clean, so teachers and students have a clean environment in which to teach and learn.

Meet Maria Vanessa Rocha

Title:
Guidance Department secretary at Willowbrook

Educational background:
I graduated from a school in West Bend, Wis., in 1997 and from La Salle High School in Mexico, which I attended for two years. I received my associate degree in international business and marketing from Universidad del Valle de Atemajac (UNIVA) in Mexico.

Career background:
I worked for the Consulate General of Spain in Chicago for more than seven years as a visa official. Before that, I was the office manager of a family-owned business in Addison for four years. I also have worked in a construction company in Mexico and as an English teacher.

What are you looking forward to as a new member of the District 88 family?
I’m looking forward to impacting students in a positive and educational way and being the Guidance Office's first point of interest when it comes to future education, emotional comfort and present needs.

What made you choose this profession and district?
The excitement I feel when I work with young adults and being involved in the educational aspect of kid's lives is why I chose this profession. When I worked at the Spanish Consulate, it made me aware of the needs and necessities these young adults have at this age and how education is fundamental for their future. I want to have them relate to me as an adult who is always there to help with the support of the professional staff in our office. But most of all, I want to impact students for the best, so they will utilize it throughout their entire life and pass it on when they become adults.

What do you hope to accomplish during your first year with District 88?
In regard to school, I wish to accomplish a positive change in the skills and needs of the students. Personally I wish to develop and fulfill my need to help others when they feel there is nothing else they can do. This is a family, and I am glad they embraced me as a part of it!

Meet Anna Fritz

Title:
School psychologist intern at Willowbrook

Educational background:
I received my Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education from Indiana University Bloomington and my Master of Education degree in educational psychology from Loyola University Chicago, where I am enrolled in the Ed.S. School Psychology program.

Career background:
After graduating from Indiana University Bloomington, I taught high school history and government for 3.5 years at Timberline Knolls Academy in Lemont, a small private school within a residential treatment center for women. I completed my school psychology practicum experience last year at Academy-South in District 211, where I worked with high school students with significant emotional and behavioral difficulties.

What are you looking forward to as a new member of the District 88 family?
I can’t wait to get involved in the many activities Willowbrook has to offer and get to know the rest of the faculty. It really does feel like a family here.

What made you choose this profession and district?
I’ve always loved working with high school students – they are so much fun! District 88 was an obvious choice because the morale at both schools is so high. It’s clear the faculty at Willowbrook and Addison Trail love coming to work each day, and their passion and excitement is contagious.

What do you hope to accomplish during your first year with District 88?
I want to learn as much as I can from the people I work with (staff and students alike) and make a meaningful, positive impact on the lives of the students with whom I work.

Meet Chris Dunk

Title:
Automotive technology, woods and computer repair teacher at Willowbrook

Educational background:
I received my bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University in technology education.

Career background:
After college, I taught automotive technology, computer-aided design (CAD) and graphic design at Addison Trail for three years. I then taught an applied technology class at Indian Trail Middle School for three years. I am now at Willowbrook teaching automotive technology, woods and computer repair.

What are you looking forward to as a new member of the District 88 family?
I am looking forward to being back in the district, working with students in my class. I also am looking forward to being back in the school I graduated from and seeing some of my former teachers.

What made you choose this profession and district?
I chose this profession to positively help students and teach them skills they need to be prepared for life after graduation.

What do you hope to accomplish during your first year with District 88?
I hope to build positive relationships with students and provide them with lifelong skills they can use years after leaving my class.

Meet Travanna Green

Title:
Dean of students at Willowbrook

Educational background:
I received my bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from North Central College and my master’s degree in administration and leadership from Governors State University.

Career background:
After college, I taught physical and drivers education at Plainfield North High School for two years. I then went on to Plainfield East High School and taught health and drivers education for another two years and was then a dean for two years.

What are you looking forward to as a new member of the District 88 family?
I am definitely looking forward to making positive connections with students, parents/guardians and colleagues. The stigma is if you are seen in the Deans Office, “you must be in trouble.” I like to call students in just to make sure everything is going well and to see whether there is anything I can do to help them meet the short/long-term goals they have made for themselves academically and sometimes behavioral.

What made you choose this profession and district?
My mom and cousin had a great deal to do with why I choose the profession. From a very young age, I was in their schools, helping with odd-and-end jobs in their classrooms and offices. Not many people say they want to be a dean, however, from a very young age, I said my dream job was to be a dean. I always loved the classroom management side of teaching.

What do you hope to accomplish during your first year with District 88?
I hope to help students in the process of making good choices and becoming great citizens within the Willowbrook and “real world” communities.

Meet Jonathan Bogue

Title:
Director of Bands at Willowbrook

Educational background:
I graduated from Augustana College in 2007 with a degree in music education. I started my graduate work at Northwestern University and finished my master’s degree in music education, with an emphasis in conducting, at Michigan State University in 2012.

Career background:
This is my seventh year teaching high school music. I started my career at Elgin High School and most recently worked at Holland High School in Michigan.

What are you looking forward to as a new member of the District 88 family?
I am excited to work in a district with such a strong history of exceptional music programs. I look forward to working every day with students and growing the music program.

What made you choose this profession and district?
I chose to teach high school music because I believe few disciplines can teach students more about how to communicate with each other, work as a team, express themselves and instill a strong work ethic than music. I chose to work in district 88 because of its strong support for the fine arts and serving a diverse population.

What do you hope to accomplish during your first year with District 88?
I hope to continue the strong tradition of wind band here at Willowbrook, while updating the technology in the department.

Meet Michelle Joiner

Title:
Attendance secretary at Willowbrook

Educational background:
I received my bachelor’s degree in marketing from Michigan State University. I recently acquired an E-Commerce Certification from College of DuPage.

Career background:
By trade, I am a marketing and merchandising professional skilled in the area of developing marketing campaigns and programs. I have corporate and field experience with one of Illinois’ largest retailers.

What are you looking forward to as a new member of the District 88 family?
I am looking forward to being a valuable employee within the district.

What made you choose this profession and district?
During my career transition, my son, Joshua (who is a former student of Willowbrook), encouraged me to complete the application for the district. My career started with a temporary assignment in the Special Education Department, and the rest is history!

What do you hope to accomplish during your first year with District 88?
No matter what title we hold, we all are in a position to impact a student’s life in a positive way. My motto is to try to leave someone better off than he/she was before, whether that is with a kind word or a deed.

Meet Jackie Jilek

Title:
School social work intern

Educational background:
I am a Willowbrook alumna, class of 2009 – Silver and Blue Through and Through! After Willowbrook, I attended Illinois State University (ISU) and received my bachelor’s degree in social work. I am attending Aurora University and will receive my master’s degree in social work in spring 2014.

Career background:
As an undergraduate student, I was a volunteer for three years at PATH Crisis Center, a suicidal crisis hotline, as well as Head Start, an early intervention preschool. My senior year at ISU, I was a school social work intern at Normal West High School. Now I am excited to be back as a Warrior again and working at Willowbrook!

What are you looking forward to as a new member of the District 88 family?
I am very excited to be an intern at Willowbrook. I am offered endless learning opportunities in such a supportive environment, and I could not be more appreciative. I am looking forward to working with students and staff and enhancing my knowledge of the social work profession under the wonderful supervision of Erik Engel.

What made you choose this profession and district?
Coming back to Willowbrook was a no-brainer. I had an amazing experience as a student here, and I am excited to be back working with my former teachers. I have always known I have wanted to be a part of the helping profession. Being a school social worker allows me to positively impact the school system, so students have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

What do you hope to accomplish during your first year with District 88?
As an intern at Willowbrook, I hope to leave a lasting impression on the students and the school as a whole. I am excited to bring new ideas to the student services department and become just as engaged as I was when I was a student here. Go, Warriors!

Meet Carina Turner

Title:
School psychologist intern at Willowbrook

Educational background:
I received my bachelor’s degree from Ohio University (OU) in 2011. I moved to Chicago in 2011 to attend Loyola University and earned my master’s degree in educational psychology in 2012. I am now in my final year of studies for an education specialist degree in school psychology from Loyola.

Career background:
I am new to the career world! I went straight from undergraduate to graduate school, but I worked as a summer school teacher’s aide during my time at OU.

What are you looking forward to as a new member of the District 88 family?
I love the way District 88 employees really are a family. I have formed so many wonderful relationships already and look forward to forming many more as the year progresses.

What made you choose this profession and district?
I chose school psychology as a profession because I loved the idea of addressing both the academic and the social-emotional needs of students. Whether working with students with disabilities or just helping a student get through a tough situation at home, I know I can really help students succeed. This district was especially attractive because of the wide range of students I can work with and the obvious value placed on students’ overall well-being.

What do you hope to accomplish during your first year with District 88?
As someone who is new to the profession, I hope to become more comfortable with being autonomous while learning as much as possible from my supervisor and the other staff members.

Meet Mike Jones

Title:
District 88 credit recovery coordinator and football coach at Addison Trail

Educational background:
I received my bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in May 2007. I went back to school in 2009 to earn my Learning Behavior Specialist 1 teaching certificate (special education) from Trinity Christian College. I did my student teaching at Hinsdale Central High School in 2011.

Career background:
After graduating from Iowa, I went on to play football in 2007 and 2008 for the San Diego Chargers, Bears and Minnesota Vikings. For the past two years, I co-taught eighth-grade language arts at Brooks Middle School in Bolingbrook. I also coached football for Hinsdale Central and Bolingbrook High School for the past four years. I now work at Willowbrook and Addison Trail as the coordinator for the credit recovery program.

What are you looking forward to as a new member of the District 88 family?
I am looking forward to building great relationships with the talented and professional staff members of this district. Those relationships will allow me to learn and grow professionally, but most importantly will put me in the best position possible to make a difference in the lives of all the students I work with.

What made you choose this profession and district?
When my football career was over, I realized everything I had done could not have been possible without the great teachers and coaches I had in high school, who pushed me to work hard and taught me how to believe in myself. I chose this profession because I wanted to be that same person who makes a significant difference in other peoples’ lives – both on and off the field.

What do you hope to accomplish during your first year with District 88?
I hope I can play a role in getting students back on track in the classroom and also help my players learn how to apply themselves in not just football, but anything they do.

Meet Beth Bass

Title:
French teacher

Educational background:
I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in the teaching of French from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I studied for one semester abroad at the Institut d’Etudes Européennes in Paris, and I have a Master of Education degree in curriculum and instruction, with a concentration in language minority studies from National Louis University.

Career background:
I taught for one year at Hinsdale South High School, then for seven years at Mundelein High School. Since then, I’ve been home with my children, but I’ve kept up my French by privately tutoring children and adults in Cincinnati, where we have been living for the past five years.

What are you looking forward to as a new member of the District 88 family?
I am looking forward to collaborating with the other teachers in the World Languages Department, and I’m looking forward to sharing such great school spirit.

What made you choose this profession and district?
I chose this profession because I love to share the things I love with others, and I believe learning about a foreign language and its culture helps us to gain patience, confidence and compassion. I also think high school is such a pivotal time for adolescents, and a positive school experience provides kids with the tools they need to be successful as they move on to something bigger. I chose this district because I’ve known for a long time it’s a diverse school with high expectations that students and faculty alike are proud of. I have family and friends who are alumni of Willowbrook and, like them, I want to be a part of something great.

What do you hope to accomplish during your first year with District 88?
I hope I find my place in the World Languages Department this year. I’m looking forward to meeting new students and learning about their backgrounds, and I hope to help grow the French program because I think it has a lot to offer!

Meet Sarah Pouls

Title:
Core English teacher/English aide and assistant speech coach at Willowbrook

Educational background:
I received my bachelor’s degree in secondary education and English from Augustana College. I also have a theater minor. During my four years at Augustana, I participated in theater, orchestra and choir.

Career background:
This is my very first year teaching, and I’m honored I get to start off in District 88. I student taught grades nine, 11 and 12 at Davenport Central High School. Throughout my college career, I worked in the Art History Department monitoring the art gallery, as well as in the Education Department, where I assisted professors with organization and creating class materials.

What are you looking forward to as a new member of the District 88 family?
I am really looking forward to learning from the staff here at Willowbrook, so I can grow as an educator. I also am excited to get to be a part of the Speech Team and meet all of the students involved.

What made you choose this profession and district?
I have always had a passion for English and reading. I couldn’t think of a better way to continue pursuing my love of those two things than to teach and share my passion with high school students. As for why I chose this district, one of my roommates from college attended Willowbrook and never had anything but good things to say about her school. I ended up looking into the district and really liked what I saw, so I decided to apply. I’m excited to learn about the school and get involved with all Willowbrook has to offer!

What do you hope to accomplish during your first year with District 88?
I hope to be able to create engaging, yet relatable lessons for my students, so they might come to love English as much as I do. I also hope to learn more from my colleagues about classroom management techniques and teaching strategies.

Meet Jan Bobek

Title:
Orchestra, guitar and piano teacher at Willowbrook

Educational background:
I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in music education and immediately after began to pursue an advanced degree in educational administration.

Career background:
I was the Orchestra Director at Lane Tech College Preparatory CPS from 2006 to 2011. In 2012 and 2013, I was the Associate Director of Orchestra and Guitar at Adlai E. Stevenson High School. Since 2011, I have been an Adjunct Professor of string pedagogy at Northeastern Illinois University and North Park University.

What are you looking forward to as a new member of the District 88 family?
Working with the greatest team and students in the world!

What made you choose this profession and district?
Education is my passion. I also have a great passion for music, and the combination of the two makes every day an incredible journey. The opening at Willowbrook was exciting for me, as I was well aware of the incredible reputation the school has and the great support the administration gives the staff every day. Being here briefly during the summer and at the first couple of meetings, I learned what a great place this is to teach.

What do you hope to accomplish during your first year with District 88?
I hope to get to know the culture and people of Willowbrook better. I also hope to live up to the high standards and great reputation of the school. Above all, I hope I help my students grow – not only as musicians, but also as human beings.