English Learners Department

Department Head: Kathy Lipowski

Department Phone: (630) 782-3001

English Learners (EL) Department

The English Learners (EL) program consists of a complementary English and Reading course with teacher teams at the newcomer, beginning, intermediate, and advanced language levels.

  • The Newcomer program consists of English and Language Skills courses for students who are new to the country and who benefit from intensive English instruction with native language support.
  • Beginning, or Level 1, is a two-period program with a focus on intensive English instruction for students whose basic interpersonal language skills and cognitive academic language proficiency are in the beginning stages. There is an emphasis on oral comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing production skills.
  • Intermediate, or Level 2 is a two-period program that offers continuing English instruction for students whose language proficiency is growing but still benefit from significant English language support.  This level offers content support, as well as the further development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in English.
  • Students in Advanced, or EL 3, are enrolled in core programming but are eligible for support through an EL Language Assistance period in the Warrior Resource Center. 

Placement or promotion for all program levels is based on national ACCESS and district GRADE and STAR scores. Additional academic support is offered through bilingual/sheltered content courses and an EL Language Assistance period in the Warrior Resource Center.

Name Phone Schedule Contact
Staff member Lucy Almanza-Fernandez  photo
Lucy Almanza-Fernandez
Teacher
(630) 782-2837 View Lucy Almanza-Fernandez  schedule Contact Lucy Almanza-Fernandez
Staff member Erica Craig photo
Erica Craig
Assistant Superintendent for Student Programs and Services
(630) 458-4542 View Erica Craig schedule Contact Erica Craig
Staff member Eduardo Delacruz photo
Eduardo Delacruz
Teacher
(630) 530-3407 View Eduardo Delacruz schedule Contact Eduardo Delacruz
Yudany Diaz
Teacher
(630) 782-3092 View Yudany  Diaz schedule Contact Yudany  Diaz
Leslie Diederich
Teacher Aide
View Leslie Diederich schedule Contact Leslie Diederich
Staff member Edgar Dorado photo
Edgar Dorado
Teacher
(630) 458-4251 View Edgar Dorado schedule Contact Edgar Dorado
Staff member Hilary Foster photo
Hilary Foster
Teacher
(630) 782-3061 View Hilary Foster schedule Contact Hilary Foster
Staff member Marisol  Johnson photo
Marisol Johnson
Teacher
(630) 782-3064 View Marisol  Johnson schedule Contact Marisol  Johnson
Barbara Juvan
Teacher Aide
View Barbara Juvan schedule Contact Barbara Juvan
Sumera Khurram
Teacher Aide
View Sumera Khurram schedule Contact Sumera Khurram
Staff member Kathy Lipowski photo
Kathy Lipowski
Literacy Department Head
(630) 782-3001 View Kathy Lipowski schedule Contact Kathy Lipowski
Hiriagnny Lorenzo Paulino
Teacher/Teacher Aide
View Hiriagnny Lorenzo Paulino schedule Contact Hiriagnny Lorenzo Paulino
Staff member Yarazet Ocampo photo
Yarazet Ocampo
Teacher
(630) 458-4161 View Yarazet Ocampo schedule Contact Yarazet Ocampo
Cynthia Ochoa
Teacher
(630) 782-3079 View Cynthia  Ochoa schedule Contact Cynthia  Ochoa
Staff member Staci Scapardine photo
Staci Scapardine
Teacher
(630) 782-2884 View Staci Scapardine schedule Contact Staci Scapardine
Yusuf Shah
Teacher
(630) 782-2812 View Yusuf Shah schedule Contact Yusuf Shah
Staff member Carrie Skala photo
Carrie Skala
Teacher
(630) 782-2802 View Carrie Skala schedule Contact Carrie Skala
Staff member Colleen Smith photo
Colleen Smith
Teacher
(630) 782-3009 View Colleen Smith schedule Contact Colleen Smith
Anne Steininger
Teacher Aide
View Anne Steininger schedule Contact Anne Steininger
Staff member Azahara Tello photo
Azahara Tello
Teacher
(630) 782-3018 View Azahara Tello schedule Contact Azahara Tello
Staff member Marlene Valadez photo
Marlene Valadez
Faculty
(630) 530-3998 View Marlene Valadez schedule Contact Marlene Valadez
Aubrey Wise
Teacher Aide
View Aubrey Wise schedule Contact Aubrey Wise