PAGE 8 Meet the Granger Staff Team 6-1

PAGE 8

Meet the Granger Staff

Kristin Fino

Kristin Fino is beginning her 8th year at Granger. She will be teaching the Language Arts Blocks and Social Studies on Team 6-1. In the winter, Mrs. Fino enjoys coaching the 8th grade Girls Basketball Team. In her free time, she also enjoys spending time with her family and friends, shopping, reading, and painting her new house with her husband.

Ellen Sorenson

Ellen Sorenson has been teaching English as a Second Language for 20 years, and teaches this year at Hill Middle School in the morning and Granger in the afternoons. She has a degree in English from Brigham Young University and degrees in linguistics and English from Northern Illinois University. She loves spending time biking and swimming with her husband and 8 amazing grandchildren. She’d rather read, sing, or even clean the house than watch sports any day.

Gene Van Dusen

Gene Van Dusen is beginning his 16th year at Granger Middle School. He will be teaching Science and Social Studies on team 6-1. Mr. Van Dusen coaches 7th and 8th grade boys’ soccer, 7th and 8th grade girls’ soccer, and 7th grade girls’ basketball. Like Ms. Barnett he also attended Hill Middle School and graduated from Waubonsie Valley High School. He earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from North Central College. He also enjoys traveling with his wife, two daughters, and son to Hilton Head South Carolina, Sea World, and Disney World.

Kathy Budd

Kathy Budd is beginning her 31st year of teaching. She is the Support Teacher for Team 6-1. She co-teaches a Math Plus class and a Strategic Reading class as well as collaborating with the team of teachers in all subject areas. She earned her undergraduate degree from Central Michigan University. She holds a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Development from Michigan State University and Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. In her free time she enjoys reading, walking, kayaking and traveling with her family.

Team 6-1

Pictured from left to right:

Linda Szott, Kristin Fino, Ellen Sorenson, Gene Van Dusen, Kathy Budd, Barbie Barnett

Barbie Barnett

Barbie Barnett is currently the team coordinator for team 6-1. This is her eighteenth year at Granger. Ms. Barnett just loves District 204. She went to Clow Elementary School, Hill Middle School, and graduated from Waubonsie High School - but we won't disclose the year. Her children also attend school in District 204. Ms. Barnett graduated from Milligan Christian College in Tennessee and received her Master's Degree from North Central College. In her spare time Ms. Barnett enjoys reading, watching sports and spending time with her family.

Linda Szott

Linda Szott is thrilled to begin her 1st year at Granger after previously teaching math at Waubonsie Valley High School. She will be teaching Math and Social Studies on team 6-1. Mrs. Szott earned a degree in Industrial Engineering from Bradley University, and she received her teaching certifi-cate from Northern Illinois University. She and her hus-band have 4 children, and most of her free time is spent attending their sporting and musical events.

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Team 6-2

Pictured from left to right:

Sandy Baccus, Pat Hoefler, Jamie DeAngelis, Melody Horyn, Nick Hurd

Pat Hoefler - Science

Pat Hoefler teaches science and social studies on team 6-2. This is

her 36th year teaching! Mrs. Hoefler graduated from WIU with a BS

in biology. She also has a MS in Education from NIU. Mrs. Hoefler

has been married to Dan Sr. for 35 years and has two sons. Daniel

is working at Northwestern University and was a state champion

swimmer at Marmion. Michael is a 4th class midshipman at the

United States Naval Academy. He is an Eagle Scout and plays in

the Naval Academy Drum and Bugle Corps.

Nick Hurd - Math

This is Nick Hurd’s fourth year at Granger Middle School. Currently he

teaches math, accelerated math, and Social Studies, and is also the team

coordinator for Team 6-2. This year Mr. Hurd will be coaching cross

country and track at Granger. Mr. Hurd graduated from North Central

College and was part of the nationally ranked cross country and track

teams. He is also pursuing his masters at Northern Illinois University.

During his free time Mr. Hurd enjoys spending time with his family, running,

and doing outdoor activities.

Sandy Baccus - Language Arts/Soc. Studies

Sandy Baccus has been married to Elmer for 42 years. They have

two sons, Jeff and Brent, who were both District 204 graduates.

This is Sandy’s 16 year teaching here at Granger Middle School.

She graduated from with North Central College with a Bachelor of

Arts degree in English and a Masters of Art in Teaching degree

from National Louis University. In her spare time, she enjoys visiting

with family and friends, bowling, and watching movies.

Jamie DeAngelis - Language Arts/Social Studies

Jamie DeAngelis a new member to Granger Middle School. This is

Miss DeAngelis’ 3rd year in the district. Miss DeAngelis attended

Illinois State University where she received her BS in Education.

She teaches Language Arts and Social Studies on Team 6-2.

When she was 6 years old she decided that she wanted to become

a teacher. During her free time she enjoys listening to music,

traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

Melody Horyn - Support Facilitator

Melody Horyn is a support teacher on Team 6-2. She has been teaching

for thirty years, with fifteen years teaching at the elementary level and the

past fifteen years at middle school. She has graduated from NIU with a

degree in elementary education and earned a MA in Education from Aurora

University. She has been married to Dan for 37 years and has two

children, Danielle and Jonathan who attended district 204 schools K-12.

She has two darling granddaughters, Zoey who is three and Lucy who is 2

months old. She loves to garden and spends time riding bicylces with her

husband. Last October they rode the Pumpkin Ride for the Ottawa, IL

YMCA for 67 miles.

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Team 7-1 Language Arts: Jessica Breyne is beginning her fifth year as a Language Arts and Social Studies teacher at Granger. Ms. Breyne REALLY loves District 204, being a graduate of Brookdale Elementary, Gregory Middle School, and Neuqua Valley High School. She received her undergraduate degree in Secondary English Education from Ball State University and her graduate degree in Reading Instruction from Con-cordia University. Ms. Breyne’s favorite literary memory was visiting the Lake District, home of William Words-worth. In her spare time, she enjoys rooting for Da Bears,

reading everything in Barnes & Noble, and traveling.

Language Arts:

Allison Burnette is beginning her sixth year of teaching at Granger. She is a 2005 graduate of Illinois State University where she received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a 2009 graduate of Aurora University where she received her master’s degree in Reading Instruction. She is excited to begin her 3rd year on team 7-1 with her outstanding teammates. Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Burnette enjoys reading, movies, swimming, seeing live music and traveling. She recently traveled to Europe where she saw her favorite attraction-the Eiffel Tower. She also loves

just relaxing at home with her husband and cat.

Math:

Samantha Sinding grew up in the Chicago Suburbs. She earned her Bachelor’s in Middle Level Education at Illinois State in 2001. She completed student teaching in Honolulu, and taught 7th grade Math there for 4 years. She is excited to teach 7-1 Math and geography for the third year; her fifth year at Granger. Miss Sinding earned her master’s degree in administration from Aurora University in May 2009. She enjoys Sudoku, cheering on the Chicago Bears and Cubs, being a Godmother to a triplet, swimming, reading, spelunking, traveling, shopping, music, reality TV, playing

catch with her German Shepherd, and Pi Day.

Andrew (Drew) Vondran, Miss Sinding’s student teacher, grew up in the Naperville area. He graduated from Naperville North and earned a BS in Business Management from Eastern Illinois University. After two years in the business world, he realized his calling was teaching. Drew is currently finishing up his Master’s in the Art of Teaching at Aurora University. In his free time Drew enjoys sports, coaching, reading, and spending time with his family and

friends.

Science: Steve Gee is entering his fourth year at Granger! He received his undergraduate degree from Central Michigan University. He spent 14 years working in the public accounting field (in Michigan) before moving into education. He teaches Science and Geography, and enjoys spending time with his wife of 20 years and 7th grade and 9th grade daughters. Mr. Gee is also a huge sports fan, although he still roots for his Michigan-based

teams!

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Support Teacher:

Cindi Dalsing is enjoying her fifteenth year at Granger! She has taught elementary, middle, and high school. She has an undergraduate degree from NIU. More recently she earned her master’s degree in reading and literacy from Benedictine University. She and her husband, Wayne, have a son and a daughter. Their son is pursuing a degree in environmental energy and their daughter is working toward her PhD. in biology. In her spare time, Mrs. Dalsing enjoys taking walks and

reading.

Team Meeting Time: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 12:51-1:32PM; Wednes-day 12:29-1:02PM. Team News: Team 7-1 voted on their team name the first full week of school and will be known as the 7-1 Tsunami! Team logos are being prepared and will be voted on soon and we will begin to design team t-shirts to wear at all-school assem-blies so we can show our spirit in the months to come. More information to follow!

Team 7-1 (continued)

Support Teacher:

Diane Amedei is new to Granger this year but has been in the district since 2002! She has lived in the Naperville area for 15 years with all three of her children graduating from Neuqua Valley! She loves all types of sports, especially the Chicago Bears, Blackhawks and Philadelphia Phillies!! In her spare time, Mrs. Amedei enjoys reading and visiting her children at

their perspective colleges!

ELL

Matt Walsh

Anita Lyons is an original Granger staff member and celebrates her 22nd year as a support teacher in the district this year. She is an avid Cubs fan…wait until next year! She is also a proud graduate of Michigan State University (long before Mr. Peterman or Mrs. White). Go Spartans! She has a 21 year old daughter, Madeline, who is a student at DePaul University, and an 8 year old American bulldog, Homer.

Suzanne Czaplewski, long-term sub for Brook Faulstich, has been teaching Middle School Math for 12 years. She is an alumnus of University of Illinois @ Chicago and is currently working on Masters in Educational Leadership at Aurora University. She lives in Naperville with her husband and 3 children, 9 year-old and 3 year-old sons, and 7 year-old daughter.

We interrupt these regularly scheduled biographies to offer you a news bulletin. Please be on the lookout for Team 7-2's Language Arts teacher, Donna Jackson. Height: approximately 5 feet 2 3/8 inches tall, Weight: only her scale knows, and it is not a talking one. Eyes: Brown, Hair: Clairol #73 Maple Syrup Brown. General Description: Students who want an A in her class say she resembles Jessica Alba or Wonder Woman. Ms. Jackson has improved her criminal mind with a Master's Degree in Reading Instruction from Concordia University, so approach with caution. Besides her sharp toenails, you should be careful of her sharp wit. She has been known to shout in crowded hallways, "That was the warning bell, get to your first hour class!" It is also reported that she once talked off a person's ear in a single conversation. If you should see her, contact Mrs. Kelly at 630-375-1010 because Ms. Jackson should probably be in class.


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Team 7-2

Carla Axt-Pilon, Donna Jackson, Dwight Nelson, Suzanne

Czaplewski, Anita Lyons

Dwight Nelson has been teaching for fifteen years and is beginning his 10th year at Granger. He teaches science and geography. He will also coach 8th grade wrestling. Mr. Nelson received his undergraduate degree from Northern Illinois University and his Master’s degree from Aurora University along with his Administration degree. He is married with a nine-year old son (Collin), a six year old son (Eric), a four year old son (Henry), and a cat (Alley).

Carla Axt-Pilon is very excited to be teaching 7th grade this year. She has been teaching 6th grade language arts and social studies at Granger for the past 9 years, but she taught mostly 7th grade in Burr Ridge for 9 years. After graduating from Eastern Illinois University, Ms. Axt-Pilon traveled for a year with a musical group called Up With People, worked at a travel agency, and worked at Chicago’s Field Museum. She earned a Master's Degree in Teaching at National Louis University, and in 2008 she earned National Board Certification for Teaching English. Ms. Axt-Pilon also coaches cross country and track. She has been competing in triathlons for the past 11 years and loves gardening and spending time with her family.


Team 8-1 Robyn Winters is a graduate of Northern Illinois University and is beginning her eleventh year as a teacher at Granger. This year she teaches language arts and social studies. She really enjoys teaching eighth grade and being a part of the Granger family. When she's not grading papers, she likes to cook, shop, watch What Not to Wear, read, hang out with friends, and spend time with her husband and two boys – Ryan & Justin. The family is excited to welcome its newest member this September! She looks forward to an exciting and successful 2010 -2011.

Kristin Grapenthien is entering her sixth year at Granger. She received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from National-Louis University. Miss Grapenthien teaches science and social studies. Miss Grape could spend the entire day watching The Universe on the History Channel! She loves playing with her four nieces and nephew, reading any book she can get her hands on, shopping, and watching her Cubbies (for better or for worse).

Sherry Thien is very excited with her 8th grade assignment and enjoys teaching History and Math. Mrs. Thien’s educational background includes a Master's in Mathematics Education and she has served on many curriculum committees in this district. Just for fun she likes to go to the movies, playing cards and games, eating dinner out, and traveling with friends to exciting places in the world. Several years ago her dream came true and she walked on the Great Wall in China and has had the opportunity to travel to Spain, Greece, Turkey, and Italy. Several adventures that she is thinking about include going to Africa on safari, sailing down the Nile River or even someday visiting the Galapagos Islands. Mrs. Thien just knows that there are so many adventures to enjoy, but believes it is true...there is no place like home and family.

Lynne White is entering her 18th year of teaching language arts and social studies at Granger Middle School. She grew up in Michigan and received her Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. Since moving to Illinois, she has earned her Master’s degree and specialized endorsements from National Louis University. Being a language arts teacher, Mrs. White loves crusading for the English language, creating power writers, and developing critical readers. She enjoys spending family time with her husband and daughters (Caroline and Chayse), traveling, photography, watching reality television, and reading. In addition, she is an avid fan for various favorite teams in all sports… Go State!

Lisa Ness graduated from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville with a double major in regular and special education and recently completed her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University Chicago. Miss Ness enters her twelfth year of teaching, this being her tenth year in District 204. Although she will miss coaching our 8th Grade Grizzly Volleyball Team this year with Ms. O’Malley, she is looking forward to filling her time exploring new interests in the city. Miss Ness is always on the go and is known for her love of fashion, coffee, and crazy outfits! She looks forward to another great year in 8th Grade!

Karen Slack is beginning her third year at Granger and is excited to be joining the 8th grade team. Although relatively new to this district, Mrs. Slack brings 13 years of experience to the job. When not at school, Mrs. Slack enjoys spending time with her 3 children and new daughter-in-law. Spending time outdoors is her favorite past time.

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Gwyn Fahrner is thrilled to be a part of the 8th grade Granger team. She is sure this will be an exciting year to remember. This is her fifth year at Granger as a TA. Before this she worked at the Naperville Sun, for sixteen years, planning layouts and designing ads. She has seen the paper evolve with new technology over the years. Ms. Fahrner enjoys creating art by hand, computer generated art, painting, organic gardening, and sewing. Gwyn has a daughter in Houston and two sons here in Joliet and Plano, Illinois. She spends a lot of time with her family and finds those family moments very special. Ms. Fahrner loves baking cookies with her 3 year old granddaughter and making memories for the future.


Team 8-2

Suzan Bushy, Glenda Gustafson, Bryan Carter, Mary Mayle,

Louisa Papa, Brian Klaft, Lilia Ocon

Glenda Gustafson starts her 13th year at Granger Middle School continuing teaching Math. She also gets the satisfaction of teaching Language Arts to our 8th graders and performing the duties of Granger’s Lead Teacher. Before coming to Granger, Mrs. Gustafson taught math and PE in Texas and Hinsdale, IL. She is an avid sports fan and loves to watch her children Kandice and Cody play softball, football and a variety of other activities. During any free time that is left, Mrs. Gustafson can be found with her husband and kids riding bikes, jet skis or skiing down the slopes.

Brian Klaft is a native of Sheboygan, WI, and is entering his twelfth year teaching Science and History at Granger. He is a 1990 graduate of Concordia University-River Forest, IL. Before arriving at Granger he taught in Chicago and Berwyn for eight years. Away from Granger, Mr. Klaft volunteers in the children’s ministries of his church, serving as an Awana leader. He enjoys reading, working in his garden and creating new recipes in his kitchen. During any free time Mr. Klaft can be found spending time with his wife of twenty years, Linda, and his three children Tori, Jake, and Jack.

Bryan Carter has earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Aurora University. He is currently enrolled in an ESL certification program with National Louis. Being a Language Arts teacher, Mr. Carter finds it annoying when people write about themselves in the third person. He is the father of four young children ages 4, 3, 2, and 4 menthes. Mr. Carter also coaches middleweight football, 8AA boys basketball, and 8AA girls basketball. GO PACK GO!!!

Louisa Papa is beginning her 24th year of teaching. She has served in a variety of roles in the district, including spending six years as a district behavior specialist. Her current role is that of a Support Facilitator and Math Plus teacher for Team 8-2. She also teaches study skills. Mrs. Papa loves sports and enjoys watching her two grandsons, Will and Christian, play soccer, baseball and football. Prior to joining Granger, Mrs. Papa taught in Texas and Louisiana as well as at Waubonsie Valley High School. She also teaches as an adjunct instructor at Waubonsee Community College. She received her master’s degree in Counseling from Louisiana Tech University and her second master’s in Educational Administration from Governor’s State University. Louisa is excited to be a part of Team 8-2 again this year.

Mary Mayle is a Teaching Assistant for team 8-2. This is her 14th year working with children in the education field. In her spare time, Mrs. Mayle loves traveling and spending time with her family. She is married and has three children. Mrs. Mayle graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Civil Engineering. She is looking forward to a wonderful school year.

Suzan Bushy is beginning her fifth year as a Teaching Assistant for the eighth grade. She has an Undergraduate degree in Marketing, and is a certified Language Arts and Social Studies teacher. She is married and has one son named Drew. When she is not at school, Mrs. Bushy can be found at the sports fields cheering her son on to victory, socializing with her friends, or volunteering in the community. She is very excited to be a part of Team 8-2 and is looking forward to a successful school year. GO GRIZZLIES!

Lilia Ocon is a Teaching Assistant for team 8-2. This is her 6th year working with children in the educational field. Mrs. Ocon loves cooking for her family. She is married and has 5 children. Mrs. Ocon graduated from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago with a degree in Criminal Justice where she also had a minor in Child Development. Mrs. Ocon enjoys working at Granger Middle School but especially being part of Team 8-2. She is looking forward to a wonderful school year.

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Andrew Peterman

Andrew Peterman has been a Project Arrow Math and Science teacher for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade since the 2002-2003 school year. Prior to that, he taught fifth grade at Graham Elementary also in District 204. He earned his Bachelors degree from Michigan State University and earned his Masters degree in Educational Leadership from Aurora University. He is looking forward to another awesome year with the outstanding PA Team! Go MSU! Go Cubbies! Go Bears! Go Blackhawks!

Michelle O’Malley

Michelle O’Malley has been teaching Language Arts on the Project Arrow team since 2004. This year she is teaching two blocks of 7th grade Language Arts, as well as 7th grade Geography. She is a graduate from both Lincoln Christian College and Illinois State University, and recently completed her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Besides teaching, Ms. O’Malley coaches volleyball and basketball at Granger. She also enjoys visiting her family in southern Illinois and North Carolina, decorating her new house, reading, and playing with her Yorkie puppy, Hurley. Go Grizzlies! Go Cubbies! Go Bears!

Mark Sadler

This is Mark’s fifth year at Granger having come from Oliver J. Kendall Elementary in the district where, from 1999 until 2006, he taught fifth grade. Prior to teaching, Mark was a police lieutenant, D.A.R.E. officer, SWAT officer, and a K9 officer in West Virginia. Mark is a graduate of North Central College, and he is also a U.S. Army veteran. In 2004 Mark achieved National Board Certification as a teacher of middle-aged students. 2009 marks the completion of Mark’s Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Mark and his wife, Tracy, have been married for 26 years, have 3 Golden Retrievers and they have two daughters: Kara and Kristin. Go Cubs and the West Virginia Mountaineers!

Kelly Mulhern

Kelly Mulhern is delighted to be starting her fourth year here at Granger Middle School. Ms. Mulhern teaches Language Arts and World History on Team 6-0. She received her undergraduate degree in Middle Childhood Education from the University of Dayton. She is pursuing her Masters to become endorsed as a Reading Specialist. Ms. Mulhern is originally from the suburbs of Chicago. Her enthusiasm for Middle School can be seen everyday! Outside of the classroom Ms. Mulhern can be found reading, cooking and spending time with family and friends. She is looking forward to an enjoyable and successful year on Team 6-0!

Shawn White

Shawn White has been teaching at Granger Middle School since 1994. This is his fourth year on the PA team, teaching 6th and 8th grade Science and 6th grade Social Studies. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Illinois University in Physical Science and Biology, and also has completed his Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction at National-Louis University. Mr. White is married and has two children, Caroline and Chayse. On the weekend Mr. White loves to follow NASCAR and cook outside on the grill.

Suzi Ganger

Suzi Ganger is a graduate of Illinois State University, and she completed her Master’s degree at National Louis University. This year marks Mrs. Ganger’s eighth year of teaching math and social studies at Granger Middle School. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family which includes her husband of six years, her two year old daughter, Kasey and her black lab, Mia. Reading and scrapbooking also rank high on Mrs. Ganger's to do list. In addition, Mrs. Ganger can be found cheering on her favorite teams. Go Cubs! Go Bears! Go Hawks! Go Grizzlies!

Project Arrow

Andrew Peterman, Shawn White, Kelly Mulhern,

Michelle O’Malley, Suzi Ganger, Mark Sadler


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Reading Kathy Wisniowski

Kathy is thrilled to begin her 10th year at Granger. She has worked as a Reading Specialist and taught Strategic Reading all 10 years. In addition to teaching reading, Kathy loves to work with students after school in the yearbook club and the spring musical. She is looking forward to another successful production this year and hopes to see many new and old faces at auditions this winter. Go Grizzlies! Merial Gihan

Mrs. Merial Gihan begins her 13th year in District #204 and her 8th year at Granger Middle School as a 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Reading Specialist. She received a Bachelor's degree from Lincoln University, PA and a Master's degree from St. John's University in Queens, NY. She and her family migrated to the Midwest like many other families due to a job transfer. The transfer has been a wonderful experience—the Midwest is a great place to grow and learn! Merial enjoys working with students and gets excited seeing their academic as well as social growth. She finds working with young people at Granger very rewarding---she loves seeing the expressions on their faces as they understand ideas and concepts taught to them. There's nothing better than touching young lives in such a positive manner!

Kathy Wisniowski, Merial Gihan

Cindy Nahin

This is Cindy Nahin’s 9th year teaching at Granger Middle School. She is only teaching one subject this year---Español! ¡OLÉ! She looks forward to working with your children and is VERY excited about introducing the new 8th grade curriculum! She earned a BS degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison/ University of Madrid-Spain in Art and Spanish, has a MA degree in Art History from The University of Chicago, and a MAT from National Louis University.

Although Mrs. Nahin’s passion has always been teaching, she was not always a teacher…For 14 years she made TV commercials and worked in program development for the Kohl Children’s Museum and The Field Museum of Natural History. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband David, and kids, traveling, gardening, scuba diving, and playing with her new Shiba Inu puppy, Bentley Fernando.

Foreign Language PE/Health Mr. Burson

This is Mr. Burson 16th year of teaching at Granger. During this time he has taught Physical Education, been lead teacher for two years and has been team coordinator for 8 years. Mr. Burson has coached heavyweight football for 15 years with his good buddy Mr. Branson, coached wrestling for 16 years and track for 1 year. Mr. Burson has a wife (Julie ) and two children (Dougie 8 years and Anna 61/2 years). Mr. Burson loves Granger and all the traditions it has to offer.

Mr. Branson

This is Mr. Branson’s 19th year of teaching in District #204 and 18th at Granger where he teaches Health and Physical Education. Mr. Branson also has been a team coordinator for the last eight years. He also coaches Heavyweight football, 7th grade Boys Basketball, and Boys Track and Field. He has been married to his wife, Kerri, for 16 years and has four children, Luke 13, Zach 13, Samuel 10, and Leah 8. Mr. Branson loves to travel, fish, workout, run half marathons, landscape and spend time with his family and friends. Granger is a great place to be!

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Computers Mary Fitzgerald

Mary Fitzgerald has been teaching computer classes in District 204 since 1994. She started at Gregory Middle School and transferred to Granger in 1995. She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Northern Illinois University. She completed her Masters in Instructional Technology in August, 2003. In addition to teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, she is involved in teaching many staff development classes. She has two children. Her daughter teaches freshmen Math at New Trier High School and her son works for an insurance company in downtown Chicago. Mr. Fitzgerald is a computer programmer for a company in Naperville. She enjoys reading and doing anything and everything on the computer.

Judy Reed

Judy Reed can often be heard using a Southern phrase in her classroom because she grew up in Arkansas and lived in Louisiana and Mississippi before coming to Illinois. She is starting her sixteenth year in District 204. She has taught music, art, computers and Communication Arts at Granger. This year she will be teaching Computer I and Computer II along with Mixed Media Technology. Mrs. Reed's undergraduate degree is from Arkansas State University. Her graduate degree is from North Central College. She received her National Board Certification in 2008. Her favorite time is when her family is together. Spending time with her two grandchildren, Ashleigh - 7, and Paul – 5, is just the best. They will be joined by grandbaby #3 in late fall. They live in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin so she makes a lot of trips up north. Her other daughter lives in Indiana and is finishing her training as a family practice/internal medicine doctor. Mrs. Reed enjoys reading, sports, traveling and sewing in her free time. She is a loyal Cardinals baseball fan, even when they aren’t playing the best.

Brian Giovanini

As a graduate of Pontiac High School in Pontiac, Illinois, I loved to be involved in education and athletics. As a young child, I truly enjoyed being involved in as many sports and clubs as possible including Key Club, baseball, basketball and football. After graduating from high school, I attended the University of Illinois and was fortunate to be in school when the Fighting Illini made their great run to the Final Four. Upon graduating from Illinois, I immediately set my sights on acquiring my degree in Business Education from Illinois State University. This year is my fourth year of teaching, and I continue to enjoy every minute of it. Thus far in my teaching career, I coached boys' basketball and girls' lacrosse at the high school level. In my spare time, I enjoy staying active, reading and watching college football.


Brian Giovanini, Mary Fitzgerald, Judy Reed

Mrs. Kryszak is excited to be teaching this year’s orchestra at Granger! A member of the Granger staff since 1999, Mrs. Kryszak teaches 6th and 8th

grade orchestra, as well as cello and bass technique classes and the Select Strings ensemble. In addition to teaching orchestra at Granger, Mrs. Kryszak will also be teaching orchestra at Brooks Elementary, right across the street.

Originally from Kansas City, Mrs. Kryszak earned her Bachelor’s of Music Education and her Bachelors of Music Performance degrees from Drake University, and her Masters of Music Education degree from Vandercook College of Music. During her time at Drake, Mrs. Kryszak had the opportunity to play in a professional symphony orchestra, the Des Moines Symphony. Mrs. Kryszak has also performed as a member of the Joliet Orchestra.

When she is not at school, Mrs. Kryszak enjoys exercise (especially long bike rides), playing with her dog, house projects, trying new recipes, and enjoying time with her husband, Tim, and young son, Timothy.

Orchestra

Documents

PAGE 8 Meet the Granger Staff Team 6-1