Dee Andershock

Education: B.A. in Communications from Northern Illinois University, M.A. in Organizational Communication from Northern Illinois University University, Type 75 certification from Aurora University
Awards: Most Inspirational Teacher, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011; Western Illinois University Most Inspirational Teacher award, 2003; College of Lake County Most Inspirational Teacher honorable mention, 2008
Experience: Ms. Andershock has taught at ACHS since 1996 and has coached girls' volleyball, dance, and been a class sponsor and teacher mentor. She has chaired the English department since 2011. Prior to coming to ACHS she taught at Stevenson High School and coached forensics.
Philosophy: "An education is what allows us to fly: to soar to new heights, to explore the outer boundaries, to look at the world from an alternate and magical position. An insatiable curiosity and the courage to quench it are traits I try to encourage in my students. The world, and especially the world of language, is such an interesting place, and I want my students to be an integral part of it."

Kathleen Beckman

Education: B.S. in Psychology from Western Michigan University, B.S. in English Education from Franklin Pierce College, M.A. in Educational Leadership and Type 75 certification from Aurora University
Experience: Ms. Beckman has taught at ACHS since 2003. She advises the student newspaper, serves on the National Honor Society Faculty Council, and has been the freshman class adviser.
Philosophy: "I value the sharing of ideas, opinions and evidence; collaborative learning is the best type of learning."

Jamie D’Andrea

Education: B.A. in English from the University of Illinois, M.A. in Teaching and Leadership from St. Xavier University, Type 75 certification from Aurora University
Experience: Ms. D'Andrea taught one year at Round Lake High School before coming to ACHS in 2002. She has coached girls' basketball and softball.
Philosophy: "All students are capable of learning; it's my job to motivate them to do so."

Mary Easton

Education: B.S. in English from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, M.A.T. in Secondary Education from National-Louis University
Awards: Most Inspirational Teacher, 2009
Experience: Ms. Easton has taught at ACHS since 2005 and has also coached girls' softball.
Philosophy: "I like to facilitate discussions for my older students, while my younger students need more guidance. My teaching approach is very learner-centered so that I am more of a facilitator of student learning in my Senior classes. My freshmen students need more structure and modeling for each lesson. I do like to vary my teaching strategies in order to make learning fun and interesting."

Jim Hellen

Education: B.S. in English Education and M.A. in Composition and Rhetoric Theory from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale; Type 75 certification from Aurora University
Experience: Mr. Hellen has taught in District 117 since 2003. Before that, he taught for five years at Stevenson High School and an additional five years at La Junta High School in La Junta, Colorado.
Philosophy: "I firmly believe that all students can learn. My goal is to empower each student and help them succeed by employing a variety of pedagogical strategies."

Neil Lesinski

Education: B.A. in English Education from Western Illinois University
Experience: Mr. Lesinski began teaching at ACHS in the spring of 2010. He also coaches the boys' and girls' tennis teams.
Philosophy:"I believe in developing students to become lifelong learners that continuously pursue knowledge and seek answers to their questions. I encourage my students to take pride in their individuality while also mastering the skills of collaboration and teamwork."

Audrey Nagel-Schoonmaker

Education: B.A. in English from the Knox College, M.A.T. from Aurora University
Awards: Ms. Nagel-Schoonmaker has had her creative writing work published in The New Scriptor, an educators' literary magazine. She co-wrote the stage adaptation of Jay Asher's novel 13 Reasons Why in 2009.
Experience: Ms. Nagel-Schoonmaker joined the ACHS staff in 1999 after having taught in the Wheaton-Warrenville and Glenbard High School districts. She has advised the literary magazine.
Philosophy: "I'm a creative person, and I hope to foster creativity in others – even those who don't think they have any."

Sarah Ogborn

Education: B.A. in English Education from the Purdue University, M.A. in Teaching and Leadership from St. Xavier University, Type 75 certification from Aurora University
Awards: Ms. Ogborn presented at the Illinois Association of Teachers of English Conference in 2008.
Experience: Ms. Ogborn joined the ACHS staff in 2005. She advises the literary magazine.
Philosophy: "I believe that all students are capable of succeeding in English and becoming strong writers. Some students simply need to be shown compassion, understanding, and patience in order to grow as a student and writer."

Kristen Paul

Education: B.A. in Secondary English Education from Trinity International University, M.A. in Special Education from Northeastern Illinois University, M.A. in Educational Leadership and Type 75 certification from Northeastern Illinois University
Awards: Ms. Paul has been named three times to Who's Who Among America's Teachers. In addition, she was nominated by the Daily Herald as an Inspirational Teacher in 2006
Experience: Ms. Paul has taught at ACHS since 2004 and is a freshman advisory coordinator. Previously she coached girls' basketball as well as advising Operation Snowball.
Philosophy: "My role in the classroom is a facilitator. I believe that students can learn, it is my job to facilitate their knowledge of reading, writing and speaking. One of the most inspiring aspects of teaching is when a former student thanks me for preparing them to be successful in their college classes. That to me is so rewarding to know that I have made a difference."

Nicole Sutherland

Education: B.S. in English from Illinois State University, M.A. in Reading from Concordia University-Chicago
Ms. Sutherland has given numerous presentations at district workshops on reading strategies.
Experience: Ms. Sutherland has taught at ACHS since 2005 and is also a dance team coach.
Philosophy: "Patience, patience, patience."

Kelly Taylor

Education: B.A. in English from the University of Iowa, M.A. in Teaching and Leadership from St. Xavier University
Awards: Universal Dance Association 2009 Exceptional Coach Award
Experience: Ms. Taylor joined the ACHS staff in 2004. She coaches the dance team and has choreographed the dance sequences for the spring musical productions of The Sound of Music and Guys and Dolls.
Philosophy: "I always like to push my students' creative boundaries; creativity helps solve problems. I want them to experiment with style and ideas while writing, make new discoveries and connections through reading, and speak with conviction about ideas. I like to facilitate discussions and activities forcing students to think, share, and reflect."

Mark Thompson

Education: B.S. in English Education from Illinois State University; M.Ed. from National-Louis University, National Journalism Certification from the Journalism Education Association
Awards: Most Inspirational Teacher, 2009; Kettle Moraine Press Association Yearbook Adviser of the Year, 1997; KEMPA Hall of Fame, 2000.
Experience: Mr. Thompson began teaching at ACHS in 1980 and has advised the yearbook since 1982. He also coached freshman baseball for five years.
Philosophy: "Emphasize the fundamentals, and remember that every student is someone's child."

Michele Todd

Education: BA in English Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago; MA in Curriculum and Instruction from St. Xavier University
Experience: Ms. Todd joined the ACHS staff in 1998. She has coached cheerleading and advised both student council and the sophomore class.
Philosophy: "All students can develop a passion for literature and writing. I try to engage my students in the curriculum and spark their natural curiosity by offering choices and a variety of learning experiences."