Sara Courington

Downers Grove South High School

Associate Principal

 

Prior to her role as Associate Principal for Student Services at DGS, Sara was a classroom special education teacher, Dean of Students, Special Education Department Chairperson and an Associate Principal for Curriculum and Instruction.  She received her BS from University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, and M.Ed. in special Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and a M.A. in Educational Leadership from North Central College. She is a resident of Downers Grove.

Michele Doose

Pierce Downers Elementary

Educator

 

Michele is a 6th grade teacher at Pierce Downer Elementary School.  She grew up in Downers Grove, attending Highland, Herrick and DG North.  

 has been a teacher in D58 since 2003, experiencing 

both the middle school (Herrick) and elementary settings.  Michele holds a BA from Lewis University and a Masters from St. Francis.

Kate Hahn

Indian Boundary YMCA,

Membership & Wellness Director

 

Kate has worked in the fitness industry for 12 years as a Group Exercise instructor and Personal Trainer after graduating from the University of Illinois.  She grew up in Darien and now lives in Downers Grove with her husband and three children.

Amanda Klenk

Downers Grove Public Library

Teen Services Coordinator

 

Amanda develops the Library teen collection, provides outreach services, and coordinates programming for middle school and high school students.  She holds a BA from Indiana University and a Masters of Library and Information Scoience from Simmons University in Boston.

Heather Lippe

Village of Downers Grove

Social Worker

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Heather has a Masters in Social Work from the University of St. Francis, Joliet and a BA in Psychology from Benedictine University. She is a full time Social Worker for the Village with a thorough understanding of the resources available to help people in need of refferals for a variety of social services.

Dr. Erin Ludwick

Downers Grove North High School

Associate Principal

 

Erin currently services as Associate Principal of Student Services at Downers Grove North High School.  She earned her Bachelor's degree at Illinois State University and two Masters degrees at the University of Illinois. She is currently working towards her Doctorate in Equity and Education Policy at the University of Illinois.

Lisa Marsicano

Executive Function Coach, MAT

 

As an Executive Function Skills Specialist and coach, Lisa provides trainings, materials and consulting services for students of all ages to foster independence and resilience to help guide students to success in high school, college and life. 

Sandra McDonnell

Navigate Adolescence

Executive Director

Leslie Murphy

M.A., CALP, LBS

Education Specialist

 

Leslie Murphy works as an Education Specialist in a partial hospitalization program helping patients who struggle with mental health.  She also is a certified Dyslexia Specialist who has worked with children of all ages for over 15  years. In addition to being a lifelong educator and learner, Leslie is a mother of two boys ages 16 and 13 years old and a 10 year-old girl.  

Matt Neustadt

O'Neill Middle School

Educator

 

A lifelong resident of Downers Grove, Matt is currently teaching 7th grade math at O'Neill.  He earned his Bachelor's Degree at National Louis University, Master's Degree from Northern Illinois University, and a second Master's Degree at Western Governors University.  He lives in Downers Grove with his wife and two teenage sons.

Peggy Tomchek, M.S., LCP

Benedictine University

Counseling Coordinator

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​Peggy has lived in Downers Grove for ten years, and is a married mother of two teenagers. As a Licensed Professional Counselor she enjoys working with adolescents and wants to make a lasting impact on the well-being of our teenagers while working to foster real connections.