Ryan Martin
Principal
Birthday: May 30th
Hobbies: All things sports. I enjoy watching my daughters play basketball, softball, track, cross country, volleyball, and soccer
Class Color/Theme: Orange and Blue
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite College or Sports Team: Illini, Bears, and Cubs
Favorite Places to Shop: Lake of the Woods Golf Course
Favorite Places to Eat: Project 47, Jimmy Johns, Fillipos
Favorite Snacks: Beef Jerky
Favorite Drinks: Sweet Tea, coffee
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: None
It means the most to me when the parents of my students: Send positive messages
Tracy Beecher
Assistant Principal
Katelin Schroeder
Dean of Students
Birthday: July 10th
Hobbies: Reading, Running, Baking
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite College or Sports Team: Illini and Cardinals
Favorite Places to Shop: TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Target
Favorite Places to Eat: Whisk, Chick-Fil-A, Chipotle, Monicals
Favorite Snacks: Blue Nerd Clusters, Pretzels, Fruit, Vanilla Oreos, Sour Gummy Worms
Favorite Drinks: Diet Coke
It means the most to me when the parents of my students: share the positive impact that MPE has had on their children’s lives.
Support Staff
Stephanie Alves
Interventionist
Birthday: July 28th
Hobbies: Hiking, reading, and photography
Class Color/Theme: Turquoise/carnival or animals
Favorite Color: Purple or Magenta
Favorite College or Sports Team: Illini!
Favorite Places to Shop: Amazon, Target, Hobby Lobby
Favorite Snacks: Ranch Edamame, Trail Mix, Fruit
Favorite Drinks: Coffee with Hazelnut or Vanilla creamer; bai coconut water
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: None; less sugar
For my classroom, I’m looking for: table spots
Thank you, but I don’t need anymore: Sticky notes, markers, or pens
It means the most to me when the parents of my students: read with or to their child.
Julie Arnold
EOP
Birthday: October 4th
Hobbies: Walking & reading
Favorite Places to Shop: Hobby Lobby & Kohls
Favorite Places to Eat: Monicals & Culvers
Favorite Snacks: Anything chocolate
Favorite Drinks: Iced White Chocolate Mocha & Dr. Pepper
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: None
Nicci Beard
Paraprofessional
Birthday: May 1st
Hobbies: Camping, reading, baking
Favorite Color: Purple, blue
Favorite College or Sports Team: U of I, St. Louis Cardinals
Favorite Places to Shop: Maurices, Kohl’s, Target
Favorite Places to Eat: Los Zarapes, Filippo’s ,Ribeye, Monicals
Favorite Snacks: M&M, pretzels, popcorn
Favorite Drinks: Sprite, Diet Coke
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: None
Patrick Brewer
Health EOP
Birthday: July 21st
Hobbies: LA Dodgers, my kids, movies, card games
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite College or Sports Team: LA Dodger
Favorite Places to Shop: Menards
Favorite Snacks: Dark chocolate
Favorite Drinks: medium black coffee
Beth Burdette
Paraprofessional/Student Teacher
Birthday: March 31st
Hobbies: Hanging out with my family, reading
Favorite Color: Purple
Favorite College or Sports Team: U of I
Favorite Places to Shop: Target, Barnes & Noble
Favorite Places to Eat: Chick-Fil-A, Monical’s Pizza
Favorite Snacks: Pretzels, Pistachios, Heath Bar, Mounds
Favorite Drinks: Dr. Pepper (fountain), water
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: None
Katie Burrell
Interventionist
Birthday: September 9th
Hobbies: Spending time with family, watching my sons play sports.
Favorite Color: Purple
Favorite College or Sports Team: Illini and Saint Louis Cardinals
Favorite Places to Shop: Prairie Gardens, Target and Amazon
Favorite Places to Eat: Billy Barooz, Seven Saints, Los Zarapes
Favorite Snacks: White cheddar popcorn
Favorite Drinks: Diet Coke or Hot Chocolate
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: None
It means the most to me when the parents of my students: Share the great things their students are doing outside of school
Whitney Cisna
Library Aide
Birthday: August 7th
Hobbies: Baking, crafting, spending time outdoors
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite Places to Shop: Target, Amazon
Favorite Places to Eat: Los Zarapes, Dairy Queen
Favorite Snacks: Smartfood White Cheddar popcorn, Starbursts
Favorite Drinks: Diet Coke
Suzann Dill
Family Engagement Specialist
Do you have an Amazon Wish List link? https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1594X7WDQ5UBB?ref_=wl_share
Birthday: May 9th
Hobbies: I love to watch my children’s athletic, choral and drama events! I enjoy reading, being at the beach, and doing anything in or on the water! I also love spending time with my growing family, including my adorable four grandchildren!
Favorite Color: Yellow
Favorite College or Sports Team: Marquette University
Favorite Places to Shop: Dick’s House of Sports
Favorite Places to Eat: Los Zarapes, The Wok, Biaggi’s
Favorite Snacks: Anything Ice Cream or Chocolate
Favorite Drinks: Diet Coke and Lemonades of all kinds
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: None
For my classroom, I’m looking for: Items to share with the families I work with! Sometimes just giving them a new book or a small toy they can take home is HUGE for them!
Thank you, but I don’t need anymore: Mugs/Bottles–we have so many!! LOL
It means the most to me when the parents of my students: Know that I care about their entire family!
Brittany Fairfield
Paraprofessional
Birthday: April 24th
Hobbies: Reading
Class Color/Theme: Brown Bear
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite College or Sports Team: University of Illinois
Favorite Places to Shop: Kohls
Favorite Places to Eat: The Wok
Favorite Snacks: Nerds gummy clusters
Favorite Drinks: Diet Pepsi
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: None
Angela Fitzsimmons
Kindergarten Paraprofessional
Birthday: October 15th
Hobbies: Gardening and reading
Favorite Color: Purple
Favorite Snacks: Cheese and peanuts
Favorite Drinks: Coke Zero
Kelsey Floyd
District Nurse
Birthday: March 30th
Hobbies: Reading, hanging out with my family, working out
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite College or Sports Team: Illini
Favorite Places to Shop: Target
Favorite Places to Eat: Seven Saints
Favorite Snacks: Popcorn
Favorite Drinks: Sparkling water, diet coke
Deborah Gabhart
Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Birthday: January 24th
Hobbies: Crochet/knitting
Favorite Color: Red
Favorite College or Sports Team: UI
Favorite Places to Shop: Walmart; Target
Favorite Places to Eat: El Toro; Jimmy Johns
Favorite Snacks: Chocolate
Favorite Drinks: Water; coffee (Frappuccino!)
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: None
Thank you, but I don’t need anymore: Pens
It means the most to me when the parents of my students: communicate
Victoria Giles
Paraprofessional
Birthday: September 29th
Hobbies: Reading, traveling, being outdoors, spending time with family
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite College or Sports Team: Illinois State University, U of I
Favorite Places to Shop: Target
Favorite Places to Eat: Jimmy Johns, Whisk, Panera
Favorite Snacks: Twizzlers, Reese’s, pretzels
Favorite Drinks: Coke Zero, alani nu, iced black coffee
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: None
Olivia Hyde
Paraprofessional
Birthday: April 19th
Hobbies: Painting, Being Outdoor
Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Places to Shop: Target and TJ Maxx
Favorite Places to Eat: DQ and Los Zarapes
Favorite Snacks: Cheez-Its
Favorite Drinks: Dr. Pepper
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: None
Melinda Klaus
Pre-K Paraprofessional
Birthday: September 8th
Hobbies: Reading, travel
Class Color/Theme: Butterfly
Favorite Color: Purple
Favorite College or Sports Team: Cubs, Bears, Illini
Favorite Places to Shop: Amazon, Target
Favorite Places to Eat: Jimmy John’s, Los Zarapes
Favorite Snacks: Trail mix, cheese popcorn, clementines
Favorite Drinks: Pepsi, water
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: None
Thank you, but I don’t need anymore: Coffee Cup
Jill Lager
Instructional Coach
Birthday: March 5th
Hobbies: Baking, Reading, YOGA, shopping 🙂
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite College or Sports Team: University of Illinois, Chiefs and Cardinals
Favorite Places to Shop: TJ Maxx, Target
Favorite Places to Eat: Black Dog, Maize, Poke Shack
Favorite Snacks: Cashews, pistachios, peanut M&Ms
Favorite Drinks: Strawberry Refresher
Thank you, but I don’t need anymore: Markers and Pens
Lori Larson
Social Worker
Birthday: December 1st
Hobbies: Travel, working in my yard, drinking coffee with a good book
Favorite Color: Red
Favorite College or Sports Team: Illinois
Favorite Places to Shop: TJ Maxx and Home Goods
Favorite Places to Eat: Chik-fil-a
Favorite Snacks: Peanut M&Ms and popcorn
Favorite Drinks: Diet Coke, unsweetened tea and coffee
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: None
Kim Lenzini
Pre-K Teacher Aide
Birthday: February 10th
Hobbies: reading, walking my dogs
Class Color/Theme: yellow, Duck room
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite College or Sports Team: U of I Basketball, Cardinals baseball, Dallas Cowboys
Favorite Places to Shop: Yellow and Co., Target
Favorite Places to Eat: Jimmy Johns, DQ
Favorite Snacks: granola, popcorn and chocolate
Favorite Drinks: coffee, Sprite
For my classroom, I’m looking for: Mrs. Turek’s amazon wish list.
Thank you, but I don’t need anymore: coffee cups
Karen McHale
Interventionist
Birthday: June 28th
Hobbies: Reading, walking, travel and spending time with my family
Class Color/Theme: bright colors (purple walls)
Favorite Color: Yellow
Favorite Places to Shop: T J Maxx, Target
Favorite Places to Eat: Filippos, Jimmy John’s, Whisk, Breaking Taco
Favorite Snacks: cookies, caramel-cheese corn, swedish fish, M & Ms
Favorite Drinks: Coffee, water, Diet Coke or Diet Mt. Dew
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: None
It means the most to me when the parents of my students: Reach out and talk to me with questions and/or concerns.
Kelly Nowak
Pre-K Paraprofessional
Birthday: April 26th
Hobbies: I love being outdoors, baking, arts and crafts, and being with my family.
Class Color/Theme: Elephants
Favorite Color: Purple
Favorite College or Sports Team: Dodgers
Favorite Places to Shop: Temu
Favorite Places to Eat: All mexican restaurants and sushi.
Favorite Snacks: Pop Chips, Smartfood Popcorn, fresh fruit.
Favorite Drinks: Coke, Hint Water, sweet tea.
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: Allergic to kiwi.
It means the most to me when the parents of my students: Trust me to guide and support their child’s growth and development.
Philisha Paragi
K Support Services Teacher
Do you have an Amazon Wish List Link? https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/WQZTHXFLRR3A?ref_=wl_share
Birthday: January 8th
Hobbies: reading, scrapbooking, travel, time with family
Favorite Color: pink
Favorite College or Sports Team: Indiana University
Favorite Places to Shop: Target, Michael’s
Favorite Places to Eat: Breaking Taco, Project 47
Favorite Snacks: pistachios and Reese’s cups
Favorite Drinks: diet coke, iced tea
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: None
For my classroom, I’m looking for: snacks for students, velcro, card stock
It means the most to me when the parents of my students: reach out
Stephanie Peterson
Low Vision/Blind Teacher
Birthday: April 3rd
Hobbies: Baking, crafts, sign language, braille, movies, spending time with family and friends
Favorite Color: Purple
Favorite Places to Shop: Target, Amazon
Favorite Places to Eat: Texas Roadhouse, Chilis
Favorite Snacks: Skittles (Regular and Wildberry), pink Starburst, Hershey’s chocolate with almonds
Favorite Drinks: Iced Tea, Diet Mountain Dew, Starbucks
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: None
For my classroom, I’m looking for: Brightly colored and light up toys and materials, durable toys, brailled books and materials
Thank you, but I don’t need anymore: Cups 😉
It means the most to me when the parents of my students: Team up with me to support their child’s needs
Cathy Phillips
Registered Behavior Technician
Birthday: September 20th
Hobbies: reading, drawing, camping
Favorite Color: blue/ green
Favorite Places to Shop: Amazon
Favorite Snacks: Chocolate
Favorite Drinks: Coffee and Pepsi
Denise Reese
EOP
Birthday: November 17th
Hobbies: Reading, baking, gardening
Favorite Color: Yellow
Favorite Places to Eat: Los Zarapes, YoYo’s
Favorite Snacks: Trail mix, Gardetto’s
Favorite Drinks: tea, Diet Coke
Amy Roehrig
District Math Instructional Coach
Birthday: September 13th
Hobbies: Gardening
Favorite Snacks: Popcorn
Favorite Drinks: Cold Brew, Coke Zero
Emily Sanders
SLP
Do you have an Amazon Wish List Link? https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/30ZFKLTDFE5EZ?ref_=wl_share
Birthday: March 14th
Hobbies: shopping, hanging out with friends and family, reading
Class Color/Theme: Sweet Treats
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite College or Sports Team: Chicago Cubs
Favorite Places to Shop: Amazon, Target, TJ Maxx
Favorite Places to Eat: Chilis, Chick fil a
Favorite Snacks: pretzels, goldfish
Favorite Drinks: Cherry Coke, Starbucks pink drink
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: None
Carly Senefeld
Physical Therapist
Birthday: December 27th
Hobbies: hiking, yoga, shopping, reading
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite College or Sports Team: Marquette University, US Women’s soccer
Favorite Places to Shop: Yellow & Co, Target
Favorite Places to Eat: Jimmy John’s
Favorite Snacks: pretzels, dark chocolate
Favorite Drinks: vanilla latte, Bubbl’r
It means the most to me when the parents of my students: share sweet stories, show pictures of them working on PT skills at home
Mandy Shanks
School Psychologist
Birthday: December 7th
Hobbies: Hiking, Travel, Disney
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite College or Sports Team: Bears and Cubs
Favorite Places to Shop: Target
Favorite Places to Eat: Los Zarapes
Favorite Snacks: Snickers
Favorite Drinks: Dr. Pepper or Water
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: None
Tara Sieben
SLP
Do you have an Amazon Wish List Link? https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3BYL69JOTMPTB?ref_=wl_share
Birthday: April 13th
Hobbies: reading, spending time with family, pickleball
Class Color/Theme: varsity letters
Favorite Color: blue and green
Favorite College or Sports Team: Illini/Cubs
Favorite Places to Shop: Target, Amazon, Yellow & Co
Favorite Places to Eat: Chili’s, Los Zarapes, Jimmy John’s
Favorite Snacks: Skinny Pop, Cheez-its, sour gummy bears
Favorite Drinks: Diet Coke
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: None
For my classroom, I’m looking for: new therapy materials and books
Thank you, but I don’t need anymore: Mugs
It means the most to me when the parents of my students: Write a nice note
Sara Snipes
Paraprofessional
Birthday: September 4th
Hobbies: Reading, coloring
Class Color/Theme: Orange and blue
Favorite Color: Orange
Favorite College or Sports Team: Cubs
Favorite Places to Shop: Amazon
Favorite Places to Eat: Jimmy John’s
Favorite Snacks: Doritos and gummy bears
Favorite Drinks: Diet Coke
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: None
Emily Tira
Compass Teacher
Do you have an Amazon Wish List Link? https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3CNRILF6I43ML/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_3
Birthday: January 17th
Hobbies: Listening to audio books
Class Color/Theme: Eric Carle, Brown Bear, Hungry Caterpillar
Favorite Color: rose pink
Favorite College or Sports Team: U of I
Favorite Places to Shop: Amazon
Favorite Places to Eat: Dos Reales, Sunsinger
Favorite Snacks: Nutella, trail mix, string cheese
Favorite Drinks: Diet Coke
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: None
For my classroom, I’m looking for: Velcro, laminating sheets
Thank you, but I don’t need anymore: Kleenex
It means the most to me when the parents of my students: Communicate with me and my staff
Katie Walk
Interventionist
Birthday: August 5th
Hobbies: Biking, watching bulldog sporting events and Illinois sporting events, hiking with my family, and Disney!
Class Color/Theme: Orange and Blue
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite College or Sports Team: University of Illinois
Favorite Places to Shop: Home Goods & Art Mart
Favorite Places to Eat: Sunsinger
Favorite Snacks: Popcorn
Favorite Drinks: Coffee and La Croix
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: None
It means the most to me when the parents of my students: Encourage students to never give up and continue to support reading at home
Anna Webb
Pre-K Classroom Aide
Birthday: February 5th
Hobbies: Music, scrapbooking, reading
Class Color/Theme: Turtles
Favorite Color: Yellow
Favorite College or Sports Team: Fighting Illini
Favorite Places to Shop: Target and Amazon
Favorite Places to Eat: Jimmy John’s and Los Zarappes
Favorite Snacks: Chex mix and gummies
Favorite Drinks: Diet Coke
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: None
Thank you, but I don’t need anymore: Coffee mugs (I don’t drink coffee)
It means the most to me when the parents of my students: Share special things going on at home and incorporate what we are doing in the classroom in their home life!
Damaris Zayas
Multilingual Learner Teacher
Birthday: September 14th
Hobbies: Reading
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite College or Sports Team: Penn State/ Philadelphia Eagles
Favorite Places to Shop: Sephora and Target
Favorite Places to Eat: Chik-Fil-A
Favorite Snacks: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup
Favorite Drinks: Diet Coke
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: No Mangos or Avocados
Thank you, but I don’t need anymore: Pens or markers