In the recent edition of District 401’s Focus on Education, we highlighted the accomplishments of teachers at Elm Middle School. Here are more highlights about our staff members, this time from Elmwood Elementary School. Thanks to Sue Ponzio, principal, for providing this article!
Dr. Kevin M. Anderson
Superintendent of Schools
Elmwood School
Faculty Accolades
Our Elmwood School Faculty embraces our mission statement which states that we strive to inspire our students to life-long learning. In doing so, we continuously seek out opportunities to enhance our own learning and make a difference in the lives of others. In addition to the many staff development opportunities that we partake in within our district, thirty-one of our teachers hold a master’s degree, some more than one master’s and four working towards their first or second master’s degree. Ms. Schultze most recently attained her Master’s in Education. Ms. Rodriguez just received her ELL Endorsement which she adds to her Bilingual Approval in Spanish. Ms. Stefanski was recently awarded the Award of Continuing Education from the American Speech and Hearing Association.
Some of our faculty members teach or provide training outside of the district. Ms. Vero teaches online through the University of Phoenix. Mrs. Laskowski provided training at LASEC for the PAL-RW Intervention Program. Mrs. Horvath trained teachers in Oak Park on KRT, another Title I program. Mrs. Nikols teaches Greek as a second language at St. Demetrius and the Hellenic American Academy in Deerfield. Mrs. DiFrisco presented at the Day of Reading event at Concordia University, Mrs. Kanas presented at the Illinois Association for Gifted Children Conference, and Mrs. Maite teaches CCD classes at St. Vincent Ferrer School.
Many of our faculty members provide services outside of the academic realm to give aide to others. Included in these services are the following places: River Grove Food Pantry, Lydia House, Frontier Horizons for Ukrainian Orphans, St. Jude Society, Pancreatic Cancer Walk, the Knights of Columbus, PAWS, The Cradle, Respite Work, Children’s Liturgy, as well as volunteering in their children’s schools. Among these faculty members are Mrs. Predovich, Mrs. Bilotti, Mrs. Kanas, Mrs. Maite, Mrs. Loffredo, Mrs. Lester, Mrs. Horvath, Mrs. Ponzio, Mr. Ward, Mrs. Glancy and Mrs. Schultze.
Some of our faculty members also share their time and talents in other ways. Ms. Vero develops plays and directs projects at the American Blues Theater. Mrs. Bilotti and Ms. Dagostino teach Pom Poms at Elm Middle School. And many of our faculty coach sports both in and out of district, including Mrs. Scimeca, Mr. Scheiwe, Mr. Falk, Mrs. Marzillo, Mr. Bolin, Mr. Uhler and Mrs. Anichini. Speaking of sports, Mrs. Anichini ran the Chicago Marathon!
Our teachers run numerous extracurricular activities during which they share their own unique talents. Mr. Subler runs an Art Club and Mr. Uhler and Mrs. DiDavide a Technology Apprentice Program. Mrs. Kirsch runs Panther Press, our school newspaper, and Mrs. Horvath runs Student Council. Our Go Green Club is run by Mrs. Kanas and our Variety Show by Mrs. Kanas and Mrs. Anichini. Mrs. Lester and Ms. Dagostino run a Cheerleading Intramural Session in the spring.
Our Elmwood students are fortunate to thrive and grow at the hands of such a talented, generous and caring faculty. It is their time and talents that make Elmwood School a wonderful learning environment for the students of Elmwood Park.