New Employees and Employees in New Roles

Karin Nangreave joined the Business Office team as controller in April 2019. She comes to us from the Chicago High School for the Arts, where she worked as director of finance. Prior to that, she worked as fiscal director for the Alternative Schools Network. Karin received her Bachelor of Music degree from Northwestern University and an M.S. in accountancy from University of Illinois at Chicago.

Tracy Olasimbo joined Parker this summer as alumni engagement coordinator. She comes to Parker from Ingenuity, Inc., where she worked as a partner engagement specialist. Prior to that, she worked as office manager for Visiting Angels in Evanston. Tracy received her B.A. in psychology from University of Illinois at Chicago.

Gregory Pipes joined Parker as a security officer. He has several years of experience in security, most recently working in anti-piracy security for Illinois Protection and Investigation. Prior to that, he worked as a security officer for Niles North High School and Christian Charter Academy.

Shelby Rainford joined the ILIS Department as library assistant. She comes to Parker from Scott Global Migration Law Group, where she worked as an immigration paralegal. Prior to that, she worked as a circulation associate and page for Rochester Public Library District. Shelby received her B.A. in professional writing from Blackburn College and is currently pursuing her master’s in library sciences at Dominican University.

Amber Scott joined the Athletics Department as assistant athletic director. She comes to Parker from Greenhill School, where she worked as Athletics Office coordinator. Prior to that, she worked as youth education coordinator for The Cooper Institute. Amber received her B.A. in kinesiology from California State University-Stanislaus.

Lisa Nielsen returns to the JK classroom after her sabbatical leave in 2018–19.

Dana O’Brien, who served as a JK teacher during Lisa Nielsen’s sabbatical last year, returns to teaching SK in 2019–20.

Leslie Holland Pryor transitions from US drama teacher to LS/IS drama teacher. She will remain chair of the Drama Department.

Cheri Charlton (1st – Joebgen) received an M.F.A. in painting from Ohio University. She comes to Parker with experience as a nanny, museum educator, camp arts and crafts counselor, mural instructor and art director of public arts projects.

Mimi Chauhan (SK – Moore) is a Parker alumna. She graduated from Lake Forest College with a major in studio art and a minor in educational studies. Last year, she substituted at Parker with different ages and various subjects. Mimi also coaches Upper School soccer at Parker.

Emily Cox (JK – Howe) graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a B.S. in elementary education and from Moody Theological Seminary with an M.A. in intercultural and urban studies. Before coming to Parker, she was a coach, camp counselor, tutor, nanny and after-school program teacher and worked in children’s ministry.

Marla Jacob (JK – Johnson) graduated from St. Norbert College and is currently earning a master’s in teaching in elementary education from National Louis University. She has taught and organized after-school and summer programs with Montessori Children’s Garden and Apple Tree Theatre, among others.

Laura Janvier (JK – Nielsen) graduated from the University of Missouri with a focus in journalism. For the past seven years, she has taught in various schools around the world and has been a tutor.

Caleigh Koss (2nd – Wild) earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary rducation with a minor in ESL from DePaul University. She has been a student teacher and a babysitter and worked at a summer camp at a private school in Milwaukee.

Colleen McGivern (JK – Howe) graduated from College of William and Mary with a focus on history. Most recently, she was a teaching assistant at three schools across Chicago. She is also a nanny and a tutor and has been a summer camp counselor for the past two years.

Lo Miles (SK – La Rue) has a BFA in theatre performance from the University of Idaho. Previously, she was a substitute teacher, after-school care teacher, nanny, and leader of improv workshops.

Lauren Ramos (2nd – Willett) has a theatre degree from the University of Idaho. She worked in theatre camps, summer camps, babysitting, group homes and after-school care before joining Parker.

Carly Rothman (JK – Johnson) studied early childhood education at DePaul University. She is also a nanny and works at Northwestern's Center for Talent Development. She taught in summer programs during her college years.

Nikk Tetreault (JK – Nielsen) graduated from Muhlenberg College with a B.A. in theatre with a concentration in acting and a self-designed major in comedy arts. She has worked at summer camps – most recently at Second City Comedy Camp – and has tutored students in bass, cello and math.

Tiz Wilson (SK – O’Brien) has a degree in comedy writing and performance from Columbia College Chicago. He has been a camp counselor, nanny and teacher. He also teaches kids improv and stand-up at The Second City.

Annie Wood (2nd – Davidson) graduated from Miami University (OH) with a B.F.A. and graphic design focus. She is currently working on a master’s in education. In addition to working in the business world for the past few years, she has spent time teaching and being a camp counselor and a nanny.

Cristine Danielson joins Parker as assistant teacher in 4th – Berin. She worked as an instructional assistant at Lincoln Elementary School in River Forest and as a library media paraprofessional at Hopkins North Middle School in Minneapolis. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Northwood University.

Edinson Lopez Flores joins us as 7th grade Spanish teacher and advisor. He most recently taught Spanish at Beacon Academy in Evanstonand has worked with middle schoolers in the after-school program at Lab School in Hyde Park. He has also taught MS and US Spanish in Peru. Edinson received his bachelor’s in education from the Instituto Pedagógico Nacional Monterrico in Peru, a master’s in linguistics from Jaen University in Spain, a master’s in the training of teachers of Spanish as a foreign language from Universidad International Iberoamericana (Puerto Rico) and post-graduate certification in teaching Spanish to speakers of other languages from the University of Peru.

Nicholas Hittner-Cunningham joins Parker as assistant teacher in 4th – Pickus. He completed his student teaching in 4th grade at Ogden International School in Chicago and worked at Parker as a substitute teacher. He holds a B.A. in English from Carleton College, an M.A. in gender studies from Albert-Ludwigs-Universität in Germany and an M.Ed. in elementary education from Loyola University Chicago.

Tierra Moore joins Parker as Intermediate and Middle School coordinator. She spent five years working with Chicago Public Schools' Head Start program, served as a retail sales representative at Nordstrom, substitute taught for District 168 in Sauk Village and worked as an AVID and college/career coach for CPS. Tierra has also worked as coordinator and later as program sirector for the Running Start Program at Robert Morris University and as an admissions recruiter and high school relations coordinator at Robert Morris. Tierra holds a B.A. in psychology from Northern Illinois University.

Sarah Purow-Ruderman joins Parker as assistant teacher in 5th – McPharlin. She worked as residential teacher and counselor at the Young Writers’ Workshop in Sweet Briar, Virginia, and as a creative writing teaching assistant and writing associate at Oberlin College. Sarah holds a B.A. in creative writing and East Asian studies from Oberlin and completed an immersive Mandarin language program in China through Princeton University and Beijing Normal University.

Alicia Abood joins the Upper School as an English teacher. She previously taught English at Vernon Hills High School where she was active in the diversity, equity and inclusion programming at the school and district. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hope College and an M.F.A. degree from Emerson College. She also holds a secondary teacher certificate in English.

Joe Bruno has stepped into the role of Interim Upper School Dean of Student Life for the 2019–20 school year. Prior to joining Parker in February 2013 as associate director of alumni engagement, he worked as a residence director at DePaul University for more than five years. Joe earned his B.A. in sociology and communications from Dominican University and an M.A. in organizational leadership and higher education from Lewis University.

John Hildreth joins the Upper School as drama teacher. He previously taught at Columbia College Chicago and Second City. In addition to his teaching positions, John is also an artistic ensemble member at Lifeline Theatre. He has directed and acted in numerous productions throughout the Chicago area. He holds a B.A. in chemistry from the University of Chicago.

Eliot Pope joins the Upper School as a history teacher. He previously worked as assistant professor of history at Arupe College of Loyola University Chicago. Eliot received a B.A. in comparative politics from Bowdoin College, an M.A. in history from DePaul University, a Ph.D. in history from Loyola University Chicago and teacher certifications in U.S. history, world history, sociology, economics and political science/civics.

Tyler Heidtke joins us as a physical education reacher. He previously taught K–8th grade at the Joseph Sears School in Kenilworth and worked with Parker Summers this past season. Tyler received a B.S. in recreation, sport, and Tourism with a concentration in recreation management from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He also holds a Type 10 (K–12) Teaching Certificate in physical education with an endorsement in health education from Northeastern Illinois University.

Virginia Iverson joins Parker as a physical education teacher covering Kara Turpin’s leave of absence through December Recess. She taught physical education and health at Riverside-Brookfield High School in Riverside and previously worked at Parker as an assistant teacher and 8th grade field hockey coach. Virginia holds a B.A. in physical education from Northeastern Illinois University, a B.S. in recreation administration from Eastern Illinois University and an Illinois teaching certification for grades K-12.

Kay Silva joins Parker as an art teacher. She previously taught at Grayslake Central High School, Lincoln Park High School and Skokie Intermediate School in Winnetka. Kay has served as an adjunct faculty member in art education at Northwestern University and as an art teacher at John Hope Community Academy in Chicago, developing a multicultural interdisciplinary art program. She has worked as a muralist, graphic artist and costume designer. Kay holds a B.A. in theater design/technology from Purchase College, State University of New York; an M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction from National Louis University; and a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Concordia University.

LS DEI Coordinator – Heidi Byrnes-Cloët continues as a DEI coordinator representing the Lower School, in addition to Lisa Nielsen (returning from sabbatical), Nadia Pardesi and Ashleigh St. Peters.

US DEI Coordinators – Andy Bigelow and Alexis Pantoja join Terry Davis and Rolanda Shepard as DEI coordinators in the Upper School next year.

English Department – Matt Laufer will serve as English Department co-chair with Kate Tabor. We thank retiring Co-Chair Theresa Collins for her dedicated service.

Languages and Cultural Studies Department – Cynthia Marker will join Liz Villagomez as co-chair of the department. We thank retiring Co-Chair Lorin Pritikin for her dedicated service.