Crystal Lake Elementary District 47

Faces of D47: “I grew up in Mexico and moved to Illinois with my family when I was 10. I loved it here, but we had to return to Mexico when my dad got sick. There was a lot of back and forth, but eventually, I told my family I wanted to stay in Illinois with my older brother. I went to Woodstock High School and worked as a paper boy. Unfortunately, I didn’t graduate because I needed to prioritize working to support myself and my family in Mexico.” “I wanted a full-time job and found one at a factory near my house. I was making parts for semi-trucks and learned a lot over the 20 years I worked there. During that time, I visited Mexico and married my wife, who lived only two blocks from me growing up. I then moved her out here, and we started a family.” “One day, my wife was reading the newspaper and saw a job opening for District 47. She encouraged me to apply, so I called, expressed my interest, and came in the next day. I’ve been here ever since. I eventually left the factory to focus on this job. I started in 2019 as a custodian and have always worked at North Elementary—it’s my home.” “I get to work an hour and 20 minutes early every day because I love my job and want to ensure everything is ready, like unlocking doors for staff and preparing for the day ahead. My main responsibility is to keep the school clean and safe for staff and students. I work year-round, so in the summer, I disinfect the entire school from top to bottom and handle other key projects to prepare for the new school year.” “My favorite part of the job is the kids. Some have written me notes over the years, and I've saved every single one. I’m happy here and feel like I’m part of the school—they’re my family. When I had a kidney transplant, the staff checked in on me, the principal called, and they were all there for me. That meant a lot.” “My team is amazing. We take care of each other, and we're always there to support each other. An event I look forward to every year is the summer picnic the Operations department puts together because it gives me the opportunity to meet other people, and it’s nice to be celebrated for our hard work.” -Ruben Arellano, Custodian, North #FacesofD47 

Faces of D47: “I’ve lived in Crystal Lake pretty much all my life. I attended District 47 schools, and so did my kids. I majored in English at Eastern Illinois University, with a minor in Creative Writing and an emphasis in Secondary Education. I met my husband there, and after graduating, I worked in typesetting for a year, which ended up not being for me.” “I didn’t know what direction I wanted to take in life, but deep down, I knew I was meant to teach. I decided to teach at a preschool, but when my school year was up, my husband and I moved back to Crystal Lake to raise the baby we were expecting. This move led me to sub in District 47, and during this time, I attended Northern Illinois University to get my teaching certificate so I could teach K-8th grade.” “While my kids were little, I went back to teach at a private Christian school for 8 years before taking a sabbatical due to needing a major surgery. While away from the classroom, I volunteered in a Bible Study Fellowship as a leader in the children's program and worked in retail until a friend who worked at Coventry encouraged me to return to teaching. So, I became a paraprofessional, and once a kindergarten teacher position opened up, I took it.” "I'm now in my 9th year here. We have an amazing school and a strong community; it feels like home. These students have such a light for life, which energizes me. My favorite part of the day is focusing on their social-emotional development; I often use puppets for this, which they love! I also enjoy getting them to take risks with their academics and remind them that mistakes are another way we learn." “I like to be involved at Coventry. I’m on the Literacy Committee and Building Leadership Team, and I try to attend school events because I believe teaching is about partnering not just with students but also with their families and the community.” “My years as a paraprofessional made me a better teacher and I’m grateful for it bringing me back into the classroom. God intended me to be a teacher; it’s woven into every heartbeat of mine. Coventry and teaching have become my place, not just my job.” - Shea Wisler, Kindergarten Teacher, Coventry #FacesofD47

📝🤝D155 dual credit students in McHenry County College's Intro to Education program got a glimpse into teaching while shadowing at Husmann Elementary last week! We loved teaming up for this hands-on experience and can't wait to welcome them to Bernotas for the next round of shadowing! #D47Pride

Faces of D47: “I grew up in Mallorca, an island in Spain, and graduated from the University of the Balearic Islands. I started my career as a music teacher, working in the Netherlands and Jordan before coming to the US." “I’m part of an exchange program between the US and Spain. This is my third year in the US and my third year teaching at North Elementary. I chose Crystal Lake because it's close enough to hop on a train to Chicago, yet it has that small-town feel. I'm grateful I ended up here—I’ve accomplished so much and even met my boyfriend here." “In my first year at North, I taught 4th Grade Dual Language, but last year, I moved to 1st Grade Dual Language, which I’m teaching again this year. I love teaching first grade because I get to be more playful with the students. They’re so loving and expressive. I’ve learned that with younger students, you have to be your best 100% of the time. It can be tiring, but it's so rewarding and fun. My favorite part of teaching first grade is watching them make significant progress in their reading. It’s magic to see them go from not reading to picking up little books." “Since we’re a dual language classroom, we teach certain subjects in either English or Spanish, rotating throughout the year and across grade levels. Besides English and Spanish, I also grew up speaking Catalan, a language not many people know as it is only spoken in certain regions of Spain." “North is such a welcoming community, and I’ve made so many friends. I help direct the school musical, which has been a great way to connect with everyone. I love being involved in the musicals because it allows me to use my creativity as a former music teacher." “Outside of school, I stay busy. I might audition again for a show at the MCC community theater. I got a role there during my first year in the US and really loved the experience. I'm always looking for new adventures and projects to dive into." -Antoni Lopez Pares, 1st Grade Dual Language Teacher, North #FacesofD47

🎙 New Podcast Episode! Discover how the I Love U Guys Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is enhancing safety and creating a unified approach across District 47, other districts, and first responders in our community. Hear from Jim French, Training Director at I Love U Guys, and Gary Snep, District 47's Director of Safety. #D47Podcast https://bit.ly/D47Podcast

Faces of D47: “I grew up in McHenry, IL, and attended McHenry West Campus. After high school, I went to Carroll University and earned my Bachelor's in Educational Studies. After graduating, I joined the Disney College Program and worked in recreation at Disney World. I hosted children’s activities and events throughout the day at the resort. It was a unique opportunity, and I’m grateful for the memories.” “After a year, I decided to move back home. I missed my friends, family, and the community I grew up in. Shortly after, I found a job opening as a special education paraprofessional in the PreK program at Glacier Ridge. From the interview, I knew District 47 was where I wanted to work and grow. I’ve been in this position since February 2024, and I love it.” “As a special education paraprofessional, I support Erin Barker, an amazing mentor. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work closely with her. I’m currently working on my LBS1 certification with hopes of becoming a teacher in a self-contained classroom within two years. I always knew I wanted to be in education, but I wasn’t sure in what role. During college, I student-taught in special education classrooms, and that’s when I realized this was my path. I wanted to work with special education students and advocate for them, as they can’t always do so for themselves. Ensuring all students have an equitable education is now a core goal of mine.” “I look forward to the hellos and hugs from students every morning. They’re so sweet. Watching them grow academically, emotionally, and socially is truly rewarding. We focus on gross motor skills, academic support in small groups, and social-emotional learning. For many, this is their first time in a school setting, so teaching them to interact with others is a big focus in PreK.” “Outside of work, I enjoy trivia nights with friends and spending time with my family. Glacier Ridge is such a welcoming place. I’ve made great friendships in my first year. My coworkers and I often get together outside of work, which has built a strong community both in and out of the school.” -Maddy Ammons, Special Education Paraprofessional, Glacier Ridge PreK #FacesofD47

Faces of D47: “I was born and raised in Bozieni, a small village in Moldova. Growing up with my parents and two older brothers, I was deeply influenced by my mother, who was a teacher and then managed a kindergarten for over 28 years. Watching her instilled in me a desire to serve others." "I am fluent in Romanian, Russian, and English, and I can understand French, Italian, and Spanish due to the Latin roots of these languages. I graduated from the State University of Moldova with a degree in Humanities, Modern Languages, and Classics, specializing in English and French. After becoming a high school teacher, I discovered my passion for recruitment and spent 3 years helping people find jobs internationally." "Later, I found an opportunity with Emirates Airlines, graduated from Aviation College, and became a supervisor. This role changed my perspective on life. I was exposed to diverse cultures and learned the importance of body language, communication, and cultural sensitivity. After nearly 5 years of traveling, I moved to the US, earned an Associate's Degree in Human Resources from Harper College, married, and started a family with my husband. We now have two beautiful children." "I began working as an Interpreter for District 47 and now serve as the Newcomer Family Support Facilitator. I provide newcomer families with essential resources, school supplies, and guidance on forms and information. To serve families' needs best, I need to be empathetic and aware of their background and immigration status. I have been primarily assisting families from Mexico, Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, Romania, Nigeria, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Portugal, Columbia, and Australia." "Seeing the families I have helped reach out to for ongoing support and guidance is fulfilling. I want to continue helping them through their journey here in the US. Recently, I saw a mom from a Polish family I helped, working in a store, and it brought me joy knowing she found a job. I love seeing these families thrive. I love my job and feel like it's a full-circle moment, as I once faced similar challenges as a newcomer to the US." -Tatiana Balaur, Newcomer Family Support Facilitator, CORE #FacesofD47 

☀️🚧 Summer Projects Spotlight: Wrapping up this series with a final look at Lundahl Middle School and South Elementary as the secured entrances and front offices are complete! #D47Pride #D47SummerProjectsSpotlight

🏫✨ 12 Principals, 1 Mission: Leading with passion and purpose into an exciting new school year! #D47FirstDayofSchool2024 #D47Pride

☀️🚧 Summer Projects Spotlight: Watch this week's video to see the progress made at Glacier Ridge, North, South, and Lundahl! #D47Pride #D47SummerProjectsSpotlight