Diamond Edge Back to School Edition 2024-25

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM OUR PRINCIPALS

MEET OUR NEW STAFF

Lisa Brickert

Social Worker at West Oak Intermediate School. Ms. Brickert earned her Master’s in Social Work from The Ohio State University. She is enthusiastic about working with students, parents, and staff to foster a nurturing and empowering environment where every student feels valued and supported.

Katie Brockway

3rd Grade Teacher at West Oak Intermediate School. Ms. Brockway earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Business Administration from Saint Mary's College and her Master’s in Education from DePaul University. She is excited to get to know the children at West Oak Intermediate School.

Madison Guerrieri

5th Grade Teacher at West Oak Intermediate School. Ms. Guerrieri earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Illinois State University. She is excited to get to know her students and to create a positive and engaging classroom environment!

Jennifer Jones

Special Education Teacher at West Oak Middle School. Ms. Jones earned her B.A. from Western Illinois University and her M.A.T. from National Louis University. She is excited to get to know the students and watch them learn and grow.

Jemimah Kim

Instructional Coach at West Oak Middle School. Mrs. Kim earned her Bachelor’s degree in Middle Level Education from Illinois State University. She is excited to get to know the teachers, students, and the WOMS community. She looks forward to building strong and supportive relationships this school year.

Jennifer Licea

3rd Grade Dual Language Teacher at West Oak Intermediate School. Ms. Licea attended National Lewis University. Ms. Licea is excited for her first year as an educator.

Annalyssa Martínez

3rd Grade Dual Language Teacher at West Oak Intermediate School. Mrs. Martinez earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix and her M.A. in Teaching English to Other Languages from Grand Canyon University. She is looking forward to becoming part of the community and starting a new school year with students and staff!

Kyle Mesa

Band Teacher at West Oak Middle School. Mr. Mesa earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois. He looks forward to continuing to grow and build a thriving band program where students can learn and bond through making music together!

Emily Owen

8th Grade English Language Arts Teacher at West Oak Middle School. Ms. Owen earned her Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Western Governors University. She is thrilled to educate and inspire our middle school students in English Language Arts. Ms. Owen is dedicated to fostering a love for literature and language while helping students develop their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.

Janet Perez

4th Grade Dual Language Teacher at West Oak Intermediate School. Ms. Perez earned her B.A. from Western Illinois University and her M.A.T. from National Louis University. She is excited to get to know the students and watch them learn and grow.

Karen Sandusky

6th Grade Math Teacher at West Oak Middle School. Ms. Sandusky earned her Bachelor’s degree in Finance from NIU and her Master’s in Education from Benedictine University. She is very excited to get to know all of her new students!

David Stanich

Music Teacher at West Oak Intermediate School. Mr. Stanich attended Judson University. He is looking forward to making music with all the students at West Oak Intermediate School.

Cassiday Stearns

Special Education Teacher at Diamond Lake School. Ms. Stearns earned her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Illinois State University. She is looking forward to working with the wonderful staff at Diamond Lake School and getting to know all of the students.

Yessica Toledo

Dual Language Kindergarten Teacher at Diamond Lake School. Ms. Toledo earned her Bachelor’s degree in International Business from ITESM. She is looking forward to creating a bilingual classroom community where everyone feels valued and respected. She is eager to foster a supportive environment where students can learn from each other's cultural backgrounds and appreciate the diversity of our world.

Andrew Tripoli

Band Teacher at West Oak Middle School. Mr. Tripoli earned his degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is most looking forward to working in a community where music is such an integral part of the school and getting to know all of the wonderful students.

Ariel Walukonis

Occupational Therapist at D76. Ms. Walukonis earned her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her Master's in Occupational Therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is excited for the new school year and looks forward to supporting teachers and helping all students participate to their fullest every day.

Rebecca Wold

Wellness Teacher at West Oak Intermediate School. Ms. Wold earned her Bachelor's degree in Health Science with an emphasis in Health and Wellness from the University of Missouri and her Master's degree in Teaching from National Louis University. She is excited to introduce her new role as the wellness teacher to the district and to work together as a community to provide the students with a fun and successful school year!

Holly Youngberg

Social Worker at Diamond Lake School. Ms. Youngberg earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Indiana University and her Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is most looking forward to building relationships with the staff in her building and meeting all of the new students. It will be incredibly rewarding to watch these students learn and grow throughout the year.

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • August 26, 2024: West Oak Middle School Curriculum Night
  • August 27, 2024: West Oak Intermediate School Curriculum Night
  • August 28, 2024: Diamond Lake School Curriculum Night
  • September 2, 2024: Labor Day (No School)
  • September 3, 2024: First Day of PreK
  • September 9, 2024: Late Start for Students
  • September 10, 2024: Board of Education Meeting
  • September 24, 2024: Board of Education Meeting

STAY CONNECTED #SparkleOn

@DLDistrict76
@DLDistrict76
@DLDistrict76
Diamond Lake District 76