Meet Our Staff
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Ms. Gavric teaches kindergarten and is a graduate of National Lewis University.
She can be reached at mgavric@galapagoscharter.org
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Mirela Gavric Kindergarten Instructor -
Mrs. Wilson teaches kindergarten and is a graduate of National Louis University.
She can be reached at ewilson@galapagoscharter.org
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Elizabeth Wilson Kindergarten Instructor -
Ms. Bennett teaches first grade math/science and is a graduate of Rockford University.
She can be reached at bbennett@galapagoscharter.org
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Breann Bennett First Grade Math/Science Instructor -
Ms. Jenson teaches first grade ELA/SS and is a graduate of University of Kentucky.
She can be reached at sjenson@galapagoscharter.org
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Samantha Jenson First Grade ELA/SS Instructor -
Mrs. Henke teaches second grade ELA/SS and is a graduate of Rockford University.
She can be reached at jhenke@galapagoscharter.org
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Jamie Henke Second Grade ELA/SS Instructor -
Mrs. Mock teaches second grade math/science and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.
She can be reached at emock@galapagoscharter.org
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Elizabeth Mock Second Grade Math/Science Instructor -
Ms. Plaster teaches third grade ELA/SS and is a graduateand of Northern Illinois University.
She can be reached at kplaster@galapagoscharter.org
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Kimberly Plaster Third Grade ELA/SS Instructor -
Mrs. Kennedy teaches fourth grade ELA/SS and is a graduate of Aurora University.
She can be reached at kkennedy@galapagoscharter.org
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Katie Kennedy Fourth Grade ELA/SS Instructor -
Ms. Persson teaches 4th grade math/science and is a graduate of Rockford University.
She can be reached at lperrson@galapagoscharter.org
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Lizanne Persson (Sipes) Fourth Grade Instructor -
Mr. Bennett teaches wellness at our Lower Academy.
He can be reached at jbennett@galapagoscharter.org
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James Bennett Wellness Instructor- Lower Academy -
Ms. Pedroza is the office receptionist at the Lower Academy.
She can be reached at mpedroza@galapagoscharter.org
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Marissa Pedroza EOW Receptionist- Lower Academy -
Ms. Hull support scholars' social-emotional needs at the Lower Academy. She is a graduate of East Carolina University.
She can be reached at dhull@galapagoscharter.org.
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Deanna Hull Social Worker- Lower Academy -
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Keerica Bailey-Norman Scholar Aide - Lower Academy -
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Alexia Pulido-Sanchez Scholar Aide - Lower Academy -
Ms. Goers is the finance manager. She is a graduate of Illinois State University.
She can be reached at RockfordAP@galapagoscharter.org.
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Cindy Goers Finance Manager -
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Blake Kennedy Systems and Compliance Coordinator -
Ms. Kenney manages enrichment and alumni activities. She is a graduate of Western Illinois University.
She can be reached at ekenney@galapagoscharter.org
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Erica Kenney Enrichment & Alumni Affairs Manager -
Ms. Harden teaches fifth grade math/science and is a graduate of University of Illinois.
She can be reached at nharden@galapagoscharter.org
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Nancy Harden Building Support Specialist -
Learn more Anthony Vancura Maintenance- Lower Academy
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Yecica Estrada Maintenance-Lower Academy -
Mr. Puckett supports scholars by ensuring we have a safe and clean school.
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Ryan Puckett Lead Maintenance- Lower Academy -
Ms. Delgado works in the Galapagos Cafe and ensures that all of our scholars eat well.
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Ruth Delgado Cafe Staff- Lower Academy -
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Rosa Trejo Cafe Staff- Lower Academy -
Learn more Stephanie Wells Fifth Grade Math/Science Instructor
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Benjamin Suyko Fifth Grade ELA/SS Instructor -
Ms. Jerrick teaches 6th grade ELA and SS and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.
She can be reached at jjerrick@galapagoscharter.org.
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Jennifer Jerrick Sixth Grade ELA/SS Instructor -
Mrs. Thomas teaches sixth grade math/science and is a graduate of California State University- East Bay.
She can be reached at ethomas@galapagoscharter.org
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Eve Thomas Sixth Grade Math/Science Instructor -
Ms. Kettelhut teaches 7th grade ELA/SS and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.
She can be reached at mkettelhut@galapagoscharter.org
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Molly Kettelhut Seventh Grade ELA/SS Instructor -
Mr. James teaches eighth grade ELA and SS. Heis a graduate the University of Akron.
He can be reached at njames@galapagoscharter.org
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Naquan James Eighth Grade ELA/SS Instructor -
Ms. Johnson teaches 8th grade Math/Science and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.
She can be reached at mjohnson@galapagoscharter.org
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Mallory Johnson Eighth Grade Math/Science Instructor -
Mrs. Al-Yousuf is the instructional coach at our Upper Academy. She is a graduate of North Carolina State University.
She can be reached at malyousuf@galapagoscharter.org
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Mariam Al-Yousuf Magical Math Meastra (Advanced Math Guru) -
Ms. Bowar-Litten is a special education instructor and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
She can be reached at abowarlitten@galapagoscharter.org.
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Amy Bowar-Litten Special Education Instructor- Upper Academy -
Ms. Theissing is a special education instructor and a graduate of Northern Illinois University.
She can be reached at mtheissing@galapagoscharter.org.
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Mary Theissing Special Education Instructor-Upper Academy -
Mr. Burke teaches drama at our Upper Academy.
He can be reached at rburke@galapagoscharter.org
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Ryan Burke Drama Instructor - Upper Academy -
Mr. Hodzic teaches wellness at our Upper Academy.
He can be reached at ahodzic@galapagoscharter.org
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Ahmed Hodzic Wellness Instructor - Upper Academy -
Ms. James is the EOW receptionist at the Upper Academy.
She can be reached at mjames@galapagoscharter.org
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Monica James EOW Receptionist- Upper Academy -
Ms. Burris support scholars' social-emotional needs at the Upper Academy. She is a graduate of Lewis University.
She can be reached at lburris@galapagoscharter.org.
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Lilly Burris Social Worker- Upper Academy -
Ms. Gardner supports scholars with in class needs based on their IEPs.
She can be reached at sgardner@galapagoscharter.org
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Sheba Gardner Scholar Aide- Upper Academy -
Ms. Jurado supports scholars by ensuring they eat healthy every day.
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Luz Jurado Cafe Staff- Upper Academy -
Mr. Jiminez is part of our maintenance staff at the Upper Academy. He ensures that our school is safe and clean every day.
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Luis Jiminez Lead Maintenance- Upper Academy -
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Johanna Torres Maintenance - Upper Academy -
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Maricela Torres Maintenance - Upper Academy -
Ms. Carifio is the Dean of School Culture at the Lower Academy. She is a graduate of Wiley College.
She can be reached at acarifio@galapagoscharter.org.
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Alexia Carifio Dean of School Culture, Upper Academy -
Mr. Oliver is the Dean of School Culture at the Upper Academy. He is a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University.
He can be reached at joliver@galapagoscharter.org
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John Oliver Dean of School Culture, Lower Academy -
Mrs. Puckett leads the instructional staff at our Lower Academy. She is a graduate of Valparaiso University.
She can be reached at spuckett@galapagoscharter.org
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Stacey Puckett Dean of Instruction-Lower Academy -
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Jeremy Stroud Dean of Instruction, Upper Academy -
Mrs. Boeddeker is the CAO and Co-Founder of GRCS. She oversees curriculum & assessment, staff recruitment & hiring, and professional development. She is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago. Contact her at sboeddeker@galapagoscharter.org.
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Stephanie Boeddeker Chief Academic Officer