Meet Our Team
Staff
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Bill Grosser
Workshop Coordinator, Chemistry and Physical Sciences Bill Grosser is a retired high school Chemistry and Physical Science Teacher. He is a Radio Shack Technology Award Winner, Association of Science Institutions Award Winner, National Board Certified, and a 2004 Golden Apple Fellow. Contact: bill.grosser@mac.com 630-926-4040 |
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Eryn Ambler
Primary Education Technology Consultant Eryn is currently a Kindergarten teacher at Butterfield Elementary School in Lombard, IL. She enjoys incorporating technology into her classroom to promote student engagement and 21st century learning. Contact: 847-772-2090 | eambler@sd44.org |
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Jim Effinger
Workshop Faculty, Life & Physical Sciences Jim Effinger is a retired high school biology teacher. Jim currently is an adjunct faculty member at North Central College teaching science methods classes and supervising practicum students. He is a 1992 Golden Apple Fellow. Contact: effinger@aol.com |
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Walter Flores
Workshop Faculty, Bilingual Specialist Churchill Elementary School Walter Flores currently works for Glen Ellyn District 41 as the fifth grade STEAM Dual teacher for Churchill Elementary School. Walter's journey in education started 13 years ago as a middle school shelter Social Studies teacher for Plainfield District 202. Later on, Walter also taught ESL high school for Plainfield East. Walter is currently an adjunct faculty at the University of St. Francis, teaching for the ESL/Bilingual Endorsement Program. Contact: walterflores1821@gmail.com |
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Sandra Flowers
Workshop Faculty, Primary Grades Specialist Sandra Flowers is a retired elementary teacher, currently she teachers 6th grade STEM scholars for Big Shoulders. She is also an adjunct faculty member at Benedictine University. Contact: s.b.flowers@att.net |
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Chuck Gress
Workshop Faculty, Mathematics Specialist Chuck Gress is a retired high school math teacher at Lake Forest High School. He is also a 2004 Golden Apple Fellow Recipient. Contact: chuckgress@comcast.net |
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Vivian Huang
Multimedia, Technology & Web Resource Specialist Marian Catholic High School Vivian is a 2011 Golden Apple Teaching Scholar at Marian Catholic High School. She graduated from DePaul University in 2015 with a degree in Elementary Education and joined the Partners in Inquiry Team shortly after as their multimedia, technology, and web resource specialist. In 2016, Vivian spent a year in Beijing, China studying Mandarin Chinese and tutoring English to elementary students. She spent her first two years of teaching as an ESL teacher but now she teaches Mandarin Chinese and Algebra 1 as well as pursuing a Master's in Curriculum Instruction with Specialized Endorsements in ESL/Bilingual and LBS1 from National Louis University. Contact: v.huang09@gmail.com |
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Louise Huffman
Workshop Faculty Director of Ed. and Outreach for the US Ice Drilling Program Office, Dartmouth College Louise Huffman taught grades 1-8 before retiring from public school education in 2007. In 2016, she accepted the role of Director of Education and Outreach for the US Ice Drilling Program Office. She also served as ANDRILL (ANtarctic geological DRILLing) Coordinator of Education and Outreach from 2007-2013. She chaired the Formal Education and Outreach Committee of the International Polar Year, 2006-2012. In 2013, Louise moved to Florida where she enjoys fishing with her husband and hanging out on sandbars with her two dogs. Louise is on the Executive Committee for a new international organization called Polar Educators International (PEI) that facilitates connections between educators and researchers and provides professional development opportunities about current research and global change issues. (www.polareducator.org) She is a 2003 Golden Apple Fellow and was twice recognized by the ISTA for excellence in science teaching. She is listed inWho's Who in America and Who's Who Among American Women and has published several articles and books on climate change and polar education topics. Contact: lthuffman24@gmail.com |
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Rebecca Kornack
Workshop Faculty, Middle School Science Mozart Elementary School Rebecca Kornack is a science teacher at Chase Elementary School in Chicago. This is her third teaching assignment in CPS. When not thinking up creative ways to teach Earth science and experiment with hydroponics, she can be found in a yoga studio. Contact: rmkornack@cps.edu |
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John Lewis
Workshop Faculty, Physics Glenbrook South High School John Lewis is a High School Physics Teacher and Instructional Coach at Glenbrook South High School in Glenview Illinois. He is a fellow of the Golden Apple Academy for Excellence in Teaching and has been recognized as Illinois' Outstanding Physics Teacher as well as Radio Shack's National Outstanding Teacher of Science. Contact: jlewis@glenbrook225.org |
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Penny Lundquist
In School Support Coach A 1986 Golden Apple Award Winner, Penny taught high school and middle school for 23 years before joining GA in 1992. She has also served as adjunct faculty for National Louis University and Northwestern University, where she conducts the seminar for each new group of Golden Apple Fellows on sabbatical. Her passion is supporting teachers as they implement inquiry-based instruction in their classrooms and share with colleagues what they learned through STEM Institute. Contact: 312-477-7522 | lundquist@goldenapple.org |
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Joe Matuch
Workshop Faculty, Mathematics Specialist John C. Dunham STEM Partnership School, Aurora University Joe currently teaches middle school math and 6th grade STEM at the JCD STEM Partnership School on Aurora University's campus. He is an employee of East Aurora School District 131, where he has taught since 2011. He earned his B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2010 and his M.Ed. in Urban Education from National-Louis University in 2011. Joe was first introduced to inquiry teaching through the Golden Apple Scholars Program in 2009 and is currently a Golden Apple Teaching Scholar. Contact: jmatuch2@gmail.com |
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Steve Newman
Workshop Faculty, English Evanston Township High School Steve Newman was a teacher for 20 years at Evanston Township High School. He taught English and an interdisciplinary class called senior studies. He is a Golden Apple fellow from 2004. He currently is Executive Director for Evanston Scholars, a nonprofit which he founded in 2011. Contact: |
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Carla Stone
Workshop Faculty, Science and Social Studies District 65 Carla Stone is a 6th grade Science and Social Studies teacher who is currently teaching at Martin Luther King Jr. Literary and Fine Arts School in district 65, apart of Evanston/Skokie school system. She has just completed her fifteenth year in the district after a successful career as a professional basketball player prior to teaching. In 2011 she won the Golden Apple Teacher of Excellence Award and is currently a member of their Middle School Committee. This summer she will be working with project RET at Northwestern and at Elmhurst College with the Golden Apple Scholars program. Carla earned her BS in Education from DePaul University and is currently completing her Masters in Educational Leadership. She has thoroughly enjoyed working with project AIM this year and has witnessed the endless possibilities and joy of how to enhance standard curriculum through the Arts. Contact: cjstone33@hotmail.com |
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Melissa Talaber
Workshop Faculty, Mathematics and Science Specialist St. Nicholas Cathedral School Melissa Talaber is a middle school math and science teacher and STEAM coordinator at St. Nicholas Cathedral School. She is a professional development leader of the SEPUP Curricula and a Science Teacher Leader with Loyola University. She works with Catholic schools affiliated with the Big Shoulders Fund. She is a 2014 Golden Apple Fellow. Contact: talaber@stnickschicago.org |
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Howie Templer
Workshop Faculty, Mathematics Specialist Deerfield Public School District 109 Howie Templer currently works as a 5th Grade General Elementary School Teacher. During his teaching tenure, he taught 3rd-5th Grade, served as an Elementary School Math and Science Specialist, and implemented and led a Middle School STEM course. An area of expertise is integrating inquiry STEM experiences into Mathematics instruction. In 2011, Howie received a Golden Apple Award recognizing excellence in teaching, and was a state recipient for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. Contact: howietempler@gmail.com |
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Fontane Thomas
Workshop Faculty, Primary Education Specialist Stephen K. Hayt, Chicago Public Schools Fontane Thomas currently works as an early childhood teacher at Stephen K. Hayt. He enjoys incorporating STEM as it pertains to primary students’ growth and development. He is a 2015 Golden Apple Fellow and this is his first year with Partners In Inquiry. Contact: fontane.thomas@gmail.com |
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Steven Walsh
In School Support Coach Steven Walsh has been a CPS math and science teacher, a facilitator at the Teachers Academy for Mathematics and Science, and has participated in archeological, paleontological, and fresh water field studies. Steven also has a background in anthropology and social studies. Contact: stevenj_walsh@yahoo.com |
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Gloria Wittenberg
Primary Education Technology Consultant Gloria is currently a Kindergarten teacher at Butterfield Elementary School in Lombard, IL. She loves to use problem based learning in her classroom and has created a butterfly and sensory garden at her school. Contact: 847-744-0495 | gwittenberg@sd44.org |
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Wayne Wittenberg
Workshop Faculty, Primary Education Specialist Wayne Wittenberg was a former 2nd-5th grade educator. He is an adjunct faculty member of Benedictine University and Aurora University. He has been part of the Golden Apple Science Staff since 1992. He has trained and implemented Problem Based Learning Curriculum consistently in his teaching. Wayne is an Illinois Presidential Award Winner He was also an Association of Science and Technology Centers Honor Role of Teachers, Glen Ellyn District 41 Those Who Excel Winner and in 2016 he was awarded the Educator of the year in District 41, Glen Ellyn. Contact: waynewittenberg@gmail.com |
Golden Apple Staff
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Laura Chomiak
STEM Institute Program Manager Laura was a former social worker for Catholic charities for 13 years. Now she is a mother of four and has been the Golden Apple STEM Institute Program Director since 2012. Contact: 815-325-0201 | Chomiak2@goldenapple.org |
Multimedia & Technology Staff
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Tim Sullivan
Multimedia Specialist Thornton Fractional South High School Tim graduated from Illinois State University with a B.S. in History-Social Science Education and a minor in Economics. In 2011, Tim was selected as a Golden Apple Scholar. He just finished his third year teaching at Thornton Fractional South High School in Lansing, Illinois. In 2015, Tim came on board as the Livebinders Coordinator for the Golden Apple Scholars Program. As a member of the Partners in Inquiry team, he designs teaching licenses and weekly recap videos for all to enjoy. Contact: tsullivan@tfd215.org |
