In the final episode of Season 3, hosts Cori and Steph sit down with Troy Buley, STEM Division Lead at Cary-Grove High School, for an insightful conversation that goes beyond the daily duties of a division leader. With 33 years in education, Troy reflects on how the role of leadership has evolved, the challenges and rewards of supporting a diverse team, and the importance of staying student-focused in a constantly changing educational landscape. Packed with wisdom, humor, and heartfelt stories, ...
May 16, 2025•13 min
Guest: Stephanie Hatfield (School Librarian, Crystal Lake South High School) Contact Information: CLS Library Website Instagram: @cls_library_ Summary: In this episode of Teach in 10 , we welcome Stephanie Hatfield, school librarian at Crystal Lake South High School, for a behind-the-scenes look at the dynamic and multifaceted role of a teacher librarian. Stephanie shares her journey from English and theater teacher to librarian, highlighting how her love for reading and passion for helping stud...
May 01, 2025•11 min
In this episode of Teach in 10 , we sit down with Bob Chikos, a veteran special education teacher at Central High School in District 155. With 17 years in the district and a rich background working with adults with disabilities, Bob brings a unique blend of compassion, advocacy, and innovation to his role. Bob walks us through a typical week — and spoiler alert, there's nothing "typical" about it. From co-teaching algebra to coaching the speech team, mentoring new teachers, contributing to state...
Apr 17, 2025•12 min
Guest: Matt Timmerman (Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services)Contact Information:Email: mtimmerman@d155.org X: @timms40Episode Summary: In this episode of Teach in 10 , Cori Schwarzrock and Stephanie Sukow welcome Matt Timmerman, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services in District 155. Matt shares his unique journey from teacher and coach to his current administrative role, highlighting the importance of being open to new opportunities in education. He offers an inside look a...
Apr 03, 2025•13 min
In this episode of Teach in 10 , hosts Cori Schwarzrock and Stephanie Sukow welcome Matt Koll, Assistant Principal of Student Services at Prairie Ridge High School. Matt shares his journey from teaching choir, AVID, and computer science at Crystal Lake South for 18 years to becoming an AP at Prairie Ridge. He reflects on his experiences as a theater manager, activities director, and yearbook advisor before stepping into leadership as a Humanities Division Leader and eventually Assistant Principa...
Mar 13, 2025•12 min
In this episode of Teach in 10 , Cori and Steph sit down with Katy Kline to explore the dynamic and ever-changing role of a high school counselor. Katy shares insights into her journey from English teacher to counselor, the relationships she builds with students and families, and the wide range of responsibilities she juggles throughout the school year. From college and career planning to social-emotional support, IEP and 504 meetings, and the vital work counselors do in student seminars, Katy h...
Feb 27, 2025•14 min
In this episode of Teach in Ten , Cori and Steph continue their A Day in the Life of... series by welcoming the legendary Donna Ganshaw, the administrative assistant to the athletic director at Cary-Grove High School. Donna shares her deep roots in District 155, from being a student to dedicating 24 years of service to the district. She gives insight into the dynamic nature of her role, the impact of athletics and extracurricular activities, and the relationships that have made her career so mea...
Feb 05, 2025•10 min
Guests: Dr. Steve Koch (Principal of Prairie Ridge High School) Email: skoch@d155.org Podcast Summary: In this debut episode of the new Teach in Ten series, A Day in the Life of... , hosts Cori and Steph welcome Steve Koch, a seasoned school principal, to explore the multifaceted role of school leadership. Steve takes listeners through his career path, sharing how he transitioned from a classroom teacher to principal, the mentors and moments that shaped his journey, and the passion that drives h...
Jan 16, 2025•12 min
What does it mean to be innovative in teaching? In this episode, Cori and Steph sit down with Kristin Bernatz and Samantha Hardie to explore how educators can embrace creativity, adaptability, and bold thinking to bring meaningful experiences to their students. The conversation highlights an exciting podcast project Kristin and Sam led in their classrooms. Students tackled The Catcher in the Rye and created podcast episodes debating whether Holden Caulfield still represents modern teenagers. By ...
Dec 19, 2024•18 min
Guest: Tony Moretti (Dean of Students at Haber Oaks, Head Girls Basketball Coach at Cary-Grove) Email: amoretti@d155org Podcast Summary:In this episode of Teach in 10 , Tony Moretti, a dean at Haber Oaks, shares his journey from banking to education and his passion for supporting all learners in a public therapeutic day school setting. He highlights Haber Oaks' unique programs, like the practical and empowering Haber Mart, which rewards students for positive behavior. He describes the school’s f...
Dec 04, 2024•12 min
Guest: Sarah Murmann Contact Information: smurmann@d155.org X: @mathbymurmannIn In this Teach in 10 episode, we sit down with Sarah Murmann, a D155 math teacher and Robotics Club sponsor. Sarah shares how Robotics fosters creativity, teamwork, and community as students design and compete in the First Tech Challenge. She highlights the growth she witnesses each season and unique team traditions like the Craft Fair bake sale that bring her students closer together. Tune in to hear Sarah’s insights...
Nov 07, 2024•12 min
Guest: Kristine Hester (Choral Director, Music Instructor, Activities Co-Director) Email: khester@d155org Instagram: @cghs.activities, @carygrovechoirsWebsite: carygrovechoirs.org Podcast Summary: In this episode, Cori and Steph welcome Kristine Hester, a choir teacher and activities director at Cary-Grove High School. Kris shares her journey as a transformative leader in the fine arts and discusses her new role as activities director. With her unique blend of creativity and leadership, Kris has...
Oct 24, 2024•12 min
In this episode of Teach in 10 , we chat with Al Kremer about the awesome German Exchange Program at Cary-Grove High School. Al explains how the program works: German students stay with local families for three weeks in the spring, and our students head to Germany in the summer. It’s more than just a trip, though—students live in a new culture, speak another language, and step out of their comfort zones. Al shares how life-changing this experience is, with students returning more confident and o...
Oct 10, 2024•9 min
Guest: Veronica GutzmerEmail: vgutzmer@d155.org Podcast Summary: In this episode of Teach in 10 , we sit down with Veronica Gutzmer, the District Office Internship Coordinator for D155. Veronica shares exciting updates on the internship program, including recent progress and the impactful changes aimed at enhancing student experiences. We explore how these internships bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application, reinforcing one of D155's core values—community partnership...
Sep 26, 2024•12 min
Guest: Lori Ratliff, the Director of Teaching and Learning, Curriculum and Pathways Welcome back to Season 3 of Teach in Ten. This season we will be focusing on our D155 core values. We are excited to introduce our first guest - Lori Ratliff, the Director of Teaching and Learning, Curriculum and Pathways. During this episode, we will discuss the district's new approach to professional learning and Lori's vision for continuing to engage D155 staff in collaboration and an ongoing journey of growth...
Sep 12, 2024•11 min
Guest: Steve Karlblom, Industry and Career Teacher at Prairie Ridge High School Season 2, Episode 18 of Teach in Ten, Steve Karlblom discusses the evolution of internships, spotlighting the shift towards Micro-Internships. Highlighting the benefits of career exploration and skill acquisition, Karlblom reveals how these opportunities empower students to make informed decisions about their futures.
May 14, 2024•11 min
Guest: Andrea Miculinich, Nurse and Educator at Crystal Lake Central Contact Information: amiculinich@d155.org Episode Summary: In the latest episode of "Teach in Ten," CLC nurse and teacher Andrea Miculinich shares insights into nursing education at Crystal Lake Central High School. She discusses the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program, which offers students district-wide the chance to enroll and gain valuable certifications and job opportunities in McHenry County. Thanks to a generous $1...
May 02, 2024•12 min
Guest: Shannon Levitt (AVID and English Teacher at Crystal Lake Central High School) Contact Information: shannonlevitt@d155.org In this episode, we sit down with Crystal Lake Central High School teacher Shannon Levitt to explore a unique program currently offered at CLC and CLS. AVID is a program aimed to inspire students from diverse backgrounds to achieve their college dreams. Shannon will share her journey piloting the program and highlight its impact on student success, including 100% gradu...
Apr 18, 2024•13 min
Guest: Kathy Gilbert, Director of Teaching & Learning, Curriculum & Pathways Contact Information: Email: kgilbert@d155.org Podcast Summary: In this episode of Teach in Ten, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Kathy Gilbert, who serves as the Director of Teaching and Learning, Curriculum, and Pathways at D155. Dual credit programs are experiencing a surge in popularity nationwide. Last year, D155 witnessed over 2200 student enrollments in these classes, accounting for more than 7000...
Apr 04, 2024•9 min
Guest: Katie Hatters (Science Teacher at Cary-Grove High School and Crystal Lake Central High School) In Season 2, Episode 14 of "Teach in Ten," Cori and Steph sit down with Katie Hatters, a dynamic science teacher from Cary-Grove High School and Crystal Lake Central High School, to delve into the innovative realm of using drones and robotics to enhance student engagement. Throughout the episode, Hatters shares her wealth of experience and insights on integrating drones and robotics into the cla...
Mar 21, 2024•11 min
In this episode of "Teach in Ten," Shannon Podzimek shares her passion for integrating student interns into district communications. Starting in 2016, Shannon has hosted 12 interns, offering them a unique perspective on promoting the district through their eyes. She discusses the program's benefits, emphasizing the value of students discovering their career interests and the impact on their learning journey.Shannon highlights the success stories of former interns who attribute their achievements...
Feb 28, 2024•10 min
In the latest episode of Teach in Ten, we sit down with Kristin Buttell, a Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) teacher at Crystal Lake South High School. Episode 12 delves into the world of culinary education as Kristin shares insights into her innovative Culinary Program.Kristin walks listeners through the state-of-the-art commercial kitchen at Crystal Lake South, providing a vivid description of the facilities that contribute to an immersive learning experience. Listeners will gain a deeper un...
Feb 08, 2024•10 min
Guest: Dr. Michael Arrigoni Contact Information Email: marrigoni@d155.org Twitter: @Michael_CG155 Apple Podcast Spotify Podcast Youtube Podcast Videos Episode Summary:vJoin us as we kick off our specialized programming series with Michael Arrigoni, a special education teacher extraordinaire at Cary-Grove High School. Michael spills the beans on his fascinating topic: boosting students' spoken and written communication skills by leveraging the power of assistive technology. As Michael puts it, wr...
Jan 25, 2024•10 min
In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of multilanguage learning with our guest, Steve Knope. As an educator and advocate for language learners, Steve shares valuable insights into the diverse needs of language learners and offers practical strategies for learners at all levels.
Jan 11, 2024•14 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Guest: Dan Foster, Music and Band Teacher at Crystal Lake South High School Contact Information Email: dfoster@d155.org Instagram: clsgators_band Facebook: CLSGatorBandWebsite: https//sites.google.com/d155.org/cls-bands Episode SummaryIn this episode, we sit down with the music maestro himself, Dan Foster, a rockstar music and band teacher at Crystal Lake South. As we wrap up our series on spicing up classroom engagement, Dan takes us on a wild ride through how he orchestrated the ultimate comeb...
Dec 14, 2023•12 min
In this episode, Joe Jauch unveils the secrets behind his transformative Incubator class, a program teaching entrepreneurship to high school students in over 100 schools nationwide. Through hands-on projects, students create their own products and services, guided by real entrepreneurs and business experts. The class culminates in Pitch Week, where student teams pitch their ideas to investors, potentially securing funding to turn their plans into reality. Join us to learn how this innovative app...
Nov 30, 2023•11 min
Welcome to an exciting episode where Wendy takes us behind the scenes of her Design Production course, showcasing innovative ways to boost student engagement. Wendy reveals the secrets behind her job-centric class, where students collaborate with faculty members to craft one-of-a-kind products, spanning from captivating logos to eye-catching posters, trendy t-shirts, and compelling promotional materials. Tune in to discover the entire creative process, from inception to completion. Wendy's uniqu...
Nov 09, 2023•12 min
In this episode, join Danica as she unveils her innovative strategies for enhancing student engagement in her forensic science class. Through the power of hands-on labs, Danica immerses her students in the world of forensic science, encouraging them to actively interact with the material they are learning. Throughout the episode, she generously shares her favorite lessons, including exciting activities like creating a mock crime scene and diving deep into the intricacies of fingerprint analysis....
Oct 26, 2023•12 min
Guest: Corey Miedwig, English Teacher at Crystal Lake South High School Email: cmiedwig@d155.org Episode Summary: In this episode, Corey will share how she has centered her classroom around central themes that she called "Enduring Questions." In contrast to Essential Questions, Enduring Questions can last the entire semester or even the entire year. At the end of the semester, the students use these questions to reflect on their learning and create a podcast in which they share how their thinkin...
Oct 19, 2023•10 min•Season 2Ep. 5
In this episode, Erika will share her love of board games and how she has transferred her love of games into the classroom. She often uses games to teach new content and review previously learned content. For example, she plays a poker-based game (see below) to teach financial literacy. She also uses games like Headbanz to review key vocabulary. She will also share some helpful hints if this is something that you would like to incorporate in your own classroom.
Sep 28, 2023•10 min•Season 2Ep. 4
