Meet Our Administrators
Leah Rodgers
rejoined the Chicago Virtual Charter School staff last January as the Academic Administrator. She was previously part of the K12 Teacher Effectiveness Division, as the Northern Regional Manager. Working with various K12 virtual academies, Leah led hundreds of teachers across the country through monthly National Professional Development events, worked with the Teacher Support Hotline, and provided teachers with tips to be more successful virtual educators. Before working as the K12 Northern Regional Manager, Leah taught seventh and eighth grade at CVCS and helped pioneer the path of hybrid education by making numerous trips to Springfield to speak with state senators and representatives about the importance of the educational opportunity provided by CVCS. Before obtaining her master’s degree in education from DePaul University, she graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in elementary education. Leah plans to continue working hard to support the needs of CVCS teachers, students, and parents, while contributing to the overall mission and success of CVCS.
Karen Syverson is teaching the Advanced Learners’ Program at CVCS this year, working with grades three through eight. She has been a teacher for over twenty years at public schools, private schools, as a homeschooling parent, and now with CVCS, where she is beginning my fourth year. Karen received a BA in psychology from Blackburn College and an MAT in elementary education from National Louis University, and is currently enrolled at Northeastern Illinois University working on a Master’s Degree in Gifted Education. Karen feels that CVCS is a great alternative for students and their families, and looks forward to the challenges and adventures of the new school year.
Rachel Velazquez is the Student Services Administrator at CVCS. She completed her undergraduate studies at DePaul University and received her master’s degree in education from the University of Phoenix. I have taught in various neighborhoods of Chicago and a myriad of grades. I have been in the teaching profession for the past ten years, two of those as a master, and has taught in a variety of Chicago neighborhoods and grades. Now in her second year at CVCS as the Student Services Administrator, Rachel supervises the Academic Support Team (AST), the Special Education (SPED) program, the English Language Learner (ELL) program, the Response to Intervention program (RTI), and the Advance Learning program (ALP). She looks forward to this year and to making CVCS the best hybrid school.
Colleen Watza is the Academic Support Teacher at CVCS. This is her fourth year teaching elementary school students and her second year teaching middle school students. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and is currently a graduate student at DePaul University, studying reading and learning disabilities. Before coming to CVCS, Colleen taught for two years in Howell, Michigan, and moved to Chicago for the chance to be a part of cutting edge virtual teaching.
Laurie McDevitt is CVCS’s Case Manager and Special Education Teacher, serving students and families with special needs. As a teacher she has worked in many educational settings and cherishes the education they have given her. Laurie attended Western and Northern Illinois Universities and holds a master’s degree in education. Her favorite course was “School as an Instrument for Change.”
Melissa Finley is the Special Services Specialist at CVCS, as well as a veteran teacher in our school. She will be working with the Special Services team to assist students in grades three through eight in math, as well as working with the English Language Learners. Melissa has taught for nine years in grades one through twelve, in both private and public schools. She has also worked with adult learners, and taught in a community college. She received her degree in elementary education with a concentration in mathematics from the University of Akron. Her K12 path began in 2002, when she taught for Ohio Virtual Academy in their inaugural year, and for the following two years. After spending a year in AmeriCorps in California, Melissa heard about a hybrid school opening in Chicago, and is thrilled to work with children this year on the best team ever at Chicago Virtual Charter School.
Karen Syverson is teaching the Advanced Learners’ Program at CVCS this year, working with grades three through eight. She has been a teacher for over twenty years at public schools, private schools, as a homeschooling parent, and now with CVCS, where she is beginning my fourth year. Karen received a BA in psychology from Blackburn College and an MAT in elementary education from National Louis University, and is currently enrolled at Northeastern Illinois University working on a Master’s Degree in Gifted Education. Karen feels that CVCS is a great alternative for students and their families, and looks forward to the challenges and adventures of the new school year.
Rachel Velazquez is the Student Services Administrator at CVCS. She completed her undergraduate studies at DePaul University and received her master’s degree in education from the University of Phoenix. I have taught in various neighborhoods of Chicago and a myriad of grades. I have been in the teaching profession for the past ten years, two of those as a master, and has taught in a variety of Chicago neighborhoods and grades. Now in her second year at CVCS as the Student Services Administrator, Rachel supervises the Academic Support Team (AST), the Special Education (SPED) program, the English Language Learner (ELL) program, the Response to Intervention program (RTI), and the Advance Learning program (ALP). She looks forward to this year and to making CVCS the best hybrid school.
Colleen Watza is the Academic Support Teacher at CVCS. This is her fourth year teaching elementary school students and her second year teaching middle school students. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and is currently a graduate student at DePaul University, studying reading and learning disabilities. Before coming to CVCS, Colleen taught for two years in Howell, Michigan, and moved to Chicago for the chance to be a part of cutting edge virtual teaching.
Laurie McDevitt is CVCS’s Case Manager and Special Education Teacher, serving students and families with special needs. As a teacher she has worked in many educational settings and cherishes the education they have given her. Laurie attended Western and Northern Illinois Universities and holds a master’s degree in education. Her favorite course was “School as an Instrument for Change.”
Melissa Finley is the Special Services Specialist at CVCS, as well as a veteran teacher in our school. She will be working with the Special Services team to assist students in grades three through eight in math, as well as working with the English Language Learners. Melissa has taught for nine years in grades one through twelve, in both private and public schools. She has also worked with adult learners, and taught in a community college. She received her degree in elementary education with a concentration in mathematics from the University of Akron. Her K12 path began in 2002, when she taught for Ohio Virtual Academy in their inaugural year, and for the following two years. After spending a year in AmeriCorps in California, Melissa heard about a hybrid school opening in Chicago, and is thrilled to work with children this year on the best team ever at Chicago Virtual Charter School.