Meet Our Teachers
Katrina Darin
is the kindergarten teacher this year. This is her first year at CVCS, but her sixth year teaching, and she has taught grades 1-3. She graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Katrina moved to Chicago four years ago and looks forward to becoming part of the CVCS community and getting to know all of the students and families.
Sarah Mallon is the first grade teacher at CVCS. This is her first year teaching at CVCS and she is very excited for this learning experience. Sarah attended Michigan State University and is currently completing her master’s degree in literacy at Michigan State through an online program. She moved to Chicago two years ago to teach in an urban setting. Last year she taught first grade in Glencoe IL, and looks forward to starting a new year here at CVCS.
Kimberly Solomon is the second grade teacher at CVCS and has been with the school for four years as an elementary teacher. She graduated from Albion College with a BA in elementary education. After teaching for two years in public schools in Michigan, she moved to Chicago to pursue urban education. Kimberly believes it is a privilege to help pioneer hybrid education in the state of Illinois.
Ms. Castro teaches third grade at CVCS. She received a degree in early childhood education from Kennedy King College, and in elementary education from Saint Xavier University, and has been working with children for twelve years. She chose to work for CVCS because it is a place to teach and learn so many skills and be involved with families on a consistent basis.
Ms. Reams is the fourth grade teacher and is in her first year at CVCS. Previously she taught in the Chicago Public School system for eight years, teaching a variety of grade levels. She received a master’s degree in elementary education from St. Xavier University. She is excited about the rich curriculum offered by CVCS and the unique opportunity to individualize instruction for her students.
Amy Hanks teaches fifth grade at CVCS this year, having taught second, third and fourth grades last year. She has fifteen years experience teaching art and art history in addition to the classical elementary curriculum. Amy received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas, graduated from the University of Michigan as a Rackham Merit Fellow, then moved on to Quincy University for her teaching certificate. She is thrilled to be a part of the CVCS team and this cutting-edge approach to education.
Steve Harper will be teaching sixth grade this year at CVCS as a new teacher. He has three years of previous middle school teaching experience in San Diego, CA. More recently he worked for a large corporation as an outside salesperson in downtown Chicago, but is now happy to be back in the classroom. Steve looks forward to facilitating the academic growth of students by focusing on their individual needs, and believes strongly that the curriculum and educational opportunities available in this unique hybrid school environment are some of the best available in national public education. He holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Oregon.
Erik Toman is teaching seventh grade this year at CVCS, returning for his third year with the school. He attended Northeastern Illinois University for undergrad, and is currently in graduate school at National-Louis, pursuing an educational leadership certification. His goal is to receive his doctorate before 2020. Erik came to CVCS because it was a new and innovative school that will be the future of education. He is excited for the changes this coming year and can’t wait for his seventh graders to grow academically.
Leslie Russell is excited to be CVCS’s eighth grade teacher this year. Currently in her eighth year of teaching, Ms. Russell is a graduate of Dartmouth College who began her career in Teach for America’s Greater New Orleans region. She believes in the relentless pursuit of excellence in education, and she is committed to ensuring that all of her students attain an excellent education.
Amy Cahill is excited to be back working with the amazing CVCS student body and staff for her second year as the high school math teacher. Before joining CVCS she was a sixth grade math teacher in Chicago Public Schools. Previous to teaching, Amy worked in the business world and now enjoys connecting math to the “real world.” She holds a degree in business administration from the University of Michigan and a teaching degree from Northwestern University. She expects the 2009-10 school year will be full of opportunities for growth, and is excited to be a part of the CVCS community.
Sarah Mallon is the first grade teacher at CVCS. This is her first year teaching at CVCS and she is very excited for this learning experience. Sarah attended Michigan State University and is currently completing her master’s degree in literacy at Michigan State through an online program. She moved to Chicago two years ago to teach in an urban setting. Last year she taught first grade in Glencoe IL, and looks forward to starting a new year here at CVCS.
Kimberly Solomon is the second grade teacher at CVCS and has been with the school for four years as an elementary teacher. She graduated from Albion College with a BA in elementary education. After teaching for two years in public schools in Michigan, she moved to Chicago to pursue urban education. Kimberly believes it is a privilege to help pioneer hybrid education in the state of Illinois.
Ms. Castro teaches third grade at CVCS. She received a degree in early childhood education from Kennedy King College, and in elementary education from Saint Xavier University, and has been working with children for twelve years. She chose to work for CVCS because it is a place to teach and learn so many skills and be involved with families on a consistent basis.
Ms. Reams is the fourth grade teacher and is in her first year at CVCS. Previously she taught in the Chicago Public School system for eight years, teaching a variety of grade levels. She received a master’s degree in elementary education from St. Xavier University. She is excited about the rich curriculum offered by CVCS and the unique opportunity to individualize instruction for her students.
Amy Hanks teaches fifth grade at CVCS this year, having taught second, third and fourth grades last year. She has fifteen years experience teaching art and art history in addition to the classical elementary curriculum. Amy received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas, graduated from the University of Michigan as a Rackham Merit Fellow, then moved on to Quincy University for her teaching certificate. She is thrilled to be a part of the CVCS team and this cutting-edge approach to education.
Steve Harper will be teaching sixth grade this year at CVCS as a new teacher. He has three years of previous middle school teaching experience in San Diego, CA. More recently he worked for a large corporation as an outside salesperson in downtown Chicago, but is now happy to be back in the classroom. Steve looks forward to facilitating the academic growth of students by focusing on their individual needs, and believes strongly that the curriculum and educational opportunities available in this unique hybrid school environment are some of the best available in national public education. He holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Oregon.
Erik Toman is teaching seventh grade this year at CVCS, returning for his third year with the school. He attended Northeastern Illinois University for undergrad, and is currently in graduate school at National-Louis, pursuing an educational leadership certification. His goal is to receive his doctorate before 2020. Erik came to CVCS because it was a new and innovative school that will be the future of education. He is excited for the changes this coming year and can’t wait for his seventh graders to grow academically.
Leslie Russell is excited to be CVCS’s eighth grade teacher this year. Currently in her eighth year of teaching, Ms. Russell is a graduate of Dartmouth College who began her career in Teach for America’s Greater New Orleans region. She believes in the relentless pursuit of excellence in education, and she is committed to ensuring that all of her students attain an excellent education.
Amy Cahill is excited to be back working with the amazing CVCS student body and staff for her second year as the high school math teacher. Before joining CVCS she was a sixth grade math teacher in Chicago Public Schools. Previous to teaching, Amy worked in the business world and now enjoys connecting math to the “real world.” She holds a degree in business administration from the University of Michigan and a teaching degree from Northwestern University. She expects the 2009-10 school year will be full of opportunities for growth, and is excited to be a part of the CVCS community.