New Faces at MCHS
With the first day jitters behind them, the eight new Faculty members are ready for their first year at Morris Community High School.
Marla Eltrevoog comes to MCHS from Gardner South Wilmington high school; where she taught for three years. She will be teaching Algebra 1 and Geometry. Ms. Eltrevoog is looking forward to getting involved at Morris, meeting new students and co-workers, and providing a positive experience for her students in the classroom. While attending University of Louisville Ms. Eltrevoog earned the title of Miss Indiana Basketball and tried out for the Detroit Shock after college.
Becky Kopycinski is an Illinois State University graduate. She will be teaching Spanish 1 and Spanish 2 during her first year of teaching. Her students will be learning about her personal experiences of living in Granada, Spain for 6 months. Ms. Kopycinski is looking forward to becoming part of the MCHS community and seeing her student’s grow and succeed.
Greg Larsen taught at Sandwich high school for the last four years. Mr. Larson is a Northern Illinois University graduate who will be teaching PE and coaching the freshmen football team. He is looking forward teaching at his alma mater.
Nick Nollinger started his first teaching position at MCHS in January of 2010 after graduating from Eastern Illinois University. This year he is teaching Woods, Metals, Drafting, Architecture, Transportation & Power Technology and Home Improvement. Mr. Nollinger is looking forward to making curriculum improvements across the board and making updates to the Industrial Technology department. Mr. Nollinger spends his summer’s competitive wakeboarding and teaching lessons on the water.
Kim O’Malley previously taught at Aurora Christian High School for 8 years. She is a graduate of Greenville College in Greenville, IL. Ms. O’Malley is teaching Geometry and Algebra this year. She is also looking forward to getting to know the student of Morris and working on the block schedule. Outside of her “kids” at MCHS Ms. O’Malley has three children of her own.
Mary Ann Peterson is new to the building, but not new to teaching. For 18 years, she has taught resource and Instructional Programs for children who have Learning Disabilities and Social/Emotional Disorders for grades K-5. This year Ms. Peterson is teaching Global Studies, English 9, Resource, REI Algebra and Science. She is looking forward to seeing some of her former students, working with new teachers and the administration at MCHS. Ms. Peterson is employed by the Grundy County Special Education Cooperative.
Becky Stuck majored in English Education at Illinois State University. She is teaching English 1 CP, Speech, English 4 CP and World Literature. This is Ms. Struck’s first full time position; however, she did substitute teach and fill a couple maternity leaves over the last two years. She is looking forward to getting to know the students at Morris High School, as well as their parents. This MCHS alum will also be busy as the head poms coach, literary festival sponsor and assistant yearbook sponsor.
Taylor Tesdal attended Eastern Illinois University. She has spent the last two years teaching preK-5th grade physical education and 6-8th grade health in Virginia Beach, VA. She also coached volleyball and girls basketball in both years. Ms. Tesdal is looking forward to getting to know all the students and staff, as well as getting involved in school activities. She is coaching volleyball and girls basketball this year. In her free time, Ms. Tesdal enjoys running in local races.
Student Teachers in the building--
Laura Blaskey is student teaching in Mrs. Gustafson’s room this fall. Ms. Blaskey attends Illinois State University. She will graduate with a degree that certifies her to teach English to grades 5-12. She is currently student teaching freshman speech and senior college prep English. Ms. Blaskey is looking forward to completing her teacher education program and hopes to have a classroom of her own in the Morris area next fall.
Clare Hines is student teaching in Mrs. Womack’s room this fall. For the past three years, Ms. Hines has observed at Galesburg HS. She is student teaching three sections of Spanish 1. She is looking forward to learning from the students. She feels getting to know the students and how they learn will help her become a better educator. Ms. Hines also works with people age 5-75 with disabilities in her hometown of Downers Grove.
