Meet our new WCGS Faculty!

WCGS is elated to welcome multiple new teachers to the school this year! We are grateful for how the Lord has worked over the last few months, and we are excited about what the Lord has in store for our team as we raise up the next generation to be Christ centered, critical thinkers and community builders.

Kindergarten

Annie Sparacio and Andrea Estabrook will be our new Half Day Kindergarten teachers. Both Annie and Andrea have between 10-15 years of teaching experience. We have also hired Julie O’Malley to be one of our kindergarten aides for next year.  Julie has previously taught kindergarten, second grade, and special education! Each has a passion for educating, training, and nurturing kindergarteners, and we are thrilled to have each of them on our Kindergarten team!

About Mrs. Sparacio: What excites me the most about starting school this fall is the opportunity to get to know the students, staff and families and to openly talk about God and my faith at WCGS! 

Fun Fact: I love all things outdoorsy! Running, hiking, biking, going for family walks, and playing in the backyard with my kiddos make my heart so happy!

About Mrs. Estabrook: I am excited to work at Wheaton Christian Grammar School to teach kindergarten from a biblical perspective.

Fun Fact: I have taught fourth grade at a Christian school and kindergarten at a public school, but I’m excited to combine my passion for kindergarten with a Christian school setting. 

About Mrs. O’Malley: I am excited to work in a positive, Christ-centered environment.

Fun Fact: I have a 1st grader, a 3rd grader, and a 6th grader who is starting at WCGS this year!

1st Grade

Abi Gum was a student teacher at WCGS in 1st grade this past Fall, forming great connections with our students and our 1st grade team of teachers. We have hired Abi to be one of our 1st grade teachers for this upcoming school year. Anne Thorson began the 2022-2023 school year serving as our 1st and 2nd Grade Instructional Aide, and stepped in as a maternity leave substitute in the final months of the academic year. We have seen God’s provision with her transition into this role, and have hired her to be one of our 1st grade teachers next year. We praise the Lord for how this 1st grade team came together for next year!

About Miss Gum: I am most excited to get to know my students and have conversations about the Lord together. I hope our conversations will inspire a deeper curiosity and love for our Creator as we learn together!

Fun Fact: I just finished competing in 11 years of track and field!  

Sarah Green and Kendra Bratt.  Sarah will be aiding in the morning and Kendra will be aiding in the afternoon, supporting all 4 of our first grade teachers.  Both Sarah and Kendra are school parents and come with previous experience as teachers and specialists in working with students at the lower elementary level.  We look forward to how the Lord will use them in the lives of our 1^st grade students.

4th Grade

Lindsay Holwerda student taught in 4th grade at WCGS this past fall and formed great relationships with our 4th grade team of teachers and students. We have hired Lindsay to teach 4th grade next year and look forward to how the Lord is going to use her!

About Miss Holwerda: I am excited to make my classroom a place of joy. I hope that my students are filled with the joy of the Lord and a love for learning while they are in my class. Most of all, I am so thankful to be at a school where I get to teach students what it means to be followers of Jesus and that I get to encourage and mentor them as they grow in their understanding of Christ.

Fun Fact: I have been in 16 musicals!

5th Grade

We have hired Annie Rhoads to teach 5th grade, and we are confident that she will be a great addition to our team and bring excellence and passion into her teaching.  

About Miss Rhoads: I am most excited to work at Wheaton Christian Grammar School next year because I am eager to get to know my incoming class of students and train them to follow Jesus more deeply! As I look forward to this year, I am passionate about creating a classroom environment where students feel welcome to ask questions, make connections, and collaborate to find answers rooted in truth. I’m also looking forward to having fun learning and growing alongside my students in my first year of teaching.

Fun Fact: I love to rock climb, I have a dog named Rocky with two different colored eyes (one blue and one brown), and I grew up near the beach of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin! 

Faculty & Staff

Lauren Fortosis.  Lauren is a current WCGS parent and we are excited about the skills that she will bring to this as the Administrative Assistant to the Head of School.  She comes with experience as an Administrative Assistant in her most recent job and has a joyful and willing spirit to step in and support in whatever way is needed.

Jennifer Fraser.  Jennifer is a current WCGS parent and we are excited to have her work with Joanne King to support more students in the area of literacy. For the past few years, she has been working as a Literacy Coach but previously was a 3^rd grade teacher and private tutor.  We are grateful for her expertise in literacy and are looking forward to how she will enhance our reading program at WCGS.

Jon Gabriele.  Jon taught for over 30 years in District 200 and worked in their PACE (gifted) program.  He comes with great experience in not only understanding curriculum, but maximizing its effectiveness in the classroom.  He is looking forward to working alongside Susan Macaluso and supporting all of our teachers as the Curriculum Coordinator.

John Koslosky.  After transitioning into his role of part-time teacher and part-time Campus Life Coordinator last year, we are excited to announce that John will be stepping into the role of Director of Security full-time this coming school year.  John is starting his 22^nd year at WCGS, so he comes with a deep understanding of this school and its mission, but also the development and improvement of our security procedures over time.

Lisa Kainer.  Lisa is a familiar face around WCGS, as she previously taught here prior to working in Student Services at Wheaton Academy. She is highly relational and has a heart for students of all ages.  Her many years of teaching experience paired with her understanding of student support will make her a fantastic addition to our Student Services Team as the K-5 Student Services Coordinator.

Caroline Wasko. With our increased enrollment in the lower grades, we needed an additional part-time teacher to help with all of the P.E. classes.  We are excited to have Caroline teach our girls P.E. for grades 6-8, allowing Bill Bickhart to continue to teach all our K-3 students.  Caroline is a current school parent, and has 5 years of experience teaching P.E.  She is excited to form relationships with these girls and share her passion for physical education.

Alyssa Zarn.  Alyssa has been serving as a Math Specialist for several years, but her role will now broaden to allow her to support all of our teachers (K-8).  Alyssa has a deep understanding of mathematics and also has years of experience as a classroom teacher and member of our Student Services team.  In this new role, she will be able to come alongside more teachers and students to maximize her impact here at WCGS.

We praise God for His provision in each of these roles and look forward to the 2023-2024 school year with great anticipation for all the Lord will do in and through our school community!