WCGS Hiring Updates

Get to know our new Faculty and Staff for the 2022-2023 school year!

WCGS has been hiring for several positions in order to continue to serve our students and families with excellence. We are grateful to the Lord for His provision over these new additions to our team!

Meet Angela Broman: Kindergarten Aide 

Angela Broman has been hired as a kindergarten aide, working alongside Cindy Kremers. She is a school mom and served as a substitute teacher for us this past year, devoting most of her time to kindergarten. Angela said she is looking forward to more deeply connecting to the WCGS community and serving alongside the teachers, staff and families she already loves so much.  

Fun Fact: My heart is happiest when I’m being creative – woodworking, gardening, painting, and crafting. I haven’t met an artform I didn’t like! 

 

Meet Anne Hardy: Grades 1 and 2 Instructional Aide

Anne is a former WCGS student (Class of ’15) and is excited to return to WCGS to serve on our team. She has a deep desire to get to know students and support them and our teachers at the lower elementary level. Anne shared that she is most excited about the opportunities she will have to give back to a school that so deeply impacted her!

Fun Fact: I was involved in 3 state championship soccer teams at Wheaton Academy, placing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd (2 as a player, 1 as a coach).

 

Meet Amber Ryndak: Grade 2 Instructional Aide

Amber is a school parent and also served as a substitute teacher for us last year, working primarily in our elementary hallway. She previously taught 2nd grade but has also worked with students at a variety of age levels. Amber comes with great experience and a strong desire to partner well with our teachers in supporting student needs.

Fun fact: I have been married to my wonderful husband for 20 years!

Meet Jennie Cathey: Grade 3 Instructional Aide and Academic Specialist

Jennie Cathey has been hired as our third grade instructional aide and will also be working in Student Services. Jennie comes with a wide range of teaching experience. She has taught preschool, 6th grade, and has tutored students ages K-8. She is looking forward to serving in both of these roles, as she comes alongside students who need support in the classroom as well as one-on-one. Jennie is excited to be a part of this Christ centered learning community where she can help kids grow not only academically, but spiritually as well.

Fun fact: Our third pregnancy ended up being twins. My husband’s famous last words after we found out we were pregnant were, “Three is the max, unless it’s an act of God.”

 

Meet Amber Snoeyink: 5th Grade Teacher 

Amber served as an elementary instructional aide here at WCGS last year, and she has previously taught 4th and 5th grade, so we are confident that this will be a smooth transition for her. Amber brings with her a passion for the Lord, a love for students, years of experience in the classroom, and an appreciation for the mission of WCGS!

Fun Fact: Next year will be the 4th year of working with my younger sister, Mrs. Schwarzkopf! In addition to Mrs.Schwarzkopf, I have several other family members who are also teachers, including my brother-in-law, both of my sisters-in-law, and my father-in-law, who has been teaching for over 40 years!

 

Meet Nicole Todd: Jr. High Math Teacher & Academic Specialist 

Nicole taught at Nelson Prairie School after graduating in January of 2022, and we are excited to now have her on our team!  Nicole has a middle school math endorsement, so she brings with her not only a passion for teaching junior highers, but an expertise and love for mathematics. Nicole shared that she is excited to be a part of a community that is committed to allowing God’s Word to infiltrate every aspect of the day and looks forward to encouraging students in a love for math but also their love for Jesus.

Fun fact: I have known my husband for my whole life!

 

Meet Jake Lindstedt: Jr. High History & English Teacher

Jake attended Wheaton College, where he received his bachelor’s degree in History, followed by his master’s degree in Teaching. For the past two years, he has been teaching 7th and 8th Grade History in Matteson (IL), and he is looking forward to transitioning to WCGS this fall. He is highly relational, loves the Lord, loves teaching, and loves junior highers!

Fun Fact: I love to play any and all board games, but my favorite is Settlers of Catan!

Meet Rachel Brooke: Jr. High Studio Art Teacher 

Rachel is married to Jeff Brooke, our Head of School. She taught Art for 1 year at WCGS prior to staying home with their
children. Since then, she has subbed in Art at WCGS across all grade levels and has also served as a long-term sub in Art on multiple occasions. Rachel said that she is looking forward to forming closer relationships with the junior highers, and being able to shower them with the love of our Creator in the classroom setting! 

Fun Fact: The last time I was an official WCGS teacher was when I was pregnant with Mason. This year I get to teach my own son as an 8th grader—talk about full circle!

Meet Bill Bickhart: Physical Education Teacher 

Bill Bickhart (husband to Megan Bickhart) has been hired as a Physical Education teacher for the coming school year.  Bill has been teaching P.E. for over 30 years and comes with a wealth of experience and knowledge. He is well-known to our community, has a heart for service, and is full of joy. Bill is excited to have the opportunity to work alongside educators who “love making learning fun!”

Fun Fact: Some would say that “I have a great gym voice, I love to laugh and I love to move a lot.

Meet Bess Paull: School Nurse

Bess is a school parent, with four girls here at WCGS! Bess brings a great deal of medical experience and has spent the past 16 years at Loyola University Medical Center. Bess will join Danette Farrell in coverage of the clinic and is eager to use her unique gifts and talents to serve alongside the WCGS team in the mission of equipping students to love and serve Jesus.

Fun fact: I was on The Bozo Show in 2nd grade, so I am famous and do autographs for a small fee.

Transitions within our school: 

In addition to these new hires, we have roles that have changed for some of our current faculty and staff for the 2022-2023 academic year. Though some of these roles have been communicated in other places, we hope this serves as a helpful refresh. 

Lauren Rizzo will be transitioning from being one of our Physical Education teachers to joining the office team as an Administrative Assistant. This will be a part-time, hybrid role, and she is thrilled to stay connected to the WCGS community in this way. Lauren is known and loved by students and families, and is passionate about the mission of WCGS! Jeff Brooke will take on the leadership of our chapel program and will build out chapel teams for grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8. Mandy Jasper will take on additional responsibilities in counseling. To allow her time to do this, Josie Garrett will be our Coordinator of Grades 6-8 Student Services, while also serving as the Grade 5 Instructional Aide. John Koslosky has been hired to be our Campus Life Coordinator, taking on safety, security, and campus activities, while remaining in the classroom to teach History part-time. Mike Simon has been hired to be our Student Leadership and Outreach Coordinator, helping us to expand our role with students as it relates to service and outreach (on campus, locally, and globally), while remaining in the classroom part-time, teaching Leadership and Math. Eric Johnson has been hired to be our Faith Formation Specialist, reviewing and influencing our approach to spiritual growth for students K-8, while remaining in the classroom full-time. Megan Bickhart will be devoting more time this year to Student Services, so she will not be aiding or leading Extended Care during the before-school hours. Jennifer Pierson, who currently serves as our Library Aide, will take on the responsibility of Extended Care. 

The Lord’s guiding hand has been evident through all of these hires and role transitions, and we are grateful for the team He has assembled for the 2022-2023 school year to educate, train, and nurture students for godliness and excellence, equipping them to engage and transform their world for Jesus Christ. 

 

Inquire. Visit. Apply

Let’s get to know each other

Discover how WCGS could be the
right fit for your family!

Start Here