WCGS Welcomes 7 New Faculty for 2019-2020 School Year

Summer may have just started, but we are already gearing up and preparing for the next school year. Our new hires recently participated in our New Teacher Orientation. We know they are going to be wonderful additions to our team and we are excited to introduce them to you!

Mrs. Rachel Fultz: With six years of experience teaching 2nd grade at Black Forest Academy in Germany, Rachel is eager and excited to be teaching 2nd grade here at WCGS. She is joining the WCGS team following a year as a Preschool Teacher at Wheaton Bible Church and After-School Teacher at Puente del Pueblo in West Chicago, IL. She has her Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Grove City College and her Master of Education from Messiah College. At the end of the 2018-2019 school year, Rachel worked alongside former 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Pam Porter, to learn the WCGS culture and 2nd grade curriculum. Fun Fact: Rachel and her husband met while she was in Germany and were able to explore eight different castles together!

“The words learning, discovering, creating, teaching, collaborating, exploring, and experiencing all come to mind as I think about this upcoming school year. What excites me the most is the combination of the previous action words along with the work of eager students, authentic faith, and a common mission at Wheaton Christian Grammar School. I am passionate about guiding young children in learning while providing genuine opportunities for students to grow and develop in their walk with the Lord. I look forward to working with a great team of teachers while helping students succeed in 2nd grade.”

Mrs. Kim Legel: Kim is a familiar face around WCGS! As a school mom and substitute teacher, she knows our community well and will be a valuable member of our kindergarten team as we add a second section of half-day day kindergarten next year. Kim has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Emmaus Bible College and her Master of Arts in Reading Education from Concordia University. Prior to working as a substitute teacher at WCGS, she was a 1st grade teacher for six years, a reading tutor, and preschool teacher. Kim is looking forward to joining the community of teachers at Wheaton Christian Grammar School next year.

She stated, “As a parent, I have observed this community of teachers be professional, encouraging, nurturing, and always striving to provide an excellent education for my own children. These teachers spoke life into my boys and cared about their development on so many levels. I hope to partner with the families that God puts in my classroom next year to encourage them and help their children be successful.” 

A fun fact about Kim: She comes from a family of educators! Between her two parents and herself, they have a combined total of 75 years of teaching experience. 

Mrs. Kelly Peacock: Kelly is going to be joining the WCGS team as the Kindergarten Aide for Cindy Olsen in full-day Kindergarten while also working as one of our Lunchroom Supervisors. Over the past few years, she has been very involved in WCGS as a school mom and volunteer. Kelly has a B.S. in Elementary Education and has taught and chaperoned the African Children’s Choir as well as substituting for us here at Wheaton Christian. When asked what she is most looking forward to about working at WCGS, she said, “As a school parent for the past four years, I have experienced first-hand what a unique place WCGS is. I cannot put into words what it has meant for us to have faculty and staff that not only take seriously the task of giving our children a solid educational foundation, but also partner with us to intentionally lay a biblical foundation and point them to Jesus each and every day. It is such a humbling privilege to now be on the other side and get to partner with other WCGS families in this way. I also feel an added privilege to be in Kindergarten and be a part of shaping these children’s first school experience. I pray that I can help instill in them a love of learning and make a lasting impact on their lives.” We are excited about her new role in our community and know she will be a great addition to our Kindergarten team.

A fun fact about Kelly: Her favorite thing to do with family and friends is to play games! She loves learning new ones, so feel free to tell her your favorite!

Mrs. Cathy Liebenow: With over 20 years of music education experience, Cathy is stepping into the role of our Elementary and 6th Grade Music teacher confidently. She most recently taught elementary music in District 200 and also has experience in nearby District 89. Cathy graduated from Judson College with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and received her Master of Music from Northern Illinois University. She also has taken numerous graduate courses from the Vandercook School of Music and Olivet Nazarene University. Fun Fact: Cathy is from New York and loves the outdoors! 

What is she most excited about next year? “Being able to sing about Jesus and be a part of faculty devotions. I pray for my students and staff all the time, but I feel like I can now pray with people and follow-up, being a good listening ear.”

Mrs. Jordan Schaubroeck: We are very excited for Jordan to be assisting Mrs. Kim Legel in her half-day Kindergarten class this next year as well as working with Mrs. Kelly Peacock as a Lunchroom Supervisor! As a school mom and frequent volunteer, she is already a familiar face around campus. Jordan received her B.S. in Early and Middle Childhood Education from Butler University and was most recently a substitute teacher and aide at Toddler’s Campus, as well as in Districts 200 and 33. Prior to that, she taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade, and was a Learning Disabilities Resource Teacher. Jordan is most looking forward to the many ways she can serve God and others this year because she truly has a servant’s heart and loves helping others. With her diverse experience and caring spirit, we are confident that she is going to be a great asset to our Kindergarten program! 

Fun fact: Jordan is left-handed, but is also ambidextrous- she does everything other than writing with her right hand!  

Mr. Mike Simon: Mike will be joining our junior high team this fall as the new Jr. High Math Teacher. He comes to WCGS from Harvest Christian Academy in Elgin, IL where he was the Assistant High School Principal and math teacher and former 1st grade teacher. Prior to working at HCA, he taught 5th and 6th grade math at Polaris Charter Academy in Chicago, and 4th and 5th grade at the Discovery School in Porter, IN. Mike has his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Taylor University and his Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from National Louis University. A fun fact about Mike is that he loves spending time with his family (wife – Brittany, and his two kids) and enjoys participating in a multitude of sports.  

When asked what he is most looking forward to about teaching at WCGS, he said: “The opportunity to share the love of Jesus Christ through education is a privilege that I am very excited about. Becoming a part of Wheaton Christian Grammar School is truly where God has led me. I have had the opportunity to meet a large part of the staff and can see their commitment to working for what the Lord has called them. The tight-knit, loving community of WCGS is apparent in the way that each individual speaks about the school. I could not be more privileged to be teaching at Wheaton Christian Grammar School. The Lord has us all here for a purpose and that is very exciting.”

Miss Claire Vasbinder: Claire will be joining Mrs. Rachel Teuscher and Mrs. Marybeth Sauter in 5th grade this next year. She recently graduated from Wheaton College in December 2018 with her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and has been working in District 200 as a permanent building substitute and an instructional math coach. She recently worked as a teacher aide in 4th and 5th grade classrooms, as well as a Sunday School Teacher and Small Group Leader at Wheaton Bible Church. A fun fact about Claire: she was born on Thanksgiving Day when the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was starting, which makes her a lover of a hearty Thanksgiving feast and all things fall!

Claire is most excited to work at WCGS because “I get to integrate my Christian faith into learning, which will cultivate imperative growth in my students’ hearts and minds. Also, I am excited to join such a unique community that loves and supports one another throughout all stages of life. Finally, I am excited to be teaching 5th grade because I believe that it is one of the most formative and transformative years in a child’s life, and I love being an encourager and front-row witness to those transformations. I am so at peace and content with the opportunity to teach at WCGS, and I can’t wait to meet you all this fall!”

Honorable Mentions:

Mrs. Cindy Olsen: Cindy will be transitioning from teaching 4th grade to Full-Day Kindergarten next year. This position is not new to Cindy as she taught Kindergarten at WCGS prior to moving to 4th grade. She is looking forward to working alongside our half-day day teachers, Mrs. Cindy Kremers and Mrs. Kim Legel. 

Mrs. Lindsey Sharrar: Lindsey will be starting her 10th year at WCGS this fall, but will be moving from her Full-Day Kindergarten position to 1st grade. She taught first grade at WCGS previously and is excited to be joining Mrs. Mary Beth Laptad to complete our 1st grade team this next year!  

Alyssa Zarn: Alyssa is expecting her first baby this summer, so her position at WCGS is going to shift from Jr. High Math Teacher into a math support role. She will be working within our Kaleidoscope Program to offer instructional support for students who struggle specifically with math. We are grateful that Alyssa can continue to work at WCGS, and are looking forward to all she will do in her new role.

Please be in prayer for these faculty members as they transition into their new positions and prepare for next year. We are excited to see how the Lord will use them in our school and our students’ lives!