Andrew Schroeder
I was born in St. Louis, MO and graduated from Orion High School in 1985.  I attended Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska and graduated in 1990, with my Bachelor's of Science degree in education (math and health/safety).   I received my Master's of Science in education degree (Curriculum and Instruction) from Central Missouri State University, in Warrensburg, MO.  This year will be my 21st year (7th year at Lakes) of teaching high school and have taught Geometry, Geometry Honors, Fundamentals of Geometry, Algebra 1, Algebra 1A, Algebra 2, Algebra 2 Honors at Lakes and Probability and Statistics, and Trigonometry at another school.  I live in Wisconsin with my wife, four children, two dogs, and one crayfish.  In addition to teaching I am the Head boys Cross Country Coach and Assistant boys Track Coach.

Brian Phelan
Born and raised in Joliet, Illinois and graduated from Joliet West High School where I was a member of the football team and NHS.  I attended Joliet Junior College and then went on to attend and graduate from North Central College where I also played football for three years.  I earned a degree in Mathematics with a minor in Secondary Education.  My first six years of teaching, I've taught mathematics at Minooka Community High School, Lemont High School, and McHenry Community High School.  For the past six year, I taught Algebra, Geometry, and Business Math at Lakes.  Along this journey, I've coached basketball and football, been a class sponsor, currently math team head coach and was the first head boys basketball at Lakes.  Lastly, I have a master’s from St. Xavier in Illinois for Teaching and Leadership.  Go Bulls.

Scott Leverentz
I grew up in Arlington Heights, IL and attended John Hersey High School.  I spent 2 years at Marquette University pursuing a biomedical engineering degree before changing plans. I transferred to the University of Illinois and graduated with honors while earning a Bachelors of Science degree in mathematics.  This is my fourth year at Lakes Community, and I'm currently teaching Geometry Fundamentals, Algebra I Honors, and AP Calculus AB.  I'm one of the current math team coaches at LCHS and an avid Blackhawks fan.

Jenny Jaworek
I was raised in Winthrop Harbor, IL and graduated with honors from Zion Benton Township High School. Then I attended Minnesota State University, Mankato, and received a Bachelor's of Science degree in mathematics. During the past four years at LCHS I have taught AP Statistics, Probability and Statistics, Algebra 2 and Algebra 1 Honors. In addition to teaching,  I am also an assistant softball coach. Go Cubs!

Kelly Kelleher
I graduated from Barrington High School in 3 years. I went to Indiana University where I got my BA in Economics. I went to work for a large brokerage firm in downtown Chicago. I spent 3 years there, then transferred to New York where I worked on the floor of the New York Mercantile Exchange. We moved back to the Chicago area and I retired from the brokerage industry in 1994. I went back to school and got a masters' degree in Special Education from National -Louis University. This is my 11th year teaching Math in District 117.

Justin Cooper
I was raised in Elk Grove Village and graduated from Conant High School.  I attended Carthage College where I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics.  This is my second year teaching at LCHS. This year I will be working with Algebra I, Probability and Statistics, and Calculus BC students.  I also am a Girls Track and Field Assistant Coach.  

Jori Bowen
I grew up in Arlington Heights, IL, and earned my Bachelor’s of Science from Miami University with degrees in Secondary Education and Mathematics.  I have two Master's Degrees -- a Master’s of Arts from the University of Illinois at Springfield in Teacher Leadership and a Master’s of Education from Olivet Nazarene University in Administration.  I have taught mathematics in Texas, Washington State, and New Mexico.  I am currently the Math Chair at LCHS and am starting my ninth year in District 117.  I have two children that are already looking forward to being in the LCHS classes of 2018 and 2024!

Susan Arendas
I was born and raised in Hammond, Indiana. Since then I have lived in three states and seven different cities. I married my high school sweetheart and raised four children before going back to school to earn my Bachelor of Arts in Math and Computer Science. Three of my children graduated from Antioch High School and one from Lakes.  A little known fact is that I am a descendant of Robert E. Lee.  I enjoy going to White Sox games, and never miss a chance to see Da Bears!

Brittany Wiegel
I was born and raised in Antioch and have lived there my entire life.  I am an honors graduate of Antioch High School, where I finished in the top 5% of my class.  After high school, I attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.  I graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s of Science in Mathematics Education.  I began my career at Grant High School where I taught Algebra I Honors, Algebra IB, and Statistics and Trigonometry for one year.  I was also the head cheerleading coach.  After teaching at Grant, I came to Lakes and am entering my third year here.  I will be teaching Algebra I Honors and Pre-calculus this year.  I have also been the head cheerleading coach for my three years at Lakes.
In addition to teaching and coaching, I am continuing my education by pursuing a Masters degree in Educational Leadership at Northeastern Illinois University.  When I am not teaching, coaching, or doing my own homework I enjoy reading, working out, wakeboarding, and babysitting my nieces.

Vikki Ecker
My name is Mrs. Ecker. I was born on April 15th and grew up in Deerfield with my two brothers and parents. I went to Deerfield High School and continued on to the University of Illinois where I received a Bachelors degree in Architecture. Once I received my degree I worked for an architecture firm designing residential houses and condos in the Chicago land area and continued with my education at DePaul University where I received a Master’s in Secondary Education. In the past 6 years I have been at LCHS, I have taught Algebra 1A, Algebra 1B, Honors Algebra, Geometry, Honors Geometry and Algebra 2. In addition to teaching at LCHS, I am the Varsity Field Hockey Coach, an Advisory Chair,  and on the Student Achievement Committee.
In my free time I read books, travel, play softball and field hockey, watch football and of course cheer for my fellow ILLINI! I'm also a Chicago White Sox and Bears fan!! My favorite TV shows are Deadliest Catch and CSI and my favorite movie of all times, is Top Gun with Tom Cruise. I love kids and spending time with my friends and family. Most of all, I think teaching is one of the most rewarding professions ever and that’s why I’m here: to teach YOU!!

Camelia Ivan
I was born and raised in Transylvania, Romania. That’s right, it really exists!  During 1968 my parents and I moved to the capital of Romania, Bucharest, where I graduated from Mathematics & Physics High School. Later, I attended the University of Bucharest and received Bachelor’s of Science degrees in mathematics and mechanical engineering.  After teaching math for a few years in Romania I married my high school sweetheart, had twin daughters, and lived through the revolutionary times of 1989. The Revolution of 1989 greatly altered the balance of power in the world and marked the end of the Cold War.  My family moved to the United States three years after the subsequent events of 1989. Here I attended National-Louis University, IL and received a Master’s Degree in Education in 2003. During the past three years at LCHS I have taught AP Calculus AB and BC, Algebra I, Algebra II, and Algebra II Honors. Last summer It was the right time for me to have my very first puppy, Azor, and I am enjoying his presence in my life every day!

Carolyn Barry
I am an honors graduate of Antioch Community High School. After high school I attended Augustana College and obtained a Bachelor's of Arts Degree in Accounting and enjoyed a semester abroad in Europe.   I went on to earn my CPA and Master of Science and Tax Degree (DePaul University) and worked for several years at Deloitte and Touche in Chicago in their tax department, consulting with and preparing the tax returns for many of Chicago's largest corporations.  One of my clients was so well off that she had used a check for $1,000,000 as a book marker and had to be reminded 6 months later to deposit the check.  While working at Deloitte & Touche, I began volunteering with the Junior Achievement Program.  I quickly saw the reward and fulfillment of working with our youth and I realized that I was born to teach. I went back to school and obtained my Masters of Arts in Mathematics Education. I then proudly took the job at ACHS where I coached tennis for 8 years.  I have also coached the math team, organized the annual math fair, served as a representative on the Board of Directors, been a faculty advisor for NHS, and was on the Advisory Planning Committee.  I am married and have the two best cockapoo dogs in the world, they are a brother and sister named Payton and Mocha. 

Melissa Cross
I grew up in Hoffman Estates, IL and earned my Bachelor’s Social Work from Winona State University.  I continued my education at National Louis University where I earned my Master’s of Arts Teaching Special Education.  I have worked in District 117 for the past seven years.  Along with teaching, I am also the Sophomore Class Sponsor and the Varsity Girls Bowling Coach.  As for sports, I am a huge Chicago Fan ~ Cubs, Bears and Blackhawks.  I enjoy reading and taking my St. Bernard Addison on walks.

Andrew Benton
Education: Mr. Benton has a B.A. in Math and Education from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. While there, he was captain of the men's golf team and played Euphonium with the Augustana Concert Band. He has taught in District 117 since 2008. His philosophy: Negativity is contagious, destructive, and annoying. Why not be optimistic?