Chippewa 3rd grade concert
Bouncy house at end of year at Indian Hill
District 128’s Student Services Staff work together with the general education staff to provide a
continuum of services to address the needs of students with disabilities and to ensure that those
students receive special education and related services appropriate to their individual needs.
Collaboration between general education and special education staff allows students to receive services
in the least restrictive environment possible. Professional development this past year has focused on
effective progress monitoring and delivering effective specialized instruction in order to close the
A Warm Welcome to New Staff…
Indian Hill Early Learning Center
Michelle McGinnis will teach Kindergarten. Ms.
Michelle graduated Elmhurst College in 2018.
Chippewa Elementary School
Mary Carlo will teach 1st grade. Ms. Carlo is a
recent graduate of Bradley University.
Sinead Fitzmaurice is a new Paraprofessional. Mrs.
Fitzmaurice is a graduate of National University of
Ireland, Maynooth. She is an experienced teacher,
and has children in the District.
Nicole Napier will teach Special Education. Ms.
Napier taught previously in the Matteson school
district, and is a graduate of Eastern Illinois
University.
Vanessa Palcu is a new Reading Interventionist
Paraprofessional. Mrs. Palcu has worked in the
District as a Paraprofessional and substitute
teacher for several years, and has children in the
District. She is a graduate of St. Xavier University.
Navajo Heights School
Erica Kolmodin is a new 4th grade teacher. Mrs.
Kolmodin formerly taught 4th grade in the Tinley
Park schools, and was a Technology teacher and
STEM Education director in Texas. She is a graduate
of St. Xavier University.
Independence Junior High School
Evan Katsenis will teach 6th and 7th grade Math.
Mr. Katsenis is an experienced junior high Math
teacher, and a graduate of Lewis University.
Other New Faculty and Staff
Whitney Freund is the new Social Worker at Navajo
and IJHS. Ms. Freund previously taught in Decatur,
and is a graduate of the University of Illinois.
Caitlin Smith has joined the District as Technology
Assistant. Ms. Smith was formerly a Technology
Specialist in the Tinley Park school district.
Kim Sopkin is a new K-5 Reading/Literacy
Specialist . Ms. Sopkin has private school
experience and 10 years of Reading Specialist
experience in the Flossmoor school district. She is a
graduate of St. Xavier University.