More than 40 new Joliet Public Schools District 86 employees completed a weeklong new teacher orientation to prepare for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. Sessions covered curriculum, equity, human resources, safety and security, student services, and technology. New teachers also had the opportunity to meet with their teacher mentors and set up their classrooms.
“We are pleased to welcome these new educators to District 86,” said Joliet Public Schools District 86 Superintendent Dr. Theresa Rouse, “We look forward to a successful school year and welcoming our students back on Wednesday, August 19.”
New certified staff members include: Debbie Alvarado, Edna Keith Elementary; Elizabeth Alzueta-Pyles, Lynne Thigpen Elementary; Adriana Arias, Pershing Elementary; Aneta Blachut, Hufford Junior High; Brandon Buonamci, Thomas Jefferson Elementary; Marcellina Cooper, Farragut Elementary; Jennifer Diaz, J.F. Kennedy Administrative Center; Kathryn Epling, Hufford Junior High; Madison Evans, Hufford Junior High; Amy Fournier, Marycrest Early Childhood Center; Itzel Gomez, Marycrest Early Childhood Center; Paula Guarin Marin, M.J. Cunningham Elementary; Jill Heimer, Forest Park Individual Education School; Elizabeth Hermann, Sator Sanchez Elementary; Maureen Holt, Carl Sandburg Elementary; Lauren Hrdlicka, Forest Park Individual Education School; Giselle Ibarra, J.F. Kennedy Administrative Center; Allyson Ithal, Sator Sanchez Elementary; Christine Kelso, Forest Park Individual Education School; Lauren Kendrick, Farragut Elementary; Nicole Lavarier, Washington Junior High; Susan Leis, T.E. Culbertson Elementary; Jose Marquez-Marquez, Washington Junior High; Casandra McCullum, Pershing Elementary; Kimberly McGuire, Washington Junior High; Owen McGuire, Hufford Junior High; Tracey Melendez, Farragut Elementary; Jeannine Peters, Sator Sanchez Elementary; Kylee Rinke, Pershing Elementary; Alexandra Rocha, Gompers Junior High; Nathalie Rodriguez, J.F. Kennedy Administrative Center; Tatiana Ruiz, Dirksen Junior High; Jazmyne Rush, Hufford Junior High; Anna Ryan, Dirksen Junior High; Ella Salis, J.F. Kennedy Administrative Center; Raquel Sernas, Dirksen Junior High; Rylee Soldat, Dirksen Junior High; Bobbie Speer, Sator Sanchez Elementary; Victoria Tucker, Hufford Junior High; Kirstie Washington, Hufford Junior High; Graham Whitmore, Sator Sanchez Elementary; Machi Young, Hufford Junior High; and Mariamelia Zaragoza, Sator Sanchez Elementary School.