Joel Beesley (jbeesley) teaches Computer Literacy 1 & 2 and World-Wide Web Development as an elective for sophomores through seniors. He also teaches Yearbook and is the Head Boys' Basketball Coach. He earned his B.A. at Valparaiso University and his M.A. at Southern Illinois University.

David Bergandine (dbergand) teaches Intro Chemistry and Chemistry A, B, C, and D. He earned his B.A. at Cedarville College. http://www.uni.uiuc.edu/~dbergand/chemistry/

Gene Bild (bild) Gene Bild has a B.S. in Math from DePaul University and a M.S. in the teaching of math from UIUC. His mathematical interests include polyominoes and other tiling problems, coding theory and 3D geometric construction puzzles such as Soma Cubes. In 2002 he won the Edith May Sliffe award for Distinguished Mathematics Teaching. In 2008 the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers (ISPE) awarded Mr. Bild its Joint Service Award for his work as a MathCounts coach. Mr. Bild's hobbies include Chen-style taiji and qigong and collecting vintage paperbacks, especially ones with covers by Edward Gorey. Mr. Bild lives with his wife and daughter in an undisclosed location somewhere near the Art Theater in downtown Champaign, Il.

Ioana Boca (iboca) teaches Accelerated Geometry and Calculus 1. She got a B.S. at the University of Bucharest, M.S. at the University of Illinois, and a Ph.D. at the University of Southern California.

Kathleen Booth (ervin) Technology Support Specialist. She earned her B.S. at Bradley University and M.S. at University of Illinois, Urbana.

Warren Buck (wbuck) teaches Algebra 1 and Calculus. He earned his B.A. in mathematics education and his M.A. in mathematics from Eastern Illinois University. He is currently assisting the Subfreshmen math club.

Chris Butler (butler3) teaches Modern History, World History and World Since 1945. He earned his B.A. and his M.Ed degrees at the University of Illinois. He also currently teaches World Since 1945.

Jim Carrubba (carrubba) teaches Intro Physics and Physics A, B, and C. He earned his A.B. at Harvard and M.S. Ph.D. at the University of Illinois.

Lisa Castor (castor), Accountant

Karen S. Cooley (kcooley), earned her bachelor's degree in Program Management from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Before joining Uni, Cooley was the Associate Director of Alumni Relations and Stewardship for the Office of Student Affairs Development.

While in Student Affairs, she chaired the James Newton Matthews Scholars Program, a campus wide merit-based scholarship program. Since 1996, the program has grown from 15 students receiving $1500 per year renewable scholarships to 150 students receiving $2,000 per year renewable scholarships.

She has been in development/advancement for 16 years. In her spare time, Cooley spends time with her husband Jake taking walks, camping or renovating their home. She also enjoys spending time with her several nieces and nephews.

Pam Curtis (pcurtis), is the secretary for the Office of Advancement. She previously worked in the Foreign Languages department at the University of Illinois.

Sarah Dewhurst (dewhurst), is a Guidance Counselor specializing in Special Education and Subfreshman counseling. Sarah is the Coordinator of the Subbie Buddy program. She earned a B.S. at Milligan College and an M.A. at University of Phoenix.

Lisa Evans (levans), teaches Studio Art 1 & 2, Art Exploration and Interrelated Arts. She earned her B.S. at Miami University, her M.B.A. at the University of Chicago, and her B.F.A. and M.F.A. at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Jenna Finch (jdfinch), teaches Intensive Spanish 1 & 2. She got a B.A. at Grinnell College and a M.A. at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.

John Garvey (jbgarvey), teaches French 1 & 2, and is on the Technology team for Computer Literacy 1 and 2. He co-sponsors the French Club, co-directs the biannual French Trip, and is Assistant Chess Coach, as well as the organizer for Agora Days. He earned his B.A. at Frostburg State College and his M.S. at the University of Illinois.

Barb Gerdes (baschenb), Office Manager.

Rachel Jackson Green (rjjacksn) is the school counselor at Uni for students with last names A - K. Rachel is the club sponsor for the Asian American Media Club and the Circle of Estrogen Club at Uni. Prior to earning her graduate degree and coming to Uni, Rachel was the Prevention Education Coordinator/ Crisis Counselor at Rape Crisis Services where she facilitated prevention education programs at elementary, middle and high schools throughout Champaign (including Uni High), Ford, Piatt, and Douglas counties. Rachel incorporates the exciting consciousness-raising process of social justice education in her work as much as possible. She earned her B.A. from Eastern Mennonite University and her M.S.W. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Frances Harris (francey), is the librarian at the Uni High library and teaches Computer Literacy I and II. She earned her B.A. at the University of Colorado and her M.A. at the University of Denver. The library website is at http://www.uni.uiuc.edu/library and her personal website is at http://www.uni.uiuc.edu/library/harrisvita.htm.

Hiroko Ito (hito), teaches Japanese 1, 2, 3, & 4. She earned her B.A. at Oberlin University and her M.A. at the University of Illinois.website: http://www.uni.uiuc.edu/~hito

Susan Kovacs (skovacs), is the Assistant Director. She graduated from Ohio State with a B.S.; Eastern Illinois University with 2 M.S. and a Ed.S.

Suzanne Linder (slinder), teaches Utopia / Dystopia in Literature, 20th Century Novel and Social Advocacy. She earned her B.A. in English Education at Calvin College and her M.A. in Speech Communications at the University of Illinois. In her spare time, she volunteers with Urbana Champaign Books to Prisoners (www.books2prisoners.org).Her website is: http://www.uni.uiuc.edu/~slinder

Ellen Lindsey (elindse), Secretary/Registrar. All transcript requests from past Uni students should be emailed with the subject line: TRANSCRIPT REQUEST.

Lynda Lopez (blues), teaches French 3 and 4. She earned her B.A. in Russian at Ferrum College (VA), her M.A. in Russian Literature at UIUC (IL), and earned her certification to teach French and Russian at the middle/high school level from UIUC. In addition to teaching French, she co-sponsors the French Club at Uni, co-leads student language-based trips to France every other summer, and completed a second master's (in the online Global Studies in Education Master's degree program at UIUC), in Educational Policy Studies. Outside of school, her family (husband and two sons) keeps her on task.

Elizabeth Majerus (emajerus), is the Executive Teacher in the department of English and teaches Native American and Chicano Literature, British and American Poetry, and Creative Writing. She earned her B.A. in English and Integrated Liberal Studies at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and her M.A. and Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Matt Mitchell (mtmitch), teaches Twentieth-Century Novel and the Coming-of-Age Novel. He got a B.A. at Rutgers University and a M.A. at the University of Illinois.

Lisa Micele (lmicele), Director of College Counseling. She got a B.S. at UIUC, a M.Ed. at UIUC, and a M.A. at Lewis University.

Janet Morford (jmorford), is the Executive Teacher of the Department of Social Studies and teaches “Introduction to Social Studies.” She has also taught “World History” and helps coordinate the UNI-WILL oral history projects. She is an advisor to the subfreshman class, a subbie buddy program sponsor, and enjoys subbing in French. She earned a B.A. at Bates College, various graduate degrees in France, an M.A. and Ph.D. at the University of Chicago. An avowed “school junkie,” she has been a student or a teacher for most of her life.

Patricia Morris (pamorris) teaches the Nature of Science and Earth Studies. She earned her B.S. at Barry University and her M.S. at Nova University.

Rebecca Murphy (murphy) teaches P.E./Fitness, and also is in charge of athletic uniforms. She earned her B.S. and her M.S. at the University of Illinois.

Rick Murphy (rgmurphy) teaches Music Theory, Interrelated Arts, Art Exploration, Chorus, Jazz Band, Orchestra, and Madrigals. He is currently the head coach of the subfreshmen boys basketball team. He earned his B.F.A. at MacMurray College and his M.M.Ed. at Illinois State University.

Doug Mynatt (mynatt) teaches sports, fitness, and strength training in the PE department. He is also head coach for the track and field and cross country teams. He earned his B.A. in anthropology from the University of Tennessee and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Mali, West Africa.

Gwyn Ortiz (geortiz), Office Administrator

Andi Phillips (andip), Teaches Health, She Received B.S. with secondary teacher education certification at Eastern Illinois University. Currently working towards\ M.S.W. with a specialization in health care.

David Porreca (dporreca), David Porreca is in his 14th year as Gargoyle adviser and journalism teacher. He joined the Uni High faculty in August 1995. He is a former president of the Illinois Journalism Education Association. Three of Porreca's students (Joe Ciolli, Noah Isserman, Kathleen Reutter) have won the Illinois High School Journalist of the Year Award. In 2003, Isserman was selected as one of five finalists for National High School Journalist of the Year. Three of his other students (Hillary Proctor, Mark Yates-White, and Michael Belmont) have been named to the IJEA All-State Team.

In 2006, Porreca successfully nominated Uni's then director/principal, Kathleen Patton, as IJEA Administrator of the Year for her defense of the Gargoyle's freedom of the press. In the summer of 2007, Porreca began a three-year term as an appointed member of the Illinois High School Association's journalism advisory committee.

The Gargoyle has been online since February 2006. The OG won an Online Pacemaker award for overall excellence in 2007 from the National Scholastic Press Association, and it was a Pacemaker finalist in 2008. The print version of the Gargoyle won Pacemaker awards in 1997, 1998, 2000, and 2001, and it was a finalist in 1999. In 2003, the print Gargoyle won first place as best newspaper in the country in Time magazine's scholastic journalism competition.

In addition to teaching journalism and advising the OG, Porreca is editor of both the school's quarterly newsletter for parents, U'n'I, and the biannual alumni magazine, AlumUni.

Steve Rayburn (srayburn), is a Teaching Associate in English. He holds a B.A. in English from Lambuth University, a M.A. in English and American Literature from Ohio University, and completed doctoral course work at The University of Mississippi. Currently he teaches Subfreshman English and one Junior/Senior English Seminar. He is also the sponsor of the Kung Fu Club at Uni and is involved with the GSA and theater. Course information may be found at http://subbienglish.wordpress.com/.

Barbara Ridenour (ridenour), teaches Theatre Arts 1 & 2, Introduction to Radio/TV, Art Exploration and Interrelated Arts. She earned her B.A. at Knox College and her M.F.A. at Western Illinois University.

Craig Russell (hcrussel), Teaching Associate, Executive Teacher, earned his S.B. in mathematics at MIT in 1983, then served in Hawk and Patriot units in Germany for seven years before being "assigned" to RPI, where he earned an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and completed all but dissertation requirements for the Ph.D. in 1992. He was then assigned to teach at the United States Military Academy (West Point), where he taught freshman and sophomore math courses and was the math department leader in a study involving issuing students laptop computers for class work. At West Point, Craig was bitten by the teaching bug, so he resigned from the Army to become a high school teacher. Craig's favorite people are his wife and two children, followed by students who like math. Course Information

Natalie Sapkarov (nsapkar2), library assistant

Runelle Shriver (rshriver), library assistant.

Greg Smith (gregs), Greg Smith is the Executive Teacher of Computers and Educational Technology. He is one of four members of the team teaching Computer Literacy 1 & 2 to subfreshmen and freshmen. He also teaches Computer Programming and Computer Technology as electives for sophomores through seniors. He is a Uni High alum, class of 1973. He has a B.S. in Radio and Television from the U of I (1977) and an Ed.M. (Master of Education) in Curriculum and Instruction (1991). In his spare time, Greg is involved in photography, television production and amateur radio, but his real passion is model rocketry. He's Director of Operations for Central Illinois Aerospace, Champaign-Urbana's sport rocketry club. You can visit their web site at http://www.prairienet.org/cia or view pictures of local rocketry activities (many taken by Greg) at http://cia-rocketry.smugmug.com

David Stone (stone2), teaches Intro Biology, Organismal Biology, Field Biology, and Genetics. He earned his B.S. in Biology at the University of Wisconsin, and his M.S. in Entomology and M. Ed. in Curriculum, Technology, and Education Reform at the University of Illinois. website: http://www.uni.uiuc.edu/~dstone

Adele Suslick (asuslick) teaches Freshman English. She earned her B.A. at UCLA and her M.A. at Stanford University. website: http://www.uni.uiuc.edu/~asuslick

Bill Sutton (w-sutton), teaches Junior and Senior U.S. History. He earned his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. at the University of Illinois.

Rachel Tyson (rstyson), is on sabbatical in Switzerland for a year. She earned her B.A. at Amherst College and M.S. at University of Michigan, and M.A. at University of Michgan.

Billy Vaughn (bvaughn) teaches Intro Philosophy, Anthropology, World History and Modern History. He earned his B.M. at Florida State University, M.A. at University of Chicago, and M.Ed at University of Illinois.

Sally Walker (swalker6), Athletics Director and Executive Teacher of Physical Education, Health and Driver's Education. She teaches freshmen Fitness. She earned her B.S. in Physical Education from West Virginia University

Dr. Jeff Walkington (jwalking), is the Director of Uni High. Dr. Walkington began his career as a teacher of English in public schools; he later took on teaching and administrative roles in independent schools, such as Webb School in Knoxville, TN (Director of the Writing Center, Public Relations Director), and Cannon School in Charlotte, NC (Upper School Director, Assistant Headmaster). His most recent post was Vice President for Academic Affairs at Latin School of Chicago. Walkington earned his bachelor's degree in English and French at DePauw University and his M.A. and Ph.D. in English at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Jeff and his wife Sarah have a daughter in college, Ellen, and a son in sixth grade, John.

Paul Weilmuenster (weilmuen), teaches German 1, 2, 3 & 4. He earned his B.A. at Eastern Illinois University and his M.A. at the University of Illinois.

Krisanna Zusman (lucken), teaches Latin 1, 2, 3 & 4. She earned her B.A. at the University of Minnesota and her M.A. at the University of Illinois.