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Erika Allen
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Erika Allen
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Erika Allen (she/her) is the Co-Founder & CEO – Operations for Urban Growers Collective and the President of Green ERA Educational NFP and Co-Owner of Green Era Sustainability Partners. Previously, Allen founded and was the Director of Growing Power – Chicago for 15-years from 2002 to 2017. Allen is the Board President of the Chicago Food Policy Action Council, and also serves on the board of Grow Greater Englewood and Growing Home. Allen received her BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and her MA in art psychotherapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago and uses her experience as a visual artist to consult with individuals and organizations to support their visioning of social and economic changes. She is passionate about social justice and working with multicultural groups in the elimination of racism and oppression using integrating creative and therapeutic techniques alongside food security and community development. Erika advises on the urban agriculture strategy for AGC’s future campus.
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Keenen Anderson
Physical Education Teacher
Keenen Anderson
Physical Education Teacher
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- New York
- What in nature inspires you?
- Waterfalls
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Rome, Italy
- What do you love most about AGC?
- The staff I work with.
I started teaching in 2008 a Jen School, Maryville Academy. From there, I went on to Morton High School as a Special Education Teacher and I was an Assistant Basketball Coach at Von Steuben High School on the north side of the Chicago. I was at Morton High School for 4 years then I moved on to Foundations College Prep on the south side of Chicago. At Foundations I taught P.E. for middle school and high school, I taught science for middle school and I was the Athletic Director for both their high school and middle school. I am very passionate about helping students realize their full potential.
BA in Sports Medicine, Trinity International University
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Pon Angara
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Pon Angara
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Pon Angara is Director of Barkada Circle®, a team of artists mentoring nonprofits on how to tell more compelling stories about their missions. Pon helps leaders use the narrative approach to problem solving for sparking conversations, building community and launching initiatives that create impact. He has delivered keynotes and workshops on the power of storytelling at several association conferences and foundation seminars.
Since he began working with nonprofits, Pon saw gaps and inequities in America’s education system. When he was introduced to the Academy for Global Citizenship during its early development, Pon realized that the school would be the beacon and catalyst for the transformation and innovation needed to build a new ecosystem for learning. He helped to create AGC’s brand and served on the Board of Directors in 2005–2007.
Barkada is a word in the Filipino language that means “best friends.” When he’s not working with stories, Pon searches for his next great foodie find! He’s always ready to take you to the best Filipino restaurants in Chicago.
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Sylvie Anglin
Board Member
Sylvie Anglin
Board Member
- How long you have been engaged with AGC?
- Since the fall of 2015
- What drew you to AGC?
- I believe in the mission of the school, and our incredible teachers and students that live it every day.
- What do you love most about AGC? Or your most favorite experience at the school?
- The students and teachers. Every time I visit I am inspired and hopeful for our future!
- What committees are you involved with at AGC?
- Academic Excellence Committee
Sylvie Anglin is the Lower School Principal at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, and serves as a Board Member for the Independent Schools Association of the Central States. Music, swimming, being outdoors and reading were early passions that fueled her formal education and continue to be a source of great joy. She earned an undergraduate degree in music performance, studying the French horn at the University of South Carolina. While earning her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from UIC, Sylvie fell in love with Chicago’s museums and green spaces. Before joining the Lab Schools, she was a museum educator at the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum. As a teacher at Lab since 1997, she worked with Chicago Park District’s Outdoor Classroom project and developed a science and conservation curriculum for students using Jackson Park as their classroom. She also worked for the Field Museum of Natural History as coordinator of the JASON project, bringing exciting international science research and exploration to Chicago-area schools.
Sylvie is raising two daughters, two coonhounds, and two tortoises in Hyde Park her husband, and she continues to play the French horn with the University of Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
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Heriberto Arriola
Organic Chef
Heriberto Arriola
Organic Chef
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- My birthplace, Guanajuato, Mexico. It looks like Spain and is so beautiful.
- What is your favorite local food?
- Thyme from the AGC garden.
- I can’t imagine my life without...
- My sons Isaac, and Diego, (both AGC students.)
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC farm?
- I'd like to see an elephant, but i'll settle for sheep.
After graduating high school in Guanajuato Mexico, Heriberto moved to Chicago and started cooking. While looking for a good school for their son, Isaac, Heriberto’s wife read about AGC online and fell in love. When they weren’t selected in the lottery, she cried a lot. The next year, a spot opened up and Isaac transferred to AGC; his parents got involved in everything at the school! They love that the school is green, the food is organic and the teachers use different methods. Heriberto would like to grow with AGC as his sons grow and is grateful for the chance to join them at school every day.
Professional Culinary Certificate, St. Augustine College
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Juan Avalos
Community Engagement and Extended Learning Coordinator
Juan Avalos
Community Engagement and Extended Learning Coordinator
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Madrid
- What in nature inspires you?
- The fact that we can live off of the land is what inspires me.
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC farm?
- Cheetah
- What do you love most about AGC?
- I love the self-sustainability of AGC.
Juan loves to bowl and he is in a bowling team. He plays chess as a hobby and he loves to watch soccer especially his favorite team Real Madrid.
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Jimena Avilez
Paraprofessional
Jimena Avilez
Paraprofessional
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- San Miguel de Allende, Gto. Mexico
- What in nature inspires you?
- The beauty of the sunset.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Egypt
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC farm?
- Bunnies
I was born in Jalisco, Mexico. I like to enjoy places where there is nature with my family. Some of the favorite things about working with children is seeing how much we can learn from them and how quickly they learn!
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Valery Balderas
MYP Mathematics Teacher
Valery Balderas
MYP Mathematics Teacher
- Your Motto, Mantra or Quote to live by
- “When you know better, you do better.” ― Maya Angelou
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Italy.
- What do you love about AGC?
- Not many schools give students the power or freedom to act on their wildest inquiries. We not only teach students to think of a creative idea, we encourage them to invent it, plan it, do it!
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC farm?
- Cows and goats. Would horses be too much?
Valery values AGC’s commitment to serve the whole child and hopes to empower her students to take pride in their diverse cultures, beliefs, and even languages. Raised on Chicago’s south side, Valery is fluent in English and Spanish and is excited to share her language, culture, and life experiences with her students.
In her free time, Valery enjoys reading, knitting, traveling, cooking, baking, and gardening in the new raised garden located in her backyard.
B.S. in Elementary Education, Loyola University Chicago
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Fedele Bauccio
Sustainable Food Systems Advisor
Fedele Bauccio
Sustainable Food Systems Advisor
Fedele Bauccio is the Co-Founder and CEO of Bon Appétit Management Company, which provides food service to over 1,000 companies, universities, and museums. Fedele and BAMCO pioneered environmentally and socially responsible practices and created the gold standard for fresh and scratch-made food service. Fedele advises sustainable food systems on AGC’s campus.
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Kelly Brinson
3rd Grade Monolingual Teacher
Kelly Brinson
3rd Grade Monolingual Teacher
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Tanzania, Africa - A place I called home for 3 years!
- What in nature inspires you?
- Rain.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- India - I have never been to Asia and would love to experience the vibrant culture while eating all of the street food.
- What do you love most about AGC?
- I was drawn to AGC due to the focus on educating the whole child, specifically, the attention given to social and emotional development.
Kelly’s passion in the classroom stems from her foundational belief that a great education can change the trajectory of a child’s life. Her classroom is a jungle gym of learning where children develop holistically through an intentional focus on social-emotional development. Kelly empowers student voices in the classroom, inspires a love of words even in the most skeptical of readers, and encourages her students to never stop wondering. Outside of school Kelly enjoys spending time cooking with her husband, practicing yoga, tending to her backyard garden and traveling back to East Africa as often as she can!
B.A. Elementary Education, Wheaton College
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Angela Brooks
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Angela Brooks
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Angela Brooks is the Director of the Illinois Office of the Corporation for Supportive Housing and previously spent a decade at the Chicago Housing Authority. She is a talented and passionate community advocate who brings a wealth of expertise in housing development, policy, and implementation across private, public, and nonprofit sectors along with her passion for access to housing and community development.
Angela has a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of New Orleans and a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies with a concentration in Housing and Community Development from Jackson State University. She is a certified planner with the American Institute of Certified Planners and currently serves as a National Board member of the American Planning Association and is the Vice President of Membership for the Ely Chapter – Lambda Alpha International.
Lastly, Angela is very involved in her community and holds membership in Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, Hoffman Estates Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, Gift of Hope Ambassador, Mentor with both Big Brothers Big Sisters and Jackson State University National Alumni Association Chicago Chapter. Angela is an avid cyclist and triathlete and serves on the Board of Bike Illinois and is a member of the Major Taylor Cycling Club of Chicago.
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Marisol Bucio
Behavioral Health Counselor
Marisol Bucio
Behavioral Health Counselor
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Dublin, Ireland
- What in nature inspires you?
- I love watching the trees grow and the flowers bloom.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Italy
- What do you love most about AGC?
- The dedication of every staff member towards their students.
Marisol Bucio is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. Marisol is a bilingual behavioral health counselor and has experience working with a culturally diverse population. She has worked in different settings such as not-for-profit organizations and community agencies. Marisol specializes in helping children, adolescents, and adults with work-life balance and transitions, depression, stress, anxiety, self-esteem, grief/loss, and trauma. Using a collaborative and integrative approach with clients to meet the unique needs and desires of each client. During her free time Marisol enjoys traveling, reading books, and spending time with her friends and family
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Mayra Buitron
Paraprofessional
Mayra Buitron
Paraprofessional
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Lesly Castro
Operations Coordinator
Lesly Castro
Operations Coordinator
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Chicago
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- I would love to go to Europe!
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC farm?
- Ducks!
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Ashley Chacón
4th Grade Dual Language Teacher
Ashley Chacón
4th Grade Dual Language Teacher
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Anywhere with the ones I love.
- What in nature inspires you?
- I'm inspired by the constant work of all the living things in each ecosystem and how all the parts work together to continue the cycle.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Spain and Italy.
- What do you love most about AGC?
- I love instilling a love for our Earth and it's babies into our children here at AGC.
I am so excited to begin my 11th year of teaching at a school with such a beautiful philosophy. I have taught all over Chicago, Monterrey, MX, and on the Andros Islands and I bring all of those amazing experiences to my kids here at AGC. I am a mom of 3; a 5 year old and 2 year old twins who are all bilingual, aspiring global citizens as well.
B.S., Elementary Education, Minor in Earth Science at Eastern Illinois University
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Yeida Chavez
K-2nd Grade Wellness Teacher
Yeida Chavez
K-2nd Grade Wellness Teacher
- I wish that I could get everyone in the world to...
- Realize we are more alike than different.
- What in nature inspires you?
- I have lived in Chicago all my life but yet every winter the first snow always takes my breath away.
- What do you love about AGC?
- The heart beat and the innovative impulse.
- Your Motto, Mantra or Quote to live by
- "Be kind whenever possible…It is always possible." -Dalai Lama
Born and raised in Chicago, Yeida enjoys visiting her extended family in Puebla Puebla Mexico as often as she can. She loves being a mom and has a passion for helping people out, especially children. Yeida loves art and tries to teach her kids everything she knows about it and continues to learn about it as well. She’s excited to be part of the AGC family!
A.A.S. in Visual Communications, International Academy of Design and Technology
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Valerie Coffman
Board Member
Valerie Coffman
Board Member
Valerie was born, raised, and currently lives in Little Village with her family. Before joining Enlace in 2019, Valerie focused her energy in the field of education, with an emphasis on early childhood and special education. She has experience with the Head Start and Universal Pre-k Programs at Chicago Public Schools, the Special Recreation Program at the Chicago Park District, and previously worked at the Helping Hand Center, a school for children with autism. She volunteers with Special Olympics Chicago and, for many years, she has supported the efforts of key Little Village institutions, including Little Village Academy and Piotrowski Park. In her current role, she coordinates the Little Village Education Collaborative’s Early Childhood Education Committee, through which she convenes key stakeholders and supports the development and sustainability of educational equity initiatives focused on Little Village’s youngest learners. Additionally, Valerie works to advocate for systems change, policy and advocacy efforts that truly meet people where they are. She also supervises the Parent Mentor Program, and works alongside the Parent Mentor Organizer to successfully implement program strategies to increase parent engagement, leadership and capacity. Valerie holds a Bachelor’s degree from George Mason University, and is currently enrolled in a dual graduate degree program at Erikson Institute and Loyola University. -
Jennifer Coker
Diverse Learner Teacher and MYP Case Manager
Jennifer Coker
Diverse Learner Teacher and MYP Case Manager
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Any place with my family
- What in nature inspires you?
- Being near the mountains where you can listen to the wind and be inspired by beautiful sunsets.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Nigeria.
- What do you love most about AGC?
- The emphasis on social justice and helping our students develop into community and global leaders.
Jennifer has been teaching since 2012. Teaching has always been her passion and she has always been involved in the field of education. She graduated from Valparaiso University with a B.A. in Secondary Education and History in 2008. She added a Middle School Endorsement in 2012 from McKendree University and received her LBS1 in 2015 from National Louis University. She began her career in education working for the Illinois Student Assistance Commission providing college access and outreach to families in western Illinois. She taught African American Studies, Economics, Government, U.S. History and World History at Chicago Excel Academy (Roseland) from 2012-2015. She was a special education teacher at ACERO Victoria Soto High School from 2015-2018 and designed the Life Skills Program for students with special needs. Outside of school she enjoys playing with her dog, baking, and traveling.
B.A. History and Secondary Education Valparaiso University
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Sadeek Colquitt
Plant-Based Program Coordinator
Sadeek Colquitt
Plant-Based Program Coordinator
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Ghana - West Africa
- What in nature inspires you?
- The resilient and optimistic nature of people.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Ethiopia
Over the past 23 years, Sadeek has introduced thousands across the globe to the power of the plant-based lifestyle. His efforts have been focused on alleviating the fears and cultural stigmas associated with a meatless diet. Sadeek has studied with some of the brightest plant-based in minds in the world, earning his Certification in Plant-Based Nutritionist from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies. Strengthening his focus on plants and the environment, Sadeek also earned his Certification in Urban Agriculture from the Rid-All Green Partnership in conjunction with Growing Power. Sadeek accepted his most recent challenge by becoming the first Plant-Based Program Coordinator for the Academy for Global Citizenship in Chicago. In January of 2023 he assumed responsibility for the daily administration, documentation and communication of AGC’s transition to a plant-based school menu.
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Mayrela Cordero
K-2 Office Manager
Mayrela Cordero
K-2 Office Manager
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Kris De La Torre
Sustainability Coordinator
Kris De La Torre
Sustainability Coordinator
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- My favorite place in the world is Oaxaca City. I visit as often as possible and have shared many visits with my family and friends over the years. I never tire of the incredible diversity of food, indigenous cultures, artisans and nature.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- I would love to visit and hike in the Balkans.
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC farm?
- I would like to see us keep ducks on the AGC farm. They are endlessly entertaining!
Before joining AGC, Kris De la Torre (she/her) facilitated a Critical Participatory Action Research initiative with Advocates for Urban Agriculture that emphasized equitable funding distribution and financial fluency for BIPOC farmers. Kris spent five years working for the Chicago Botanic Garden as a coordinator for transitional jobs and youth development programs. She has stewarded land in rural and urban settings to grow and maintain a diversity of fruits, vegetables and livestock. Kris received her M. Ed. in Human Development & Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, a Certificate in Culinary Nutrition from The Natural Gourmet Institute in New York, NY and a BA in Museum Education & Spanish from Lake Forest College. Through travel and a deep connection to her Mexican ancestry, she brings a global lens to facilitate nuanced conversations that build a joyful, collective vision for education and sustainable institutional practices.
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Jessica Deluna
Paraprofessional
Jessica Deluna
Paraprofessional
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Anywhere I can spend with my family.
- What in nature inspires you?
- If you truly love nature , you will find beauty everywhere.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Egypt I’d love to see the pyramids.
- What do you love most about AGC?
- My favorite thing about AGC is the staff and kids everyone is so friendly and welcoming I'm excited to get to know more about the school / community.
Jessica was born and raised in Chicago. She is a mommy to two kids Sophia and Santiago. She is a ballet Folklorico teacher and danced since she was 5 . She enjoys taking time to spend with her kids and family. She loves baseball and she is also a cubs fan . Her favorite book series is Harry potter. She loves pizza and tacos.
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Yolanda Diaz
3-8 Office Manager
Yolanda Diaz
3-8 Office Manager
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Home with my family.
- What in nature inspires you?
- Trees.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Ecuador.
- What do you love most about AGC?
- I love the amazing people I get to work with everyday. They motivate me everyday!
Yolanda Diaz was born and raised in Chicago and grow up in the Little Village neighborhood, where she attended a private elementary school. She graduated from John F. Kennedy High school and went on to attend DePaul University. She is very excited to be a part of the AGC family as a parent and a staff person.
B.A., DePaul University
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Lisa Dinesen
K-2 Diverse Learner Teacher and Case Manager
Lisa Dinesen
K-2 Diverse Learner Teacher and Case Manager
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- The ocean.
- What in nature inspires you?
- It's ability to change and adapt to its environment. The beauty of nature continuously amazes and inspires me.
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC farm?
- An alpaca.
- What do you love most about AGC?
- I love that AGC is a place full of people dedicated to taking risks to create real change in our childrens' lives.
Lisa is a passionate traveler and educator. She has lived in Denmark and Ecuador and considers herself and her two children to be citizens of the world. Her interest in education was sparked during her undergraduate studies of political science where she felt compelled to make a difference in society through education. Lisa’s passion for language and culture led her to travel and eventually seek her masters in Urban Education with a focus on bilingual education. She looks forward to continued growth through experiences as a member of the AGC family.
M.A. Urban Education Columbia College,
B.A. UW Madison, Political Science and Scandinavian Languages
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Ricardo Estrada
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Ricardo Estrada
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Ricardo Estrada is the President and CEO of Metropolitan Family Services
Ric Estrada is CEO of Metropolitan Family Services, one of Illinois’ largest and best-respected human services agencies. Since joining Metropolitan in 2011 he has helped the agency more than double in revenue and families served. Ric has three decades of human services leadership experience. Prior to joining Metropolitan, he served as First Deputy Commissioner of the City of Chicago’s Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS). He previously served as Executive Director of Erie Neighborhood House in Chicago. Ric serves on the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois as well as on the Board of Directors of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the Woods Fund of Chicago, the Grand Victoria Foundation, A Better Chicago and Erie Elementary School.
Honored as an American Marshall Memorial Fellow, Ric also has been recognized as a Leadership Greater Chicago Distinguished Fellow. He has received the City Club of Chicago John A. McDermott Award for Distinguished Social Leadership, the University of Illinois at Chicago City Partner Award, and the University of Chicago’s Inaugural SSA Social Impact Alumni Award. In addition, Ric was named a Roberto Clemente honoree by the Chicago Cubs and has received the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award from the Chicago Bears. Additional accolades include being named “Person of the Year” by the Corporate Responsibility Group of Chicago, receiving a Kellogg CEO Perspectives Fellowship, and earlier in his career, being selected as one of Crain’s Chicago Business’ “40 under 40.” Ric’s educational background includes an MBA from the University of Illinois at Chicago, an M.A. in Social Service Policy and Administration from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration, and a B.S. in Psychology from Loyola University of Chicago.
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Kit Elmer-DeWitt
Board Member
Kit Elmer-DeWitt
Board Member
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Anywhere there are wildflowers.
- What in nature inspires you?
- The resilience displayed by so many life forms.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Costa Rica.
- What do you love most about AGC?
- So many things! How to choose? I love how the commitment to serving the whole child extends beyond the individual to include the entire context of community and school.
Kit (short for Kitty, which is short for Katherine) found AGC when looking for a solution to the inequities in education that she observed as an AmeriCorps volunteer. She fell in love with AGC’s holistic model instantly. She spent seven wonderful years supporting external initiatives at AGC before returning to graduate school for clinical mental health counseling. She currently serves as a program manager at Oak Street Health, a network of primary care centers for adults on medicare and as a counselor in training at The Awakening Center.
B.A., Macalester College
Masters of Counseling, Northeastern Illinois University
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Cate Drake
MYP Individuals and Societies Teacher
Cate Drake
MYP Individuals and Societies Teacher
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Glasgow, Scotland
- What in nature inspires you?
- The organic beauty of life, colors and scents. The ability for nature to bring serenity and slow down the pace of life, even just for a moment.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Peru and Israel
Cate was born and raised in the Chicago suburb of Batavia. After high school, she attended college in Rock Island, Il and also here in Chicago. This school year is her 15th year teaching and she has taught in at a variety of public and private schools with all grades K-12. She enjoys practicing and teaching yoga, painting and reading in my spare time. She has an incredible daughter in elementary school and a 13 year old yellow lab named Chewie.
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Bee Escamilla
MYP Science Teacher
Bee Escamilla
MYP Science Teacher
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Yosemite National Park
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- My dream is to visit Tokyo, Japan!
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC farm?
- ALPACAS!
Miss Escamilla is a Bilingual MYP Science teacher at AGC. Some of her favorite activities involve anything to do with the great outdoors – Hiking, skiing, running – you name it! She was born & raised in Chicago, IL & moved to Ames, IA for college at Iowa State University. While studying, she had the chance to explore forests, midwestern ecosystems, & agriculture from a new perspective. She came back to Chicago with the aspiration to teach students (much like herself at the time) about a world less explored – the natural world! She is ecstatic to be joining the AGC family and sharing her knowledge with the community.
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Aaron Fischer
MYP Mathematics Teacher
Aaron Fischer
MYP Mathematics Teacher
- What in nature inspires you?
- Birds inspire me because they are so diverse, self-sufficient, and beautiful. When I'm watching them, I feel peaceful.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- India
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Kauaii, Hawaii
- What do you love most about AGC?
- The acceptance of our differences, our strengths and struggles, and our passions.
I was born and raised in Brighton, Michigan. I earned my teaching degree at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In 2008 I moved to Chicago and taught at UNO Charter School Network from 2008 – 2012. I left UNO and taught at LEARN Charter School Network from 2012 – 2016. My wife, Leighna, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with the Family Autism Center in Winnetka. We enjoy concerts, football, and spending time with family. I am very proud to be a part of the AGC family!
B.S., Elementary Education, Western Michigan University
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Vanessa Flores Andersen
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Vanessa Flores Andersen
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Vanessa Flores Andersen is the Sustainability & Property Operations Manager at Ace Hardware Corporation
Vanessa Flores Andersen is an environmental scientist with a background in environmental education, green construction and corporate sustainability. She attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador. While working on her undergraduate degree, Vanessa spent three months in the Galapagos Archipelago, where she observed the Galapagos tortoises that led to Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, the dynamic volcanic activity throughout the islands, and their pertinent flora and fauna. She had the opportunity to work with Hacienda Tranquila, a nonprofit organization, and assist in educating the local population of San Cristobal Island regarding the importance of environmental stewardship. Their collaborative effort encouraged the community to prevent the spread of invasive species, protect their wildlife, and evaluate the efficacy of local policies.
In her current role as the Sustainability and Property Operations Manager for Ace Hardware Corporation, Vanessa is responsible for developing and implementing a long-term sustainability strategy across the organization. She works with internal and external business partners to enhance approaches and processes and provide effective guidance to foster change and innovation. Vanessa also manages the built environment at Ace Hardware’s corporate campus and provides support to the facilities management teams at each of the fifteen retail support centers. Key areas within her 2022 strategy are to grow the employee-led sustainability council, provide access to environmental education for employees, conserve natural resources throughout the Ace supply chain, generate renewable energy at the retail support centers, and support our local communities through partnerships and volunteerism.
Vanessa was born and raised in the West Lawn neighborhood on Chicago’s southwest side. She played volleyball and soccer throughout the neighborhood schools and learned to drive at Midway Airport. She knew at a young age that she wanted to have a meaningful career, travel, learn about other cultures and customs and most importantly, make her immigrant parents proud. Vanessa firmly believes in the power of education to advance sustainability and have a more equitable and just world.
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Claudia Franco
Dual Language Kindergarten Teacher
Claudia Franco
Dual Language Kindergarten Teacher
- What in nature inspires you?
- Trees, because no matter what they have to go through, they remain standing!
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Colombia
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC Farm?
- Sheep
- What do you love most about AGC?
- The fact that everyone in the school has a voice.
Claudia was the first in her family to graduate from college, but hopefully not the last! She is a recent graduate who is seeking an opportunity to demonstrate her love and passion for teaching. She loves traveling, animals, and nature!
B.A., Northeastern Illinois University
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Liz Fyffe
Dual Language 3rd Grade Teacher
Liz Fyffe
Dual Language 3rd Grade Teacher
- Your motto, Mantra or Quote to live by
- "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are endless." - Mother Teresa
- What in nature inspires you?
- Heat and light.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Egypt.
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- The coast of anywhere.
Liz was drawn to the holistic view of education AGC embraces. She also shares the belief that in today’s global community it is critical to empower the future generation to realize the power in their voices, experiences, and perspectives, while also listening to and respecting those of others. Liz couldn’t wait to share her passion for questioning, keeping an open mind, and sharing knowledge with her students at AGC. As their teacher, she is awed by the environment that a small but mighty group of learners can create. Becoming an educator is genuinely her dream come true.
B.A. in Sociology & Psychology, Minor in Spanish, Indiana University, Bloomington
M.A. in Social and Cultural Foundations of Education, DePaul University
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Marlene Galvez
First Grade Dual Language Teacher
Marlene Galvez
First Grade Dual Language Teacher
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Sonia Galvez
Paraprofessional
Sonia Galvez
Paraprofessional
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- My favorite place in the world is Villanueva, Zacatecas, México. The city has a small-town feel and yet modern. It has preserved archeological and architectural landmarks which hold some of my favorite childhood memories.
- What in nature inspires you?
- Nature inspires me to realize the power of adapting and embracing change in every season.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Either Florence or Venice. I would love to see iconic architecture and art masterpieces, as well as try some delicious food!
- What do you love most about AGC?
- I love how there is an emphasis on sustainability and providing healthy organic meals.
Sonia is not only first-generation, but also the first in her family to graduate from college. Throughout her childhood, her parents instilled in her the values of: political activism, humility, and community work. Some of her favorite hobbies include: spending time with her family and dog, running, reading, trying new foods or restaurants, exploring forest trails, board and video games, and volunteering. Her personal philosophy is representation and inclusion matters in our society. Her educational approach is to honor diverse scholars while striving to provide more equitable educational opportunities and enriching experiences.
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Cynthia Garcia
1st Grade Dual Language Teacher
Cynthia Garcia
1st Grade Dual Language Teacher
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- I have two places I absolutely love. First is my parent's hometown, Tabasco Zacatecas, MX. The second place is Sicily, Italy.
- What in nature inspires you?
- Oceans or lakes, they are so peaceful
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- India
- What do you love most about AGC?
- I love the environment, everyone is friendly and ready to learn!
Cynthia Garcia was born and raised in Chicago but her parents are from Mexico. Spanish is her first language and she is very passionate about other languages as well. Cynthia graduated from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota and is excited to be back in Chicago.
B.A. in Spanish Education, St. Mary’s University of Minnesota
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Ángeles Garduño
Tech Coordinator and Tech Design Instructor
Ángeles Garduño
Tech Coordinator and Tech Design Instructor
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Home. While I love to travel, my immediate family members continue to be my favorite people. I would not be the person I am if not for their immense support.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- I am hoping to visit Machu Picchu with my sisters.
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC farm?
- I would love to have goats. Not only are they incredibley adorable, they can help manage weeds, provide milk, and make wonderful yoga companions.
Ángeles Garduño is the new Tech Coordinator at AGC. She has been teaching for the past 7 ½ years and while most of her experience is at the secondary level, she loves working with students of all ages. She loves encouraging her classes to take risks, apply the concepts covered in class to the real world, and step out of their comfort zones.
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Liz Gilmore
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Liz Gilmore
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Liz is the Executive Creative Director at Dropbox, leading the Brand Studio Design team through engaging storytelling, brand forward experiences and consistent brand application across the end to end customer journey. She’s a creative, photographer, mistake-maker, plant mama and baby mama to an unstoppable toddler. Her journey and passion with AGC started all the way back around 2012 when she had the pleasure to see the institution’s mission in practice as the original designer and photographer for the school’s website and marketing materials. She’s been able to see the school and its brand evolve as they pave the way forward for a new and better approach to education at Catalyst Southwest. Continuing that advocacy now as a member of the Strategic Advisory Council is a natural extension of her past decade of admiration and support for AGC’s mission. She’s fallen in love with the AGC’s approach towards serving the whole child and fostering environmental stewardship in their daily practices and even got to meet their first schoolyard chickens, a real celebrity moment for her.
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Alejandro Gomez
Community Health Worker
Alejandro Gomez
Community Health Worker
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- My house
- What in nature inspires you?
- Trees inspire me. They are strong, sturdy, and they flow with the wind.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- I would love to visit Spain. Growing up I would watch shows that would go into the little villages in Spain and explore their traditions. It always fascinated me to see the architecture and nature surrounding the village.
- What do you love most about AGC?
- I love how open the classes are compared to other schools. Teaching children about social justice and environmental sustainability is something I have not seen anywhere else and it's great.
Alejandro is serving as the Community Health Worker for AGC in collaboration with Esperanza Health Centers. Prior to starting at Esperanza, he was at the University of Illinois at Chicago. There he studied Integrated Health Studies. He really wanted to learn about working with all aspects of a person instead of looking at the person as just a patient. The goal of his position at AGC is to connect with the community and provide as much support as he can. He wants to be able to provide resources, while also being a liaison between the school and Esperanza Health Clinics.
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Lupe Gomez
Paraprofessional
Lupe Gomez
Paraprofessional
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- I enjoy spending time with friends and family I cherish those moments and they are my favorite no matter where we are.
- What in nature inspires you?
- The breeze that comes through the open windows during spring.
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC farm?
- A Dachshund! my dream dog even though I'm allergic to dogs.
Sometimes Lupe forgets that she is not playing teacher like when she was kid, teaching is truly her destiny and passion. She has had many roles including volunteer work in her Early Childhood Education journey and she is happy that AGC is now part of that life long love. When she is not Ms. Gomez, she is mom to teenage boy! He’s one of the reasons she became an Educator, she was convinced she was going to home school him. She enjoys cooking with her husband, especially new cuisine and spicy foods.
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Maritza Gonzalez
Board Member
Maritza Gonzalez
Board Member
Maritza is the Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Co-Director for Diabetes in Pregnancy Program at University of Chicago.
Maritza Gonzalez, MD, is currently an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Chicago in the Section of Maternal Fetal Medicine. Dr. Gonzalez is also Co-Director of the Diabetes in Pregnancy Program at University of Chicago Medicine. Maritza, is the youngest of three children born to Mexican immigrant parents, she was born and raised on Chicago’s southwest side. She attended the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) as a member of the Honors College and majored in Neuroscience with a minor in Spanish. Maritza’s path after completing her Bachelors degree took her to a policy fellowship with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI). She then later returned home and completed her medical degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago Rockford Campus, College of Medicine.
Dr.Gonzalez’s commitment to her patients and passion for medicine inspired her to be an advocate for accessible health care. She finds it immensely rewarding to work with patients who are recovering from addiction and/or opioid use disorders as they navigate pregnancy. Dr. Gonzalez also enjoys working with and treating under-resourced patient populations that do not have or have limited access to quality health care. As part of her ongoing quest to improve pregnancy care and population health, Dr. Gonzalez is an avid researcher who investigates ways to better the management of high-risk patients. Her work has been published in several peer-reviewed journals, including the American Journal of Perinatology and the Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine. In addition, throughout her career, she has mentored high school students, undergraduates, new medical students, and trainee physicians – helping them navigate admissions and academics.
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Adrian Grenier
Sustainability Advisor
Adrian Grenier
Sustainability Advisor
Adrian Grenier is an actor, producer, director, musician, and advocate. Best known for as the star of HBO’s Entourage and dozens of hit movies, Adrian founded the Lonely Whale Foundation in 2015 to address the many threats to ocean health. The Lonely Whale Foundation has been a major force in reducing ocean pollution through strawless campaigns and education initiatives, including a curriculum created in collaboration with AGC teachers. Adrian advises AGC’s social entrepreneurship and advocacy initiatives.
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Hannah Gross
5th Grade Monolingual Teacher
Hannah Gross
5th Grade Monolingual Teacher
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- The neighborhood I grew up in.
- What in nature inspires you?
- Standing on the peak of a mountain realizing how little of the world I know.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Israel.
- What do you love most about AGC?
- I love that AGC is so collaborative. It know that everyone is on the same team working to put the students at the center of everything we do.
I am from Maryland and Pennsylvania. I have a close-knit family with two older sisters and 3 cousins who are like my siblings! I love to be active and outside by playing sports or hiking and hope to make it to every National Park one day.
BA in Spanish, BA in Anthropolgy, Wheaton College
Master of Arts in Teaching, University of Chicago
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Paul Guilianelli
Director of Operations
Paul Guilianelli
Director of Operations
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- On a walk with my two boys.
- What in nature inspires you?
- Ecological resilience. I'm always amazed by the capacity of natural systems to reorganize in the face of constant change.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Tops on my list right now are Japan, South Africa and Colombia
- What do you love most about AGC?
- I love working with such thoughtful and committed teammates.
Paul is thrilled to be part of the AGC community, supporting staff and students through his operations role. Prior to joining AGC he was Principal and Chief Operations Officer at The Montessori School of Englewood, an innovative pre-K through 7th charter school on Chicago’s South Side. Before that, Paul taught junior high math and science for six years using a project and game-based curriculum he designed himself. He’s also traveled, researched and wrote chapters for travel guides to Vietnam, Italy and India. Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his wife and two boys, and playing basketball and guitar.
BA in Psychology, Harvard University
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Trevor Hall
Strategic Scale Advisor
Trevor Hall
Strategic Scale Advisor
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Telluride, Colorado (and Chicago!)
- What in nature inspires you?
- I love the harmony of Mountain ecosystems.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- New Zealand
- What do you love most about AGC?
- I love that every element of AGC's culture, teaching, and learning is so deeply interconnected -- mirroring the best of natural world's flow in a school setting.
Trevor is an educator at heart who has helped launch or scale numerous endeavors with a mission to make the world a better place. His approach is rooted in a Masters of Education from Harvard University where he was subsequently awarded a teaching fellowship and was a recipient of the Derek Bok Award for Excellence in Teaching. Trevor later founded Open Roads to provide educational travel programs to disadvantaged high school students to help them break the cycle of generational poverty. Over the years, Open Roads expanded to bring story-based strategic consulting to help mission-driven organizations scale their impact.
Email: thall@agcchicago.org
Harvard Graduate School of Education, Masters of Education
Western Washington University, Bachelors of Arts in English & Minor in Earth Sciences
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Matt Hankins
Board Member
Matt Hankins
Board Member
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Minocqua, WI
- What in nature inspires you?
- Clean waves for surfing, calm waters for skiing, and snowy mountain faces for skiing.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Australia
- What do you love most about AGC?
- The passion that the students, teachers, board, and broader network have for delivering education in a better way.
Matt Hankins was born and raised in the Detroit area (“go Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons, and even Lions”). After graduating from Michigan he came to Chicago to pursue a career in finance. Matt lives downtown with his wife Tess, son Luke, and daughter Liza.
M.B.A, University of Chicago Booth School of Business,
B.S.E., Mechanical Engineering University of Michigan
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Amanda Hanley
Board Member
Amanda Hanley
Board Member
- What drew you to AGC?
- While interviewing Sarah Elizabeth as a top green woman in Chicagoland, it struck me how aligned our missions are to advance sustainability, empowerment, and equity. I’m excited to support AGC’s groundbreaking model to develop future leaders and one day soon the greenest, most engaging campus in the country!
- What are your favorite memories at AGC?
- During my first tour, Daisy laid an egg at my feet as the kids were showing us around the garden – I was literally egged on to get involved
- Where would you like to visit next?
- Any National Park I haven’t explored yet
Amanda Hanley has been promoting sustainable solutions for over 30 years. She is the Founder and Executive Director of a climate justice fund. In addition to AGC, she also serves as a board member of the Global Catholic Climate Movement, working to promote Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ encyclical to care for our common home, and As You Sow, focused on corporate accountability. Amanda helped found and advises the Hanley Sustainability Institute at the University of Dayton, one of the Sierra Club’s Top 20 Coolest Schools of 2018 and 2019.
B.S., Northern Illinois University, Business Management
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Brent Hawkins
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Brent Hawkins
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Brent played an instrumental role in the founding of the Academy for Global Citizenship and was a member of the Founding Board of Directors. He spent most of his childhood on Chicago’s south side with a family that emphasized educational vigor. He understands that supportive role models who encourage and enhance a youth’s personal and educational experiences can be essential contributors to a successful future. Having spent several years of his youth in Latin America and having attended an International Baccalaureate school, Brent understands the value of developing a global perspective at a very young age. As such, Brent is passionate about dedicating resources to develop a diverse and well-rounded educational foundation for Chicago’s youth.
As an attorney and current Partner at Morgan Lewis law firm, Brent has more than 20 years of experience litigating intellectual property and other complex commercial disputes for clients in jurisdictions throughout the United States. Throughout his career, Brent has served as lead counsel in numerous patent, trademark, copyright, and complex commercial licensing litigations. Brent has experience across a variety of sectors and industries, with a particular focus on the technology, automotive, fintech, and consumer product sectors.
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Claudia Herrera
Instructional Interventionist
Claudia Herrera
Instructional Interventionist
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Ciudad de Durango in Mexico
- What in nature inspires you?
- The tranquility found in the beach front. The flowers in the garden.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Paris, France
- What do you love most about AGC?
- The school spirit, unity, and friendliness!
Claudia was born in Durango, Mexico. She is happily married with three wonderful kids, who all attend the Academy for Global Citizenship. Claudia enjoys working with kids and watching as they develop into learners.
B.S., Computer Science, Instituto Tecnologico De Durango, Mexico
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Mark Hyman
Food as Medicine Advisor
Mark Hyman
Food as Medicine Advisor
Dr. Mark Hyman is a physician, a New York Times bestselling author, and international nutrition expert. He is the director of the UltraWellness Center and of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine. He has advised the Surgeon General on diabetes prevention, contributed to the White House Forum on Prevention and Wellness and presented at the Clinton Foundation’s Health Matters conference. Dr. Hyman advises AGC’s nutrition program.
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Sarah Elizabeth Ippel
Founder & Executive Director
Sarah Elizabeth Ippel
Founder & Executive Director
- What is your favorite local food?
- Ramps, morels and freshly harvested honey from my backyard bees!
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Madagascar, Montenegro & Mongolia
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC Farm?
- Llamas
- What is your favorite method of transportation?
- Skipping
600Throughout her career, Sarah Elizabeth has traveled to over 100 different countries across 6 continents, extensively examining educational philosophies and world languages, as well as creating international alliances that have contributed to the design and culture of the Academy for Global Citizenship. When she was 23 years old, Sarah Elizabeth Ippel rode her bicycle to the Board of Education with a simple request: to reimagine what is possible in public education today. Three years later, in 2008, the Academy for Global Citizenship opened in a former dental tool factory on the city’s underserved Southwest side.
Email: sarahelizabeth@agcchicago.org
B.A., Trinity College
M. Phil., University of Cambridge
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Mert Hilmi Iseri
Board Member
Mert Hilmi Iseri
Board Member
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Where I am.
- What in nature inspires you?
- Billions of years old research and development.
- What do you love most about AGC?
- Seeing children excited about nature and sustainability.
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC farm?
- Goats!
Mert Hilmi Iseri is the young turk of design. His journey started off in Istanbul and changed courses completely once he arrived at Northwestern’s McCormick School of Engineering. After graduating with his own degree “Entrepreneurial Design” in the spring of 2011, he is excited to embrace design and entrepreneurship to galvanize a generation into positive change. Mert is the CEO and Co-founder of SwipeSense – a company that aims to prevent the 100,000 deaths that occur every year in the US due to Hospital-Acquired Infections.
B.S. Entrepreneurial Design, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University
Co-Founder & CEO, SwipeSense, Inc.
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Viridiana Jacobo Razo
MYP Spanish Teacher
Viridiana Jacobo Razo
MYP Spanish Teacher
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- My favorite place in the world is a bookstore or library.
- What in nature inspires you?
- Plants and flowers inspire me. They remind me we all can growth to become something beautiful.
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC farm?
- I would like to see llamas.
- What do you love most about AGC?
- I love how AGC teaches students to care for the planet.
Viridiana was born in Mexico and moved to Chicago at the age of 14. She attended Northeastern Illinois University where she got her bachelor’s degree in Spanish and her master’s degree in Latin American Cultures and Literature. She started working as a teacher at a Montessori School. She also taught Spanish at a high school for three years. When she is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family and dog, watching movies, biking, and learning MMA.
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Ryan Jones
Chief Development Officer
Ryan Jones
Chief Development Officer
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Hendersonville, NC
- What in nature inspires you?
- Mountain ranges and sunsets.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Portugal
- What do you love most about AGC?
- We are re-thinking the future of education to serve students more fully.
Ryan is honored to be a part of the AGC community and lead the fundraising efforts that will further enrich the lives of current and future students. Prior to joining AGC, Ryan was the Senior Director of Development for the Evans Scholars Foundation, one of the largest private collegiate scholarship funds in the country. Previously, Ryan also played significant roles in development at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern, as well as the University of Maryland and Duke University Athletic Departments. Ryan is originally from the mountains of Western North Carolina and currently lives with his wife in Logan Square.
Email: rjones@agcchicago.org
B.S. University of South Carolina
M.A. University of North Carolina
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Callie Keeney
School Social Worker
Callie Keeney
School Social Worker
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- My backyard.
- What in nature inspires you?
- All the beautiful and meditative sounds.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- La ciudad de México.
- What do you love most about AGC?
- It is a community that never stops evolving and adapting to the needs around and within it.
Ms. Callie (she/her/hers), Ms. Cal for short, is a licensed clinical social worker and St. Paul, Minnesota native who found her way to Chicago in 2016. She is a proud AmeriCorps NCCC alum who has a background in child welfare and psychotherapy. After spending a few summers studying Spanish and volunteering in various school settings, Ms. Cal shifted her focus to education. Before joining the AGC team, she worked as a social worker at a therapeutic day school on Chicago’s southwest side. Ms. Cal loves helping students recognize their strengths and find new ways to manage life’s daily challenges. When she is not at work, you can find her traveling, gardening, playing with her pup, Río, or biking around the city.
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Marley Kleiman
K-2 Teacher Interventionist
Marley Kleiman
K-2 Teacher Interventionist
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Naxos, Greece
- What in nature inspires you?
- I love the desert. I find the way plants and animals have adapted to survive in the desert to be fascinating.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Mexico City
- What do you love most about AGC?
- I appreciate that AGC engages students with nature and brings nature into the classroom whenever possible.
Marley has been a teacher in Chicago for six years. She started as a teacher in a group home for children seeking asylum in the United States. From there she taught 2nd and 3rd grade in CPS. When she isn’t teaching, Marley enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, going to the dog park and spending time with her family.
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Ben Kovler
Finance Advisor
Ben Kovler
Finance Advisor
- How long you have been engaged with AGC?
- I visited AGC the first school year in 2008-2009. After launching Invest for kids in 2009, AGC was among the first cohort of beneficiaries, and our family foundation has supported our school annually. I later joined the board in 2013.
- What committees are you involved with at AGC?
- Finance & Facilities
- What do you love most about AGC?
- I’m a passionate advocate and supporter of AGC’s mission, to empower and nurture children with a broader understanding of the world around them and the positive role they can play in it.
Ben Kovler is the Chief Investment Officer for Kovpak II, LLC, an investment partnership company. In addition to his various investment management roles, Ben is co-founder and CEO of Invest For Kids (IFK), an annual forum that allows portfolio managers, family offices, private investors and analysts to collaborate and share investment ideas to benefit children in Illinois. In its first seven years, Invest For Kids generated more than $8,500,000 to benefit more than thirty-three youth organizations that have helped 85,000 children. As a former math teacher, he also authored the book, Fundrum My Conundrum: A Book of Riddles. Ben earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy, politics and economics from Pomona College and an M.B.A. in accounting and finance from The University of Chicago. Ben and his wife, Amy, enjoy living in Chicago with their two children.
MBA, University of Chicago, Booth School of Business
BA, Philosophy, Politics & Economics, Pomona College
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Diana Kraft
2nd Grade Monolingual Teacher
Diana Kraft
2nd Grade Monolingual Teacher
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Grace Krueger
MYP Language and Literature Teacher
Grace Krueger
MYP Language and Literature Teacher
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Canary Islands
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Morocco & the southern coast of Italy!
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC farm?
- Alpacas
Grace developed a love for the IB while teaching abroad and she is so excited to be back in a school that values real world experiences, sustainability, and of course, global citizenship! She is passionate about Language & Literature and the amazing connections we can make to our world through reading & writing. She grew up in the forests of St. Cloud, Minnesota and moved to Chicago for university. After graduating, she taught at an International School in Sweden for four years and has returned to Chicago with many new experiences and perspectives! In her free time you will find her cooking, doing yoga, or traveling.
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Trung Le
Board Member
Trung Le
Board Member
During his 30-year career as an architect, Le has produced award-winning education projects and has been invited to speak, write, and consult around the world. In 2007, Le collaborated with Bruce Mau to produce The Third Teacher book. Le is the Co-Founder of Studio 180, a global design studio advancing the future of learning. Le is an AGC board member and advisor to our new model for school architecture.
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Jennifer Lopez
Diverse Learners Teacher
Jennifer Lopez
Diverse Learners Teacher
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- My favorite place in the world is Mexico.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- I would like to visit Thailand.
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC farm?
- I would like to see a tortoise on the AGC farm.
Jennifer Lopez grew up in Cicero, Illinois. She has a 7-year-old daughter. Her sister who has Downs syndrome and is also under the autism spectrum disorder inspired her to become a teacher. She has been collaborating with students, families, and teachers for 13 years in Chicago.
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Judy Martinez-Faye
Board Member
Judy Martinez-Faye
Board Member
Judy is the Head of External Affairs at Siemens.
Based in Chicago, Judy leads regional teams of business development managers, engineers and product experts to create business development, legislative and crisis management strategies. Her strategies are cross-sector, spanning energy, transportation, buildings, water/wastewater, Internet of Things (IoT), resiliency and sustainability. Prior to this role, Judy spent seven years at Siemens driving it’s Smart City Business Development strategy in the Midwest winning projects ranging from helping cities and utilities plan for electric vehicles; to reimagining the passenger experience in airports; to using data and predictive analytics to help wastewater plant managers optimize energy consumption.Judy is a Siemens certified Key Account Manager and within her 1st year at Siemens Judy was awarded the Siemens Top 25 award for Regional Account management.Judy holds a Juris Doctor degree from Chicago Kent College of Law and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. She spent 16 years as a public servant working as a criminal prosecutor in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and in high-ranking roles in the City of Chicago and Chicago Park District, including state and local lobbying and managing the City of Chicago’s Procurement and Facilities Department’s before joining Siemens.Having been born on Chicago’s Southwest Side, Judy is passionate about serving as a role model for Latino students, empowering women, and eliminating racism. As a Board Member, she is a role model, empowering Latino students to be authentic and focus on their personal value to fulfill AGC’s mission of igniting a movement for a better world.She also serves as Board Member of the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago which is dedicated to empowering women and eliminating racism by providing support to all women along various stages of their journeys. -
Yesenia Martinez-Huerta
Paraprofessional
Yesenia Martinez-Huerta
Paraprofessional
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- The forest.
- What in nature inspires you?
- The capacity of the ecosystem to respond to a perturbation or disturbance by resisting damage and recovering quickly.
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC farm?
- A goat.
Yesenia Martinez Huerta was born in Mexico where she studied Environmental Health. She loves to work as a paraprofessional because every day is a challenge and an opportunity to help others and improve personal.
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Meredith McNamara
PYP Coordinator and Founding AGC Teacher
Meredith McNamara
PYP Coordinator and Founding AGC Teacher
- Your Motto, Mantra or Quote to live by
- Anything Mark Twain ever said! “I have never let my schooling interfere with my education” or “The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.”
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- The Reading Room in the British Museum.
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC Farm?
- A flamingo.
- What do you love most about AGC?
- I love our kids' amazing ideas and the connections they make. I also love how they are empowered to take charge of their own thinking and learning.
Meredith Polley loves school more than any other place in the world, though she has visited many places, and is passionate about encouraging children to begin their school experience feeling the same way. She is adamant that literacy is the gateway to educational success and goes out of her way to make instilling a love for reading a cornerstone of her early education classroom. Perhaps most importantly, as an avid traveller, camper, and hiker Meredith cannot wait to show students a greater picture of the world at large – its beauties, its peoples, and its needs.
B.S. in Journalism and History, Northwestern University; M.A. in Elementary Education, Loyola Marymount University
Reading Specialist program at DePaul University
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David Magill
Education Advisor
David Magill
Education Advisor
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- I'm still looking.
- What in nature inspires you?
- The smell of ozone after a rainstorm
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC farm?
- A dairy cow.
- What do you love most about AGC?
- The children and the future of AGC.
Dr. Magill’s career spans over 45 years and includes teaching and administration in Pennsylvania and most recently serving as the Director (Head of School) at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. He consults with both public and independent schools and is the Chairman of the Board of the Educational Records Bureau. He is married with three daughters and seven grandchildren and shares time between Chicago and Sedona, Arizona.
B.S., Ohio State University
Ed. M., Temple University
Ed. D, Temple University
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Othello Meadows III, J.D
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Othello Meadows III, J.D
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Othello is a Managing Director at Blue Meridian Partners
A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Meadows owns and operates The Meadows Group, a neighborhood redevelopment consulting firm that focuses on helping communities meld the complexities of economic and real estate development into strategies that engage and empower the communities in which they exist.
Prior to these endeavors, Mr. Meadows served as President and CEO of Seventy Five North Revitalization Corp., a community revitalization and development organization. Meadows also served as Executive Director of the Omaha Workforce Collaborative, a non-profit housed at the Omaha Chamber of Commerce, designed to restructure the workforce development efforts of the Omaha metropolitan area. Meadows returned home after nearly 15 years in the southeast order to run a non-partisan voter registration drive that registered over 10,000 new voters in eastern Omaha prior to the 2008 presidential election.
Before returning to Omaha, Meadows operated his own law firm, Othello H. Meadows, P.C. in Atlanta, Georgia where his practice focused on criminal defense, family law, and general civil litigation. Mr. Meadows attended East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina on a basketball scholarship where he earned his BA in Psychology. He later received his Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School of Law in Durham, North Carolina. Mr. Meadows serves on several boards in the Omaha area and he and his wife Tulani are the proud parents of two sons, Garvey and Gibran.
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Liz Middendorf
4th Grade Monolingual Teacher
Liz Middendorf
4th Grade Monolingual Teacher
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Anywhere camping...almost anywhere!
- What in nature inspires you?
- I am inspired by the intricacies of nature; it's complex systems work together in harmony.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- I would love to visit Italy.
- What do you love most about AGC?
- I love the warm welcome I have received each morning by the many caring adults in this family. I have never worked in a school where with so many positive, encouraging, and supportive people in my many years of teaching!
Liz has been an educator for 16 years and has dedicated herself to serving underserved communities. Liz was drawn to AGC’s mission of serving the whole child. In her free time, Liz enjoys camping, volleyball, gardening and power tools. She likes to repurpose items, giving then new life and reducing waste.
B.A., Elementary Education, University of Illinois at Chicago,
M.A., Curriculum and Instruction, American College of Education,
M.A., Teacher Leadership, American College of Education
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Aasia Mohammad Castañeda
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Aasia Mohammad Castañeda
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Aasia (she, her) identifies as a South Asian Chicana, born and raised, Chicagoan. She is a mother, daughter of immigrants, descendant of farmers, and a determined organizer focusing on food cultures and self-care. She is a natural community weaver, always making links, and finds joy in the fruition of radical ideation. She was part of the inaugural Multicultural Leadership Academy, currently on the Leader’s Council for People of the Global Majority in Outdoors, Nature & Environment, a Network Architect for Vital Lands Illinois and serves on the Board of Directors for the Advocates for Urban Agriculture as well as the Advisory Council for the Environmentalist of Color Network. At the Chicago Food Policy Action Council she co-leads the Urban Steward Action Network and is part of the governance structure for the Illinois Worker Cooperative Alliance. As a southwest side resident and parent of a student at the Academy for Global Citizenship, Aasia is excited to lend her expertise and passion for sustainable food systems to the Strategic Advisory Council.
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Maribel Muñoz
Diverse Learner Teacher
Maribel Muñoz
Diverse Learner Teacher
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Anywhere where I am surrounded by the people I love.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Greece is at the top of my traveling bucket list!
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC farm?
- Llamas
- What do you love most about AGC?
- What drew me to AGC was their passion for educating the whole child and their focus on social emotional development.
I grew up in the Southwest side of Chicago. During my high school career I enjoyed volunteering for Social Olympics and found my passion for special education. Throughout my time at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, I learned to navigate through spaces as a Latinx woman and how to uplift those around me. I love spending time with my friends and family (especially my niece and nephews). I look forward to advocating for and empowering my students to have the confidence in themselves to show all their skills.
B.S in Special Education, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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Anakaren Nabor
Instructional Interventionist
Anakaren Nabor
Instructional Interventionist
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Cecilia Nateras
Cadre Subtitute Teacher
Cecilia Nateras
Cadre Subtitute Teacher
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Michoacan, Mexico
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Tokyo, Japan
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC farm?
- Piglets
Cecilia is a first generation Mexicana born and raised in the south side Chicago and surrounding suburbs. She has been working with youth and families for 10 years and looks forward to continue that journey. Although she is an educator she is also a student! She is currently enrolled at the UIC Jane Addams School of Social Work to earn my MSW. She is also an artist and creates from several different mediums ranging from digital art, resin, acrylic paint, and jewelry making. She was a former soccer coach, paraprofessional, and DCFS caseworker. She loves working with and being surrounded by children and their vivid imaginations. Children are our future!
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John Nix
Board Member
John Nix
Board Member
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Mount Kenya
- What in nature inspires you?
- The incredible beauty and diversity of the natural world, both locally in Chicago and across the globe.
- What do you love most about AGC?
- AGC is an example of an outstanding education that can be provided within a public school system. The daily hard work from the students, teachers, and staff is inspiring.
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC farm?
- Alpacas
John Nix is Founder and CEO of Vobal Technologies, LLC, and has been an entrepreneur in the telecommunications/Internet field for the past 15 years. John is an inventor on 10 U.S. patents and 15 patent applications. He founded Go2Call, which was ranked the 22nd fastest growing technology company in North America over a five year period. John grew the company from inception to $20 million a year in revenue. He also received the “Best Bosses” award from Fortune Small Business Magazine. John is a founding board member.
B.S. in Physics, Davidson College
MBA, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University; Master’s in Engineering Management, Northwestern University
Founder and CEO, Vobal Technologies, LLC.
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Julia O’Grady
Founding Kitchen Manager
Julia O’Grady
Founding Kitchen Manager
- Your Motto, Mantra or Quote to live by
- Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live.
- What in nature inspires you?
- To see the sun rising first thing in the morning.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Africa
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC farm?
- Llamas
Julia was born in Ciudad Guzman, Jalisco and came to the US when she was 15 years old. She is now married with four children. Julia started working for CPS in 2004 and later found herself as the founding Kitchen Manager of a little school called AGC. Julia helped create AGC’s scratch-made organic food program as a pilot for the district in 2008.
Ricard J. Daley College
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Mayra Ocana
3-8 Teacher Interventionist
Mayra Ocana
3-8 Teacher Interventionist
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Mexico
- What in nature inspires you?
- Peace, calm, relaxation
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Italy
- What do you love most about AGC?
- The community and staff.
Mayra was born in Chicago Illinois and lived in Little Village for most of her childhood. She has 3 children who are a Junior, Freshman in high school and a 3rd grader. She completed her Bachelor degree at Northeastern Illinois University in Spanish Linguistics . She has also completed her Master’s degree in Elementary Education with a bilingual endorsement in bilingual and ESL.
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Alexander Ontiveros
MYP Coordinator
Alexander Ontiveros
MYP Coordinator
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Anywhere as long as I'm surrounded by my family and friends.
- What in nature inspires you?
- The natural beauty of rain or snow.
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC farm?
- Ram
Alexander was born and raised in the Chicago neighborhood of Avondale. He has been a passionate educator and leader serving students on the west side of Chicago and Waukegan. Alexander is thrilled to be a part of the AGC community. He is passionate about education and the positive impact it can have on a young person’s life trajectory. Alexander wants to continue to support teachers and students with his philosophy in education – Learning for all…whatever it takes. When he’s not thinking about the school setting, he enjoys making his partner laugh and spending time with his niece and nephew.
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Jennifer Polk
Board Member
Jennifer Polk
Board Member
Jennifer Polk is an experienced digital leader skilled at guiding businesses and brands to define and execute digital marketing strategies that transform the way they engage across key stakeholder groups. She is passionate about using data-driven insight and collaboration to shape and deliver experiences that align the objectives of the company and its stakeholders to differentiate the organization and achieve its goals.
Ms. Polk was recently named Chief Marketing and Digital Experience Officer (CMXO) of Feeding America. In this capacity, she leads brand strategy, strategic marketing planning and execution, and audience activation, with a focus on raising awareness of the issue of hunger, ensuring an inclusive perspective, engaging targeted audiences and reaching fundraising objectives.
Ms. Polk previously held multiple leadership roles at Gartner, Inc., a global research and advisory firm, serving as Managing Vice President of its Technology and Service Provider Group, Chief of Research and Vice President of its Marketing and Communications Group. During her tenure, she led a team of analysts; oversaw events; spearheaded research optimization, product launch and restructuring; and led research digital commerce and personalization.
Prior to joining Gartner, Ms. Polk served as Vice President of Digital Marketing and Client Services at Edelman Digital, a digital marketing agency, delivering strategies and campaigns for Darden Restaurants, Burger King, SC Johnson & Son, Inc., The True Value Company, McCormick Foundation and By The Hand Club. Previously, Ms. Polk served as Director of Social Media and led social marketing strategy for Sears Holdings Corporation.
Ms. Polk’s past board experience includes service on the Board of Directors of the Tyler Volenec Foundation, a non-profit organization providing financial assistance to families of children battling pediatric cancer. She also served on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer of the Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce, a non-profit committed to the growth of minority-owned businesses. Ms. Polk is passionate about causes that benefit underserved communities, specifically women’s issues, hunger, social injustice, economic and racial disparity, volunteering with Chicago Innovation Women’s Mentoring Co-Op.
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Alicia Ponce
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Alicia Ponce
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Alicia Ponce is the founder and principal of APMonarch, a Chicago based Female and Latinx owned Architecture firm. Since founding the firm in 2007, Alicia’s expertise and passion to design healthy buildings and equitable communities have supported many clients in designing radically healthier projects. Her reputation for resilient and eco-conscious architecture secured APMonarch’s role as the Sustainability Architect and direct protégé to Santiago Calatrava and his firm’s design proposal for the 2019 O’Hare International Airport Global Terminal. The international competition drew 1,200 teams and five were selected for the final presentation. The firms project portfolio includes a master plan for the Field Museum, a carbon neutral youth center in Mexico, and a Living Building Challenge project in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. Alicia considers APMonarch the pollinators of the built environment designing healthy environments that look good, feel good and perform great.
Currently, Alicia is working on the Cicero Corridor Study and the LeClaire Development located directly east of the Academy for Global Citizenship’s new community learning and sustainability hub where Alicia plans to implement sustainable and walkable community design strategies.
Alicia is proud to be among the <1% of licensed Latina architects in the U.S. and is registered in Illinois and Wisconsin. Alicia is a contributing author of Today’s Inspired Latina Vol. VI Europe Edition. In the book, she writes about her purposeful journey to architecture, entrepreneurship, and connection with nature.
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Elizabeth Quiñonez
Middle School Language and Literacy Teacher
Elizabeth Quiñonez
Middle School Language and Literacy Teacher
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Anywhere with a beach.
- What in nature inspires you?
- The Ocean
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Turks and Caicos
- What do you love most about AGC?
- I love that everybody had the same common goal to do what is the best for the school community.
When she is not teaching, Elizabeth loves traveling and spending time with her two boys, family, and friends.
B.A. African-American studies, Northwestern University.
M. Div, Northern Baptist Seminary.
M. Ed., Quincy University
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Janice Quintero
MYP Individuals and Societies Teacher
Janice Quintero
MYP Individuals and Societies Teacher
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- My favorite place in the world is Chicago.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- The next place that is on my must-travel list is South America.
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC farm?
- I would like to see some goats on the AGC farm.
Janice was born and raised in Chicago to Mexican immigrants who taught her the value of hard-work, kindness, and education. It was always her dream to become a teacher in this city and help students thrive in their learning, the way her own teachers did. This will be her 8th year teaching in Chicago but her first year with AGC. She is excited to be joining AGC and exploring history with the middle schoolers!
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Edgar Ramierz
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Edgar Ramierz
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Edgar Ramirez joined Chicago Commons in 2010 as Associate Executive Director before being named CEO in 2013. As a community organizer in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood prior to joining Chicago Commons, Edgar led significant campaigns at Enlace Chicago and Erie Neighborhood House. He worked on issues such as leadership development, green space improvement, anti-violence campaigns, childcare income eligibility, immigration reform, and youth job development. Edgar has served on Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s mayoral transition team ad-hoc committee focusing on the reopening of early education centers in light of COVID-19. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities, Elevate and the Latino Policy Forum. Edgar also serves on the Mayor Lightfoot’s Every Child Ready Chicago Working Group. Edgar is a Leadership Greater Chicago fellow (2016) and a member of the Economic Club of Chicago. He earned a master’s degree from the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago in Policy Analysis and Community Organizing, and a bachelor’s degree from DePaul University.
Edgar also serves on the Early Childhood Design Committee at the Academy for Global Citizenship and excited to be serving as a Strategic Advisory Committee member. He looks forward to participating in the ambitious efforts of the Academy for Global Citizenship to catalyze the former LeClaire Courts site as a hub of education excellence, environmental awareness and positive community development.
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Rosa Ramirez Richter
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Rosa Ramirez Richter
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Rosa is the Director of Chicago Programs + Policy at Healthy Schools Campaign (HSC), a national nonprofit organization that works to make schools healthier places for all children. Her work focuses on integrating health and equity into education policy and practice, and building cross sector support and collaboration that supports student health and school wellness. She mobilizes parents, teachers and principals to be agents of change at the school and district levels, and uses the lessons learned from that work to advocate for key policy and practice changes. She provides strategic direction for school wellness priorities, including transforming the school meal program and reimagining Chicago schoolyards into places that support outdoor play and active learning.
Early on in her career, Rosa was drawn to AGC’s passion to serve the whole child and collaborated with AGC leaders to share their model with the broader school community through teacher and principal professional development programming and other initiatives. Since then, Rosa has championed AGC’s innovative model and continues to be impressed by the powerful and positive impact the school has had on the surrounding southwest neighborhood of Garfield Ridge, which also happens to be the neighborhood in which she grew up!
Rosa holds a BA in Public Policy and Sociology from DePaul University and an MS in Community Development from the University of California at Davis.
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Jose Rangel
School Safety Coordinator
Jose Rangel
School Safety Coordinator
- What in nature inspires you?
- The quietness and stillness after a heavy snowstorm.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Machu Picchu, Peru
- Fill in the blank:
- I wish that everyone in the world would... care more for each other and do more for one another.
- What do you love most about AGC?
- I love the process of learning. It amazes me the different ways children learn.
Born and raised in Chicago, Jose Rangel learned about street culture. Jose attended the Academy of Art to expand his knowledge of cultures and arts around the world. Jose films as art versus entertainment. Jose is determined to work towards a problem-solving approach while ensuring community safety and collaboration within AGC.
American Academy of Art
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Saskia Gorospe Rombouts
K-2nd Grade Principal
Saskia Gorospe Rombouts
K-2nd Grade Principal
- What is your favorite local food?
- AGC pozole.
- What is your favorite method of transportation?
- My feet.
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC Farm?
- A donkey.
- What in nature inspires you?
- Trees
Saskia’s passion for working with English Language Learners stems from her bicultural background. Having been born in the Basque Country in Spain to a Flemish mother, she attended a Spanish/German dual language school and was raised trilingual. After living in different countries, and working as an educator for many years, Saskia landed at AGC committed to creating a safe and vibrant learning environment where children can be proud of who they are, and can grow fully bilingual and bi-literate. Saskia developed and taught in AGC’s Dual Language program for many years before stepping into a Principal role.
Saskia was honored as a finalist for the Golden Apple award for excellence in education in 2018.
Email: srombouts@agcchicago.org
B.A. in German Area Studies and Linguistics, University of East Anglia, (Norwich, UK)
M.A. in Elementary Urban Education, Long Island University
ESL/Bilingual Education Diploma, Erikson Institute
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Nico Rosalez
Kitchen Staff
Nico Rosalez
Kitchen Staff
- What in nature inspires you?
- The forest.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Rome
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC Farm?
- Peacocks
- I wish that I could get everyone in the world to...
- live in peace.
Nico was born in Mexico and has two brothers. She has lived in chicago for the past 30 years and has four children who are her pride and joy. The fact that her mother lives far away in Mexico makes her appreciate having her family close and makes her a better mother. Working at the Academy for Global Citizenship allows her to make an impact on these children’s education. Nico wishes there were more schools like AGC.
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Berenice Salas Rangel
Upper School Principal
Berenice Salas Rangel
Upper School Principal
- Your Motto, Mantra or Quote to live by
- "To be surprised, to wonder, is to begin to understand." - Jose Ortega y Gasset
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Machu Picchu
- What do you love about AGC?
- I love the inspiration that floats in the air - resonating from our families, students, and staff.
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Anywhere with family- they are my inspiration.
Berenice Salas is very enthusiastic to be Upper School Principal of the Academy for Global Citizenship. Her career goal has always been to work in education on Chicago’s Southwest side in her own comunidad. In 2004, she backpacked through Southern Mexico and Guatemala to explore the Mayan Ruins and learn about the Zapatista’s indigenous movement. There, she gained knowledge of their multilingual schools, sustainable agriculture, accessible water, and, overall, the power of collective impact.
During her time at AGC, Berenice has served as a teacher, culture and community coordinator, and coach. Berenice was honored as a finalist for the Golden Apple award for excellence in education in 2017.
Email: bsalas@agcchicago.org
B.A. in Elementary Education, University of Illinois at Chicago
MA, Educational Administration, School Leadership Principal
Concordia University -
Ivan Sarabia
2nd Grade Dual Language Teacher
Ivan Sarabia
2nd Grade Dual Language Teacher
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Barcelona
- What in nature inspires you?
- Gardens and anywhere where we nurture and in turn nature takes care of us.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Japan!
- What do you love most about AGC?
- I really love the attention to detail about everyones place in the world.
Ivan Sarabia comes from El Paso, Texas and went to University in Austin. Ivan lived in Austin for 11 years, in Seoul, South Korea, for one year, and in Madrid, Spain, for two years. Ivan is new to Chicago, and the Midwest. Ivan loves anything food related, and enjoys riding his bike and playing board games.
B.A., University of Texas at Austin
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Kyri Sierra
5th Grade Dual Language Teacher
Kyri Sierra
5th Grade Dual Language Teacher
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- My favorite place in the whole world is Oregon's high desert along the Deschutes River at the feet of the Sisters Mountains
- What in nature inspires you?
- I am inspired by fresh, organic ingredients that come together in meals that bring people together in a joyful time of community.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- I would love to visit Tokyo, Japan because I think the people are beautiful and the language fascinating!
- What do you love most about AGC?
- AGC is a place where teachers are given lots of time to create really awesome lessons!
My teaching career began at 18 years of age in Villarrica, Paraguay with English lessons for young children. I learned Spanish there and in Guatemala where I served as a Peace Corps Health Education volunteer for two years. I continued teaching in New York City in a Dual Language school in the Dominican neighborhood of Inwood in Manhattan. Chicago has been a dynamic place to teach and advocate for bilingual students. I love living here with my husband and two children.
B.A., Elementary Education, Univ. of Oregon,
M.A., Bilingual Bicultural Education, Teachers College, Columbia University
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Emmanuel Silva
Spanish and Art Teacher
Emmanuel Silva
Spanish and Art Teacher
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Anywhere with friends & family. They make any place worth exploring.
- What in nature inspires you?
- The sounds & the smells, but most importantly how everything is connected.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Patagonia
- What do you love most about AGC?
- I love that Spanish & Art are well incorporated into the curriculum. In addition, the sense of culture and community it embodies.
I was born in Chicago. My neighborhoods were Back of the Yards & Brighton Park. I attended Chicago Public Schools K-12. I decided on arts as my main focus in college. While at UIC I took an opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy. While there I studied the work of the masters of the renaissance. After my semester ended I backpacked across Western Europe. My love for the arts derives from my admiration of my Mexican culture and roots. I love to teach Art and Spanish. Hopefully, it inspires students to be true to who they are.
B.A. in Studio Arts, UIC
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Bryan Soto
Health and Wellness Teacher
Bryan Soto
Health and Wellness Teacher
- What in nature inspires you?
- The ability for life to thrive almost everywhere, even against all odds.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Guatemala.
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC farm?
- Pigmy goats!
- What do you love most about AGC?
- I love the staff that I work with and the energy they bring to the school everyday!
Bryan Soto born in Mexico City and raised on the south side of Chicago in the Little Village neighborhood. A product of Whitney Young H.S., Bryan attended the University of Missouri for one year but ultimately went on to graduate from The University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health as well as an Urban Planning minor. After a couple of years as a part of the Cicero public school district, Bryan was fortunate enough to find out about AGC. It wasn’t long before Bryan fell in love with everything about it. This will be Bryan’s 3rd year as part of the AGC family and he could not be happier.
B.S., University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana
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Adrian Soto
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Adrian Soto
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Adrian Soto serves as Executive Director for Greater Southwest Development Corporation (GSDC) where he has overall strategic, operational, management and regulatory responsibility for the organization. Soto develops and drives a local and inclusive economic development plan, managing appropriate City, County, State relationships and resource availability to support GSDC’s mission. Having grown up in Chicago Lawn, he has a personal stake in the future of the neighborhood and is committed to improving the quality of life for the greater Southwest community.
For the past 17 years, Soto has proven to be an effective, results-oriented leader with a keen ability to build confidence and relationships across a diverse array of stakeholders. Soto’s experience in business and non-profit sectors gives him a unique lens that enables him to move forward complex, high-stakes projects efficiently with an eye toward community collaboration and partnership.
Most recently, Soto served as Chief Strategy Officer for Esperanza Health Centers where he was responsible for supporting the mission of Esperanza by identifying and implementing key strategic initiatives. He led the development of a 26,000 sq./ft. building project financed through New Market Tax Credits (NMTC) with three separate Community Development Entities (CDEs) and total project size of $17.8 million that was completed in May 2019.
Adrian is a Chicago native whose parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Management with a concentration in Entrepreneurship from Southern Illinois University, has completed a post-baccalaureate Executive Education program at University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business in Chamber Leadership, and is a graduate from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Entrepreneurship Program.
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Jonathan Sousa
EL Teacher
Jonathan Sousa
EL Teacher
- What is your favorite place in the world?
- Oregon (where I grew up, and where most of my family is)
- What in nature inspires you?
- Hills and mountains inspire me.
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Maybe Canada... although I love visiting anywhere.
- What do you love most about AGC?
- I love the supportive team-minded atmosphere at AGC.
My life has been full of changes, so I’ll just give you a few highlights. I grew up in Oregon, have traveled to Africa, Europe and Mexico working with nonprofits, and have worked as a case manager for homeless men in Seattle. This is my 6th year working in Elementary schools, and my 3rd as a teacher. I’ve used Spanish in every job I’ve had. I love spicy food, and Chinese food. Chicago is a new adventure for me, and it’s been great so far!
Associate of Applied Science, Electronics Engineering Technology, Linn-Benton Community College.
Associate of General Studies, Linn-Benton Community College.
Bachelor of Arts, Social and Behavioral Studies, George Fox University.
Masters in Elementary Education (K-8), Western Governors University. -
Carmen Toledo
Kinder Dual Language Teacher
Carmen Toledo
Kinder Dual Language Teacher
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Enedina Villalobos
Paraprofessional
Enedina Villalobos
Paraprofessional
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Tameka Walton
Board Member
Tameka Walton
Board Member
In addition to being a former Aldermanic candidate, Tameka is the Founder & Director of Restored Hope. Tameka was inspired to start the organization because she saw the impact that trauma had on women and girls in her community, she knew first hand the impact that trauma could have on children, especially girls as they often suffer in silence. Tameka is a 2020 Chicago Peace Fellow, social activist, yoga teacher and a mother of four children.
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Helma Wardenaar
Director of Student Services
Helma Wardenaar
Director of Student Services
- What is your favorite local food?
- I love fresh mint from the AGC garden; a cup of fresh mint tea makes me smile!
- Where in the world would you like to visit next?
- Galapagos Islands
- What do you love about AGC?
- I love that we are a cohesive community that inspires children and adults to make a positive change in the world.
- What animal would you like to see on the AGC farm?
- I would love to have a horse on the farm because horses can teach us a lot about relationships and care taking.
Creative. Dedicated. Enthusiastic. Helma has been called to these things since she was a child. Before moving to the United States, Helma taught multiple grades with great enthusiasm in the Netherlands. She speaks fluent English and Dutch, and conversational Spanish, German and French. Helma is proud to be a founding Teacher and Case Manager at AGC. She takes care of all students with Diverse Learning needs K-8. She loves facilitating all children in developing their minds to reach their highest personal goals, and strives to collaborate with parents, teachers, and clinicians to provide the least restrictive learning environment. Helma teaches through sensory integration and creativity, in other words: Helma thinks outside the box as most of her students require a different approach to learning. She inspires others to go above and beyond.
M.S. in Special Education from DePaul University;Endorsements in Math, Science, and Social studies
B.S. in Elementary Education from IPABO University of Amsterdam (the Netherlands), major in Early Childhood, Endorsements in Social studies, Math, Fine Arts, Music and PE
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Sabra Weber
K-2 Music and Spanish Teacher
Sabra Weber
K-2 Music and Spanish Teacher
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Tavaris West
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Tavaris West
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Alumnus, Academy for Global CitizenshipPre-Med & Finance, Howard University (Class of 2024)A proud alumni from the very first graduating class at the Academy for Global Citizenship, Tavaris spent eight years cultivating a genuine love for learning while embodying International Baccalaureate learner profile traits and attitudes to become a listener, risk-taker, principled, knowledgeable and caring global citizen. Tavaris transfered his elementary foundation to earn an academic high school scholarship and completed high school with a 4.92 GPA at Marist Catholic High School. Tavaris enjoyed his time at Marist as a student three-sport athlete competing in track, rugby and football. As a Howard University Bison, he has continued his dedication and determination to his success, maintaining a 3.7 GPA while serving as the rugby team Vice President. Tavaris is on the path to earn his BBA degree in finance, and will attend dental school following his undergraduate career to become an orthodontist. He hopes to return to his Chicago community some day to open his own orthodontia practice. Tavaris is not only committed to his education and career goals, but also to his family and community.
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Alexandra Wiggins
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Alexandra Wiggins
Strategic Advisory Council Member
Alexandra Wiggins (she/her) is Vice President of Network Member Services with Purpose Built Communities – a nonprofit that supports a national network of local leaders seeking to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty through a cross-sectoral holistic neighborhood revitalization model. Alexandra is a lawyer by training and brings her legal acumen to the process of facilitating public-private partnerships and agreements that ensure the neighborhood ecosystems where low income children live and thrive will support their success both within and outside of the classroom. She is a former elementary educator and Teach For America Metro Atlanta alumna who aims to ensure as many doors are open to the children and families who are often afforded the least agency in their futures.Reflecting on her time as an educator, Alexandra’s desire to ensure high quality education is accessible for all students regardless of socioeconomic status led her to explore the intersection of education law and policy – specifically focusing on the constitutionality of educational gerrymandering and halting additional forms of educational segregation. This passion provided her the opportunity to work with former US Senator Mary Landrieu on drafting the initial DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) legislation in support of undocumented students and children while in law school and eventually returning to Georgia to work on equitable educational initiatives for rural educators and students with the Georgia Governor’s Office of Student Achievement.Alexandra also serves as a member of the Drew Charter School Board’s Mission Committee in Atlanta’s East Lake neighborhood. Drew Charter School is at the center of the East Lake Atlanta revitalization effort – a project that serves as the impetus for the Purpose Built Communities model. The Mission Committee seeks to ensure equitable enrollment policies are top of mind so that Drew continues to serve a significant number of economically disadvantaged students to help break the intergenerational cycle of poverty by eliminating the achievement gap based on race, economically disadvantaged status, and disability status. -
Joann Williams, MS CED
Community Engagement Liaison
Joann Williams, MS CED
Community Engagement Liaison
President, Hearst Community Organization
Community Engagement Liaison, AGC Community Wellness & Sustainability Hub
Joann Williams has played a central and longstanding role in organizing community collaboration and the engagement of local voices. As a resident of the community for 54 years, Joann currently serves as Founder and President of the local Hearst Community Organization, established in 1987, and a Community Engagement Liaison for the Community Wellness & Sustainability Hub. Joann has also facilitated fresh produce and healthy meal distribution in partnership with the Academy for Global Citizenship’s programs to increase food access among senior citizens, those experiencing homelessness and large families within the community.
Joann has been instrumental with ensuring that neighborhood resident voices are heard throughout the design and planning process of the LeClaire redevelopment. In addition to representing the community in ongoing monthly meetings with the project leadership team, Joann is playing a leading role in developing a Community Benefits Agreement with another key developer in the LeClaire Courts community and was actively involved in executing our current operational Memorandum of Understanding along with other local community organizations and residents. In addition to outlining extensive community engagement and support, these comprehensive documents include partnership commitments such as local hiring practices and community voice and inclusion with expanded programming.
The Community Benefits Agreement outlines hiring CHA residents and resident-owned businesses, community use of AGC facilities, and community voice and stakeholder engagement in project planning. Additionally, the MOU in place with the Hearst Community Organization and LeClaire Courts Local Advisory Council commits to inclusionary hiring and business participation, focused on community minority and women-owned businesses and local workers, a Union Project Labor Agreement, and monthly meetings with community leadership for ongoing collaboration.
In her letter of support, Joann has shared that she is “excited about AGC’s mission to cultivate the next generation of globally environmentally minded leaders who are making our world a better place while also emphasizing a healthy living life-style with their food and nutrition programs. We look forward to working with you to see this groundbreaking project bring benefits to our community for generations to come.”