Meet the superintendent

MIKE LEHMAN

• Began teaching at Greenman Elementary in 1990
   

• Served as coordinator and coach of the afterschool sports program
   

• Held numerous leadership roles such as admin in charge, admin liaison to PPS, building leadership team member, building crisis team member
   

• Currently serves as president of the AEA-W

LAURA BEATUS

• Graduated from West Aurora High School
   

• Taught special education and first grade at Greenman Elementary School for 22 years
   

• Held numerous leadership positions such as PPS team leader, reading symposium presenter, literacy committee member, AEA-W special education representative
   

• Since 2014, has served as the district’s professional
  learning coordinator

Sarah biewer

• Began teaching various middle school subjects within SD129 in 2005
   

• Spent some time as a student services specialist and has coached volleyball, cross country, & track
   

• Accolades include being published in a science journal, receiving the Striving for Excellence Award, and achieving National Board Certification
   

• Currently serves as an instructional resident at Washington Middle School

RICH KERNS

• Financial Advisor with the Northwestern Mutual
   

• Elected to school board in 2019, currently serving as president
   

• Is the school board liaison for the A+ Foundation for West Aurora Schools

DON PILMER

• WAHS graduate
   

• Has been with Old Second National Bank since 1989
   

• Active on the Aurora City Planning Commission & past president of the A+ Foundation for West Aurora Schools

LT. COL. ERIK PETTYJOHN

• Holds a bachelor’s degree in aero engineering and master’s degrees in systems management, military operations, and military history
   

• While serving in the US Air Force, flew 30 combat sorties over Iraq and was responsible for saving a $30 million dollar F-16 after catastrophic engine failure over Iraq
   

• Since 2014, has served as West Aurora High School’s AFJROTC senior aerospace science instructor

Dr. Chuck Hiscock

• Served as an US Army Military Officer in the Republic of Panama, Honduras, and San Francisco, CA

• Started in education as an art teacher, football & wrestling coach
   

• Administrative experiences include serving as dean and associate principal
   

• Has served as West Aurora High School’s principal since 2013

Robert (bob) Gonzalez

• Emigrated from Cuba to the United States
   

• A graduate of the University of Illinois Chicago
   

• Spent most of his career as a business owner in Aurora
   

• His three children graduated from West Aurora High School
   

• Served three terms as West Aurora School Board president
   

• Currently in his eleventh year on the Board

Michael (Mike) Runge

• Graduated from Waubonsee Valley High School
   

• Holds a bachelor’s in physics from Illinois Wesleyan University and a master’s in educational leadership from Aurora University
   

• Began teaching science at West High in 1992
   

• Has held various leadership positions such as football coach, department chair, and lead teacher

Michael Isaacson

• Holds a master’s in public health from Benedictine University
   

• Previously served as the assistant director of community health at the Kane County Health Department
   

• Currently serves as executive director of the Kane County Health Department

Jeff Schiller

• Started with operations department in 1988 as a part-time custodial aide
   

• Graduated from West High in 1989
   

• Attended Waubonsee Community College
   

• Has held many titles in-district such as lead custodian and regional supervisor
   

• Now acts as director of operations for SD129

Police Chief Keith Cross

• Graduate of East Aurora High School
   

• Earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Bemidji State University
   

• Began his career with the Aurora Police after a short stint with the Milwaukee Police Department
   

• Promoted to Sergeant in 2005, Lieutenant in 2008, Commander in January 2016, Deputy Chief in 2020, and Chief in 2021

pat callahan

• Senior Principal at Studio GC
   
• Received a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies and a Master of Architecture, both from U of I at Urbana-Champaign
   
• Among the first Chicago area architects to migrate to the Building Information Modeling (BIM) platform to create 3-D models of designs
   
• President of the Batavia Park District

PAT DACY

• In his seventh year as SD129 Capital Projects Manager
   
• Has held previous positions such as journeyman, foreman, general foreman, electrical superintendent, project manager, and assistant director of facility construction and development
   
• Has many years of experience teaching the National Electric Code to electrical apprentices and electrical inspectors

ISMAEL DIAZ

• Bus driver
   
• 23 years of service to SD129 
   
• Nearly perfect attendance
   
• Known as the “go-to” guy in transportation
   
• Leads by example

PATRICIA DAL SANTA

• Regional Superintendent of Schools, Kane County, 2012 - present
   
• Former teacher
   
• First female president of the Illinois Association of
  Regional School Superintendents
   
• Received the Crystal Star Award of Excellence in Student Dropout Recovery and named a Kane County Chronicle Everyday Hero

LYNN HEAD

• West Aurora High School graduate, studied at Waubonsee Community College and Illinois State University
   
• Director of Transportation
   
• 33 years of service to SD129
   
• In addition to Director of Transportation, has served as Assistant Director of Transportation, Transportation Office Professional, and Paraprofessional

CADET RANJANA POUDEL

• Class of 2022
   
• Successfully completed basic training for the U.S. Army before the start of her senior year
   
• Awarded an SD129 Challenge Coin in appreciation for her outstanding accomplishment and future service
   
• Holds the first District 129 Challenge Coin ever to be awarded to a current student

Marti neahring

• Graduate of Kaneland High School
   
• Earned her bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University and master’s from Aurora University
   
• Student taught at Washington Middle School 
   
• In her 19th year of service with the West Aurora Schools
   
• Has served as a special education teacher, dean, assistant principal, and now executive director of student and family services

KATHY BROWN

• Graduate of St. Charles High School
   
• Holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Illinois University and a Masters from Aurora University 
   
• In her 34th year of service with School District 129 
   
• Currently teaches kindergarten at Fearn Elementary School 
   
• Co-author of Kindergarten and the Common Core: It’s as Easy as ABC
   

• Presenter on the state, local, university, and international level

KEVIN TRIPLETT

• Graduate of West Aurora High School 
   
• Served in the U.S. Army
   
• Served the Aurora Police Department honorably for 24 years
   
• Accomplishments include being promoted to Sergeant in 1999 and having served on the Special Response Team and the Investigative Deadly Force Team
   
• In his 4th year of service with the West Aurora Schools as school safety/residency officer

MARY JO YOUNGMARK

• Has worked in the nursing field for over 45 years
   
• In her 25th year of service to the West Aurora Schools 
   
• Holds numerous degrees, accreditations, and licenses, such as NBCSN, MSN, RN, APRN, NCSN, PEL/School Nurse, DCES
   
• Her leadership has been an asset over the course of the pandemic

MADELINE BOZIK

• Founder and director of Maddie's Mitten March (MMM), established in 2008
   
• Collects coats, hats, gloves and other winter apparel to give to people in need through MMM
   
• Graduate of West Aurora High School 
   
• Studied at Bradley University, Illinois Central College & Methodist College
   

• Served as a certified emergency medical technician for fire departments in West Peoria, Roanoke, and Germantown Hills, while pursuing college studies

CHIEF FISHER

• Holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Aurora University and a master's degree in management from National-Louis University
   
• Has nearly 30 years of service with the North Aurora Police Department
   

• Promoted through the ranks to Deputy Chief, then named Chief in 2017

MARIA LOZANO

• Graduate of East Aurora High School
   
• Received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Aurora University
   
• In her 24th year of service with the West Aurora Schools
   
• Has served as a teacher’s assistant, bilingual teacher, and now director of English learners
   

• Has received many accolades for her community work including Phenomenal Woman, WCC Featured Alumnus, Aurora Avanzando

MICHELLE GALLES

• Graduate of West Aurora High School
   
• Holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Northern Illinois University and a master’s from Benedictine University
   
• In her 17th year of service to the students and families of Nicholson Elementary School
   

• Striving for Excellence Award Winner

LARRY SHEPARD

• Graduated from West Aurora High School, then spent four years in the U.S. Army
   
• Worked in SD129’s maintenance department while attending Aurora University
   
• Taught a work-study program and diversified courses at West Aurora High School
   
• Served as dean of students at West Aurora High School, then assistant principal at both Jefferson and Jewel Middle Schools
   
• After retiring in 2004, has served as the coordinator of the FVPD’s Employee Development Transition Program and has received numerous awards for his work in the community

DEBORAH STEINHEIMER

• Taught special education as well as 4th and 5th grade during her career 
   
• Served the students of Schneider, Nicholson, and Freeman Elementary Schools, as well as the AU Partnership School 
   
• Retired in 2014 after 34 years of service 
   
• Has demonstrated continued service in community

RANDAL STEINHEIMER

• Taught 4th & 5th grade students during his career 
   
• Served the students of Freeman Elementary School and the AU Partnership School
   
• Retired in 2014 after 34 years of service 
   
• Received many regional and state accolades during his career
   
• Has demonstrated continued service in community

BRIAN BROOKS

• West Aurora High School graduate
   
• Started with SD129 as driver ed & physical education teacher at West Aurora High North Campus 
   
• Then taught physical education at West Aurora High 
   
• Coached basketball and was the head coach for girls’ tennis at West Aurora High
   
• He received many accolades during his coaching career
   
• Retired after 33 years of service in 2012

CYNTHIA LATIMER

• Began her educational career at Lincoln Elementary School as a special education teacher
   
• Served as principal of Beaupre (SD131) and Lincoln Elementary Schools
   
• Finished her career as the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning 
• Retired in 2014 after 30 years of service
   
• Served on the Illinois State Board of Education and has received numerous awards for her work in the community

Sandra (Bauer) Lay

• 33 years of dedication to SD129, having served as a:
  • Special Education Resource Teacher
  • Learning Center Director
  • Guidance Counselor
  • Dean of Students
  • Principal (17 years)
     
• Buildings:
  • Franklin
  • Jefferson
  • Washington
  • Goodwin
     
• Active supporter of West Aurora School District:
  • Established the John W. Bauer Scholarship
  • Organizes luncheon for Goodwin Retirees

Ernest "Ernie" Poochigian

• 34 years of dedication to SD129, having served as a(n):
  • Algebra Teacher
  • Guidance Counselor
  • Dean of Students
  • Assistant Principal
  • Football and Basketball Official
     
• Buildings:
  • Franklin
  • Washington
     
• Community Involvement:
  • Adjunct Professor at Aurora University
  • Westminster Presbyterian Church
  • Aurora Golden "K" Kiwanis Club 
  • Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry

George Dyche

• 33 years of dedication to SD129, having served as a:
  • Social Studies Teacher
  • Department Chairman
  • Wrestling and Football Coach
     
• Buildings:
  • West Aurora High School
  • West Aurora High School, North Campus
     
• Wrestling Coaching Career:
  • 396 dual meet wins
  • 47 state qualifiers, 20 individual finalists, 5 state champions
  • Numerous wrestling honors at the state and national level

GORDIE KERKMAN

• Received his degree from Coe College, where he co-captained the baseball and basketball teams
• Began teaching at West Aurora in 1962
• Served as head varsity coach from 1976 until 2015, winning 805 games and losing just 313, making him the 5th-winningest basketball coach in Illinois history
• Received Coach of the Year and other local, regional, and state honors
• Ranks as one of the most successful and legendary high school basketball coaches in Illinois history

RICHARD "DICK" EBELING

• A forty-year veteran of the science teaching staff at West Aurora High School. 
• "The most influential teacher" by a large number of West Aurora Hall of Honor recipients.
• His philosophy of "set your goals higher than you think you can achieve" served him and his students through his forty years of teaching.
• He pushed his students hard and didn’t let his students quit, ever. 

JIM TOYNTON

• Received degrees from the U of W at LaCrosse and the U of I at Champaign-Urbana
• Taught at Frank Hall Elementary School from 1960 to 1970
• Served as Principal of Nancy Hill Elementary School from 1971 to 1981 and Frank Hall Elementary School from 1981 until his retirement in 1994
• Served on the West Aurora School District 129 Board of Education, Aurora Area Salvation Army Advisory Board, and Aurora Evening Lion’s Club

CLARE TOYNTON

• Received her degree from the U of W at LaCrosse
• Taught second grade at Freeman Elementary School from 1962-1965 and later taught at Washington Middle School, as well as Nicholson, Schneider and Smith Elementary Schools from 1976-2000
• Received West Aurora School District’s Golden Apple Award
• Served as a member of the board of directors of Mutual Ground

DONNA PROCTOR

• Graduated from Aurora University as one of the most accomplished female athletes in school history in softball, basketball, and volleyball
• Served as head softball coach at West from 1986-1995 and 1997-2007, as well as assistant varsity coach in the very successful West Aurora girls’ basketball program from 1983-2000
• Ranks as one of the 15 winningest coaches in Illinois state history
• Served as department chair for the Physical Education, Health and Drivers Education departments at West Aurora High School, retiring in 2015
• Voted as Class AA Coach of the Year (2006) and into the AU and West Aurora Hall of Fames

MARK PROCTOR

• Graduated from Aurora University, where he was a basketball standout
• Served in West Aurora from 1969-2001, retiring from Hall Elementary School where he taught 5th grade
• Became West Aurora High School’s head girls' basketball coach in 1980 and continued for 19 seasons
• Coached the 1990 squad to a 2nd place finish in the IHSA Class AA State Tournament and in 2000 to the Elite Eight
• Has kept the scorebook for West Aurora girls' games for nearly 2 decades
• Is in the IBCA Hall of Fame, the AU Athletic Hall of Fame, and the West Aurora Hall of Fame

CHIEF KRISTEN ZIMAN

MR. NEAL ORMOND III