The new faces of RB

There are a bunch of new teachers here at Riverside Brookfield this year and this is your chance to get to know more about them.

 Suzanne Bartelson (Fine Arts Teacher)

Q: Why did you choose to teach at Riverside Brookfield?

A: I heard about how great RB was from other teachers like Mr. Grice and Ms. Rubin and I heard how progressive the school is.

Q: Where did you teach previously?

A: Elmwood Park.

Q: Where did you go to college?

A: I got my degree at University of Illinois in Champagne, and I went to grad school to get my degree in Fine Arts and media.

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: I do lacrosse and definitely ceramics.

Q: What are your goals at Riverside Brookfield?

A: To make some amazing ceramic art work.

Jenna Passananti (Spanish Teacher)

Q: Why did you choose to teach at Riverside Brookfield?

A: I know what a great school this is and it has a strong academic reputation with great commitment and involvement.

Q: Where did you teach previously?

A: This is my first time teaching.

Q: Where did you go to college?

A: Illinois Wesleyan University.

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: I like to play volleyball, work out, read, and hang out.

Q: What are your goals at Riverside Brookfield?

A: To improve the volleyball program, make a difference in my students’ lives, and to help my students to learn Spanish.

Kevin Coleman (Science Teacher)

Q: Why did you choose to teach at Riverside Brookfield?

A: I had previously lived in Wisconsin and I wanted to move closer to my family around here. So now I live in Oak Park and since I’m a bike commuter I needed to find schools in the area that I could ride my bike to.

Q: Where did you teach previously?

A: I taught before at Carl Schurz High School, but before I took this job I was an environmental consultant.

Q: Where did you go to college?

A: The University of Madison

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: Biking and cooking. I have a 2 ½ year old girl that I spend most of my time with.

Q: What are your goals at Riverside Brookfield?

A: To help students understand how things work, well enough to make informed decisions in the outside world.

Dallas Till (Wellness)

Q: Why did you choose to teach at Riverside Brookfield?

A: I knew this was a fantastic high school and there was a lot to offer here. I also like the whole new facility.

Q: Where did you teach previously?

A: Elmwood Park

Q: Where did you go to college?

A: Elmhurst College

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: Playing cards, vacationing, playing sports, and watching football.

Q: What are your goals at Riverside Brookfield?

A: To lead our baseball and football teams to success.

Ann Kuenster (Science Teacher)

Q: Why did you choose to teach at Riverside Brookfield?

A: Riverside Brookfield has a good reputation and a lot of AP classes. I also like the test prep classes here.

Q: Where did you teach previously?

A: Proviso Math and Science Academy

Q: Where did you go to college?

A: Northwestern University for my Bachelors and Southern University for my Masters.

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: I like hockey, crossword puzzles, and baking.

Q: What are your goals at Riverside Brookfield?

A: This year my goal is to make students think physics is fun.