Employee of the Month

Our Certificated Employee of the Month for March is Jeremy Rogers, Counselor for Oak View High and Oak Park Independent Schools. Kent Cromwell, Principal of Oak View and OPIS, had these nice things to say about Jeremy:

"Jeremy Rogers is the glue that keeps OPIS and Oak View together. he has established strong bonds with the students at both schools and has helped to create an environment that students can thrive in. Balancing students' needs, both academically and socio-emotionally, at both schools can be challenging, yet Jeremy makes it look easy. He is always there for the students and always has their best interests at hear. We are so lucky to have him as our counselor. The staff and students all love him and are grateful that he is part of our school family. If anyone deserves to be recognized as a great educator, it is Jeremy Rogers! Congratulations Jeremy - well deserved!"

Our Classified Employee of the Month for March is Shen Fun Lim, MTSS Intervention Aide for Red Oak Elementary School. Her principal, Jackie Longo, had these nice words to share:

"We are grateful for the impact Shen continues to make at Red oak each day and for her 19 years of dedication to our school community. As an MTSS Intervention support staff member, she plays a key role in implementing evidence based math intervention, bringing a strong understanding of instructional strategies and a clear focus on student needs. She consistently applies interventions with fidelity, ensuring students receive targeted and effective support. Shen is responsive, collaborative, and a reliable partner to both students and staff, regularly providing thoughtful feedback and adjusting her approach to best steady commitment contribute to meaningful student growth and strengthen our overall program."

Lori Jasinski, as our Food Services Manager at MCMS, always puts students first. She knows students by name, understands their food needs, and makes everyone feel welcome and cared for. She runs the cafeteria smoothly and makes sure students get good meals every day. She also helps with field trips and supports food service across the district. Lori works hard and takes pride in her job. She and her team make tasty meals from scratch, and it shows in the quality of the food. She is a strong and kind leader who stays positive, organized, and fair. She is always looking for ways to make lunchtime better for students. Students say Lori is friendly, patient, and helpful. She greets them with a smile and helps them even on busy days. She listens to student ideas, supports school events, and makes sure everyone feels included. Our school is very lucky to have her.

Mary Ann Carsillo is our ELD/ Spanish Teacher at Oak Park High School. Mary Ann is leading and building our program to support our DML students while also teaching Spanish courses. She works with teachers across the school to be able to help guide our DML students. Her ability to clarify teacher instructions and course content assists students in accessing the entirety of our academic programs. Mary Ann immerses students in both the language and the cultures of Spanish-speaking communities around the world. Using music, art and poetry, her introduction to the way the Spanish language is used changes students' understanding from rote learning to internal connection between the language and the cultures in which it is used.

Sandy is a 1st grade teacher who brings joy and love to all the students, staff, and families she works with. For more than 30 years, Ms. Hirano has been a steady presence and an impactful member of the Brookside community. Her cal, nurturing presence creates a supportive environment where students thrive. She is also a great support for colleagues and families alike. Her dedication and professionalism make her an amazing teacher and we are proud to recognize her. 

Kyle is the Athletic Office Assistant and is an invaluable member of the Oak Park High School team. She has worked in the district since 2021 and moved into the Athletics position in August 2024.

She brings such a sense of joy, love, compassion, and an effort to her work that consistently goes above and beyond expectations. We constantly refer to the Athletic Office team as the “dream team,” and Kyle is a huge reason why!

Valeria is truly one of a kind. She is always willing to step in and support wherever she's needed—whether that means meeting with students individually, in small groups, or on the spot when something arises! Her warm smile and welcoming presence make her a trusted go-to for students, staff, and families alike. Valeria supports students through challenges big and small—helping those impacted by trauma, guiding peers through everyday conflicts, and building strategies for success around time management, self-advocacy, and organization.

"Marta’s impact on our science program has been transformational. She led the effort for MCMS to become an early adopter of the Next Generation Science standards, designing a full 8th grade curriculum from scratch before resources existed. She co-wrote our Distinguished Schools Award application in 2019 and continues to guide curriculum adoption, while also mentoring new teachers and supporting long-term substitutes to ensure strong instruction for all students."

Colin has been instrumental in maintaining our student 1:1 Chromebook devices, warranty, repairs, interfacing with students and parents, and organizing the project of collecting, cleaning, evaluating, and redistributing the devices. Colin is kind, calm, responsible, trustworthy, and a great asset to the Technology Team. 

"Paula Foy exemplifies the very best in teaching through her deep knowledge of students’ developmental stages and social-emotional needs. She thoughtfully tailors her instruction to ensure that every child receives exactly what they need to thrive academically and personally. In her classroom, Paula creates a nurturing and joyful environment where students feel safe, valued, and excited to learn. Her interactions with children and families are consistently thoughtful, gentle, and professional."

"Michele brings a positive attitude and strong work ethic to her role as Office Assistant. She greets visitors and staff with a warm smile, has stepped up to support with campus supervision, as needed, and shows great attention to detail in keeping accurate attendance."