Behind every class schedule, district meeting and curriculum development is a team of administrators who balance leadership with teaching in the classroom for two periods a day, alongside a superintendent who oversees the district as a whole. Besides handling academics, these administrators also handle checking in on staff and ensuring a positive and supportive learning environment for students.
Dr. Marc Schaffer
Originally from the Chicago area, Superintendent Dr. Marc Schaffer returned to Illinois after starting his 33-year career in education here. He is in his seventh month as Superintendent for D128 after spending time working in Arizona and Colorado.
“Coming back [to Illinois] is like coming back home,” Dr. Schaffer said. “It’s where I started my career, in Illinois, and now finishing my career. So it was an opportunity to work in a school district that is outstanding, a district that I’m very familiar with. And when the position became open, I knew it was not too far from my hometown.”
Dr. Schaffer was drawn to the supportive community that makes up D128 and how respected the schools are, as well as the talent within the student community, both inside and outside the classroom.
“I think our students really are what makes this job so special,” Dr. Schaffer said. “For me, [the] best part of my job is really being in schools and observing teaching and learning, attending sporting events, attending the arts and theater [and] really seeing kids in their element is what brings me the most joy.”
Ms. Kristin Schwarz
Since 2011, Ms. Kristin Schwarz has been working within D128. She is now in her second year at LHS after coming from Vernon Hills. In 2013, she got her Illinois Type 75 Master’s Certificate, allowing her to have a leadership position within education. She has been a consumer science teacher her entire teaching career, deciding to take on the role of Career and Technical Education Department Head after realizing she wanted to both teach and support all areas of Consumer Sciences.
“[My students] are super dedicated to what they’re doing, and the classes I teach are hands-on, so it’s fun to watch the kids kind of have the mindset of trying something and maybe failing, but then getting back up and doing it again,” Ms. Schwarz said.
Outside of school, Ms. Schwarz is involved in the community by being a Girl Scout Leader, being on the committee for her neighborhood swim team, and taking care of her two kids.
Ms. Joyce Amann
Born and raised in Libertyville and now in her 18th year with D128, Ms. Joyce Amann dreamed of coming back and working at LHS. And when the Physical Education Department Head position opened up five years ago, she knew that she had to go for it.
“Interviewing as a PE teacher..I was literally trying to hold back tears, like this is my dream job,” Ms. Amann said. “I know a lot of people go off to college, and then they want to go out and venture out into the world. I always wanted to come back and raise a family here. I really liked my time here at the high school, [and I am] grateful for a lot of the mentorship that I had here.”
Having spent her life in Libertyville and now returning as a teacher, Ms. Amann has seen firsthand what makes the community and school special.
“It’s not until you really get a little older, when you realize and become pretty grateful for what we have here and what our opportunities are here,” Ms. Amann said.
Ms. Gabriela Martin
After five years as the Department Head for Lake Zurich and two years as Director of Curriculum and Instruction overseeing multilingual programs, Ms. Gabriela Martin returned to the classroom as the Department Head of World Languages. She teaches AP Spanish and Spanish 4 and loves the students’ respectfulness and her supportive colleagues.
Ms. Martin was drawn to D128’s action plan for equity and working with multilingual students, inspired by her own journey of moving to the U.S. at age 22 without knowing English. She admires the district’s commitment to making everyone feel welcomed and valued.
“When I moved to the United States, I didn’t speak English,” Ms. Martin said. “You leave so much behind…everything that you know. But out of all the things that are a challenge…not being able to speak English is the biggest challenge, and so kindness towards multilingual learners is a big thing. And for my own students who are learning a second language, I admire them.”
Mr. Tim Budge
Since 2000, Mr. Tim Budge has worked at D128. Previously, he worked at Antioch High School, teaching for 23 years before coming to LHS and replacing the retiring Math Department head. He currently teaches Honors Calculus 1.
“I think the people here are just the best,” Mr. Budge said. “The students here are incredible…It’s just a wonderful atmosphere. I think it’s an atmosphere where people can do their best work.”
For Mr. Budge, the teaching side of his role isn’t just about lessons or grades; it’s about supporting the students themselves.
“Even if we have to have a tough conversation…I want to make sure students know that I care for them, and then I’m there for them, there to help them be their best selves,” Mr. Budge said.
Ms. Laura Brandt
Ms. Laura Brandt has been working within the district for seven years, previously working as department chair at Stevenson and Grayslake Central. She also worked in Switzerland for three years at an international school outside of Geneva, as well as in Italy. When she came back to Chicago, she came here to work as a social studies teacher, and when there was a need for a Social Studies Department Head, she took on the role.
With a lot of teachers living in the community, it gives the school a community feel, such as downtown events like Homecoming window painting.
“I love that when you walk down the hall, it’s impossible not to see a student that you know,” Ms. Brandt said. “I mostly teach sophomores in AP Psychology, so I love seeing them as juniors. I love seeing them as seniors.”
Outside of school, Ms. Brandt loves reading and has a dog named Fozzie Bear. Because of her international teaching experience, she loves jetting off to new places whenever she can.
Mr. Pete Dawson
With 33 years in D128 and 13 years as the Science Department Head, Mr. Pete Dawson has witnessed countless generations of students, each leaving their own mark within the school. This year, Mr. Dawson teaches physics, and he hasn’t taught any physics for the first 25 years he was at D128.
“The building and the people are kind of like a stable part, but the students are always bringing a new energy [and] new perspective, so there’s really no way to get stalled where there’s nothing new to do,” Mr. Dawson said.
In addition to currently being involved with the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE), Mr. Dawson was also involved in athletics, coaching basketball for ten years and golf for five years earlier in his career.
“I really enjoyed the coaching,” Mr. Dawson said. “It’s one of the things that I probably missed the most now. It got to a point where my kids were growing up and getting into high school athletics and activities that they were doing. It was hard for me to be coaching here when I was taking them to stuff, and then I ended up doing this role… But I do miss that. I love the athletic stuff.”
