More photos from our Back to School Picnic! We had a great time welcoming everyone to the 2026-27 school year. #d60learns
Say hello to Katie Garcia, our new fourth grade teacher at Maercker Intermediate!
We asked Katie a few questions about her love of education, and here’s what she said:
“The reason I chose to work at Maercker D60 is because of the overall sense of community that I experienced the moment I met some of the staff! I could tell that Maercker was a place that would allow me to grow with a supportive community behind me!”
“I have always loved school growing up. I constantly had amazing experiences with teachers who helped shape who I am today. I want to be able to provide this same experience to my students.”
“I will inspire lifelong curiosity by creating a classroom where students feel comfortable asking questions, exploring new ideas, and learning from mistakes. I want to encourage their interests, celebrate their questions, and show them that learning can be exciting and meaningful beyond the classroom.”
We asked Katie a few questions about her love of education, and here’s what she said:
“The reason I chose to work at Maercker D60 is because of the overall sense of community that I experienced the moment I met some of the staff! I could tell that Maercker was a place that would allow me to grow with a supportive community behind me!”
“I have always loved school growing up. I constantly had amazing experiences with teachers who helped shape who I am today. I want to be able to provide this same experience to my students.”
“I will inspire lifelong curiosity by creating a classroom where students feel comfortable asking questions, exploring new ideas, and learning from mistakes. I want to encourage their interests, celebrate their questions, and show them that learning can be exciting and meaningful beyond the classroom.”
Next up in our new hire introductions is Mia DiCera! She is not only a fourth grade teacher at Maercker Intermediate, she is also a D60 alum! Let’s learn a bit more about Mia and how she found the path towards education.
“Having attended Maercker D60 myself, I know firsthand the positive impact this school community can have on students. It feels incredibly meaningful to give back to the district that helped shape me and to now have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students today.”
“Being an older sibling, I grew up teaching and helping my two younger brothers learn and grow. Those experiences sparked my passion for education and showed me how rewarding it is to support and encourage others.”
“I will create a positive and welcoming environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, exploring new ideas, and thinking critically. I want to help students make meaningful connections between what they learn in the classroom and their everyday lives, encouraging them to stay curious and excited about learning.”
“Having attended Maercker D60 myself, I know firsthand the positive impact this school community can have on students. It feels incredibly meaningful to give back to the district that helped shape me and to now have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students today.”
“Being an older sibling, I grew up teaching and helping my two younger brothers learn and grow. Those experiences sparked my passion for education and showed me how rewarding it is to support and encourage others.”
“I will create a positive and welcoming environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, exploring new ideas, and thinking critically. I want to help students make meaningful connections between what they learn in the classroom and their everyday lives, encouraging them to stay curious and excited about learning.”
We’re proud to welcome our new first grade teacher at Holmes, Elexis Struble!
As she chose to work at Maercker D60, she shared that she fell in love with the district's sense of community and the emphasis on creating a supportive environment for both students and teachers.
She was attracted to the field of education for the opportunity to make an impact on students during such an important stage of their development.
This school year, she plans to create a classroom where students feel safe to ask questions, make mistakes, and explore their interests. She looks forward to encouraging students to be curious about the world around them and to understand that they do not always have to know the answer right away.
As she chose to work at Maercker D60, she shared that she fell in love with the district's sense of community and the emphasis on creating a supportive environment for both students and teachers.
She was attracted to the field of education for the opportunity to make an impact on students during such an important stage of their development.
This school year, she plans to create a classroom where students feel safe to ask questions, make mistakes, and explore their interests. She looks forward to encouraging students to be curious about the world around them and to understand that they do not always have to know the answer right away.
Our new teachers were so excited to get their classrooms set up as they prepared to welcome students. School is in full swing and we’re loving having students back in our buildings! #d60learns
Welcome, Madison Nickrent! She is a new second grade teacher at Holmes Primary School. Learn more about Madison and what she looks forward to in her new classroom.
“I chose to join Maercker D60 because of the district’s strong commitment to putting students at the heart of everything they do. I was drawn to the way the staff works together to support students not only academically, but also socially and emotionally.”
“I was drawn to education because I have always loved working with children and being a positive influence in their lives. I want to make a meaningful difference every day. Not just by helping students grow academically, but also by helping them build confidence, discover their strengths, and become the best version of themselves.”
“I will empower my students by giving them choices, encouraging their ideas, and creating opportunities for them to take ownership of their learning. I will celebrate their growth, encourage them to take risks, and help them build their confidence!”
“I chose to join Maercker D60 because of the district’s strong commitment to putting students at the heart of everything they do. I was drawn to the way the staff works together to support students not only academically, but also socially and emotionally.”
“I was drawn to education because I have always loved working with children and being a positive influence in their lives. I want to make a meaningful difference every day. Not just by helping students grow academically, but also by helping them build confidence, discover their strengths, and become the best version of themselves.”
“I will empower my students by giving them choices, encouraging their ideas, and creating opportunities for them to take ownership of their learning. I will celebrate their growth, encourage them to take risks, and help them build their confidence!”
Maercker Intermediate School’s 5th grade team is reporting for an exciting year of learning and growth! #d60learns
Please give a warm welcome to Sebastian Alicea! He is a new math teacher at Westview Middle School.
Let’s get to know Sebastian!
What attracted him to teaching was the ability to help students better understand themselves as people and grow beyond the math classroom.
“I will inspire lifelong curiosity by creating a classroom where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and trying new ideas. In math, I want students to focus not just on getting the right answer, but understanding why it works and exploring different ways to solve problems.”
Let’s get to know Sebastian!
What attracted him to teaching was the ability to help students better understand themselves as people and grow beyond the math classroom.
“I will inspire lifelong curiosity by creating a classroom where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and trying new ideas. In math, I want students to focus not just on getting the right answer, but understanding why it works and exploring different ways to solve problems.”
New staff gathered before the start of the school year to learn all about Maercker D60 and prepare for 2026-27. We’re so glad they’re a part of our D60 community! #d60learns
New to the district and new to teaching, we’d like to welcome Matt Breslow! Matt is a new science teacher at Holmes Primary School.
To get to know Matt, we asked him a couple of questions:
Why are you excited for starting at Maercker D60? “I look forward to seeing what life is like in a small district that has a great reputation!”
What attracted you to the field of education? “As a career changer in my mid 40s, teaching has always been something I've wanted to do but wasn't quite ready for. Becoming a father in 2017 and being an involuntary stay-at-home dad during Covid reframed my priorities. I closed up my business of 12 years and pivoted into teaching, and I'm very excited to have this be my first teaching job.”
How will you empower and inspire lifelong curiosity for learning in your students? “Scientific inquiry is the precursor to critical thinking, and having the opportunity to teach kids how to ask questions, test theories, and find answers is one of the most important and rewarding things I can imagine doing.”
To get to know Matt, we asked him a couple of questions:
Why are you excited for starting at Maercker D60? “I look forward to seeing what life is like in a small district that has a great reputation!”
What attracted you to the field of education? “As a career changer in my mid 40s, teaching has always been something I've wanted to do but wasn't quite ready for. Becoming a father in 2017 and being an involuntary stay-at-home dad during Covid reframed my priorities. I closed up my business of 12 years and pivoted into teaching, and I'm very excited to have this be my first teaching job.”
How will you empower and inspire lifelong curiosity for learning in your students? “Scientific inquiry is the precursor to critical thinking, and having the opportunity to teach kids how to ask questions, test theories, and find answers is one of the most important and rewarding things I can imagine doing.”
We had so much fun at our Back to School Picnic last week! It was the perfect way to kick off the 2026-27 school year. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible and to our families who attended! #d60learns
Here a few last minute submissions for first day of school photos, including Mr. Micek who is excited for his first day of second grade!
We’re proud to introduce you to our new hires for the new school year! We will highlight a new staff member every day for a few weeks!
First, we’d like to welcome Jodi Strenzel-Gibson! She is a Family and Consumer Science teacher at Westview Hills Middle School.
When asked why she chose to work at Maercker District 60, she shared that she felt that the school has such a good community and heart, and that made her excited to work here.
She found her way into education through a former teacher! “I’ve always loved family consumer science since the sixth grade and I took every single FACS class I could. My grandmother was a seamstress so I was always a hands-on person. One of my former teachers pushed me towards the field of education, saying that I would be an amazing FACS teacher. So I went on to become a FACS teacher!”
When asked how she will empower and inspire lifelong curiosity for learning in students, she shared, “By giving them tools and skills to succeed, no matter what path they choose for the future! Giving them real problems and having them solve it are important to empowering their own lives. There is always something new to learn inside the classroom and outside the classroom and I want to give them the support to explore!”
First, we’d like to welcome Jodi Strenzel-Gibson! She is a Family and Consumer Science teacher at Westview Hills Middle School.
When asked why she chose to work at Maercker District 60, she shared that she felt that the school has such a good community and heart, and that made her excited to work here.
She found her way into education through a former teacher! “I’ve always loved family consumer science since the sixth grade and I took every single FACS class I could. My grandmother was a seamstress so I was always a hands-on person. One of my former teachers pushed me towards the field of education, saying that I would be an amazing FACS teacher. So I went on to become a FACS teacher!”
When asked how she will empower and inspire lifelong curiosity for learning in students, she shared, “By giving them tools and skills to succeed, no matter what path they choose for the future! Giving them real problems and having them solve it are important to empowering their own lives. There is always something new to learn inside the classroom and outside the classroom and I want to give them the support to explore!”
Thank your D60 Community for an amazing first day of the 2026-27 school year! Let's keep it going and show how #d60learns
Happy first day of school! Let’s make today awesome. We’re going to have an incredible year!
📸 Share your first day photos with us! Send photos to d60communications@maercker.org to potentially be shared on our social media channels. #d60learns
📸 Share your first day photos with us! Send photos to d60communications@maercker.org to potentially be shared on our social media channels. #d60learns
Wildcats are feeling great about the 2026-27 school year! Let's go! #d60learns
We love seeing first day pictures come in from all three of our schools! #d60learns
D60 students are bringing the style and the vibes to the first day of school! Send your pictures to d60communications@maercker.org to be featured.
Our Wildcats are looking ready to rock on this first day of school! #d60learns
It's the first day of school in D60! Here are a few photos that have been shared so far. Send yours to d60communications@maercker.org to be featured!
