During our August Institute Opening Day, we took some time to recognize staff members who have reached personal and professional milestones.
We are excited to celebrate the following achievements with our team:
Earned Tenure: Amy Deang and Danielle Ramos
Earned Master's Degrees: Arlene Lopez, Kamila Orbzut, and Danielle Ramos
15 Years of Service: Robyn Atkinson, Sandra Nessinger, and Sean Nugent
20 Years of Service: Sandy Henricksen, Ellen Hopkins, Karen Moffett, Jill Ryan, and Josh Vance
25 Years of Service: Marti Wolford, Rebecca Merrill, and Caroline Williamson
30 Years of Service: Rosemary Ganski and Sondra LaPointe
Congratulations to everyone and a huge thank you to all of the staff members who have dedicated so many years to our district, schools, students, and community!
We are excited to celebrate the following achievements with our team:
Earned Tenure: Amy Deang and Danielle Ramos
Earned Master's Degrees: Arlene Lopez, Kamila Orbzut, and Danielle Ramos
15 Years of Service: Robyn Atkinson, Sandra Nessinger, and Sean Nugent
20 Years of Service: Sandy Henricksen, Ellen Hopkins, Karen Moffett, Jill Ryan, and Josh Vance
25 Years of Service: Marti Wolford, Rebecca Merrill, and Caroline Williamson
30 Years of Service: Rosemary Ganski and Sondra LaPointe
Congratulations to everyone and a huge thank you to all of the staff members who have dedicated so many years to our district, schools, students, and community!
Maercker D60 families, don’t forget that on Wednesdays students will be dismissed an hour early from all three schools. That means that tomorrow (Wednesday, Aug. 27) is an early dismissal day!
Maggie May will be joining the Holmes Primary team as a social worker!
When asked why she chose to work at Maercker, she shared it was because of the community's diversity and the district's commitment to supporting the whole child.
Maggie has always loved working with kids and feels so fortunate to get to build relationships with and learn from them as a school social worker.
At Holmes, she is excited to help students build social-emotional skills, including problem solving and using coping strategies. She believes that kids do better when they can; and it's important to support their social-emotional well-being to help them become lifelong learners.
When asked why she chose to work at Maercker, she shared it was because of the community's diversity and the district's commitment to supporting the whole child.
Maggie has always loved working with kids and feels so fortunate to get to build relationships with and learn from them as a school social worker.
At Holmes, she is excited to help students build social-emotional skills, including problem solving and using coping strategies. She believes that kids do better when they can; and it's important to support their social-emotional well-being to help them become lifelong learners.
During our opening Institute Day, we recognized a few of our staff members who received Gold Standard recognitions at the end of the 2024-25 school year. Let’s celebrate them!
Kamila Obrzut is a shining example of our staff portrait of being personally and collectively responsible. She holds herself to the highest standards for her students while actively collaborating with her team to ensure the success of all 3rd graders. This year, as her team pilots a new literacy tool, she has embraced differentiation, reflected on what works, and generously shared her learning to strengthen collective practice. Kamila creates a welcoming environment for newcomers, remains solution-focused when challenges arise, and models flexibility and adaptability across teams. Her dedication, collaboration, and passion for helping every student succeed set a gold standard for our district!
Kamila Obrzut is a shining example of our staff portrait of being personally and collectively responsible. She holds herself to the highest standards for her students while actively collaborating with her team to ensure the success of all 3rd graders. This year, as her team pilots a new literacy tool, she has embraced differentiation, reflected on what works, and generously shared her learning to strengthen collective practice. Kamila creates a welcoming environment for newcomers, remains solution-focused when challenges arise, and models flexibility and adaptability across teams. Her dedication, collaboration, and passion for helping every student succeed set a gold standard for our district!
During our opening Institute Day, we recognized a few of our staff members who received Gold Standard recognitions at the end of the 2024-25 school year. Let’s celebrate them!
Becky Griffin is a compassionate, collaborative, and deeply committed educator who goes above and beyond for her students, families, and colleagues. She builds strong, positive relationships with parents, responds with empathy to student needs, and creates a safe, supportive environment where children thrive. Whether lending a hand at dismissal, collaborating on planning and data analysis, or sharing strategies and resources with her team, Becky consistently models generosity and teamwork. Her kindness, professionalism, and dedication make her an invaluable part of our school community, and her students - and their families - know they are in the best of hands. Congratulations!
Becky Griffin is a compassionate, collaborative, and deeply committed educator who goes above and beyond for her students, families, and colleagues. She builds strong, positive relationships with parents, responds with empathy to student needs, and creates a safe, supportive environment where children thrive. Whether lending a hand at dismissal, collaborating on planning and data analysis, or sharing strategies and resources with her team, Becky consistently models generosity and teamwork. Her kindness, professionalism, and dedication make her an invaluable part of our school community, and her students - and their families - know they are in the best of hands. Congratulations!
We’re proud to welcome Alyssa Romero as an English Language Arts teacher at Westview Hills! We asked Alyssa a few questions to get to know her more!
“Maercker School District 60's mission emphasizes the importance of inclusivity of all identities in par with empowered learning to last a lifetime; finding a school that best aligns with your own personal mission statement as an educator is rare and should not be taken for granted. I feel honored to continue my journey as an educator at a school district whose core values directly reflect my own.”
“What attracted me to the field of education was my own experience with various educators throughout my educational journey as a student. I am excited to now do my part in shaping this incoming generation of leaders, equipped with skills to act not only as scholars but as peacemakers, active social citizens, and simply just good-hearted people.”
“I will empower and inspire lifelong curiosity for learning in my students by ensuring my practice is culturally-responsive, intentional, reciprocal, and inclusive of all. ALL of my students' identities will not only be recognized but will be celebrated. Through this foundation, I know that each of my learners will intellectually blossom and continually grow as lifelong learners.”
“Maercker School District 60's mission emphasizes the importance of inclusivity of all identities in par with empowered learning to last a lifetime; finding a school that best aligns with your own personal mission statement as an educator is rare and should not be taken for granted. I feel honored to continue my journey as an educator at a school district whose core values directly reflect my own.”
“What attracted me to the field of education was my own experience with various educators throughout my educational journey as a student. I am excited to now do my part in shaping this incoming generation of leaders, equipped with skills to act not only as scholars but as peacemakers, active social citizens, and simply just good-hearted people.”
“I will empower and inspire lifelong curiosity for learning in my students by ensuring my practice is culturally-responsive, intentional, reciprocal, and inclusive of all. ALL of my students' identities will not only be recognized but will be celebrated. Through this foundation, I know that each of my learners will intellectually blossom and continually grow as lifelong learners.”
On the first day of school, students at Westview Hills got a wonderful Wildcat welcome! #d60learns
Don’t forget to join the Maercker PTA for the year! You can support programming with or without volunteering and your membership is good for the 2025-26 school year! https://www.maerckerpta.org/join
Welcome to District 60, Jaida Ross! We’re excited to welcome Jaida as a new social worker supporting our students at Westview Hills.
What attracted her to the field of education was the ability to evoke a positive change within the world by shaping the hearts and minds of the children within her community.
When asked how she will empower and inspire lifelong curiosity for learning in her students, she shared, “I aim to support and empower each individual learner by equipping them with the tools and resources they need to succeed within the classroom and throughout their communities. I hope that by pouring into them and being passionate about their ability to succeed at Westview, they are inspired to learn from the world around them.”
What attracted her to the field of education was the ability to evoke a positive change within the world by shaping the hearts and minds of the children within her community.
When asked how she will empower and inspire lifelong curiosity for learning in her students, she shared, “I aim to support and empower each individual learner by equipping them with the tools and resources they need to succeed within the classroom and throughout their communities. I hope that by pouring into them and being passionate about their ability to succeed at Westview, they are inspired to learn from the world around them.”
We hope everyone had a fantastic first day of school. Thank you to all the families and staff members who shared photos today! #d60learns
There really isn't anything quite like the first day of school. We know all of our Wildcats are having a great day! #d60learns
Maercker Intermediate is excited to welcome Mia Salerno as a fourth grade teacher!
She shared that the values and goals of Maercker D60 align with her own. It has a great community and is very welcoming. She has found that being an educator is fulfilling, especially watching when students have their lightbulb moment when they understand something.
Mia plans to empower and inspire lifelong curiosity for learning in her students by guiding them to use critical thinking skills. They will explore and discover together while using a growth mindset.
She shared that the values and goals of Maercker D60 align with her own. It has a great community and is very welcoming. She has found that being an educator is fulfilling, especially watching when students have their lightbulb moment when they understand something.
Mia plans to empower and inspire lifelong curiosity for learning in her students by guiding them to use critical thinking skills. They will explore and discover together while using a growth mindset.
We love seeing everyone excited to kick of the 2025-26 school year! #d60learns
Our Wildcats are having a great first day! Thank you for sending all of these awesome photos! #d60learns
We are loving the energy and excitement of the first day of the 2025-26 school year! Keep those pictures coming to d60communications@maercker.org
It's the first day of school in Maercker D60 and we love seeing your first day of school photos! Want to see your photos featured? Send them over to d60communications@maercker.org and have a fantastic first day!
The staff at Maercker Intermediate School is ready for the first day of school! #D60learns
Alright Wildcats, it’s almost time to kick off the 2025-26 school year! The first day of school is tomorrow (Thursday, Aug. 21) with a regular school day for all schools. We want to see your first day of school photos so send them to d60communications@maercker.org and you might be featured on our social media channels!
We’re proud to welcome Cesar Juarez as a new social worker to support our students at Westview Hills!
Cesar shared that he appreciates how supportive the District 60 staff is and how diverse the community is. He also shared that the District’s mission statement aligns with the goals he has for the school year ahead.
When asked what attracted him to the field of education, he shared that he has always had a passion for empowering individuals and offering a safe space to allow students to be themselves and encourages them to be self advocates. After completing three years of internships, he knew that he wanted to work in a middle school setting.
Cesar shared that he appreciates how supportive the District 60 staff is and how diverse the community is. He also shared that the District’s mission statement aligns with the goals he has for the school year ahead.
When asked what attracted him to the field of education, he shared that he has always had a passion for empowering individuals and offering a safe space to allow students to be themselves and encourages them to be self advocates. After completing three years of internships, he knew that he wanted to work in a middle school setting.
Tonight (Wednesday, Aug. 20) is the Westview Hills back to school event and Meet & Greet! Be sure to bring your student’s schedule and locker code to the event so you can walk your schedule and practice opening your locker! #d60learns
