Professional Learning
Empowering Educators to Empower Students
At West40, we listen and collaborate to help you identify goals and provide you with the tools and inspiration to reach them. Our team includes former teachers, coaches, principals, administrators, and superintendents at the local and state level. We understand the challenges you face—and work with you to customize a plan that best serves your district.
Professional Learning
Empowering Educators to Empower Students
At West40, we listen and collaborate to help you identify goals and provide you with the tools and inspiration to reach them. Our team includes former teachers, coaches, principals, administrators, and superintendents at the local and state level. We understand the challenges you face—and work with you to customize a plan that best serves your district.
Professional Learning
Empowering Educators to Empower Students
At West40, we listen and collaborate to help you identify goals and provide you with the tools and inspiration to reach them. Our team includes former teachers, coaches, principals, administrators, and superintendents at the local and state level. We understand the challenges you face—and work with you to customize a plan that best serves your district.
Creative Consulting to Address All Your Needs
We create tailored solutions in the areas of district and school improvement, networking, comprehensive coaching, mentoring, strategic planning, statewide initiatives, DEI, and more. Our partnership with you goes far beyond a single session—and it all starts with our Informal Needs Assessment (INA).
Schedule your consultation in person or virtually by Zoom.
Building Relationships and Capacity
Think of us as your ongoing thought partners. We have the experience and resources to support your vision and the skills to get you there. Our goal is to build your capacity to a point where you are self-sustaining. As specialists, we can work with you in several key areas, including:
01.
COACHING
Personalized and instructional sessions on leadership, curriculum, and more
02.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Goals that are planned with the end in mind and divided into manageable phases
03.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION
Effective strategies to creating environments where students feel equally valued
04.
STATEWIDE INITIATIVES
Collaboration on key strategic initiatives needed to support your district
05.
NETWORKING
Connections to educational professionals in your field for development and support
06.
CUSTOMIZABLE SOLUTIONS
Tailor-made solutions that can be easily modified to adapt to future changes
Trainings
In-person and virtual training events to develop new skills and processes, prepare for certifications, and more
Online Learning
Online asynchronous courses focused on the latest topics in education.
Develop your skills with online learning opportunities offered through our partnership with Kane County Regional Office of Education, Illinois Online Academy, and VESi.
Networks
On-going networking opportunities that include specialized communities for teachers, principals, administrative assistants, and many others
1,926
Co-Planning Participants
3,426
Coaching/Consulting Participants
305
Strategic Planning Participants
1,000+
Network Opportunities Participants
our team
SUZY DEES
Senior Director of Professional Learning
SUZY DEES
Senior Director of Professional Learning
With a track record of transforming schools and districts across the state of Illinois, Suzy is a proven leader in K-12 education. She is skilled in Professional Learning and Development, School Improvement, Team Motivation, and Instructional Coaching. Before joining West40, Suzy served in a variety of roles in schools, districts, and on the state level.
Suzy has guided universal professional learning opportunities at the Illinois State Board of Education, served as an educational consultant both independently and for ROEs, taught high school students and middle school students, and worked as Instructional Support Coordinator at District 87 in Bloomington. Some of Suzy’s favorite content areas in professional learning are Inclusion, Co-Teaching, Mentoring and Induction, and Instructional Strategies.
With a track record of transforming schools and districts across the state of Illinois, Suzy is a proven leader in K-12 education. She is skilled in Professional Learning and Development, School Improvement, Team Motivation, and Instructional Coaching. Before joining West40, Suzy served in a variety of roles in schools, districts, and on the state level.
Suzy has guided universal professional learning opportunities at the Illinois State Board of Education, served as an educational consultant both independently and for ROEs, taught high school students and middle school students, and worked as Instructional Support Coordinator at District 87 in Bloomington. Some of Suzy’s favorite content areas in professional learning are Inclusion, Co-Teaching, Mentoring and Induction, and Instructional Strategies.
SONYA SPAULDING
Director of Professional Learning
SONYA SPAULDING, ED.D.
Director of Professional Learning
Sonya is an energetic, research-savvy, data-driven educator. Her career in education began at the turn of this century. She began as a substitute and taught elementary and middle school students for 12 years prior to becoming an administrator in 2009. She also served school communities as a supervisor of instructional technology, principal, and assistant superintendent, specializing in building positive school culture. She has taught graduate courses for Illinois’ first alternative certification program at Governor State University focusing on the history in education and foundations in education. After successfully defending her dissertation A Case Study of Student, Teacher, Parent and Administrator Perceptions of Cyberbullying at a Public Elementary School in the USA, Sonya earned her doctorate from Roosevelt University in 2012.
Sonya attended Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Principal Center to complete course work and action research in Closing the Achievement Gap and The Art of Leadership. She has experience in auditing/evaluating curriculum for alignment with standards, preparing for IAR state assessment, evidence-based instructional practices, professional learning communities, strategic planning for school improvement, mentoring programs, evaluation, and PERA implementation. Sonya joined the West40 team in July 2021.
Sonya is an energetic, research-savvy, data-driven educator. Her career in education began at the turn of this century. She began as a substitute and taught elementary and middle school students for 12 years prior to becoming an administrator in 2009. She also served school communities as a supervisor of instructional technology, principal, and assistant superintendent, specializing in building positive school culture. She has taught graduate courses for Illinois’ first alternative certification program at Governor State University focusing on the history in education and foundations in education. After successfully defending her dissertation A Case Study of Student, Teacher, Parent and Administrator Perceptions of Cyberbullying at a Public Elementary School in the USA, Sonya earned her doctorate from Roosevelt University in 2012.
Sonya attended Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Principal Center to complete course work and action research in Closing the Achievement Gap and The Art of Leadership. She has experience in auditing/evaluating curriculum for alignment with standards, preparing for IAR state assessment, evidence-based instructional practices, professional learning communities, strategic planning for school improvement, mentoring programs, evaluation, and PERA implementation. Sonya joined the West40 team in July 2021.
MIKE CZERNIAWSKI
School Improvement Specialist
MIKE CZERNIAWSKI
School Improvement Specialist
All students deserve a great education. To make that happen, Mike works with educational leaders to enhance district and school transformation efforts. He specializes in helping educators focus on the changes to leadership, instruction, professional learning networks, and climate and culture that propel student growth and reduce inequities. He guides leaders in using systems, structures, strategies, and practices that make implementation come alive and truly advance the success of schools.
Since 2000, he has had the opportunity to successfully support school improvement efforts in districts across the country. In that time, almost every single school and district he has worked with has made gains in student achievement and educator effectiveness. He helps foster that growth through coaching and professional learning for administrators, teachers, and parents and community members. In addition, he is a reading specialist and former secondary teacher of English and Spanish.
All students deserve a great education. To make that happen, Mike works with educational leaders to enhance district and school transformation efforts. He specializes in helping educators focus on the changes to leadership, instruction, professional learning networks, and climate and culture that propel student growth and reduce inequities. He guides leaders in using systems, structures, strategies, and practices that make implementation come alive and truly advance the success of schools.
Since 2000, he has had the opportunity to successfully support school improvement efforts in districts across the country. In that time, almost every single school and district he has worked with has made gains in student achievement and educator effectiveness. He helps foster that growth through coaching and professional learning for administrators, teachers, and parents and community members. In addition, he is a reading specialist and former secondary teacher of English and Spanish.
JULIE MORRIS
Professional Learning Specialist
JULIE MORRIS, ED.D.
Professional Learning Specialist, Executive Coach
Prior to joining West40, Julie served as superintendent of an Illinois Pre-K to 12 school district for 15 years, where she transformed the educational vision, climate, and culture through strategic planning, involving internal and external stakeholders. She specializes in systems development, policy and governance, organizational management, community relations, and human resources development. Social and emotional development is at the core of Julie's work. She led her school district through the ongoing work of developing racial equity and inclusion for all students and by the end of her tenure, the district had closed the graduation rate racial achievement gap while increasing the overall graduation rate by 10 percentage points.
Before becoming superintendent, Julie served as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, high school building level administrator, and vocational child care and food service teacher. Julie is a registered executive coach, has taught master- and doctoral-level classes in educational leadership, provided training around a culture of inclusion and racial equity, and has mentored at least 10 of her administrators as they earned their doctoral degrees in education leadership.
Prior to joining West40, Julie served as superintendent of an Illinois Pre-K to 12 school district for 15 years, where she transformed the educational vision, climate, and culture through strategic planning, involving internal and external stakeholders. She specializes in systems development, policy and governance, organizational management, community relations, and human resources development. Social and emotional development is at the core of Julie's work. She led her school district through the ongoing work of developing racial equity and inclusion for all students and by the end of her tenure, the district had closed the graduation rate racial achievement gap while increasing the overall graduation rate by 10 percentage points.
Before becoming superintendent, Julie served as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, high school building level administrator, and vocational child care and food service teacher. Julie is a registered executive coach, has taught master- and doctoral-level classes in educational leadership, provided training around a culture of inclusion and racial equity, and has mentored at least 10 of her administrators as they earned their doctoral degrees in education leadership.
VIVIAN PALICKI
Professional Learning Specialist
VIVIAN PALICKI
Professional Learning Specialist
Vivian Palicki has statewide experience as an Educational and Health and Well-Being Liaison and Advocate for children and youth in Illinois's child welfare system. Vivian's strength is in early childhood education and Birth to 3 Preventative Initiative programs serving at-risk families.
Vivian has worked in various sectors, including for-profit, non-profit, and government agencies. Vivian holds a master's degree in Human Services Management and Leadership and is an Early Childhood Education doctoral student with a focus on advocacy.
Vivian Palicki has statewide experience as an Educational and Health and Well-Being Liaison and Advocate for children and youth in Illinois's child welfare system. Vivian's strength is in early childhood education and Birth to 3 Preventative Initiative programs serving at-risk families.
Vivian has worked in various sectors, including for-profit, non-profit, and government agencies. Vivian holds a master's degree in Human Services Management and Leadership and is an Early Childhood Education doctoral student with a focus on advocacy.
JOAN GLOTZBACH
School Improvement Consultant
JOAN GLOTZBACH
School Improvement Consultant
Joan Glotzbach serves as an Educational Consultant retiring after 40 years in education. She retired as DuPage Assistant Regional Superintendent of Schools. She filled many roles in her career including music teacher, counselor, principal (at a middle school/high school alternative education campus and at a middle school), assistant superintendent of human resources, and assistant superintendent of leadership development. Glotzbach holds master’s degrees in Counseling Psychology and in Educational Administration, as well as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification.
At the DuPage Regional Office of Education, Glotzbach oversaw the areas of alternative student services grants and programming and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) STOP (Students Teachers Officers Preventing) School Violence Prevention and Mental Health Training Program grant. She facilitated the professional student service networks of counselors, school nurses, deans/assistant principals/school resource officers, and social workers. She served on county-wide boards/committees: Prevention Leadership Team (prevent substance use and increase mental health), FORWARD (Finding Opportunities to Reach Wellness for All Residents of DuPage), DuPage Early Childhood Collaborative, Juvenile Justice Trauma Sub-committee. Currently, she coaches principals and school leadership teams, presents on trauma awareness and social-emotional best practices, and collaborates with professional learning teams.
Joan Glotzbach serves as an Educational Consultant retiring after 40 years in education. She retired as DuPage Assistant Regional Superintendent of Schools. She filled many roles in her career including music teacher, counselor, principal (at a middle school/high school alternative education campus and at a middle school), assistant superintendent of human resources, and assistant superintendent of leadership development. Glotzbach holds master’s degrees in Counseling Psychology and in Educational Administration, as well as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification.
At the DuPage Regional Office of Education, Glotzbach oversaw the areas of alternative student services grants and programming and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) STOP (Students Teachers Officers Preventing) School Violence Prevention and Mental Health Training Program grant. She facilitated the professional student service networks of counselors, school nurses, deans/assistant principals/school resource officers, and social workers. She served on county-wide boards/committees: Prevention Leadership Team (prevent substance use and increase mental health), FORWARD (Finding Opportunities to Reach Wellness for All Residents of DuPage), DuPage Early Childhood Collaborative, Juvenile Justice Trauma Sub-committee. Currently, she coaches principals and school leadership teams, presents on trauma awareness and social-emotional best practices, and collaborates with professional learning teams.
DEMIAN LAPOINTE
Professional Learning Specialist
DEMIAN LAPOINTE
Professional Learning Specialist
Demian LaPointe is a passionate educator who has worked for close to 30 years, serving public schools as either a special education teacher, reading specialist, special education school and district administrator, as well as MTSS school and district administrator. Demian is dedicated to educating the Whole Child, focusing on the emotional and social health of youth to enhance the academic and emotional capacity. He is dedicated to teaching others in the educational systems strategies to navigate the evolving needs of our vulnerable learners as well as themselves.
Demian works closely with schools to implement Trauma-Informed Practices and supports administrators in understanding the dynamics of Compassion Satisfaction & Fatigue. Lastly, Demian facilitates regular Co-Teaching workshops as well as virtual Paraprofessional 101 trainings each month. He is married to his high school sweetheart and they live with their two beautiful teenage children in the Chicagoland area.
Demian LaPointe is a passionate educator who has worked for close to 30 years, serving public schools as either a special education teacher, reading specialist, special education school and district administrator, as well as MTSS school and district administrator. Demian is dedicated to educating the Whole Child, focusing on the emotional and social health of youth to enhance the academic and emotional capacity. He is dedicated to teaching others in the educational systems strategies to navigate the evolving needs of our vulnerable learners as well as themselves.
Demian works closely with schools to implement Trauma-Informed Practices and supports administrators in understanding the dynamics of Compassion Satisfaction & Fatigue. Lastly, Demian facilitates regular Co-Teaching workshops as well as virtual Paraprofessional 101 trainings each month. He is married to his high school sweetheart and they live with their two beautiful teenage children in the Chicagoland area.
KARLA CHAVEZ
Professional Learning Coordinator
KARLA CHAVEZ
Professional Learning Coordinator
Karla is the perfect embodiment of the West40 mission and is willing to go out of her way to support the West40 districts and staff in any way possible. She has many valuable skills and attributes that she brings to the team.
Karla motivates the team and keeps them focused on their mission to empower educators and staff on their journey to be the very best they can be for the students they serve. She supports the team so they can continue providing amazing work to all districts in the West Cook region. If you need help finding a network, need resources, or have any questions, feel free to send Karla an email and she'll point you in the right direction.
Karla is the perfect embodiment of the West40 mission and is willing to go out of her way to support the West40 districts and staff in any way possible. She has many valuable skills and attributes that she brings to the team.
Karla motivates the team and keeps them focused on their mission to empower educators and staff on their journey to be the very best they can be for the students they serve. She supports the team so they can continue providing amazing work to all districts in the West Cook region. If you need help finding a network, need resources, or have any questions, feel free to send Karla an email and she'll point you in the right direction.
HOLLY MCCARTHY
Education Environment Specialist and Behavior Analyst
HOLLY MCCARTHY
Education Environment Specialist and Behavior Analyst
Holly is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who’s worked in schools for over 15 years. She’ll partner with you to apply practical strategies that keep students at the forefront while maintaining team unity.
Holly is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who’s worked in schools for over 15 years. She’ll partner with you to apply practical strategies that keep students at the forefront while maintaining team unity.
LAURA LINDSEY
Assistive Technology and Curriculum Adaptation Specialist
LAURA LINDSEY
Assistive Technology and Curriculum Adaptation Specialist
Laura graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in special education for the deaf and hard of hearing. She has been in education in a variety of different roles: itinerant, co-taught, self-contained, mentor, cooperating teacher, and coach. She has taught preschool through transition-aged children. Laura completed her Masters LBS 1 and 2 in Special Education with a focus on curriculum adaptation, multiple disabilities, and assistive technology, and she also graduated from Aurora University with a Masters degree in Educational Leadership along with a Director of Special Education endorsement.
Laura currently supports districts in a range of capacities. Each district is supported with their current individual needs (i.e. sign language resources, curriculum adaptation, transition, supporting students with multiple needs, supporting students with hearing loss, assistive technology, behavior management, etc.) Laura enjoys directly working with students, teachers, and districts to problem-solve situations as they arise. Each role Laura encounters continues her drive and passion for helping each child reach their full potential.
Laura graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in special education for the deaf and hard of hearing. She has been in education in a variety of different roles: itinerant, co-taught, self-contained, mentor, cooperating teacher, and coach. She has taught preschool through transition-aged children. Laura completed her Masters LBS 1 and 2 in Special Education with a focus on curriculum adaptation, multiple disabilities, and assistive technology, and she also graduated from Aurora University with a Masters degree in Educational Leadership along with a Director of Special Education endorsement.
Laura currently supports districts in a range of capacities. Each district is supported with their current individual needs (i.e. sign language resources, curriculum adaptation, transition, supporting students with multiple needs, supporting students with hearing loss, assistive technology, behavior management, etc.) Laura enjoys directly working with students, teachers, and districts to problem-solve situations as they arise. Each role Laura encounters continues her drive and passion for helping each child reach their full potential.
ANGELA GONZALES
Innovation Coordinator
ANGELA GONZALES
Innovation Coordinator
Prior to joining West40, Angela spent nearly seven years as a 5th grade teacher at Berwyn South School District 100 and was an Instructional Coach in Berwyn South School District 100 and Pennoyer School District 79. She also taught Spanish at Ogden Elementary School in 2015 after graduating from DePaul University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Teaching. In 2017, Angela earned her master’s degree in Education from Dominican University, specializing in Technology and English as a Second Language.
Angela applies her coaching skills at West40 by focusing on kindergarten through 8th grade with an emphasis on intentional integration of instructional technology to transform teaching and learning. Her experience in long-term and strategic planning—and many other areas—are a great asset to the team.
Prior to joining West40, Angela spent nearly seven years as a 5th grade teacher at Berwyn South School District 100 and was an Instructional Coach in Berwyn South School District 100 and Pennoyer School District 79. She also taught Spanish at Ogden Elementary School in 2015 after graduating from DePaul University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Teaching. In 2017, Angela earned her master’s degree in Education from Dominican University, specializing in Technology and English as a Second Language.
Angela applies her coaching skills at West40 by focusing on kindergarten through 8th grade with an emphasis on intentional integration of instructional technology to transform teaching and learning. Her experience in long-term and strategic planning—and many other areas—are a great asset to the team.
JUSTIN GONZALEZ
Innovation Specialist
JUSTIN GONZALEZ
Innovation Specialist
Prior to joining West40, Justin spent eight years at Berwyn South School District 100 as a classroom teacher, instructional coach and administrator in an Apple Distinguished School. In 2017, Justin, along with a small team of innovative educators, co-authored the book, NOW Classrooms, Grades 3-5: Lessons for Enhancing Teaching and Learning Through Technology. In 2018, Justin earned his master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. In 2019, Justin became an Apple Distinguished Educator being recognized as an educator that uses Apple technology to transform teaching and learning. Justin applies these coaching skills at West40 by supporting executive and instructional innovation within the organization and our surrounding districts.
Prior to joining West40, Justin spent eight years at Berwyn South School District 100 as a classroom teacher, instructional coach and administrator in an Apple Distinguished School. In 2017, Justin, along with a small team of innovative educators, co-authored the book, NOW Classrooms, Grades 3-5: Lessons for Enhancing Teaching and Learning Through Technology. In 2018, Justin earned his master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. In 2019, Justin became an Apple Distinguished Educator being recognized as an educator that uses Apple technology to transform teaching and learning. Justin applies these coaching skills at West40 by supporting executive and instructional innovation within the organization and our surrounding districts.
BEN DITKOWSKY
Data Scientist
BEN DITKOWSKY
Data Scientist
Ben specializes in using data to improve teaching and learning. He believes proper use and analysis of data can equip educators with better and well-informed decisions that affect student learning.
Ben specializes in using data to improve teaching and learning. He believes proper use and analysis of data can equip educators with better and well-informed decisions that affect student learning.
Be Empowered
Assessments
Trainings
Networks
