Normal West welcomed many new faces this school year in departments across the board. Below, we caught up with them to learn a little bit more about who they are, what they teach, and why they became a teacher!
Mrs. Jill Schenk
What is your position at Normal West: Assistant Principal
Why did you become a teacher? To support students to meet their goals and transition successfully when they leave West
What are your hobbies outside of school? Watching my son play various sports, exercising, working outdoors, and spending time with my family and friends
Dr. Francesc Borrull
What is your position at Normal West: Assistant Principal
Why did you become a teacher? I became a teacher because a teacher changed my life. I wanted to have that ‘power.’
What are your hobbies outside of school? I love running, reading, writing, music and movies.
Ms. Isoke Wilson-Pridgen
What is your position at Normal West: Assistant Principal
Why did you become a teacher? To help students, but I have always played school with my cousins and family. I think it was destined.
What are your hobbies outside of school? Cooking. I am a foodie. I love games and music-all types.
What is your favorite thing about West so far? My favorite thing is all the smiles, and I really enjoy my AP team. We go way back so it feels more like home with the 2 of them.
Mr. Myles Kerwin
What is your position at Normal West: LBS1 Teacher
Why did you become a teacher? I had a lot of positive influences from many of my teachers and coaches in high school and I wanted to have the same positive impact on students they had on me.
What are your hobbies outside of school?I’m currently one of the wrestling coaches. I also enjoy fishing and watching the Chicago Bears.
What is your favorite thing about West so far? My favorite thing about West is how friendly everyone is.
Ms. Sam Herchenbach
What is your position at Normal West: LBS1 Teacher –co-teaching Biology & Chemistry
Why did you become a teacher? I became a teacher because I wanted to make an impact on student’s lives and do what I can to educate others.
What are your hobbies outside of school? reading, cooking, yoga, and gardening.
What is your favorite thing about West so far? My favorite thing about West is how supportive everyone is and the amazing students that I get to see every day.
Ms. Jenny Kruse
What is your position at Normal West: LBS1 Teacher
Why did you become a teacher? I became a teacher to help students succeed.
What are your hobbies outside of school? My hobbies are hiking, cooking and tennis.
Mrs. Katy Klokkenga
What is your position at Normal West: Science Teacher
Why did you become a teacher? I absolutely LOVE science and I thought I could bring this excitement into the classroom. I always found science so intriguing because the more in depth you learn about a topic, the more it helps you to understand the world around you. Science is also a hands on subject and I enjoy watching students apply what they have learned.
What are your hobbies outside of school? Gardening, hiking, reading, listening to podcasts, and cooking.
What is a piece of advice that you would give a new teacher or someone going into teaching? Take it one day at a time. Remember to have a solid work/life balance and find joy in the simple things. Also, surround yourself with people who support and love you and push you to be a better person.
Mr. Daniel Thomas
What is your position at Normal West: Geometry, Algebra 1, and Pre-Algebra teacher.
Why did you become a teacher? I really struggled in school and even dropped out of high school because I had teachers who failed to meet my mental health needs. I want to do better for my students than was done for me.
What are your hobbies outside of school? I play Dungeons & Dragons with my future wife for fun!
What is your favorite thing about West? The willingness of any teacher to reach out a helping hand.
Mrs. Anna Underhill
What is your position at Normal West: English Teacher
Why did you become a teacher? enjoy learning and like the idea of teaching others.
What are your hobbies outside of school? Fishing and home improvement projects.
What is your favorite thing about West so far? the diversity.
Ms. Casey Winstead
What is your position at Normal West: Special Education / English
Why did you become a teacher? I became a teacher because I want all students to know they can learn and do great things in their lives.
What are your hobbies outside of school?My hobbies are reading, writing, and painting. I also love watching scary movies!
What is your favorite thing about West so far? My favorite thing about West is the teachers that I work with. They are all amazing!
Ms. Ashley Young
What is your position at Normal West: FACS
Why did you become a teacher? I love to do what I teach, I do those things every day in my personal life, and I wanted to share my passion and knowledge. I’ve always enjoyed working with kids of all ages and it just made sense to put the two together!
What are your hobbies outside of school? I spend my free time doing arts and crafts, remodeling my house, baking with my children, and spending time with my family.
If you were doing something other than teaching, what would it be? If I wasn’t teaching high school, I would maybe be teaching elementary school. If I wasn’t teaching at all, I would probably be doing something in the Food and Beverage/Hospitality world like running a catering company or event planning business.
Ms. Amy Reiman
What position/ department do you work in? I work in the English department.
Why did you become a teacher? I became an English teacher because I love being a part of students’ learning journey, especially with language plus literature.
What are your hobbies outside of school?Reading duh, crochet, dogs, Amateur birdwatching
What is your favorite thing about Normal West? The people here – students plus staff- are so welcoming and encouraging.
Ms. Jill Brody
What position/ department do you work in? I work in the social studies department
Why did you become a teacher? My grandma is actually a teacher and she inspired me to learn more about history and talk more with her, and then through that I realized that I actually do enjoy history, and I want to spread a love for history.
What are your hobbies outside of school? In my free time, I really like to watch reality TV. I’m a sucker for Vanderpump Rules, but I also like to cook and bake, and you know just make stuff.
What is your favorite thing about Normal West? My favorite thing about West is the community that everyone has. I feel like the students buy into it the teachers buy into it the admin buys into it, and it just creates a culture where everyone is able to speak their mind but also be respectful of everyone that is here at West
Ms. Angela Fassett
What position/ department do you work in? Art department – Drawing and Painting
Why did you become a teacher? I would say to me, Art’s therapy, and I feel like kids need a minute to breathe and relax. When I was student teaching I learned that I didn’t have much of an impact on those kids’ lives because I only had them for six weeks whereas I have these kids all year round.
If you had to pick a different subject to teach, what would it be? Home ec or cooking class.
What is your favorite thing about Normal West? I have enough prep time to make the lessons fun and enriching. I love the staff students, and my hours.
Mr. Justin Smith
What position/ department do you work in? English department.
Why did you become a teacher? I grew up around a lot of Educators, a couple of my aunts were Elementary School teachers, and it was always something that I was around and interested in.
What are your hobbies outside of school? Mostly sleeping, and now playing with a cat that likes to terrorize my home. I like to watch a lot of TV shows movies, and I’m getting back into reading.
What is your favorite thing about Normal West? My favorite thing about West is that it is a very inviting Community. I don’t feel like I have to pull teeth to ask for help, and everyone seems to have a very good understanding of what it means to be a wild cat in the best way possible.
