Christopher Christensen - 6th Grade English Language Teacher - Chicago, IL - cachristense1@cps.edu

I was born and raised on the south side of Chicago and attended the University of Illinois at Chicago.  My wife, Kimberly and I have been happily married for ten years, have a two-year-old son named Gunnar, and live in the Lincoln Square neighborhood on Chicago’s north side.

I chose teaching as a profession because I enjoy working with adolescents and young adults. Teaching allows me to make a valuable contribution to the community and positively impact the lives of my students.  In addition, I enjoy being a mentor to my middle school-age students, just as some of my better teachers were mentors to me. 

Over the last few years of my career, I’ve developed a good idea of what works and what doesn’t in regard to effective teaching.  I understand what it takes to retain the attention of the class, and how a good disposition and an understanding of the student mindset can make a difference.  For example, as a history teacher (a subject many students find boring), I have learned that the use of analogies and enthusiasm during class lectures, as well as the application of hands-on exercises, are strong tools in helping students understand and retain the information they learn every day in class.

Lanie Kafkis - 6th Grade Diverse Learner Specialist Teacher - 2021 - Wilmette, IL - lkafkis@cps.edu

Ramona Elementary School
High Crest Middle School
Wilmette Junior High School
New Trier Township High School
University of Missouri
Columbia College Chicago
University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)
National Louis University

I have always been an advocate for ensuring diverse learners have access to learning environments that meet their individual needs. What I drew me to Peterson was their belief in providing inclusive experiences as well as resource and interventions for students who required more support; all this with an understanding that when supports are provided students will be able to fade back into general education learning with more ease and more self-advocacy skills.

Something special about Peterson is that my grandfather actually went here! I love how close it is to the community and how the school is always looking for ways to support the families who attend this school.

I love to do yoga! I also love cleaning and organizing!