Get to know the individuals that make Peterson Elementary great!
Zulema Sanchez - 7th Grade Science Teacher - 2016 - Chicago, IL - zsanchez5@cps.edu
Audubon Elementary
Lane Tech High School
Indiana Institute of Technology
Northeastern Illinois University
I started teaching as soon as I graduated and I was at the right place and right time and was able to interview at Peterson. It's all history from there!
"I love that Peterson has a good representation of the diversity in Chicago. Both staff and students are highly diverse."
I love spending time with my family and trying new cuisine throughout the wonderful city of Chicago.
Allison Lewis - 7th Grade Diverse Learner Teacher - 2023 - Brooklyn, NY - alewis132@cps.edu
P.S. 217 Colonel David Marcus School - Elementary School
M.S. 51 William Alexander - Middle School
Urban Academy Laboratory - High School
Knox College - Bachelor or Arts
University of Illinois Chicago - Master of Special Education
I grew up in Brooklyn, NY and have always been a city girl. Before becoming a teacher, I worked in the non-profit and social work world. In 2021 I decided to go back to school to become a teacher. I am very excited to be part of this incredible community.
The community's diversity is incredible and is such a strength for the school.
I love to go on long bike rides all around the city!
Melissa Bárcenas - 7th Grade English Language Teacher - 2024 - Chicago, IL - mbarcenas3@cps.edu
Charles Darwin Elementary School
Carl Schurz High School
Northeastern Illinois University- Bachelor of Arts in Education
College of Education- English as a Second language and Bilingual Education Endorsement.
Previously taught Spanish as a foreign language, English as a second language and History to both middle and high school students. I love teaching and working in multicultural environments. As a former ELL student I had teachers that motivated me to learn English and believe in myself which is why I was inspired to become an educator. I am excited to be a part of a school like Peterson Elementary that celebrates diversity and believes that all students can reach their full potential.
During my free time I love to spend time with my children, dog, turtle and sun conure.
Steve Reaven - 7th Grade Social Science Teacher - sreaven@cps.edu - 2024
Paige DeSilva - 7th Grade Math Teacher - 2025 - Arlington Heights, IL - pldesilva@cps.edu
Edgar Allen Poe Elementary
Cooper Middle School
Buffalo Grove High School
Abilene Christian University
Concordia University of Texas
After High School, I wanted to go to college in a warm climate. I attended Abilene Christian University, a small college in West Texas. After graduating college in 2013, I moved to Austin, Texas where I started my teaching career in Special Education and eventually transitioned to math. My daughter was born in 2021, and my husband and I decided we wanted to be near family again. After 13 years in Texas, we moved back to Chicago, and we currently live in Uptown with our daughter and two dogs. This marks my tenth year of teaching.
The diversity of the students is what I love about Peterson!
I love to READ, watch movies, exercise, and ride my bike.