Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Upper School Faculty, 2010‐11
Mrs. Susan Baliles, Theatre and Communications Teacher
Mrs. Baliles will be teaching Theatre and Winterim electives, as well as creating an after‐school Drama Club for the Upper
School. She received her B.S. in Theatre and Speech Education from Northwestern University. During the last 20 years,
while a stay‐at‐home mom, she has home educated her children, taught drama classes, been a Youth Leader,
participated in church drama ministries, and contributed to many CHA theatre productions. She likes to spend her free
time with family, making cards, caring for horses, and designing homes. She is thrilled to assist the Lord in equipping
young people to be confident, winsome and effective ambassadors for Christ!
Mr. William Carrera, Band & Orchestra Director
Mr. Carrera served as a music teacher with the Chicago Public School System for 34 years as well as Walther Lutheran
High School and Midwestern Christian Academy. His various positions have included teaching instruments, directing
bands and choirs, and teaching piano lab. During his career in the public school system, he directed many first place
bands in city and state competitions as well as coached award‐winning soloists and ensembles. Mr. Carrera received a
Bachelor of Music Education from Northwestern University. William, and his wife Lillian, are parents of six children.
Mr. Ken Chung, Math, Physics and Chemistry Teacher
In addition to teaching Algebra, Pre‐Calculus/Trigonometry, Physics, and Chemistry to the Upper School students, Mr.
Chung will also serve as the advisor to the after‐school Rocketry Club. Prior to his time at CHA, Mr. Chung worked at
Roberto Clemente High School in Chicago, where he taught Mathematics and Technology courses. Mr. Chung holds a
Masters of Arts in Teaching from Trinity International University and a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics from
University of Illinois at Chicago. Mr. Chung is certified to teach Secondary School (grades 6‐12) and holds endorsements
in Mathematics, Language Arts, Social Studies, Physical Science and General Science.
Mrs. Brooke Collins, Art Electives Teacher
Mrs. Collins has a degree from Westmont College in Art and Political Science and a K‐12 Art Teaching Certification from
North Park University. After creating and installing window displays in stores throughout Europe and America, Mrs.
Collins moved to Chicago to be a graphic designer for a European clothing company. After starting a family, she created
her own business and has continued with graphic design as well as fabric and packaging design. Her love for the arts is
apparent in everything she does and she is looking forward to sharing this love with Upper School students at CHA. Mrs.
Collins enjoys volunteering at Willow Creek Community Church ‐ North Shore by providing weekly curriculum and craft
th
planning and coordinating for K‐5 grades.
Mr. Jeff Cook, Athletic Director, Physical Education Teacher
Mr. Cook, a certified personal trainer, will help students develop a personal fitness program designed to meet their
physical needs (goal‐ or sport‐specific). During his tenure at CHA, the school has won 17 Association of Christian School
International (ACSI) championships. He has also served as an Athletic Advisory board member for ACSI. Mr. Cook earned
a B.S. in Physical Education from Grace College and a M.S. in Physical Education from Eastern Michigan University. Mr.
Cook and his wife are parents of two CHA alumni.
Mrs. Sarah DelPrete, History Teacher & Curriculum Development
In addition to teaching history to Upper School students, Mrs. DelPrete will also be assisting in developing the four‐year
curriculum for the Upper School. She is completing her Master’s degree in American History from Loyola University in
Chicago. Before beginning graduate school, Mrs. DelPrete taught for a total of five years at a public and a private school.
For three years she was a History teacher at Wheaton Academy, where she helped start the Advanced Placement
program in the History department, teaching both AP United States and Modern European History. She also taught both
English and History for two years at Zion‐Benton Township High School in Zion, IL. Mrs. DelPrete is grateful to be a part
of God’s plan to impact young lives through CHA’s Upper School.
Mr. Damon Frahler, Spanish and Technology Teacher
In his role as Instructional Technology Coach, Mr. Frahler facilitates technology implementation in PreK‐12th grade
classrooms at CHA. Since technology is one of the distinctions of the Upper School, he spends much of his time working
th th
with the 9 ‐12 grade students & teachers, assisting with the various technology that is part of their academic
experience. Additionally, Mr. Frahler teaches Spanish at the Upper School. Prior to serving at CHA, Mr. Frahler taught
Middle and High school Math at Wesleyan School in Georgia. Mr. Frahler holds a BA degree from Wheaton College in
Theological Studies.
CHRISTIAN HERITAGE ACADEMY
Upper School Faculty, 2010‐11
Mr. Adam Johnson, Bible Teacher and Biblical Integration
th th
In addition to teaching Bible to 9 and 10 graders, Mr. Johnson will also assist in the integration of a biblical worldview
throughout the Upper School curriculum. Mr. Johnson has a BA in philosophy from Biola University, an MA in New
Testament from Talbot Seminary, an M.Div. from Princeton Seminary, and completes his PhD in Theology from Trinity
Evangelical Divinity School this Fall. He has been teaching Bible, theology and classics of western civilization for the last
seven years. When he's not in a library or the classroom, he wrestles with his two sons, makes rope swings, goes
camping, plays basketball and builds bows and arrows.
Mrs. Carolyn Kohl, Spanish Teacher
In addition to teaching Spanish to students in grades 7, 8, 9, and 10, Mrs. Kohl will also assist Upper School Physical
Education classes, and coach the Upper School Girls’ Volleyball team. Prior to joining the Upper School faculty, Mrs. Kohl
taught intermediate bilingual education within District 15 in Palatine. Mrs. Kohl holds a Bachelors of Arts from
Washington University, with a Major in Spanish and a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Rockford College. Mrs. Kohl and
her husband serve weekly in the Care Center food pantry with Willow Creek Community Church. She also serves as a
Peer Ministry Coordinator in the high school ministry at St. Anne Catholic Church in Barrington.
Mrs. Pam Magary, Art Electives Teacher
th
Mrs. Magary taught Digital Photography class to the 9 graders during the Upper School’s inaugural year, and will
continue to serve as mentor to the Upper School students. Mrs. Magary has led the art program at Christian Heritage
Academy since the school opened in 1984. Prior to coming to Christian Heritage Academy, Mrs. Magary developed the
art program and curriculum at Middleton Christian School in Middleton, Wisconsin. Mrs. Magary studied elementary
education at Ft. Wayne Bible College and has participated in classes and workshops at the Chicago Art Institute, as well
as Trinity International University. Mrs. Magary and her husband, Dennis, have three children, all CHA alumni.
Mrs. Ramona Mihulet, Math Teacher
Mrs. Mihulet has taught Mathematics at both Roosevelt and Taft High School in Chicago. Mrs. Mihulet was recognized as
a Golden Apple Scholar and has fostered a love for teaching that began as a small child. She has also been a Sunday
School teacher for the past 15 years. Mrs. Mihulet holds a Bachelors of Arts from DePaul University, with a Major in
Secondary Mathematics and endorsements in Mathematics, Language Arts, and Social Sciences.
Mrs. Barb Mikolajczyk, Vocal Music Program Director
Mrs. Mikolajczyk will be leading an after‐school Girls Chorus for the Upper School. Barbara has a Bachelor of Music
Education from Dominican University and a Masters in Music with an emphasis in Musical Theatre from Northern Illinois
University. For 30 years Mrs. Mikolajczyk or Mrs. “Mike” as her students have affectionately addressed her, has had the
pleasure to work with various high school age groups—everything from "Up With People" to European Touring
performance groups. She worked at Wheaton Academy for many years leading their choir program. “I am blessed to
have this opportunity and pray I can bring my years of experience in ministry to build a music ministry team here at CHA.
My desire is to encourage the students to use their gifts for GOD'S GLORY ALONE. It is amazing what God can do when
we just let Him.”
Mrs. Becky Sandahl, 9th grade English Teacher, 6th grade Language Arts Teacher
Mrs. Sandahl earned a BA in Elementary Education from Wheaton College in 2003 after completing her student teaching
at Vienna International School in Austria. She taught seventh grade history for two years in Maple Park and sixth grade
language arts and social studies for three years in St. Louis. Mrs. Sandahl is looking forward to the opportunity to teach
her classes within a Christian environment and with a biblical worldview: After spending five years teaching in public
schools, I was increasingly frustrated with the inability to share God’s love with my students. I am very excited to be
joining the CHA community where I can work with students to openly integrate our faith with the learning of the
language arts.”
Mrs. Adelaide Yoo, 7th, 8th, and 10th grade Language Arts Teacher
Mrs. Yoo, in her second year at CHA, is serving in both the Middle and Upper School as a Language Arts teacher. She
th th th
teaches 10 grade World Literature, and Language Arts Exploratory for 7 and 8 grade students. She holds a Masters
of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, as well as a B.S. in English and Secondary Education, from the University of
Illinois, Urbana‐Champaign. Mrs. Yoo was a member of the adjunct faculty at the College of Lake County, teaching
English as a second language to young adults. Prior to joining the CHA faculty, she has served as a curriculum designer
for The Hadley School for the Blind in Winnetka and was a missionary teacher at Dakar Academy, in Senegal, West Africa,
working with children from Kindergarten through 12th grade. At the high school level, Mrs. Yoo has taught English,
Creative Writing, and Literature Composition in Rantoul, Illinois.