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Encompasses branches of learning (languages and the arts) that investigate human concerns and constructs. The Humanities Division includes:
+English
+Fine Arts
+Foreign Language
Dean of Humanities: Arlene Kallwitz
English Department
Classes
Freshman English-SL
Freshman Literature and Composition-SL
English I-H-SL
Themes in American Literature
Great American Writers
American Literature-H
Studies in British Literature
Great British Writers
British Literature-H
Multicultural Literature
Dramatic Literature and Criticism
World Literature-H
Advanced Placement English-HH
Journalism I-H
Journalism II-H
Yearbook Production
Speech
Faculty
Calandriello, Karen
Ms. Calandriello began teaching English at Guerin High School in 1980 and today teaches Great American Writers, Honors English I and Freshman Literature/Composition. She also serves on the school’s discipline board. She holds a B. A. from Loyola University. She recently completed a Holocaust Seminar at UIUC.
Giordano, Victor
Mr. Giordano teaches Great American Writers, Multicultural Literature, Freshman Literature/Composition and Honors American Literature. In addition he also moderates the yearbook committee. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in secondary education and English from DePaul University, Chicago. Mr. Giordano has prior teaching experience as a substitute teacher for District 84. He serves as a mentor for Youth Outreach Services and is a member of National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). He is pursuing a masters degree in School Counseling at Northeastern Illinois University.
Hannon, Tracy
Ms. Hannon's teaching career began at Mother Guerin. She was a student teacher in the English Department in the fall of 1999 and was hired full-time in the spring. Ms. Hannon received a B.A. in Teaching of English from the University of Illinois at Chicago. In December 2004, she graduated from Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, with a M.A. in Special Education. In addition to teaching Great British Writers, Ms. Hannon serves as director of the Barbara Welch Learning Enrichment Center, a position she has held since the center was opened in 2002. Ms. Haas is also a Dean of Technolgy.
Kallwitz, Arlene
In addition to her duties as Dean of Humanities, Ms. Kallwitz teaches Brit Lit Honors and Advanced Placement English. In her second career at Guerin College Prep High School, Ms. Kallwitz taught 35 years at Elmwood Park High School in Elmwood Park. There she taught Advanced Placement English and served many years as English Department Chairperson. She holds a B.A. degree from DePaul University, Chicago, a M.S. degree in Guidance and Counseling from Northern Illinois, DeKalb, Ill., and a type 75 Administration Certificate from Loyola University, Chicago.
Konrath, Nancy
Although this is Mrs. Konrath’s fourth year teaching at Guerin Prep, she has served Guerin for the previous seven years, first as the Director of Admissions and then as Director of Communications. She currently teaches Studies in British Literature, Journalism I and II, Journalism-H, and Speech. She received a M.A. in education from Northeastern University, Chicago. She also holds a B.A. in Communications from DePaul, Chicago. She worked in the corporate communications industry for a number of years prior to making a career change. Ms. Konrath is a member of National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and a volunteer at St. William Parish, Chicago. Ms. Konrath is also a member of the Illinois Association of Teachers of English and a ASNE Fellow, 2006 (American Society Newspaper Editors).
Mackie, Kristen (Theatre Arts)
Ms. Mackie, who joined the Guerin faculty in 1986, currently teaches Acting and Advanced Acting, Introduction to Theater, Dramatic Literature and Speech. In addition she teaches a grade-school drama class after school for fourth through eighth graders. Since coming to Guerin, each year Ms. Mackie has directed a fall play, a spring musical, a children’s show and coordinated student directed one-act plays.
Additionally, Ms. Mackie has been active in the Illinois Theatre Association, serving on the executive planning committee, as vice president and as chair of the secondary division. Guerin students have been chosen to perform at the Illinois High School Theatre Festival in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2002. In 2004, Ms. Mackie served as the director of the all-state theatre production of Ragtime. Ms. Mackie holds a B.S. in Speech and Theatre, earned an elementary teaching certificate from Northeastern Illinois University and has taken graduate courses at the University of Illinois-Chicago and Illinois State University.
Skowron, Marilyn
Ms. Skowron joined the Guerin Prep faculty in 2004 after 22 years as a faculty member at neighboring Holy Cross High School, the last 12 years as English Department Chairperson and Reading Specialist. Currently she teaches Themes in American Literature, Great American Writers, World Literature and Honors British Literature. She holds a B.A. in English from Mundelein College and a M.Ed. in Reading from Loyola University, Chicago. Before coming to Holy Cross she taught for 10 years at St. Edward School, Chicago. She holds membership in the Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development, International Reading Association and the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).
Szul, Gregory
In addition to teaching Freshman Literature/Composition and Great American Writers, Mr. Szul serves as yearbook moderator for the school. Prior to coming to Guerin, Mr. Szul also taught English and served as moderator of the yearbook and school newspaper at neighboring Holy Cross High School for 31years. He was the first recipient of the Teacher of the Year Award at Holy Cross in 2002. Szul holds both a B.A. and M.A. from Loyola University, Chicago. He has done post-graduate studies at Roosevelt University, Chicago. He is an honorary member of the Quill and Scroll Society.
Tesauro, Diana
Ms. Tesauro is beginning her 29th year teaching at Guerin High School. In addition to teaching Freshman English and Great British Writers. She holds a B.A. in English from Mundelein and education certification from the University of Illinois, Chicago. She recently completed an M.A. in Integrating Technology in the Classroom through Walden University. Ms. Tesauro began her teaching career at Misericordia – North, Chicago, and taught one year at St. Luke’s grade school in River Forest. Ms. Teasauro is also the Dean of Technology and was a founding co-director of the Barbara Welch Learning Enrichment Center in 2002.
Activities
The English Department offerings include survey courses in American, British, World and Multicultural Literature. All Guerin College Prep English courses stress critical reading, clear and competent writing and effective speech.
The English Department regularly sponsors field trips to Chicago area plays.
The English Department regularly enters writing contests such as the West Suburban Medical Group Writing Contest and the Chicago White Sox Fatherhood Essay Contest. Guerin Prep also participates in the Word Masters Contest, an academic challenge that meets four times a year.
The English Department annually gives an award for Excellence in the Field of English to an outstanding senior student.
Fine Arts Department
Classes
Theatre: Introduction to Theatre, Acting, Advanced Acting/Directing-H.
Music: Beginning Violin/Viola, Beginning Cello, String Ensemble-H, Beginning Band, Intermediate Band, Symphonic Band-H, Music Theory-H, Beginning Piano, Advanced Piano, Chorus I and II, Concert Choir-H.
Visual Arts: Art Fundamentals, Art Exploration-H, Drawing and Design, Painting and Mixed Media-SL, Photography I, Photography II, Ceramics I, Ceramics II, Advanced Placement Studio Art-HH, Commercial Art; 3-D Art.
Faculty
Hoyt, Jeanette
Ms. Hoyt has been teaching String Ensemble for six years at Guerin Prep. Her own high school music studies began at Interlochen Arts Academy where she studied viola and chamber music and continued through Indiana University at Bloomington, where she became interested in jazz and how string instruments could participate in improvising. After auditioning for the Chicago Civic Orchestra (training orchestra of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra) and being accepted as assistant principal violist, she stayed in Chicago and finished a bachelor of performance studies at Roosevelt University. Currently she plays classically with the Wheaton Summer Symphony and the Argento String Quartet. She also plays electric violin/viola with the Luna Salsa Band.
Mackie, Kristen (also listed under English)
Ms. Mackie, who joined the Guerin faculty in 1986, currently teaches Acting and Advanced Acting, Dramatic Literature and Criticism and Multicultural Studies. In addition she teaches a grade-school drama class after school for fourth through eighth graders. Since coming to Guerin, each year Ms. Mackie has directed a fall play, a spring musical, a children’s show and coordinated student directed one-act plays.
Additionally, Ms. Mackie has been active in the Illinois Theatre Association, serving on the executive planning committee, as vice president and as chair of the secondary division. Guerin students have been chosen to perform at the Illinois High School Theatre Festival in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2002. This year, Ms. Mackie is serving as the director of the all-state theatre production of Ragtime. Ms. Mackie holds a B.S. in Speech and Theatre, earned an elementary teaching certificate from Northeastern Illinois University and has taken graduate courses at the University of Illinois-Chicago and Illinois State University.
Martin, Christen
Christen Martin joined the Guerin Prep Fine Arts Department in 2005 as the ceramics teacher. A 2004 graduate of Dominican University, Ms. Martin was the art teacher at the Alcuin Montessori School in Oak Park before joining the Guerin Prep staff. She also serves as moderator of the Art Club and the Art Honor Society.
Springbrunn, John
Mr. Springbrunn directs the concert band program at Guerin Prep, which consists of beginning, intermediate and symphonic bands. He also teaches Music Theory for Honors students. In addition, he coordinates the jazz education program that meets after school and consists of two ensembles and an improvisation class. Mr. Springbrunn joined Guerin Prep after seven years as the band director at neighboring Holy Cross High School. He himself is a 1974 graduate of Holy Cross. Mr. Springbrunn holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Northeastern University and has done graduate study at Roosevelt University. He is currently a member of Phi Beta Mu, an international bandmaster’s fraternity. He also is active as a clinician and an adjudicator and has composed and arranged music.
Susin, Thomas
After 33 years on the faculty at neighboring Holy Cross High School, Mr. Susin joined the Guerin Prep staff in the fall of 2004 and is teaching Art Fundamentals, Drawing and Design, Painting and Mixed Media, Commercial Art and Advanced Placement Art. A 1965 alum of Holy Cross High School, Mr. Susin holds a B.A. in Fine Arts Education and a M.A. in Educational Administration and Supervision from Roosevelt University. He has put his own artistic ability at the service of the school, helping to create all the decorations for Guerin Prep’s first Homecoming dance, an activity he also was involved in while at Holy Cross. Mr. Susin has assorted commissions as a mural painter, mostly in private homes.
Zelm, Kathy
Ms. Zelm, who has been teaching at Guerin for 22 years, currently teaches Photo I and II. She holds a B.S. in Art Education from the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse, with additional graduate credits from schools in Colorado and New York. From the late ‘70s through the ‘80s, Ms Zelm worked in a professional photo lab and was a free-lance photographer working for an oil company in Denver, Colo. Her work includes photographs of workers in the oil fields in Montana, office workers in Denver and VIP parties. Her work was published in year-end Annual Reports to stockholders.
Activities
Also check out the Activities Tab on this Web site for more about Band, Chorus, Strings and Theater.
The Fine Arts Department within the Humanities Division includes the visual arts such as drawing, painting, ceramics, and photography; music which includes offerings in band, string ensemble, choir, piano, violin and music theory; and theater which includes courses in the study of theater and acting.
The department regularly sponsors field trips including outings to the Art Institute, plays and music performances. “At School Field Trips” have included the Raku workshop for Ceramics II.
Theatre Trips have included New York and Scotland. Drama students participate in the Illinois High School Theatre Festival. The music department sponsors both a touring choir and a liturgical choir. Additionally, the concert and jazz bands participate in contests and festivals, locally and across the country throughout the year.
Club activities within the Fine Arts Department include the Art Club, the National Art Honor Society, the International Thespian Society and the Tri-M (Music Society).
In the theatre area, Guerin Prep offers a Fall Play, a Spring Musical, a Children's Show and an evening of One Act Plays under student direction.
The art area hosts the Emerging Artist Invitational for 7th and 8th grade students and a Spring Student Art Show. The theatre area sponsors an After School Theatre Program for 4th - 8th grade students.
Recent improvements to the Fine Arts area have included a new computer lab utilizing Adobe Photoshop and Advanced Placement Art Studio. New enlargers are now available for Photography and two new potter's wheels for Ceramics. Guerin Prep has a fully equipped 1250-seat theatre
Foreign Language Department
Classes
French: French I and II-SL, French III-H, AP French IV-HH, French V-HH
Italian: Italian I and II-SL, Italian II-H-SL, Italian III-H, AP Italian IV-HH, Italian V-HH
Spanish: Spanish I and II-SL, Spanish II-H-SL, Spanish III-H, Spanish IV-HH, Spanish V-HH
ESL (English as a Second Language)
Faculty
Gillette, Sarah
French teacher. Started in the 2006-2007 school year.
Krock, Valerie
Muneton, Veronica
Torres, Blanca
Vignettes, Noemi
Noemi completed her student teaching at Guerin Prep during the 2005-2006 school year. She holds a B.A. in Spanish and secondary education from Dominican University, River Forest, with a minor in French. While at Dominican she participated in study abroad and spent a semester in Salamanca, Spain. She received the Madrid Chamber of Commerce Superior Certification in her sophmore year of college. She also earned a scholarship from the American Institute for Foreign Study. She teaches Spanish at Guerin Prep.
Thrush, Sonja
Sonja Thrush of Chicago joins the staff from Resurrection High School, Chicago, where she also taught Spanish. Prior to that she served at Triton College, River Grove, as the coordinator of adult literacy and the ESL Prep Program.
Thrush holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and speech from Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, where she graduated summa cum laude. She also has studied at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in Madrid, Spain.
Activities
The Foreign Language Department offers instruction in French, Italian and Spanish.
Each year, students from the three language areas present to the school information and activities during the languages' recognition weeks, such as National French Week in November and National Italian Week in October.
Each spring, the three national language honor societies hold inductions of new members during an evening ceremony.
The Italian students usually march in the Columbus Day parade. The Italian foreign language classes take several field trips to Italian operas. They also have produced a St. Joseph Day table.
The Spanish classes participate in a Poetry Declamation sponsored by the AATSP.
And an annual trip abroad rotates between Spain, Italy and France. Look below to see where Guerin Prep students traveled this past Easter break.
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