Staff Bios

Michelle Navarre, Head of School

Ms. Michelle Navarre, Head of School, is responsible for the supervision and evaluation of Polaris Charter Academy’s teachers and teaching assistants; she oversees the design of curriculum, manages school discipline, and collaborates with parents to help foster their children’s learning and development. After working in a museum and an art gallery in Chicago, she began her path to teaching through the alternative certification program of Teachers for Chicago (1999). Before founding Polaris Charter Academy with her colleagues Ms. Kwock and Mr. Vivit, Ms. Navarre taught fifth grade for seven years at Harold Washington Elementary School, a Chicago Public School on the city’s South Side. In 2003, she received National Board Certification as a middle childhood generalist, and she participated in the New Leaders for New Schools program, a national principal preparation program (2006 –2007). Ms. Navarre is a recipient of the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching (2005) and was a four-year Rochelle Lee Teacher Award recipient (2000 –2004). Serving as both a program participant and volunteer for over nine years, Ms. Navarre is actively involved with Boundless Readers (formerly Rochelle Lee Fund), a collaborative peer network and literacy organization for urban educators that promotes lifelong readers. Committed to fostering new educators, she has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in the School of Education at Roosevelt University. Graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from Columbia College Chicago, Ms. Navarre received two master’s degrees, one from Roosevelt University in Elementary Education and one from National Louis University in Administration and Supervision. Ms. Navarre has boundless love for her two children as well as her niece and two nephews. She is passionate about reading, woodworking, and Nina Simone, and she loves to sing along to musicals, especially Audrey Hepburn’s My Fair Lady.

Carol Clavadetscher, Director of Operations and Finance

Roel Vivit, Director of Academics

Mr. Roel Vivit, Director of Academics at Polaris Charter Academy, develops, articulates, and oversees the school’s curriculum, supervises and assesses the implementation of the instructional program, and facilitates collaboration among teachers. Prior to founding Polaris Charter Academy with his colleagues Ms. Kwock and Ms. Navarre, Mr. Vivit taught fourth and seventh grades for nine years in the Chicago Catholic Schools, serving at Children of Peace School as part of the Inner-City Teaching Corps (1998–2001) and at Francis Xavier Warde School (2001–2008). He was the Director of Academics for the Holy Family SchoolScholarship Fund (2002–2007) and was the Middle School Academic Coordinator for Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development (1999–2001). Currently a teacher consultant with theChicago Area Writing Project (CAWP), Mr. Vivit presents reading and writing workshops (since 2003) for teachers at Chicago Public and Catholic Schools, and he coordinates teacher inquiry groups that examine student work to help guide instruction and promote teacher reflection and collaboration. He received the Heart of the School “Rising Star” award (2001) given to emerging school leaders by the Archdiocese of Chicago, as well as the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching (2005). He earned both his Bachelor of Arts in English and his Master of Science in Elementary Education from Northwestern University. Mr. Vivit enjoys rollerblading and hiking, and he is exploring the world of dance by taking hip-hop and Bhangra dance classes.

Towanya Sandifer, Student Recruitment Coordinator

Lissette Sanchez, Bookkeeper

Robin Alexander, Office Manager

Ms. Robin Alexander is the Office Manager at Polaris Charter Academy, where she has ensured that the main office is functioning efficiently and effectively since 2007. With over 30 years experience as an administrative assistant and office manager, before she became a part of the Polaris family, Ms. Alexander worked for the Chicago Public School system as an office clerk at Thomas Chalmers Specialty School and Nikola Tesla Alternative High School (1995–2007). She is pursuing business management courses at Triton College. Ms. Alexander is a busy mother of three and grandmother of two, who are her pride and joy. In addition to enjoying time with her family, friends, and God, she is very active in her church, loves singing and bowling; Toni Morrison and Nikki Giovanni are two of her favorite writers.

Melissa Authement, 5th/6th Grade Teacher

Ms. Melissa Rose Authement is a fifth grade multi-age teacher at Polaris Charter Academy, joining the staff as a founding teacher in 2007. She came to Polaris with seven years of education experience.She taught second grade at Tom Bradley Environmental Science and Humanities Charter School in Los Angeles and second, third, and fourth grades at ThomasChalmers Specialty School on Chicago’s West Side. Ms. Authement has been awarded grants from DonorsChoose.Org (2006–2007 and 2007–2008), Aquademics(2004), the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (2007), and a Rochelle Lee Teacher Award(2008) given by Boundless Readers (formerly Rochelle Lee Fund). Ms. Authement completed her Bachelor of Arts in History at the University of Illinois, earned her teaching credentials for elementary education through an alternative certification program in California, and she received her Master of Arts in Linguistics/Teaching English as a Second Language from Northeastern Illinois University. Ms. Authement loves being a new mom. In addition to her strong passion to inspire learning, her interests include cooking and baking, camping and hiking, reading, yoga, language, and chocolate.

Fran Peck, 5th/6th Grade Teacher

Ms. Francesca Verdecchia-Peck joined Polaris Charter Academy in 2007 as a founding teacher, teaching kindergarten/first grade. Ms. Peck now teaches fifth grade. She came to Polaris with nine years of teaching experiences, ranging from primary grades to sixth grade. In 2000, she served as a sixth grade teacher in Steger, Illinois; from 2001–2003 she taught third grade in Dolton, Illinois; and from 2003–2007, Ms. Verdecchia taught second grade for Chicago Public Schools in the Hyde Park neighborhood. Through a partnership with the University of Chicago’s Urban School Improvement Network, she served as a Balanced Literacy demonstration teacher and has provided multiple professional development workshops for educators. She received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Northern Illinois University. She enjoys married life, and some of her favorite hobbies include cooking, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Jennifer Jacobson, 5th/6th Grade Teacher

Jennifer Jacobson joined Polaris this year as a 5th/6th grade teacher. Prior to Polaris, Ms. Jacobson taught at Frances Xavier Warde Schools for sixteen years in many capacities, including 4^th grade, 6^th grade, 7^th grade advanced pre-algebra and 8^thgrade algebra. She began her illustrious teaching career at Our Lady of Humility in Beach Park, IL, teaching 4th grade. Ms. Jacobson graduated with a B.A. from Mundelein College of Loyola University and am currently working on her Masters degree. When she isn’t leading her crew, Ms. Jacobson loves to travel throughout the United States, Europe, Japan, and recently hiked the three-day trek to Machu Picchu in Peru. During her free time at home in Chicago, she spends her time sailing on Lake Michigan, biking, hiking, oil painting (portraits and landscapes), and traveling.

Aubrey Smith, 5th/6th Grade Teacher

Aubrey Smith joined Polaris this year as a 5th/6th grade teacher. Ms. Smith moved to Chicago in 2006 and taught 5th and 6th grade Language Arts, Science and Social Studies on the West Side of Chicago. Prior to moving to Chicago, she taught K-12 music for a year in Boston. Ms. Smith attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, receiving a bachelors degree in Music Education. In 2005, she joined the Inner-City Teaching Corps and obtained a Masters of Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University in Evanston. Ms. Smith loves to sing and play guitar. She has used her musical talents as both a director of the Patriot’s Trail Girl Scout Choir in South Boston and as a member of a Chicago-area cover band! Growing up in Colorado, Ms. Smith has fostered a love of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, running and rafting.

Jenny Sime, 3rd/4th Grade Teacher

Ms. Jenny Sime is a third/fourth grade multi-age teacher at Polaris Charter Academy and is one of its founding teachers, joining the education team in 2007. She moved from Boston to Chicago in 2001 to participate in the Inner-City Teaching Corps, a two-year volunteer teaching program. She taught third grade at Our Lady of the Gardens in the Altgeld Gardens neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. While there, she helped implement a health and nutrition policy, created a school library, and coached soccer and softball teams. In 2006, Ms. Sime was the recipient of the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching and a Rochelle Lee Teacher Award (2008). Before teaching at Polaris, she would spend her summers in Massachusetts, where she served as the director of a summer day camp for kids. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Boston College and her Master of Science in Elementary Education from Northwestern University. Growing up near Boston, Ms. Sime is a born-and-bred Red Sox fan and makes it her lifelong goal to convert all her students to being Red Sox fans. Clearly an optimist, she plans to continue her baseball “conversions” at Polaris.

Molly Brady, 3rd/4th Grade Teacher

Ms. Molly Brady is a third/fourth grade multi-age teacher at Polaris Charter Academy, joining the staff in 2009. She came to Polaris with nine years of education experience. Her teaching career began in Maryland at Viers Mill Elementary School, where she taught third, fourth, and fifth grades. During her stay there, Viers Mill was awarded No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon and the Maryland State Blue Ribbon of Excellence. Ms. Brady later moved to Chicago, where she taught with Tracy Kwok, one of the founders of Polaris, at KIPP Ascend Charter school as both a sixth grade math and reading teacher. After working at KIPP, Ms. Brady taught a sixth grade class and a three/four split at National Teachers Academy. Ms. Brady completed her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Middle School with a concentration in Science at the University of Maryland. She also received her Masters at National Louis University in Interdisciplinary Studies in Curriculum and Instruction and National Board Certification. Whether she was working with children as a basketball coach, mentoring children in after school math and reading clubs, coaching Odyssey of the Mind, or raising over $50,000 for the Montgomery County Homeless Coalition, what Ms. Brady loves most is watching kids grow as learners and leaders. Personally, Ms. Brady loves yoga, cooking, visiting with her family and friends, and watching Maryland basketball. Go Terps!

Anne Oberdzinksi, 3rd/4th Grade Teacher

Ms. Anne Oberdzinski teaches third/fourth grade multi-age students at Polaris Charter Academy and is one of its founding teachers. Before joining Polaris in 2007, she taught third grade for three years at Bret Harte Elementary School in Chicago’s Hyde Park and second grade for three years in Houston, Texas, where she was honored with the Teacher of the Year award at Scroggins Elementary School in 2004. Ms. Oberdzinski has led professional development for teachers and mentored pre-service teachers through the University of Chicago. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English and Sociologyfrom the University of Colorado in Boulder. Upon graduating from college, she joined Teach for America, which brought her to Houston. While teaching in Houston, Ms. Oberdzinski earned her Master of Education from the University of St. Thomas. In 2007, she earned her National Board Certification as a middle childhood educator. Some of Ms. Oberdzinski’s hobbies include reading, running, hiking, skiing, and doing anything outdoors, particularly when she goes to visit her hometown of Denver, Colorado.

Mona Iehl, 1st/2nd Grade Teacher

Ms. Mona Iehl has taught first/ second grade multi-age students at Polaris Charter Academy since 2009.  Before joining Polaris, she taught first/ second grade at Hinton Elementary in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood.  Ms. Iehl holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Central Michigan University.  She has received the Boundless Readers Award in 2009.  Ms. Iehl also participated in the Chicago Area Writing Project’s Summer Institute in 2010.  She grew up in Michigan and enjoys spending time there with family and friends.  Some of Ms. Iehl’s hobbies include reading, pottery, dancing and boating.

Katie Golden, 1st/2nd Grade Teacher

Ms. Kathryn Golden is a first/second grade multi-age teacher at Polaris Charter Academy. Before joining Polaris’ education team in 2008, she participated in the Inner-City Teaching Corps, a two-year volunteer teaching program, and taught first grade for four years at Nativity B.V.M. on Chicago’s South Side and first grade for one year at St. Ann Catholic School in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. Ms. Golden served as a mentor teacher to first year teachers in the Archdiocese of Chicago. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and American Studies from Notre Dame University and a Master of Education from Northwestern University. Biking, cooking, swimming, and travel are some of Ms. Golden’s interests.

Nora Ryan, Kindergarten Teacher

Ms. Nora Ryan joined Polaris Charter Academy as a kindergarten teacher in 2010.  Prior to working at Polaris, she taught preschool at St. Michael School in South Chicago and kindergarten, as a founding teacher at the Academy for Global Citizenship.  Ms. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education and Master of Science in curriculum and instruction, both from Southern Illinois University.  In 2009 she received a Fund for Teachers fellowship which she used to travel to Peru to teach her students about South American culture.  In 2010 she received an Earthwatch Institute fellowship and traveled to Ecuador to study caterpillars and climate change.   Ms. Ryan was born and raised on Chicago’s south side and is proud to be a Bears fan. She is passionate about teaching children to love nature and reading.  Some of her hobbies include biking, gardening, skiing and traveling just about anywhere.

Susan Preston, Kindergarten Teacher

Ms. Susan Preston joined Polaris as a Kindergarten teacher in 2009. Prior to Polaris, she taught Kindergarten for three years at Our Lady of the Gardens in Altgeld Gardens.  Ms. Preston attended Boston College, earning undergraduate degrees in both Early Childhood Education and Human Development.  She received my Masters Degree from Northwestern University in Advanced Teaching. When she isn’t leading our youngest crew members, Ms. Preston enjoys traveling across Central America, Europe and all over the United States.  During her free time in Chicago, she enjoys playing volleyball on the beach, playing tennis and loves to run.  In 2007, she completed the Chicago Marathon! This Fall, Ms. Preston is beginning her second Masters in Reading from University of Illinois Chicago.

Beth Davoren, 1st/2nd Grade Teacher

Ms. Beth Davoren teaches first/second grade multi-age students at Polaris Charter Academy. Before becoming a teacher and joining the education team at Polaris in 2008, she was a social worker in Evanston (1996–2000). She went on to teach for Chicago Public Schools, teaching first and third grades at Sherman Elementary School for two years (2000–2002), then teaching first grade for three years (2002–2004) at Morse Tech Elementary School (in the building that now is home to Polaris Charter Academy). Ms. Davoren received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from University of Kansas, and she holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Loyola University in Chicago. She is passionate about teaching her students to read and creating lifelong readers. Ms. Davoren spends here time away from Polaris with her family; she also enjoys running, skiing, biking, and traveling to her favorite place in the world—northern Wisconsin.

Julia Shea, 1st/2nd Grade Teacher

Elizabeth Davis, 3rd/4th Grade Teacher

Georgette Verdin, Drama Teacher

David Hardin, Building Engineer

Meghan Princehorn, Social Worker

Ms. Meghan Princehorn serves as Polaris Charter Academy’s Social Worker. She counsels students, parents, and teachers, and leads student support groups to help facilitate their behavior, well-being, and positive education. Along with her Polaris colleague Sherie Escobar, she is also a coach for Girls on the Run, a running and character education program for girls at Polaris. Prior to joining the staff at Polaris in 2008, Ms. Princehorn worked with children for nearly a decade in a variety of roles, serving as mentor, classroom facilitator, camp counselor and director, residential counselor, and she interned asa school social worker in Oak Park. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Ms. Princehorn is currently pursuing her license in social work. She is an avid runner and is proud to have completed two marathons. Ms. Princehorn also enjoys camping, reading, collaging with magazines, and she is learning how to make glass mosaics.

Sherie Escobar, Special Education Teacher

Ms. Sherie Escobar has served as the Special Education teacher at Polaris Charter Academy since 2008. She is committed to helping ensure that all children get the support they need to be successful in the classroom and to love school. Prior to coming to Polaris, Ms. Escobar taught for five years at Frederic Chopin Elementary School in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood, where she served as a seventh and eighth grade resource teacher and case manager for one year and as an autism teacher for four years.  Along with her Polaris colleague Meghan Princehorn, she is a coach for Girls on the Run, a running and character education program for girls. Ms. Escobar is currently pursuing certification in the nationally accredited SLANT system, a multisensory structured language training program. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Northeastern Illinois University, a Master of Science in Elementary Education from Roosevelt University, and an endorsement in special education from the State of Illinois. In her free time, Ms. Escobar enjoys running, painting, hiking, camping, and watching movies with her family. Ms. Escobar claims the greatest number of family members at Polaris Charter Academy; three of her four children and two of her nieces attend Polaris, and her husband is a kindergarten teacher’s assistant.

Betsy DiPrima, Special Education Teacher

Tabita Escobar-Perez, Special Eduction Aide