Lisa Acton
MTSS/504 Coordinator

Although new to Uni, I have spent nearly two decades working with students from kindergarten through college in a variety of roles, including classroom teacher, interventionist, administrator, and student support services. In my role at Uni, I focus on Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and Section 504, working collaboratively with students, families, and faculty to identify and remove barriers to learning. I believe every student deserves the opportunity to access their education and find success in ways that are meaningful to them

DoMonique Arnold
Library/Computer Science and Digital Media

I joined the University High School Library in August 2016. I have truly loved being a part of this community for so long, as I love handing books to teenagers and scheduling awesome library programming. When I’m not in the library or parenting, you can find me reading or dancing, most likely.

Rachel Banke
Social Studies

I am a specialist on eighteenth-century British governance, political economy, and the origins of the American Revolution who teaches courses in global history, revolutions, and political theory. Much of my collaborative work involves bridging the gap between scholarly research and the classroom by developing primary source sets and other historian-reviewed resources for K–12 teachers.

Yuan Bian
Attendance

Luke Bronowski
Physical Education and Health

I teach PE and coach varsity boys and girls tennis. I have a B.S. in Health and Wellness and an M.S. in Sports Management, and I am pursuing a second M.S. in Applied Physiology & Kinesiology with an emphasis in Sports Psychology and Human Performance. I am credentialed as a personal trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Emily Buhnerkempe
Math

I teach mathematics at Uni. I was a 2024-2026 American Statistics Association Section on Statistics and Data Science High School Teaching Fellow. My lab mission includes working with pre-service teachers, collaborating with statistics faculty at U. of I., and engaging students in outreach activities.

Jim Carrubba
Science

I have an AB from Harvard and an MS and PhD from the University of Illinois, all in physics. I have worked to make difficult topics—including Relativity paradoxes, normal modes, thermodynamic efficiency calculations, macroscopic quantum phenomena, among others—accessible to high school students.

Al Craig
Physical Education and Health

Kristi Deedrick
Student Services Office

I am the school counselor for students with last names beginning with A-K. I meet with student to discuss social-emotional concerns, college/career goals, and academic planning. I love connecting students to resources on campus and in the community to explore their interests and understand the wide range of resources available to us within this community.

Sheree Denham
Main Office

Christopher Dodd
Mathematics

Phillip Ernstmeyer
English

I currently focus on developing ungrading pedagogies for the high school classroom and teach Language and Literature III, African American Literature, Hero’s Journey, Short Story, and Nonfiction Writing. I also collaborate with the College of Education’s field placement program for teachers-in-training.

Lisa Evans
Fine Arts

In addition to teaching visual arts, I serve as Coordinator of Lab Mission and Professional Development, supporting faculty-led inquiry and experimentation. I developed Uni Design Lab, a summer enrichment program, and frequently collaborate with the University of Illinois Siebel Center for Design to integrate human-centered design into the curriculum.

Chris “Fing” Guyotte
Fine Arts

I am passionate about theatre and including everyone who has an interest. Theatre offers students an opportunity to raise confidence levels both performing in front of an audience or working on technical or logistical problems behind the scenes. While a few students may go on to study theatre, most will develop a sense of community and personal growth.

Amy Han
Student Services Office

I have spent two decades serving children and adolescents in a clinical capacity. My role involves helping students and cheerleading them toward their goals. In a collaborative spirit, I am a part of the multidisciplinary team to support students and families. My favorite part of working at Uni is seeing students redefine success and find personal satisfaction in their growth.

Rachael Brewer Kamps
Physical Education and Health

I have been at Uni since 2018. I am interested in social emotional learning, leadership training for high school athletes, and educating students on eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image. Part of my lab mission work is collaborating with the department of Recreation, Sport, and Tourism at U. of I. to run the program IC-ChangeS.

Thomas Kiesel
Computer Science and Digital Media

I teach computer science and manage the makerspace at Uni. When teachers want to include making or crafting in their lessons or students have something they want to create for a course or a personal project, I get to help them out! My lab mission involves microelectronics curriculum development in my work with University of Illinois and Purdue University.

Paul Kotheimer
Library

Brian Lauthen
World Languages

Ben Leff
Social Studies

I graduated from Uni High and earned a BA and MA in history from Brown University. I returned to Uni in 2012, and currently teach US History and two social studies electives. I also lead Uni’s annual student service trip to Clarksdale, Mississippi, have published two academic articles, and have created curricular materials for the American Archive of Public Broadcasting.

Cheryl Lehman
Student Services Office

Carol Lombardi
Computer Science and Digital Media

I teach journalism, yearbook, computer literacy 1 and computer literacy 2 in addition to coordinating overall communications at Uni and serving as Executive Teacher for the Computer Science and Digital Media department. I am particularly interested in digital storytelling and news literacy.

Lynda Lopez
World Languages

I teach all 4 levels of French and am the current department head for World & Classical Languages. I sponsor French club and lead student trips to France. I partner my students with outside French language opportunities such as an exchange with Lycée Charlemagne in France, and childrens’ stories with the French Dual Language program at Yankee Ridge Elementary School.

Elizabeth Majerus
English

I’ve taught middle school Language Arts in Los Angeles and undergraduate English at the University of Illinois. As a Uni High English teacher, I teach Creative Writing, Nonfiction Writing, Poetry, the Nineteenth-Century Novel, Social Justice, and Reading and Writing for Discovery. My lab mission work focuses on writing as a process and approaches to AI-free writing instruction.

Lisa Micele
Student Services Office

I bring calm, clarity, and heart to college planning, grounded in over 30 years of professional experience. I engage regularly with college campuses and stay current on the evolving admissions landscape to provide up-to-date guidance. Through joyful programming and media appearances, I demystify admissions and help families focus on what’s within their control, prioritizing values- driven work beyond names and rankings.

Christian Millan-Hernandez
Science

Martha Mills
Office staff

I am an advocate for our queer students. I assist with the applications and admissions process; I organize graduation, parent/guardian-teacher conferences, and school registration; I complete all the state reports that are required to keep our school in compliance; I am an administrator of our student information system; I assist the Assistant Director, and I have a candy drawer.

Matthew Mitchell
English

I have been teaching English at Uni High since 2004. In addition to Language and Literature 2, I lead a variety of discussion-based junior-senior seminars, including the Twentieth-Century Novel, the Coming-of-Age Novel, History as Fiction, and Queer Literature. I also supervise the Writing Center, serve as sponsor of the Mock Trial team, and administer the annual Chang/Kolodziej writing competition.

Richard Murphy
Fine Arts

It is my great pleasure to serve as the music teacher at Uni High! I teach/sponsor a wide range of musical activities that occur within the school, and I am involved in a broad array of musical connections that involve Uni musicians in local, U. of I. campus, and state-wide activities.

Valerie O’Brien
English

As Coordinator of Equity and Public Engagement, I organize school events (e.g., cultural heritage month programming) and manage student-support resources, including our tutoring program and Uni Pathbreakers. I also collaborate with campus and community partners for outreach activities. My classes, which include Freshman English, Sci-Fi, The Short Story, and Nonfiction Writing, feature diverse literature, creative assignments, and alternative assessment practices.

Kathy Rodems
English

My classes focus on reading and the writing process. I teach literature from a variety of authors that represent a range of experiences and emotions. We read, write, peer review, and revise throughout all formal writing projects. My current lab mission incorporates these same goals of teaching diverse literature, developing alternative assessments, grade inflation, and public engagement.

Beth Runkel
Math

My lab mission is to provide spaces for teachers to collaborate around teaching and learning math. I serve as a cooperating teacher for preservice teachers and have facilitated math teaching workshops both locally and regionally. I am a founding member of the Central Illinois Math Teacher Circle which brings math teachers in the area together to collaborate around best practices.

Alexandra Schneeberger
World Languages

I teach German levels 1-4 here at Uni. My Bachelor’s degree in Germanic Languages and Literatures focused on translation, while my Master’s centered on femininity in propaganda and allowed me to instruct courses at U. of I. After two years teaching English in Austria on a Fulbright Grant, I am happy to be back on campus sharing what I’ve learned!

Melissa Schoeplein
Social Studies

I graduated from Uni in 1994 and I teach Introduction to Social Studies, Contemporary Issues in Politics, Government, and Society, and Senior Project. I coordinate the Uni High Oral History Project – a 25-year partnership with WILL/Illinois Public Media. I have a B.A. in History from the University of California-Berkeley, a master’s from Brown University, and a master’s from the Harvard Kennedy School.

Kaila Simpson
Math

I have a Bachelors of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Illinois. I’ve worked as a teaching associate at Uni since 2020. I am also the scholastic bowl coach at Uni High. I am currently focusing on human-centered design, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and outreach in my lab mission.

Cynthia Smyser
Science

I teach introduction to biology, biology II, anatomy and physiology, and scientific research methodology. My other responsibilities include sophomore class sponsor, ExploraVision coach, subbie cross country coach, PTSA team member and treasurer, and BioMed club sponsor

Juan Soccarras
World Languages

Hikaru Takeyama
World Languages

I am a Japanese language educator who designs hands-on learning experiences introducing Japanese language and culture. I value sharing the appeal of Japan and the joy of engaging with other cultures. I previously spent six years developing and leading Japanese cultural day camps in New York and continue creating cultural experiences for students and the community.

Mindy Tidrick
Science

Andrew Wilson
Social Studies