Morgan Park Academy Welcomes 6 New Teachers In 2020-2021

CHICAGO — Morgan Park Academy welcomed six new teachers who have joined the school community for the 2020-2021 school year. MPA is a coeducational, college preparatory, independent day school serving pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

Caris Cardona, Middle School Math

In nearly three decades as an educator, Mrs. Cardona has served as a math and science teacher, curriculum coach, school principal, university supervisor, and national STEM director. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Purdue University, Gifted Education Certification from Miami University, an M.A. in Education Administration from Roosevelt University, and an Administrative License from Loyola University Chicago. Her service in the field of mathematics includes work across the country such as a mayoral education task force, the United States National Commission on Mathematics Education, the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics, the National Council for Supervisors of Mathematics, and the National Association for Gifted Education.

Kirsten Dahl, Fifth Grade

Mrs. Dahl returned to the Chicago-area this year after many years teaching fifth grade in the Denver area and in San Jose, California. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Governors State University and has two grown daughters. She is very excited and honored to be at Morgan Park Academy and looks forward to the 2020-2021 school year.

Sarena Marwah-Blanke, Physical Education

Coach Marwah holds a B.S. in kinesiology from Michigan State University and completed the Physical Education licensure program at DePaul University. Most recently, she taught physical education and coached Middle School soccer and basketball at the British International School of Chicago and Francis W. Parker School. She also loves running and traveling.

Diane Nead, Upper School Math

Mrs. Nead is a relatively new resident of Illinois, moving to the Chicago area three years ago. She has undergraduate degrees in mathematics and French and a Master's degree in school mathematics from Iowa State University. She is happy to return to her passion of teaching high school students after recently teaching as an adjunct instructor at Lewis University and at North Central College and as a part-time Learning Center Instructor at Argonne National Laboratory. This summer, Mrs. Nead presented with two other professors of statistics at the Council for Undergraduate Research on a project-based statistics class she teaches at Lewis University. She will be teaching AP Calculus, precalculus, and honors geometry.

Kendall Okner, Fourth Grade

Ms. Okner (OAK-nerr) earned a B.S. in elementary education at Bradley University and a Master of Education degree at DePaul University before teaching for the past three years at the fifth grade level at another independent school in Chicago. A Chicagoland native, she focuses on creating a safe and fun learning environment for all types of learners.

Michael Villanueva, Upper School Science (Maternity Leave)

Mr. Villanueva holds a Master of Science degree in analytical chemistry and is currently finishing a second M.S. in computer science. He has spent several years in teaching and independent research at the college level. Beyond chemistry, he also works on 3D modeling and 3D printer design.