Fran Middleton-Interim Director
Spectrum's teaching and administrative staff includes education specialists with expertise in learning and child development as well as specialists in foreign language, visual and performing arts. Our teachers recognize every child learns in a different way and strive to nurture potential in each student. Currently 100% of Spectrum's teaching staff have their bachelor's degree and 25% have completed or are finishing their master's degree.
Teachers and Staff
Beth Baxter - Upper Elementary
"It is better to build a child than to fix an adult." - Unknown
B.S. Elementary Education - Western Illinois University
IL Teacher Certification K-9, Certified Dyslexia Specialist
Beth is a Spectrum Alumnus who attended Spectrum as a student from 1973 to 1979. She has taught at Spectrum since 1994, taking time off when her children were small. Her two daughters, Chloe and Brenna, attended Spectrum as well. Beth, her husband Rob and children live in Roscoe, IL. She is certified in the Barton Reading and Spelling System and is a member of the Northern Illinois Reading Council. She has attended the Illinois Gifted Conference and the Google for Education conference. She has taken continuing education courses in Math Their Way, Lindamood-Bell LiPS program, High Scope, and Investigations Math program.
"It is better to build a child than to fix an adult." - Unknown
B.S. Elementary Education - Western Illinois University
IL Teacher Certification K-9, Certified Dyslexia Specialist
Beth is a Spectrum Alumnus who attended Spectrum as a student from 1973 to 1979. She has taught at Spectrum since 1994, taking time off when her children were small. Her two daughters, Chloe and Brenna, attended Spectrum as well. Beth, her husband Rob and children live in Roscoe, IL. She is certified in the Barton Reading and Spelling System and is a member of the Northern Illinois Reading Council. She has attended the Illinois Gifted Conference and the Google for Education conference. She has taken continuing education courses in Math Their Way, Lindamood-Bell LiPS program, High Scope, and Investigations Math program.
Alexia Chikos- French Specialist
"Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things"- Flora Lewis, American Journalist at the New York Times
B.A. History-University of Paris-Creteil,France
Alexia has worked at Berlitz in Chicago as a French instructor for children and adults. At Spectrum, Alexia teachers her native tongue to students from Pre-Elementary to Middle School, using different approaches such as TPR ( Total Physical Repsonse)
"Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things"- Flora Lewis, American Journalist at the New York Times
B.A. History-University of Paris-Creteil,France
Alexia has worked at Berlitz in Chicago as a French instructor for children and adults. At Spectrum, Alexia teachers her native tongue to students from Pre-Elementary to Middle School, using different approaches such as TPR ( Total Physical Repsonse)
Tammie Ciciura - Early Elementary
"It is amazing how many hints and guides and intuitions for living come to the sensitive person who has ears to hear what his body is saying." Rollo May
B.S. Special Education - Bradley University
Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor (200 hours)
Tammie loves working at Spectrum where the learning environment is warm, joyous, and student centered. Tammie taught in various special education settings before coming to Spectrum in 2009. In her free time she practices, studies and teaches yoga. She believes we all have a lot to learn from our bodies and this belief drives her teaching. Her focus is to teach students to find a balance between core strength and flexibility in their bodies and, similarly, in their minds, thus unlocking their ultimate creative potential.
"It is amazing how many hints and guides and intuitions for living come to the sensitive person who has ears to hear what his body is saying." Rollo May
B.S. Special Education - Bradley University
Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor (200 hours)
Tammie loves working at Spectrum where the learning environment is warm, joyous, and student centered. Tammie taught in various special education settings before coming to Spectrum in 2009. In her free time she practices, studies and teaches yoga. She believes we all have a lot to learn from our bodies and this belief drives her teaching. Her focus is to teach students to find a balance between core strength and flexibility in their bodies and, similarly, in their minds, thus unlocking their ultimate creative potential.
Renee Corcoran - Middle School
"Those who don't jump will never fly." Leena Ahmad Almashat
B.S. Elementary Education - Northern Illinois University
IL Teacher Certification K-9
Renee began her teaching career at Spectrum School upon graduating from NIU. After four years of teaching, Renee took time off to start her own family, returning to teaching at Spectrum in the Upper School once her three daughters were all enrolled. Renee strongly believes in Spectrum’s approach in developing the gifts of all children, and truly enjoys the dynamics of teaching Upper School students. When not teaching, she enjoys watching her daughters participate in competitive swimming and musicals along with spending time with her friends and family.
"Those who don't jump will never fly." Leena Ahmad Almashat
B.S. Elementary Education - Northern Illinois University
IL Teacher Certification K-9
Renee began her teaching career at Spectrum School upon graduating from NIU. After four years of teaching, Renee took time off to start her own family, returning to teaching at Spectrum in the Upper School once her three daughters were all enrolled. Renee strongly believes in Spectrum’s approach in developing the gifts of all children, and truly enjoys the dynamics of teaching Upper School students. When not teaching, she enjoys watching her daughters participate in competitive swimming and musicals along with spending time with her friends and family.
Shannon Fitzgerald- Middle School
“It’s where we go, and what we do when we get there, that tells us who we are.” Joyce Carol Oates
B.A. Education
Illinois Teaching Certification K-9
Shannon has been a teacher at Spectrum since 2001; taking a year hiatus last school year. She really enjoys working with Middle School-aged students and cannot see herself in any other environment. The staff and families are amazing to work with and help to create a stimulating environment. She has a passion for math and enjoys the daily challenges the students provide. When Shannon is not at school, she really enjoys spending time with her family.
“It’s where we go, and what we do when we get there, that tells us who we are.” Joyce Carol Oates
B.A. Education
Illinois Teaching Certification K-9
Shannon has been a teacher at Spectrum since 2001; taking a year hiatus last school year. She really enjoys working with Middle School-aged students and cannot see herself in any other environment. The staff and families are amazing to work with and help to create a stimulating environment. She has a passion for math and enjoys the daily challenges the students provide. When Shannon is not at school, she really enjoys spending time with her family.
Shelley Forss - Compass
"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple." Dr.Seuss
BS Health Education - Illinois State University
Shelley has over 10 years of experience in the early childhood field. She enjoys spending time with her family, mountain biking, and gardening.
"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple." Dr.Seuss
BS Health Education - Illinois State University
Shelley has over 10 years of experience in the early childhood field. She enjoys spending time with her family, mountain biking, and gardening.
Kelli Greenfield - Intermediate Elementary
"Sometimes extraordinary things happen in ordinary places. The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs by Betty Birney.
B.S. Elementary Education – Millikin University
M.S. Curriculum and Instruction – National Lewis University
Kelli began her career in Beloit, WI teaching Early Childhood in the fall of 2000. She spent the next 11 years teaching 4th and 5th grades. In 2012, she was thrilled to join the teaching team at Spectrum. Kelli enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and two daughters, Avenlea and Lorien who attend Spectrum. She loves to read and has a passion for teaching math.
"Sometimes extraordinary things happen in ordinary places. The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs by Betty Birney.
B.S. Elementary Education – Millikin University
M.S. Curriculum and Instruction – National Lewis University
Kelli began her career in Beloit, WI teaching Early Childhood in the fall of 2000. She spent the next 11 years teaching 4th and 5th grades. In 2012, she was thrilled to join the teaching team at Spectrum. Kelli enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and two daughters, Avenlea and Lorien who attend Spectrum. She loves to read and has a passion for teaching math.
Marci Hallgren - Director of Finance
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning how to dance in the rain."- Unknown
Marci has been with Spectrum since 1999. She welcomes the variety of daily tasks, while constantly being challenged and gaining more knowledge on the operational side of maintaining a school. Her son Nathan attended Spectrum School and is a 2012 graduate of Marquette University. On her time away from school she enjoys cooking, gardening and going to the dog park with her "other child".
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning how to dance in the rain."- Unknown
Marci has been with Spectrum since 1999. She welcomes the variety of daily tasks, while constantly being challenged and gaining more knowledge on the operational side of maintaining a school. Her son Nathan attended Spectrum School and is a 2012 graduate of Marquette University. On her time away from school she enjoys cooking, gardening and going to the dog park with her "other child".
Stephanie Koclanis - Director of Admissions and Outreach
"The only person you should try to be better than, is the person you were yesterday"
B.S. Psychology- University of Iowa
M.S. Child Development- The Erikson Institute
Stephanie has worked with young children in the public, private, healthcare and social work settings since 1993. Stephanie has worked at Spectrum since 2008 where she sees her grad school professors' maxim of 'it depends' come to life; one size does not fit all. She relishes the everyday creativity, inquisitiveness, and problem solving skills of the children she comes in contact with. Before joining the Administrative team Stephanie taught in the Pre-Elementary classroom for 5 years. When not at school she enjoys spending time with her husband, her daughter (who attended Spectrum) and her friends.
"The only person you should try to be better than, is the person you were yesterday"
B.S. Psychology- University of Iowa
M.S. Child Development- The Erikson Institute
Stephanie has worked with young children in the public, private, healthcare and social work settings since 1993. Stephanie has worked at Spectrum since 2008 where she sees her grad school professors' maxim of 'it depends' come to life; one size does not fit all. She relishes the everyday creativity, inquisitiveness, and problem solving skills of the children she comes in contact with. Before joining the Administrative team Stephanie taught in the Pre-Elementary classroom for 5 years. When not at school she enjoys spending time with her husband, her daughter (who attended Spectrum) and her friends.
Jacque Lind - Early Elementary
"Every child is a treasure box. As teachers, our job is to find the key to unlock the box." Anonymous
B.A. Psychology and Elementary Education - Clark College
Reading Instruction certification
Jacque began teaching at Spectrum in 1975, took a four year absence to start her own family, but returned when her own children, Tom and Annie began their school career at Spectrum. She has taught Preschool through Upper Elementary. Tom, married, and a Landscape Architect for Brusseau Design in Hoffman Estates. Annie is a 3rd grade teacher at Jackson Elementary school in Rockford. Both spent their elementary years at Spectrum. She feels very fortunate to have both children living in Rockford.
"Every child is a treasure box. As teachers, our job is to find the key to unlock the box." Anonymous
B.A. Psychology and Elementary Education - Clark College
Reading Instruction certification
Jacque began teaching at Spectrum in 1975, took a four year absence to start her own family, but returned when her own children, Tom and Annie began their school career at Spectrum. She has taught Preschool through Upper Elementary. Tom, married, and a Landscape Architect for Brusseau Design in Hoffman Estates. Annie is a 3rd grade teacher at Jackson Elementary school in Rockford. Both spent their elementary years at Spectrum. She feels very fortunate to have both children living in Rockford.
Tricia Magers-Preschool
B.A. Psychology/Child Development- Depaul University
Pursing MAT- Northern Illinois University
B.A. Psychology/Child Development- Depaul University
Pursing MAT- Northern Illinois University
Sue Puetz - Music Specialist
"For those who do not love, music drives away hate. Music gives peace to the restless and comforts the sorrowful. They who no longer know where to turn find new ways, and those who have despaired gain new confidence and love." Pablo Casals
B.A. Music Education - Trinity International University
IL Teachers Certification Type 10 Music
Sue began teaching at Spectrum in 2007 and enjoys encouraging students to grow musically and inspiring them to create and improvise their own songs. Sue teaches piano privately and loves performing the clarinet. See Sue perform in The Windswept Quintet, a wind ensemble she founded and manages.
"For those who do not love, music drives away hate. Music gives peace to the restless and comforts the sorrowful. They who no longer know where to turn find new ways, and those who have despaired gain new confidence and love." Pablo Casals
B.A. Music Education - Trinity International University
IL Teachers Certification Type 10 Music
Sue began teaching at Spectrum in 2007 and enjoys encouraging students to grow musically and inspiring them to create and improvise their own songs. Sue teaches piano privately and loves performing the clarinet. See Sue perform in The Windswept Quintet, a wind ensemble she founded and manages.
Paige Rauh-Part-Time Curriculum Coordinator
B.A. Psychology, Wheaton College
Masters of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.), Rockford University
Illinois Teachers License K-9
Paige began her formal teaching career in the Rockford Public School District. She then went on to split her time between staying home with her three kids and teaching developmental reading at Rock Valley College. She is a lifelong learner and often experiences the world with more questions than answers. Along with her questioning spirit, she has a deep respect for academic excellence, a commitment to interdisciplinary study, commitment to understanding development, and to the process of inquiry. Her foundational question as an educator, has always been, “Why am I doing what I am doing?”
She has three kids that attend Spectrum. She is grateful for the ways in which the Spectrum philosophy encourages them to experience the world, create their own questions and seek their own answers. Being a part of the Spectrum community has afforded her children an opportunity to be thinkers, adventurers, and to develop agency and to question the world in which they live in a developmentally appropriate way. She is grateful that her family can be a part of this special learning community.
B.A. Psychology, Wheaton College
Masters of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.), Rockford University
Illinois Teachers License K-9
Paige began her formal teaching career in the Rockford Public School District. She then went on to split her time between staying home with her three kids and teaching developmental reading at Rock Valley College. She is a lifelong learner and often experiences the world with more questions than answers. Along with her questioning spirit, she has a deep respect for academic excellence, a commitment to interdisciplinary study, commitment to understanding development, and to the process of inquiry. Her foundational question as an educator, has always been, “Why am I doing what I am doing?”
She has three kids that attend Spectrum. She is grateful for the ways in which the Spectrum philosophy encourages them to experience the world, create their own questions and seek their own answers. Being a part of the Spectrum community has afforded her children an opportunity to be thinkers, adventurers, and to develop agency and to question the world in which they live in a developmentally appropriate way. She is grateful that her family can be a part of this special learning community.
Karyn Schwitters, LCSW-Preschool
The world is mud luscious and puddle wonderful." EE Cummings
The world is mud luscious and puddle wonderful." EE Cummings
- “When you are kind to others, it not only changes you, it changes the world.” – Harold Kushner
- B.S. Biology and Psychology- Northland College
M.S.W. University of Illinois
Glendia Strandin - Drama Specialist and Compass Coordinator
"All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players, They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts" Shakespeare
Certified Festival and Events Executive - Purdue University
Western Illinois University, Theatre
As a professional actress, Glendia has performed around the Rockford area at various theatres, including New American Theatre, Clock Tower Dinner Theatre, Wagon Wheel Dinner Theatre and Rock Valley College Starlight and Studio theatres. She has directed for Pec Playhouse in Pecatonica and done local commercial and voice over work. Glendia started teaching at Spectrum in 2007 and enjoys sharing her love of performing with her students. She realizes they are not all going to be Broadway stars but knows the arts have been proven to enhance other subjects in a child's educational journey. She also enjoys using her event planning skills as the Compass Coordinator. Glendia and her husband, John, have two children. Savannah and Cameron who went to Spectrum Progressive through middle school.
"All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players, They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts" Shakespeare
Certified Festival and Events Executive - Purdue University
Western Illinois University, Theatre
As a professional actress, Glendia has performed around the Rockford area at various theatres, including New American Theatre, Clock Tower Dinner Theatre, Wagon Wheel Dinner Theatre and Rock Valley College Starlight and Studio theatres. She has directed for Pec Playhouse in Pecatonica and done local commercial and voice over work. Glendia started teaching at Spectrum in 2007 and enjoys sharing her love of performing with her students. She realizes they are not all going to be Broadway stars but knows the arts have been proven to enhance other subjects in a child's educational journey. She also enjoys using her event planning skills as the Compass Coordinator. Glendia and her husband, John, have two children. Savannah and Cameron who went to Spectrum Progressive through middle school.
Sally Wonder - Intermediate Elementary
"Every Student can learn, just not on the same day, or in the same way".-George Evans
B.S. Elementary Education - Northern Illinois University
M.S. Teaching and Leadership - St. Xavier University
IL Teacher Certification K-9
Sally began teaching at Spectrum in 1987 and her experience here has included working in multi-age classrooms from Pre-Elementary to Middle Elementary. Sally and husband Jim enjoy traveling with their daughter Emily (a Spectrum Alum) and camping in their Volkswagen van throughout the United States.
"Every Student can learn, just not on the same day, or in the same way".-George Evans
B.S. Elementary Education - Northern Illinois University
M.S. Teaching and Leadership - St. Xavier University
IL Teacher Certification K-9
Sally began teaching at Spectrum in 1987 and her experience here has included working in multi-age classrooms from Pre-Elementary to Middle Elementary. Sally and husband Jim enjoy traveling with their daughter Emily (a Spectrum Alum) and camping in their Volkswagen van throughout the United States.
