Welcome our new principal Dr. Mary Beth Cunat. See the News section to find out more about her.
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.
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
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.
Shannon Fitzgerald- Middle School Math
“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".
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.
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.
