Mr. Wiegel
Mr. Wiegel is one of our veteran sharks and is part of the 4th grade team.
Mr. Wiegel shares that his favorite part about being in education is making a difference in kids’ lives and showing that learning can be fun. When he thinks about his own school experience, he shares that his favorite teacher was his middle school art teacher. He gave Mr. Wiegel the courage to always try harder. If he could choose one teacher’s class to enroll in for a day, he would choose Ms. Bolin.
Mr. Wiegel wants our Sharks to know the older you get, the faster life goes. Enjoy what you have now while you can. His wish for the 2023-24 school year is to get all my students ready for a successful 5th grade year.
Fun Facts:
Years in education: 15
Birthday: 6/10
Family: He has 4 children in district 45.
Favorite school subject: Art
Favorite school memory: Running for student council and winning in 4th grade.
Favorite color: Polka Dot
Favorite pet: Dog
Favorite hobby: Take care of my family
Favorite drink: Coke
Favorite food/restaurant: Hibachi
Favorite sports team: White Sox
Favorite music: Classic rock
Favorite place visited: North Carolina
Dream vacation: Hiding in the mountains off the grid
Surprising fact: He is a district 45 lifer and attended Schafer as a kid.
Hidden talent: He can roll his R’s.
Favorite quote: What happens in room 31 stays in room 31
Alyssa Ochenkowski
Mrs. Ochenkowski is one of our newest sharks joining the 4th grade team!
Mrs. Ochenkowski shares that her favorite part about being in education is building relationships with my students. When she thinks about her own school experience, she shares that her favorite teacher was her 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Eggart. She made everyday FUN!
Mrs. Ochenkowski wants our Sharks to know to be kind to yourself! Her wish for the 2023-24 school year is to create a classroom where all of my students feel safe and confident!
Fun Facts:
Years in education: 4
Birthday: 2/21
Family: She is married to her husband Tim and they have a 1 year old son, Evan, and a dog named Walter.
Favorite school subject: Science
Favorite color: Blue
Favorite pet: Dogs!
Favorite hobby: She enjoys spending time with her family and going to yoga classes.
Favorite drink: Coffee!
Favorite food/restaurant: Cheese! Favorite restaurant is Pierce in Downers Grove.
Favorite sports team: Chicago Cubs
Favorite music: Taylor Swift
Favorite place visited: Maui, Hawaii
Dream vacation: Costa Rica
Zachary Hendry
Mr. Hendry is one of the newest sharks and is joining the 4th grade team!
Mr. Hendry shares that his favorite part about being in education is working with so many wonderful students! When he thinks about his own school experience, he shares that his favorite teacher was his third grade teacher, Mrs. Frerichs. She was so fun and engaging, she wore crazy and interesting outfits to match our learning topics, and she always took an interest in EVERY child. If he could choose one teacher’s class to enroll in for a day, he would love to enroll in the kindergarten classrooms. He loves enthusiasm and energy those teachers bring to the little ones who are experiencing school for the first time!
Mr. Hendry wants our Sharks to know to be yourself and you will be fine. His wish for the 2023-24 school year is to have his students learn something from him that they can apply later in life.
Fun Facts:
Years in education: 8
Birthday: January
Family: He has a beautiful wife of 8 years, 2 children, and an amazing pup.
Favorite school subject: Science
Favorite school memory: Having his whole 5th grade class dress up as him for teacher appreciation week!
Favorite color: Purple or Blue
Favorite pet: DOGS!
Favorite hobby: Collecting sports cards
Favorite drink: Monster Energy (Zero Sugar)
Favorite food/restaurant: Jimmy Johns!
Favorite sports team: Chicago Bears!
Favorite place visited: The Bahamas
Dream vacation: Anywhere that is tropical. Give him a beach and a chair and he is all set!
Hidden talents: He can juggle!
Favorite quote: Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions.
