| Department Chairs |
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Jon Calder
CTE
Department
815-467-2140, ext. 5030
jcalder@mchs.net |
Mr. Calder began his career with MCHS in 2019. Prior to teaching at MCHS Mr Calder worked at Yorkville HS for 9 years as a teacher, department chair, and Dean of Students. Mr. Calder brings over 15 years of experience in the restaurant industry to his career in education. He received his BS in Hotel, Restaurant Management from Northern Arizona University. He later graduated with a Masters in Teaching from Olivet Nazarene University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Aurora University. He currently lives in Oswego with his wife and dogs.
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Jeff Easthon
World Languages, Music & Art
Department
815-521-2324
jeasthon@mchs.net |
Mr. Easthon started at MCHS in 2008-2009 after spending the first three years of his career teaching Spanish at Benjamin Logan High School in Bellefontaine, Ohio. He has worked the last twelve years here at MCHS, the past four as Department Chair of World Languages, Music, and Art. Mr. Easthon received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio, and his Masters of Educational Leadership from the University of Dayton. Mr. Easthon lives in New Lenox with his wife and two children and also serves MCHS as the head girls basketball coach. You can follow Jeff on Twitter @JeffEasthon.
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Donna Engel
Science
Department
815-521-4388
dengel@mchs.net
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| Mrs. Engel began her career with MCHS in 1996 as a science teacher and National Honor Society Advisor. Prior to teaching at MCHS, she spent eight years teaching chemistry at East Aurora High School. In 2003, she became the Department Chair of Science. Mrs. Engel earned her Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Elmhurst College. She earned her Masters of Educational Leadership from Aurora University. She has been the NHS advisor for MCHS since 1996 and the Senior Class Advisor since 2001. Mrs. Engel is the proud mother of 4 MCHS alums. |
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| Dr. Steward began serving as English Department Chair in 2021 at Minooka Community High School. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity Christian College and two Masters degrees, one in Reading and the other in Curriculum and Instruction, from Concordia University. Before serving as Department Chair, JaRita was a Division Leader and Reading Teacher at Thornridge High School. Dr. Steward began her teaching career at Calvin Christian School, teaching U.S. History, Ancient Civilizations, and English. After which, she took on a role as first Reading Specialist and then Curriculum Director for General George S. Patton Elementary School. JaRita attained a doctorate in Educational Leadership from National Louis University with a dissertation on Raising Expectations; Utilizing Research-based Methods Linking Teacher Expectations and Student Achievement.
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Matt Williams
PE/Health/Drivers Education
Department
815-521-2338
mwilliams@mchs.net |
| Mr. Williams began his career at MCHS in 2019 as the Department Chair of Physical Education, Health, and Driver Education. Prior to teaching at MCHS, he was at Yorkville High School for 8 years, where he served as a department chair and coached football and basketball. Mr. Williams received his Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education at Northern Illinois University and later earned his Masters in Educational Leadership from American College of Education. He currently lives in Channahon with his wife and two boys. You can follow Matt on twitter @Indian_Coach. |
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Tracey Adams
Mathematics
Department
815-521-4053
tadams@mchs.net |
| Mrs. Adams began her teaching career at MCHS in 2008. After serving as a classroom teacher, in 2020, she became the Department Chair of Mathematics. Mrs. Adams received her Bachelor of Science degree from University of Iowa and later earned her Masters of Education Administration from Governors State University. She currently lives in Channahon with her husband and two (soon to be three) children. You can follow Tracey on Twitter @MrsTadamsMath. |
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| Mr. Shanahan started at MCHS in 2017 as a Special Education teacher. Before teaching at Minooka High School, Mr. Shanahan taught Special Education for three years at Peotone High School. He received a Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a focus in Special Education from Eastern Illinois University. He completed a Masters's Degree in Educational Leadership from Governors State University. Mr. Shanahan also coaches baseball at MCHS. He currently lives in Frankfort, Illinois with his wife and daughter. You can follow Matthew on Twitter @MrShanahanMCHS. |
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| Mr. Pendergast began his teaching career at MCHS in 2012 as a FMLA substitute teacher and was hired full time to teach social studies the following year. Following 8 years of teaching various history, government, and geography courses across all grade levels at Minooka Community High School, he became the Department Chair of Social Studies in 2020. Mr. Pendergast received his Bachelor's Degree in History Education from Illinois State University and his Masters Degree in History from Arizona State University. He is currently working on his Masters degree in Educational Leadership and Principal Preparation from the University of St. Francis. He currently resides in Channahon with his wife and two children. You can follow Mr. Pendergast and the whole MCHS Social Studies department on twitter @MCHS_SocStudies. |
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