Administration

District Leadership

District Administration

Dr. Robert Schiffbauer

Dr. Robert Schiffbauer

Superintendent
815-521-4311
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Dr. Schiffbauer joined the Minooka Community High School staff as the Superintendent in 2022. Prior to Minooka Community High School, Dr. Schiffbauer worked at Lincoln-Way Community High School for 19 years. At LWHS, Dr. Schiffbauer held many positions. He was a teacher, coach, dean, associate principal, Director of Personnel, and most recently Assistant Superintendent. Dr. Schiffbauer started his teaching career at Seneca Grade School in Seneca, Illinois as a sixth-grade teacher. Dr. Schiffbauer earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale also a Master of Educational Leadership from Olivet Nazarene University, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Francis. Dr. Schiffbauer resides in Minooka with his family. 

John Troy

John Troy

Assistant Superintendent of
Business and General Counsel
815-521-4294
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Mr. Troy started as Chief School Business Official (CSBO) of Minooka Community High School in 2015, and in 2016 became the Assistant Superintendent and General Counsel for the district.  Also, Mr. Troy served three years as CSBO of Mokena Elementary School District No. 159, in Mokena, IL.  Before serving as a CSBO, Mr. Troy practiced law privately and was an engineering manager at Underwriters Laboratories for 14 years. Mr. Troy has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois, a Master’s of Business Administration from DePaul University, and a Juris Doctorate from John Marshall Law School.

School Administration

Jamie Soliman

Jamie Soliman

Principal
815-467-2140, ext. 5067
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Mrs. Soliman began serving as Assistant Principal of South Campus in 2018. Mrs. Soliman earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern Illinois University and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Francis. Prior to coming to Minooka Community High School, Mrs. Soliman began her teaching career in 1999 at Plainfield Central High School. While in Plainfield, she taught mathematics and served as the Department Chair for Mathematics which evolved into the Division Chair for Mathematics and Science. In 2012, Mrs. Soliman joined the administration team as the Associate Principal for Curriculum and Instruction. Mrs. Soliman coached girls tennis, girls track, and was the yearbook advisor.

	Kristi Boe

Kristi Boe

Director of Human Resources
815-521-4359

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Mrs. Boe began her career in education in 2003.  She taught social studies for 10 years, served as a counselor for two, and most recently served as the Assistant Principal of Student Services in the Plainfield School District for seven years.  During her career as a teacher, Mrs. Boe coached volleyball, softball, and served as the senior class sponsor.  Mrs. Boe received her Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences from the University of Illinois in 2002. Immediately after graduation, she attended Eastern Illinois University and earned a master's degree in Science in School Counseling.  In 2009, Mrs. Boe received her master's degree in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Francis.  Mrs. Boe resides with her husband and four children in Shorewood. 

Phil Pakowski

Phil Pakowski

Director of Curriculum and Instruction
815-521-4384
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Dr. Pakowski began serving as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Minooka Community High School in 2022. He earned a bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from Northern Illinois University, a master's degree in Teaching from National Louis University, a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership, and a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership both from the University of St. Francis. Prior to serving in this role, Dr. Pakowski served as the Associate Principal for Curriculum and Instruction at Plainfield South High School. He resides in Aurora with his wife and two children.

Joseph V. Pacetti

Joseph V. Pacetti

Director of Student Services
815-467-2140, ext. 5035
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Mr. Pacetti began serving as the Director of Special Services at Minooka Community High School in 2014. Mr. Pacetti earned his Bachelor of Science degree and Masters of Educational Leadership from Illinois State University.  Prior to serving as the Director of Student Services, Mr. Pacetti served as the Assistant Director of Special Education in West Aurora. Mr. Pacetti was also an Administrator in the Wilmington School District and Oswego. He began his career as a Special Education teacher at Minooka Community High School in 1995.

Kevin Murphy

Kevin Murphy

South Campus
Assistant Principal
815-521-4150
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Mr. Murphy started at Minooka Community High School in 2005 as a teacher in the Social Studies department.  Mr. Murphy coached Boys Basketball at Minooka Community High School for 12 years.  In 2016, Mr. Murphy was named Dean of Students at Central Campus.  Mr. Murphy earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from North Central College and a Master of Educational Leadership from Olivet Nazarene University. Mr. Murphy lives in New Lenox with his wife and two children.

Matt Wikoff

Matt Wikoff

Central Campus
Assistant Principal
815-467-2140, ext. 5038
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Mr. Wikoff started at Minooka Community High School in 2008 as a Dean of Students and in 2009 was named Assistant Principal.  Prior to coming to Minooka Community High School, Mr. Wikoff taught and coached in the Plainfield School District for nine years.  Mr. Wikoff earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Aurora University and his Master of Educational Leadership from Governors State University.

Hillary Holden

Hillary Holden

Director of Student Activities
815-521-4152
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Hillary Holden began her teaching career at Minooka Community High School in 2005. She became the Director of Student Activites at Minooka Community High School in 2016. Ms. Holden started her teaching career at Yorkville High School as a physical education and health teacher.  Ms. Holden has also coached volleyball and track and field. Ms. Holden lives with her husband and daughter in Shorewood. Ms. Holden also has two older stepchildren.

Emily Brown

Emily Brown

Director of Athletics
815-467-2140, ext. 5120
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Mrs. Brown earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Saint Xavier University in 2008, a master's degree in Special Education from Lewis University 2011, an endorsement in English as a Second Language from Lewis University in 2012, and a master's degree in Educational Administration from Concordia University in 2020. She began her teaching career at Minooka Community High School during the 2012-2013 school year.  Mrs. Brown has served as a special education teacher as well as an assistant in the boys and girls volleyball programs in her time at Minooka Community High School.

KNorman

Kathi Norman

Director of Finance
(815) 521-4453
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Mrs. Norman started as Minooka Community High School's Payroll/Bookkeeper in June 2020.  She previously worked at Troy CCSD 30-C in payroll for 8 years. Mrs. Norman received her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree from Lewis University, Master of Science in Education School Business Management degree from Northern Illinois University along with a Chief School Business Official License. She lives in Minooka with her husband.

Department Chairs

	 Jon Calder

Jon Calder

CTE
Department
815-467-2140, ext. 5030
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Mr. Calder began his career with Minooka Community High School in 2019. Prior to teaching at Minooka Community High School, 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 and 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.

Jeff Easthon

Jeff Easthon

World Languages, Music & Art
Department
815-521-2324
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Mr. Easthon started at Minooka Community High School 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 Minooka Community High School, 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. You can follow Jeff on Twitter @JeffEasthon.

Chris Erickson

Chris Erickson

Science
Department
815-521-4385
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Mr. Erickson originally joined Minooka Community High School in 2000 and then again in 2020 as a physics teacher. Prior to rejoining the Minooka Community High School family, Mr. Erickson served as Division Chairperson for Science, Applied Technology, and Family & Consumer Sciences at Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park for 13 years. Mr. Erickson earned his BS from Illinois State University and his MA from Governors State University. Mr. Erickson is proud to call Minooka Community High School his home alongside his wife, Michelle (English Department), and children (Minooka Community High School Classes of '21, '24, & '27)

 JaRita Steward

Jarita Steward

English
Department
815-521-4060
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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. 

Matt Williams

Matt Williams

PE/Health/Drivers Education
Department

815-521-2338
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Mr. Williams began his career at Minooka Community High School in 2019 as the Department Chair of Physical Education, Health, and Driver Education. Prior to teaching at Minooka Community High School, 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.

Tracey Adams

Tracey Adams

Mathematics
Department
815-521-4053
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Mrs. Adams began her teaching career at Minooka Community High School 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.

Matt Shanahan

Matt Shanahan

Special Education
Department

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Mr. Shanahan started at Minooka Community High School 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 Minooka Community High School. He currently lives in Frankfort, Illinois with his wife and daughter. You can follow Matthew on Twitter @MrShanahanMCHS.

Christopher Pendergast

Christopher Pendergast

Social Studies
Department
815-521-4201
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Mr. Pendergast began his teaching career at Minooka Community High School in 2012 as an 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 Minooka Community High School Social Studies department on twitter @MCHS_SocStudies.

Directors (Non-Administrative)

 Aubrey Knight

Aubrey Knight

Director of Community Relations
815-521-4112
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Aubrey Knight began her career with Minooka Community High School in 2022 as the Director of Community Relations. Prior to her role at Minooka Community High School, she served as the Director of Alumni & Family Relations at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois. Ms. Knight received a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of St. Francis as well as earned her Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of St. Francis. She currently lives in Shorewood, Illinois with her husband and two children.

	Cathy VanGilder

Cathy Haase

Director of Transportation
815-467-5133, ext. 1500
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Cathy VanGilder began her career at Minooka Community High School in 2012 as Secretary to the Transportation Director. Prior to her role at Minooka Community High School, she was an Administrative Assistant/New Business Clerk for Great Lake Dredge & Dock Company, Oak Brook, Il. After taking time off to raise her 5 sons, she decided to return to work in 2007 at Minooka Consolidated District #201. In 2017 she continued her career as the Director of Transportation for School District’s #111 and #201. Ms. VanGilder brings over 13 years of experience working in the Transportation industry.  She currently resides in Wilmington, Il.

	Jim Kelly

Jim Kelly

Director of Technology
815-521-4017
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Jim Kelly began his career with Minooka Community High School in 2013. Mr. Kelly is a Minooka Community High School Alumni where he enjoyed success on the Soccer field.  Mr. Kelly graduated from Lewis University with a Masters Degree in Information Security. Mr. Kelly continues to enjoy the sport of Soccer as he has coached the Minooka Community High School Boys' team since 2013.

	  Jason Piper

Jason Piper

Director of Buildings and Grounds
815-467-2140, ext. 5069
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Mr. Piper began at Minooka Community High School in May of 2020 as Director of Buildings and Grounds. Prior to coming to Minooka Community High School, he was Facilities Supervisor at Indian Oaks Academy in Manteno IL for 10 years.  Prior to Indian Oaks Academy, he was a General Contractor. Mr. Piper received his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Illinois State University. Mr. Piper lives in Herscher.