Curriculum

Biography:

Ms. Brostrom has a passion for developing communities of young writers! She teaches World Literature, Rhetoric & Creative Writing, and Speech at Woodlands, and also moderates the award-winning Woodlands literary club, "Poets & Playwrights." Ms. Brostrom has also worked in the educational publishing world and as a journalist, as well as her former positions as a writing instructor at the University of Baltimore and American University. She is the recipient of many writing awards for her work as a novelist for young readers: her Gilda Joyce mystery series (published under her pen name Jennifer Allison) is available through Penguin Books for Young Readers.

Biography:

Ms. Brysiewicz became a teacher because she thinks it’s essential for students to learn to communicate their ideas clearly and effectively. Also because she loves talking about literature and writing. Her favorite classroom moments include when a student’s eyes get wide because her mind has opened to a new idea. At Woodlands, she loves the warmth and support of the community, the curiosity of the students, and the trust and freedom teachers are given to shape what and how they teach. She has been at Woodlands since 2008.

Biography:
With nearly twenty years in the classroom, Mr. Nuccio chose a career in education because he enjoys working with young people. Additionally, he loves books and ideas and relishes that his job is “socially constructive.” Each year he delights when a student who is unsure of herself in the beginning begins to grow in self-confidence and takes on a more vocal role in class. At Woodlands, he is most proud to be a part of a school that has created an environment that prioritizes the holistic wellness of its students while still maintaining the highest academic standards. Mr. Nuccio has worked at Woodlands since 2018.

Biography:

Justin Goh joined Woodlands Academy in October 2019. He studied Mechanical Engineering at Singapore Polytechnic and has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He worked as a graphic designer, cartographer, and GIS technician and transitioned into commercial photography as a photographer and digital tech. Mr. Goh is a member of the 2023/24 Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago’s Teacher Institute Residency Program cohort and was presented with the High School Educator’s Award at the Society for Photographic Educators Annual Conference.

Biography:

Mrs. Adamczyk became a teacher because she found an attentive audience for learning about some of her knowledge base: business, classics and government. Her favorite teaching moments are when students ask big questions that humans have been and are still trying answer. Such as, "Where did language come from?" (A student just asked this question recently!) Mrs. Adamczyk most enjoys being part of a faculty that is passionate about their subjects and compassionate towards their students.

Biography:

Dr. Strobel became a teacher before she knew she wanted to be one. After graduating college and before going on to graduate school, she accepted a one-year substitute teaching position at Jack Benny middle school. She felt so at home in the classroom and grateful for being able to witness her students' growing awareness and curiosity, that she never considered doing anything else. One of her favorite teaching moments was at the end of her first year teaching. She had struggled with a few students all year, with two boys in particular, who had gotten into a fist-fight in her classroom. She remember being filled with adrenaline before security guards came to break it up, take the boys out and leave her to continue class. As she’d grown as a teacher, she learned to not suppress those emotional moments and instead, try to work through them in the classroom, while at the same time do her best to regain control and get back to the lesson. The boys were suspended, and when they returned she was obviously concerned, but they told her they were fine and didn't even remember what they were fighting about. She was able to start over with them and appreciate their sense of humor. One of the boys became involved in her after-school "Latino Culture" club, and although he was not Latino, he learned all of the dances and performed in the school assembly. Her last day there was for their 8th grade graduation, the same boy came to her after getting his diploma with tears in his eyes, gave her a huge hug and said “thank you.” She hadn't realized how much of a success getting through 8th grade was for him and was proud to be present for that moment. Dr. Strobel most enjoys the warm community at Woodlands, from hearing the girls laughing in the halls on the way to class, to seeing faculty and staff sitting and talking together at lunch. Dr. Strobel also celebrates accomplishments of the Mellon Fellowship from University of Pittsburgh, and the U.S. Department of Education Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship. Dr. Strobel has been with Woodlands Academy since 2019.

Biography:

Mr. Coffey pursued a career in teaching because of his high school Algebra teacher, Mrs. Highstone. Up until then, he had not been a successful math student. He cites her positive, no-nonsense attitude and willingness to connect with him individually as what helped him recognize his ability in mathematics. Now as a teacher in his own right, Mr. Coffey particularly enjoys teaching the order of operations, which he approaches as GEMS (Grouping Symbols, Exponents, Multiply and Divide, Subtract and Add). He loves that this method usually provides great insight due to a frequent misunderstanding of the PEMDAS acronym. Mr. Coffey finds it easy to come to work and do his best every day, because students at Woodlands have a contagious vitality and energy. They also strive to always do their best and articulate an appreciation for their teachers. Mr. Coffey has worked at Woodlands since 2013.

Biography:
Mr. Gargiulo became a teacher to influence adolescents in a positive way. He appreciates the “ah-ha” moments that occur every day with his students. At Woodlands, he most values that students and adults care deeply for one another and push each other to do their best. He has taught at Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development and has scored AP exams for the College Board. Mr. Gargiulo was named Master Teacher of the Year from the Mathematics Teachers Association of Chicago and its Vicinity. In 2013, he received the Sr. Frances de la Chapelle Excellence in Teaching Award.

Biography:

Mr. Guo became a teacher because he loved his high school experience so much. Mr. Guo enjoys mathematics in the classroom--and outside of the classroom, he is involved in MathCats, Scholastic Bowl, and various sports throughout the year. He has taught at Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development, he has scored AP exams for the College Board, and he has been trained at the APSI Institute for AP Statistics and AP Precalculus.

Biography:
Ms. Pomije always wanted to be a teacher and she loves working with math every day. Her favorite teaching moment includes forming a bond with a student who was doing poorly in her class and he eventually became one of her top performing students. At Woodlands, she values the community—the friendly faculty, staff, parents, and, of course, the students. Ms. Pomije has been at Woodlands since 2018.

Biography:
Dr. Rickert became a teacher after some prompting from her sons. She remembers a time when her students articulated that they knew the material better after participating in a video math scavenger hunt—that same group then created their own video which placed in the top twenty out of 300 for a video competition. At Woodlands, Dr. Rickert loves the welcoming atmosphere, friendly and motivated students, and small class size. She has served as the Chair of the Application Committee for the Blue Ribbon School, received a Presidential Award Nomination for Science as well as the a Presidential Award Nomination for Math. Dr. Rickert has served on the Archdiocesan math curriculum committee and has worked at Woodlands since 2018.

Biography:

Mr. Denman became a teacher to make science a fun and enjoyable experience, which he does on a daily basis at Woodlands. His favorite teaching moments include when students find connections between the material in class and everyday phenomena. He finds Woodlands to be an environment that embodies a love of learning. Mr. Denman was the 2017 recipient of the Frances de la Chapelle Excellence in Teaching Award. He has worked at Woodlands since 2014.

Biography:

Mrs. Dunn became a Science teacher because of the inspiration of her high school science teacher, who made Science so interesting. Her science teacher really understood her as a student and she thought that she could do the same thing for her students. Mrs. Dunn’s favorite teaching moment was when one of her former students went to college to become a high school science teacher. He was inspired by how she taught and how she was able to connect to the students. So far, in Mrs. Dunn’s time here at Woodlands, the thing she most enjoys is the Woodlands community. In her previous teaching role, she received an award for Freshman Teacher of the Year and was awarded Best Dressed Teacher five years in a row! Mrs. Dunn has been with Woodlands Academy since 2019.

Biography:
Dr. Rickert became a teacher after some prompting from her sons. She remembers a time when her students articulated that they knew the material better after participating in a video math scavenger hunt—that same group then created their own video which placed in the top twenty out of 300 for a video competition. At Woodlands, Dr. Rickert loves the welcoming atmosphere, friendly and motivated students, and small class size. She has served as the Chair of the Application Committee for the Blue Ribbon School, received a Presidential Award Nomination for Science as well as the a Presidential Award Nomination for Math. Dr. Rickert has served on the Archdiocesan math curriculum committee and has worked at Woodlands since 2018.

Biography:

Ms. Zapf became a theology teacher because she is passionate about sharing the faith and creating opportunities for her students to experience the joy of loving and being loved by God. Her best teaching moments include witnessing when a student’s natural curiosity and passion for learning motivate her to make new connections and discoveries. Ms. Zapf experiences Woodlands to be an amazing, supportive, learning community where each person is respected, cared for, challenged, and appreciated. She was the recipient of the St. Benedict Preparatory School Teacher of the Year. Ms. Zapf has worked at Woodlands since 2017.