Teaching Teams
Our Team
grades K-2
Kimberly Harrison
team lead
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Where were you raised (and what religion if you'd like to share)?
Worth, IL ("The Friendly Village"!)
Present line of work:
Adjunct instructor in sociology at a few schools
What are your hobbies?
Reading, rooting for White Sox baseball and Illini basketball
How do you like to spend your weekends?
Some time with family & friends, a bit of time reading, & a nice nap for a perfect weekend!
Anything else you'd like to share?
I used to teach PreK-2. Now, I love getting to laugh and learn with the little ones through RE!
christine herring
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Where were you raised (and what religion if you'd like to share)?
I was raised in Aurora. I went to a Catholic Church until I was about 9.Present line of work:
I am an elementary teacher assistant for East Aurora School District.What are you hobbies?
I love reading and going to the gym.How do you like to spend your weekends?
Reading, resting, and relaxing.Anything else you'd like to share?
I found UUSG 5 years ago after believing for most of my life that I’d never want to go to church. I couldn’t be happier to find a spiritual home that aligns with my beliefs!
silvana king
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Where were you raised (and what religion if you'd like to share)?
Present line of work:
What are you hobbies?
How do you like to spend your weekends?
Anything else you'd like to share?
katelyn schwing
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Where were you raised?
DeKalb, ILPresent line of work:
SAHMWhat are you hobbies?
Running, quilting, outside activitiesHow do you like to spend your weekends?
Our weekends are usually a mix of family time and house/yard/life projects to get us ready for the upcoming week.
Grades 3-5
vickie kilgore
team lead
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Where were you raised (and what religion if you'd like to share)?
I grew up in Fort Wayne IN, In a United Methodist family.Present line of work:
Public policy researcher in the insurance industry.What are you hobbies?
Crafts, watching live theatre.How do you like to spend your weekends?
Nature walks, crafting, visiting family.Anything else you'd like to share?
My kids, Jane and Ben Holish, grew up in this church and the UU Church of Elgin.
ro maziarz
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Where were you raised (and what religion if you'd like to share)?
Buffalo, NY Recovering Roman CatholicPresent line of work:
Semi-Retired professional Social Science Data CollectionWhat are you hobbies?
Gardening, reading, camping, beading, hiking.How do you like to spend your weekends?
I've been a 25 year volunteer with the St. Charles Park District Natural areas. Hiking and spending time with friends and family.Anything else you'd like to share?
My college major was Environmental Studies. I developed and taught 2 semesters of Environmental Health at SUNY @ Buffalo. I have 7 grandkids.
aaron miller
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Where were you raised (and what religion if you'd like to share)?
Naperville, Jewish
Present line of work:
Neurologist
What are your hobbies?
Geocaching, guitar, reading
How do you like to spend your weekends?
Spending time with my kids and hobbies
bonnie ryan
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Where were you raised (and what religion if you'd like to share)?
Barrington IL, LutheranPresent line of work:
Art teacherWhat are you hobbies?
Exploring the fox river valley, seeing live musicHow do you like to spend your weekends?
Hanging out with family
middle school 6-8
jenny montgomery
team lead
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Where were you raised (and what religion if you'd like to share)?
I was raised here at UUSG
kerry Sapet
co-Lead
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Where were you raised (and what religion if you'd like to share)?
Pittsburgh, PA - Presbyterian
Present line of work:
Writer
What are your hobbies?
Reading, baking, painting, hiking
How do you like to spend your weekends?
Sleeping in, taking a walk in the woods and staying up too late watching movies and eating popcorn
gary littlefield
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Where were you raised
I was raised Methodist in Glen Ellyn.Present line of work:
Licensed Clinical Social Worker working for families with children experiencing social-emotional delays.What are your hobbies?
Reading (including menus, glorious menus!), watching movies, biking, exploring, seeing musicals and plays, and (still) riding roller coasters. And very, very slowly putting together jigsaw puzzles.How do you like to spend your weekends?
The specifics depend on the weather, but a balance of movement and chill, rain or shine.Anything else you'd like to share?
If you're not finding something to smile about, look harder! Look around, look above, look within... Wherever it is, it's much closer than you think. Here's one to get you started: :-)
yruu 9-12
Jaime andersEn
team lead
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Where were you raised (and what religion if you'd like to share)?
Palatine area, Methodist
Present line of work:
SAHM and artist
What are your hobbies?
Movies, drawing, reading, running, yoga
How do you like to spend your weekends?
Takeout food and a good horror movie!
Anything else you'd like to share?
Love my two cats!
keith gesiakowski
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Where were you raised (and what religion if you'd like to share)?
Burbank IL, raised Catholic.Present line of work:
Heavy Equipment OperatorWhat are you hobbies?
When I finally have free time I like to make food on my smokers. I also have an artistic side, I like to make stained glass using some of my own patterns. Any free time after that I like to hang out in my basement where I restore and play older arcade games.How do you like to spend your weekends?
With my family, every chance I get!Anything else you'd like to share?
I like to think I’m still a big kid! Sometimes I can be quiet when I’m getting to know someone, but then can be really goofy after you know me!!
barbara ovesen
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Where were you raised (and what religion if you'd like to share)?
Carpentersville, Illinois - I was raised Lutheran by parents who were original members and always very active members of the church.
Present line of work:
Clinical Social Worker/Therapist
What are your hobbies?
Hiking, reading, singing, taking in the arts
How do you like to spend your weekends?
I love hiking, picnicking, enjoying cultural stuff, and doing things with friends and family.
Anything else you'd like to share?
I have a theory that every single town has something extraordinarily interesting to see or learn about.
ashley peterson
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Where were you raised (and what religion if you'd like to share)?
Present line of work:
What are you hobbies?
How do you like to spend your weekends?
Anything else you'd like to share?
RE steering team/nursery
Eleanor Hamilton
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Where were you raised (and what religion if you'd like to share)?
Camp Hill, PA; Presbyterian
Present line of work:
Retired Clinical Psychologist
What are your hobbies?
On several Boards and in several community organizations, reading news, cooking
How do you like to spend your weekends?
Activities with family and friends
molly mackay zacker
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Where were you raised (and what religion if you'd like to share)?
I grew up in Cookeville, Tennessee (in the middle of the state). My family attended the Methodist church, but not with much frequency. I attended an episcopal boarding school for high school and felt more affinity towards the episcopal faith than any others until we began attending UUSG.Present line of work:
I am a partner in my family business, MacKay & Company. We do market research and consulting in the commercial vehicle markets.What are your hobbies?
Gardening, reading, exercising (not sure that is a hobby, more of a necessity!)How do you like to spend your weekends?
At home! I am a bit of a home body and because I work outside of the house, I like to be home on the weekends. I like walking our dogs, gardening and hanging out with family and friends.
