Reading Team Biographies
Bonnie Taylor
I grew up in the Chicago northwest suburbs as the middle of three children. I attended Northern Illinois University where I received my BS in Education. I taught kindergarten in Itasca and in Lake Villa for 7 years before taking a break to raise my 3 children. I then spent 7 years substituting in central Ohio, and in IL. I joined the Oak Grove Family in 2005 and received my MA as Reading Specialist in 2009 from St. Xavier, Chicago. My experience teaching reading in kindergarten has given me a vast background in identifying difficulties encountered in learning to read. I am excited to join the reading team and I look forward to working with multiple age groups. In my spare time I enjoy yoga and running. I also treasure family time spent with my 3 grown children now living in NYC, Chicago, and Austin, TX.
I grew up in the Chicago northwest suburbs as the middle of three children. I attended Northern Illinois University where I received my BS in Education. I taught kindergarten in Itasca and in Lake Villa for 7 years before taking a break to raise my 3 children. I then spent 7 years substituting in central Ohio, and in IL. I joined the Oak Grove Family in 2005 and received my MA as Reading Specialist in 2009 from St. Xavier, Chicago. My experience teaching reading in kindergarten has given me a vast background in identifying difficulties encountered in learning to read. I am excited to join the reading team and I look forward to working with multiple age groups. In my spare time I enjoy yoga and running. I also treasure family time spent with my 3 grown children now living in NYC, Chicago, and Austin, TX.
Becky Jakubowski
I grew up in Champaign, Illinois always knowing that I would become a teacher. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Illinois State University in 1990. I taught first grade in Peoria, Il for 3 years while working on my Master of Science degree (also at Illinois State University) in Educational Administration. I got married and moved up to the Chicago are in 1993. I began teaching as a Reading Specialist at Oak Grove School in August of 1993. I completed my Master of Arts at Northeastern Illinois University in Reading in 1996. I’ve lived in Hainesville since 1994 with my husband, Paul, three children, Megan, Katie, and Tommy, and my Labrador retriever, Riley. I enjoy working with my colleagues, my students, and the families of my students. I am proud to be an Oak Grove teacher.
I grew up in Champaign, Illinois always knowing that I would become a teacher. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Illinois State University in 1990. I taught first grade in Peoria, Il for 3 years while working on my Master of Science degree (also at Illinois State University) in Educational Administration. I got married and moved up to the Chicago are in 1993. I began teaching as a Reading Specialist at Oak Grove School in August of 1993. I completed my Master of Arts at Northeastern Illinois University in Reading in 1996. I’ve lived in Hainesville since 1994 with my husband, Paul, three children, Megan, Katie, and Tommy, and my Labrador retriever, Riley. I enjoy working with my colleagues, my students, and the families of my students. I am proud to be an Oak Grove teacher.
Jean Hattendorf
I grew up in Michigan as the youngest of six children. I graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Education in 1991. My first teaching job was in Valencia, California where I taught 4th grade. I moved to Illinois and started teaching at Oak Grove in 1993. At Oak Grove I have taught many grade levels: 2nd, 3rd, 4th grades, as a classroom teacher, 8th grade language arts and literature and worked with students in reading and math support at various grade levels during my time here. I earned my Masters from Northern Illinois University in 2001. I am thrilled to be a part of the Oak Grove family!
I grew up in Michigan as the youngest of six children. I graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Education in 1991. My first teaching job was in Valencia, California where I taught 4th grade. I moved to Illinois and started teaching at Oak Grove in 1993. At Oak Grove I have taught many grade levels: 2nd, 3rd, 4th grades, as a classroom teacher, 8th grade language arts and literature and worked with students in reading and math support at various grade levels during my time here. I earned my Masters from Northern Illinois University in 2001. I am thrilled to be a part of the Oak Grove family!
Karyn Thompson
I spent the first three years of my life in Cicero, Illinois. At the end of 1966 my father was drafted to Vietnam and we moved to Aberdeen, Maryland, Army Proving Grounds. Two years later we moved back to Illinois and built a house in Addison. My life long dream, since the age of five, was to become a teacher. I did my undergraduate at St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana, earning a B.S. degree in literature, with a double minor in art history and Spanish. In 1994/95 I received my masters in education at Roosevelt University in Chicago. I have been at Oak Grove School since 1995 teaching literature, language arts, and social studies. I am very fortunate to be a part of Oak Grove.
I spent the first three years of my life in Cicero, Illinois. At the end of 1966 my father was drafted to Vietnam and we moved to Aberdeen, Maryland, Army Proving Grounds. Two years later we moved back to Illinois and built a house in Addison. My life long dream, since the age of five, was to become a teacher. I did my undergraduate at St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana, earning a B.S. degree in literature, with a double minor in art history and Spanish. In 1994/95 I received my masters in education at Roosevelt University in Chicago. I have been at Oak Grove School since 1995 teaching literature, language arts, and social studies. I am very fortunate to be a part of Oak Grove.
Alyssa Osterman
I began teaching at Oak Grove in 2012. In 1994, I received my undergraduate degree from Indiana University. My graduate degree is from National Louis University. I taught sixth grade for ten years at Central School in Glencoe, IL. I also worked as a Differentiation Consultant helping teachers find ways to enrich their curriculum. I am married and have two sons. Cooking and gardening are two of my hobbies. In my free time, I like to watch movies, take walks and ride my bike. I read A TON of books and I’m always interested in talking about books!
I began teaching at Oak Grove in 2012. In 1994, I received my undergraduate degree from Indiana University. My graduate degree is from National Louis University. I taught sixth grade for ten years at Central School in Glencoe, IL. I also worked as a Differentiation Consultant helping teachers find ways to enrich their curriculum. I am married and have two sons. Cooking and gardening are two of my hobbies. In my free time, I like to watch movies, take walks and ride my bike. I read A TON of books and I’m always interested in talking about books!