CHS Student Services

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Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) Senior Financial Aid Information

• ISAC English
• ISAC Español

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School Counselors

Brian Melvin, Last Names A – Dam, Dual Credit Students
brian.melvin@central301.net

I attended North Park University in Chicago and studied Physical Education and Business. I went back to school to become a school counselor. I graduated from National Louis University and worked for four years at East Aurora before coming to Central High School.

Gina Tauer, Last Names (Dan-Jal)
gina.tauer@central301.net

I completed my undergraduate degree in Performing Arts Management from Columbia College Chicago and started my career as an Event Coordinator. I later realized that working with students is a passion of mine, and I completed my Master’s degree in School Counseling at Lewis University. Before starting at CHS, I worked as a counselor at Riverside Brookfield HS and Hinckley Big-Rock HS. I’ve been a school counselor for 10 years and throughout my experience, I have been a Varsity Poms Coach, JV Volleyball Coach, Junior and Senior Class Sponsor, and NHS Coordinator. Here at CHS, I am the Peer Leaders Sponsor and Best Buddies Sponsor. Aside from school counseling, I love to travel and hang out with my two amazing kids. Arianna is 10 years old and a competitive cheerleader, so I travel all year watching her compete, and Chase is four years old with energy that is unlike any other his age. They both keep me busy and on my toes!

Rachel Ginter, Last Names (Jam – Nar), Life Skills Students
rachel.ginter@central301.net

I completed my undergraduate degree in Performing Arts Management from Columbia College Chicago and started my career as an Event Coordinator. I later realized that working with students is a passion of mine, and I completed my Masters degree in School Counseling at Lewis University. Before starting at CHS, I worked as a counselor at Riverside Brookfield HS and Hinckley Big-Rock HS. I’ve been a school counselor for 11 years and throughout my experience, I have been a Varsity Poms Coach, JV Volleyball Coach, Junior and Senior Class Sponsor, and NHS Coordinator. Here at CHS, I am the Peer Leaders Sponsor and Best Buddies Sponsor. Outside of being a school counselor, I love to read, cook, travel, and spend quality time with my children. 

Hank Hartwig, Last Names (Nas-Schu), Freshmen/Sophomore ML Students
harold.hartwig@central301.net

I went to Carthage College and got my undergraduate degree in Exercise and Sports Science and started coaching high school football. After I started coaching, I realized I could help students not just in just athletics but in many aspects of their lives. I decided to go into the field of school counseling. I attended National Louis University and graduated in June 2023. I was hired by Central High School to be a school counselor and a football coach. I am passionate about helping students find meaning and direction for their lives. With my experiences, I connect well with CHS students and am excited to be a part of this district.

Megan Marciniec, Last Names (Sci – Z), Junior/Senior ML Students
megan.marciniec@central301.net,

I completed my undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa and upon graduation spent seven years in the health and fitness industry. During that time, I was introduced to the world of coaching, and I am now in my 17th year as a high school cheerleading coach. Coaching propelled me into the world of education, and I obtained my Master’s degree in School Counseling from National Louis University in 2014. I worked as the AVID Coordinator at Rolling Meadows High School before coming to CHS as a school counselor and cheerleading coach. I love sharing my experiences with my students and look forward to what the school year will bring.

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School Social Workers

DeLena Byanski: Last Names (A – Fa) & Life Skills Students
delena.byanski@central301.net

I completed my undergraduate and graduate degrees in Social Work at Aurora University. Afterwards, I completed the required supervised hours and passed the exam to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I began my career working with the homeless population on the west side of Chicago by overseeing two HUD and one state funded programs; however, my dream job was to work in the high school setting. When I was able, I went back to school to obtain my professional educators license (PEL) to work in schools and began my new career path at CHS as a School Social Worker. I love my job and look forward to coming to work each day to support the social/emotional needs and empowerment of our students so they become productive members of the community. In my free time, I enjoy camping, hiking, kayaking, swimming, hot yoga, inferno pilates, attending music festivals, and spending time with my family, friends, and pets. 

Cara Bussman, Last Names (Fe – Lep), Dual Credit Students
cara.bussman@central301.net

As a school social worker, my goal is to provide social and emotional support to students in order to help them navigate the obstacles they face in adolescence. I assess the needs of students and families in order to assist in removing any barriers to their success. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and went on to receive my Master’s degree in Social Work at Aurora University. I have completed two internships in the high school setting, the first at West Aurora High School and the second at Addison Trail High School. I am excited to work with the students at Central High School and look forward to the year ahead!

Blake Stern, Last Names (Lev – Rid), Life Skills
blake.stern@central301.net

I graduated from Aurora University where I received a Master’s Degree in Social Work. I got into social work due to the empathy I can provide having experienced trauma as an adolescent. For the past two years, I have completed my internships at West Aurora High School where I learned to work with a diverse group of individuals. My goal is to be able to provide a safe and comfortable environment to empower my students. In my free time, you will find me saying “hi” to every dog I pass by as they provide me pure joy. I enjoy spending my time golfing, hanging out with my friends and family, and being disappointed by Chicago sports teams. I look forward to helping my students grow!

Sophia Baier, Last Names Law – Z, Life Skills Students, ML Students
sophia.baier@central301.net

BIO

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Additional Student Services Staff

Elizabeth Covington, School Psychologist
elizabeth.covington@central301.net

Originally from Long Island, NY, I graduated in 2011 from the State University of New York (SUNY) College at Potsdam. I double majored and received a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and English creative writing. After graduating, I decided I wanted to become a school psychologist. I attended Adelphi University and graduated with my Master’s in School Psychology in May 2015. I moved to Illinois and worked in an elementary school in Oswego, but realized I really loved working with older kids and looked for a position in a high school. I joined the Central Rockets in 2016. As a school psychologist, I provide specialized support in the areas of student learning, behavioral intervention, consultation, and assessment. I work as a data coach and help guide interventions and instruction on data-based decisions.

Laura Kolakowski, School Psychologist
laura.kolakowski@central301.net

I received my undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Illinois and my graduate degree in school psychology from Northern Illinois University. I am passionate about helping students and their families with the work I do as a school psychologist. My husband and I have two small kids and a big, energetic husky, and we all love to spend time together

Jeff Herman, At-Risk Advisor, Summer School Coordinator, College & Career Prep Teacher
jeff.herman@central301.net

I attended Illinois State University majoring in Health Education and minoring in Physical Education. I then earned a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Aurora University and also completed 38 Master’s level School Counseling hours at NIU. I started working at CMS in 1996 as a Health and PE teacher, then later spent 10 years as the Student Services Director and Athletic Director. I also coached football for 20 years for Central High School and with the Panthers feeder program. I have 3 kids who graduated CHS and went on to attend Arizona State University and Central Michigan. In my free time, you can find me on the golf course!

Trent Lange, Speech / Language Pathologist
trent.lange@central301.net

I have worked in Central 301 since 1997 as a speech pathologist for all but five years when I was principal at Lily Lake Grade School. In that time, I have worked in every building in the district except for Prairie Knolls. I graduated from NIU with a degree in Communicative Disorders in 1990. I obtained Master’s degrees from NIU in Speech Language Pathology in 1992 and Educational Administration in 2004. I have been the speech language pathologist at CHS working with students with language, articulation, fluency (stuttering), and voice impairments since the 2012-2013 school year and currently also provide services at Central Middle School.

Amanda Alfaro, Speech / Language Pathologist
amanda.alfaro@central301.net

Melissa Baumgartner, School Nurse
melissa.baumgartner@central301.net

I have been a Registered Nurse for many years and have spent the last 12 years at Central High School. My husband and I live in St. Charles and have three daughters, two dogs, and two cats. In my personal time, I also enjoy helping people and am currently a co-founder of a medical mission in Guatemala providing health care to the underserved indigenous population.

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