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 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 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 2 amazing kids. Arianna is 10 years old and is a competitive cheerleader so I travel all year watching her compete and Chase is 4 years old with energy that is unlike any other 4 year old. 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 outside of 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 think I connect well with CHS students and I 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 7 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 Masters 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 this year. 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 to, 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 was able to achieve my Masters 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. On 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 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

BIO

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 3 daughters, 2 dogs and 2 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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