Deerfield Welcomes New Teachers, Staff

welcomed 14 new staff members including seven teachers when the school year began last week, according to information provided by Township High School District 113.

Of the seven teachers, two will instruct students in mathematics and two more will work with special education students including a co department chair.

Demian LaPointe is the new co head of the special education department. He married his high school sweetheart 23 years ago, has watched every episode of “Ancient Aliens” and remembers spending “lots of time during the school day” with his high school principal.

Kyle Muldoon, a former college volleyball player at Carthage College, will teach special education as well as help coach volleyball.

A new Hebrew teacher is Yaffa Berman. She was born and raised in Israel where she spent two years in the army. Her favorite high school memory was volunteering on an army base for the Israel Defense Forces.

Peter Comerford and Mollie Kaplan will join the math department. He grew up in west suburban Glen Ellyn where sports was a favorite activity particularly basketball. He still enjoys hoops and golf. Kaplan loves to dance and took first place in the state in the kick category of pom pom competition as a senior.

Erin Doyle will teach physical education and health. She plays in both volleyball and softball leagues in Chicago. She also bakes and gives the treats away because she is “not much of a sweet person.”

Kristen Thorburn will join the staff as a college counselor while Bonnie Kath will be an administrative assistant in the department. Thorburn’s favorite high school memory was being an athlete. She remains an ardent Cubs fan. Kath has been a freelance writer for the Chicago Tribune.

A new speech language pathologist is Tara Conroy. In high school she enjoyed participating in track and field and remains both a runner and swimmer today.

Dani Galladora, who speaks Spanish and has studied in Spain, will be a social work intern. She loves music and travel. Her favorite high school memory was marching in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Maureen Miller will be the director of instructional technology. She too likes sports and is married to a teacher. Their daughter, 5, is entering the dual language program at in Highland Park.

Jen Steinmetz will be a school psychology intern. A volleyball player in high school, she recently moved to the area from Columbus, OH.

Jessica Upchurch will be an assistant athletic director who had perfect attendance while a high school student. When she is not competing in triathlons she likes to read and garden.

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