Throughout the school and D128, there are staff members making a difference, whether or not students realize it or not. Staff members are making a difference in students’ lives from working with them individually or helping from behind the scenes and are worthy of some recognition.

Ms. Woods

School nurse Ms. Nancy Wood just started her first year at LHS after 37 years of working in nursing, having worked in a hospital in the operating room and the emergency department before transferring to work as a school nurse. 

Depending on students’ needs for the day, Ms. Woods often manages IEPs, seeing students that come in to visit the nurse, medical reviews and many more. She also is involved with creating emergency action plans for students with chronic medical conditions and attends meetings with the learning support teams to manage different student needs.

Ms. Woods enjoys connecting with each of the students coming by and learning about their different goals and life experiences.

“I like to learn a little something personally about them when they come in here, and instead of just why they’re here for an injury or an illness, and I like to get to know them a little better,” she said.

A job as a school nurse is more than just helping students at the office. Ms. Woods and other nurses at the school also manage immunizations and physicals, and other behind-the-scenes activities to make sure all students are healthy. It’s a process in order to become one of the school nurses at LHS.

“So far, [I’ve] really had a wonderful experience,” Ms. Woods said. “The community, the students [and] the staff are so wonderful and welcoming, and I enjoy meeting all the new students.”

Ms. Fernandez

Originally from Schaumburg, Illinois, District Coordinator for English Language Services Ms. Jessica Fernandez just started her second year at D128. Previously, Ms. Fernandez taught middle school for two years in Texas, as well as EL English and Dual Language for seven years at Wheeling High School and six years at Elk Grove High School. She also did instructional coaching at Elk Grove High School.

“I just saw there were a lot of things that I wanted to start or change, and I just couldn’t from that job [at Elk Grove High School],” Ms. Fernandez said. “So when I started looking for chair positions or director positions, I saw the one from D128 open up, and it felt like a cool opportunity…I had a really strong background, but was newer to administration, and was able to see all the amazing things and holistic way that [student’s needs] were being addressed here.”

Ms. Fernandez has had to adjust working outside of a classroom and into more of an administrative role at D128. On a daily basis, she often responds to different teachers’ needs, reaches out to families, screens new students and manages data. 

“I knew my goal in becoming an administrator was to have a broader impact on students, and I think that’s what’s happening,” Ms. Fernandez said.

For Ms. Fernandez, it’s important to think about the whole student, not just one area of their life or one part of their school day, and to be strategic in order to support the student. 

“There’s so many different things that [can] come up [for a student],” Ms. Fernandez said. “So it’s just a lot of thinking on your feet and reaching out to other people, because there’s a lot of really expert and insightful people already in this district and in the outside community. So it’s about creating a really strong network.”

At first, Ms. Fernandez was apprehensive about transitioning to D128, but she feels that she’s “already fallen in love” with it.

“I think there’s so many amazing things happening here and to see, like the robust community and also the history of the district, which is a huge part of each school’s identity,” Ms. Fernandez. “That’s so new and so cool and I’m really excited to be a part of it.”

Ms. Angelbeck

Ms. Angelbeck just started her seventh year as a Special Services Aide at LHS. Before starting at LHS, she worked at Fremont School District 79 for eight years, taught as a substitute teacher and eventually became a paraprofessional. 

Depending on which day of the week, Ms. Angelbeck can sometimes be a one-on-one aide with a specific student, a teacher assistant or in a class with a group of students. 

“The most rewarding part [of being an aide] is when you’re working with a student and they have that ‘aha!’ moment [and] they have figured something out,” Ms. Angelbeck said. 

Ms. Angelbeck goes into the school each day with the mindset that every day is a new day. She helps each student that she’s paired with to try their best and get through each situation or emotion and to refocus their attention in order to move onto the next part of the day.

“I feel like LHS, and especially with the TAs that I work with, we are one big family,” Ms. Angelbeck said. “We help each other throughout the day. If somebody is struggling with a student, we cover for each other. We’re a family [and] I love working with the kids. That’s why I’m here.”