Ted Anderson will be teaching science at LFA. He has been teaching high school students for five years, most recently at a private school in downtown Chicago. However, Anderson has also acted as a business executive, naval officer, nuclear engineer, yacht dealer and more. Drawn in by LFA’s involved community, he has enjoyed helping out with the construction of the set for the fall play and is excited to get to know all of LFA’s students better.
Angela Orr is the new AP Calculus BC teacher and will coach both the math and badminton team. Her career began at Evanston Township High School 29 years ago. She then taught at Lakeside School in Seattle, Washington; School Year Abroad in Viterbo, Italy; and North Shore Country Day in Winnetka, Illinois over the next 20 years. She has a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Northwestern University and a Master’s degree in education. Orr also has experience leading global learning trips to Europe and North Africa. At LFA, she is most excited to get to know all the students and eventually live on campus. She was drawn by LFA’s multicultural community, global education and kind students.
Cirse Mendoza is a new 9th and 10th grade English teacher who has previously worked as an 8th grade English teacher at an independent school in Boston, Massachusetts. Starting at LFA, she is looking forward to teaching students that she has heard many positive things about. She is also excited about being closer to home and being at a school that carries many of the same values that match those of both her previous school and herself.
Sarah Cucco will be teaching 10th and 11th grade English, as well as serving as the assistant coach for JV boys tennis and a Cum Laude advisor. She has taught English for three years in downtown Chicago. This year at LFA, she is excited to work with her new students while teaching such a strong curriculum. Cucco was drawn to LFA because of the friendly atmosphere and “all the opportunities that are provided for staff and the student body.” She says the best part of LFA so far is the people.
Samantha Mason joins the History & Social Science Department this year, where she is teaching both U.S. History and World History I. She has previously worked at several schools across Chicago and its suburbs, including Walter Payton College Prep, Stevenson High School and Deerfield High School. Drawn to LFA’s close-knit community and the extraordinary beauty and history of the campus, Mason also shares a fun connection: her second favorite actress of all time, Jean Harlow, once attended LFA. She says the best part so far has been the warm and welcoming community, adding that she genuinely looks forward to coming to school every day. “I greatly enjoy the company of my students and coworkers, and I am finally getting to teach my own U.S. History class, my favorite subject.”
Karen Park is joining LFA as a math teacher and will also coach FBLA and Science Olympiad. She has more than 15 years of experience. She taught for five years at North Shore Country Day School and for over ten years at independent schools in New York City. Park is eager to get to know the LFA community, which she calls her biggest reason for coming to the school. She already values the warmth of the students and faculty. One of her favorite parts so far has been the dining hall.
An alum of LFA, Annie Gifford is back as the school’s new assistant athletic director. She previously worked in the NHL, most recently as Premium Experience Coordinator for the Columbus Blue Jackets and before that as Account Manager of Member Services for the New York Islanders. Gifford looks forward to giving back to a place that was so important in her own life. She says, “Returning to LFA, this time as a faculty member, gives me the chance to contribute to the same traditions, values and student-centered culture that shaped me.” So far, her favorite part has been reconnecting with the community. The warmth and enthusiasm of students and faculty have made her feel right at home.
Emma Osuna will be teaching photography, digital art and yearbook at LFA. She also is a part of the Learning Resource Specialists team, the sponsor for the photography club and the assistant coach for girls soccer. Previously, she taught art for kindergarten through fifth grade students at Belvedere Elementary School in West Palm Beach, Florida, where she also ran an art club. Osuna was drawn to LFA by its growing art program and tight-knit community and is looking forward to building connections with her new students here. She said, “I learn something new from my students everyday.”
Lorenzo Jennings begins this year in the mathematics department, teaching AP Precalculus and AP Calculus AB. He will also serve as the assistant coach for the boys cross-country team. Before joining LFA, he completed his student teaching experience at Evanston Township High School. Before that, he worked as a senior facilitator and tutoring coordinator for Northwestern University’s Office of Academic Support and Learning Advancement. He is particularly looking forward to being involved in LFA’s many community events and experiences of living as a boarding school, such as working in various aspects of student life. Jennings stated that, so far, his experience with LFA and the boarding school lifestyle has already been an “incredible experience.” In his short time on campus, Jennings has already participated in professional development and observed many different aspects of student life.
Katie Kittleson is the new head athletic trainer, coming to LFA after 12 years of experience as a certified and licensed athletic trainer. Certified in cupping, graston and double certified in dry needling, Kittleson has worked at a variety of levels. This includes middle and high schools, colleges, arena football and XFL. She is excited to be able to provide LFA students with a higher level of health care and help them develop healthy habits to grow as athletes. So far, her favorite part of LFA has been working with athletes and helping them overcome their injuries.
Elaina Lee joins the math department to teach Advanced Algebra 2 and Calculus. She is also the assistant coach for girls varsity tennis, will coach badminton in the spring and is a dorm parent in Mac. Before LFA, Lee taught at Chapel Hill Chauncy Hall, a private boarding school in Boston. As a Lake Forest native and graduate of Lake Forest High School, she felt drawn back by LFA’s sense of community and traditions. She especially enjoyed the All-School Handshake and says her favorite part of LFA so far has been coaching tennis.
Taylor Patterson is a new science teacher, teaching both Advanced Chemistry and Chemistry 1. She is also the assistant coach for the boys swim team. Her prior experience includes teaching at Fenwick High School in Oak Park and Intrinsic Schools in Chicago. Patterson says she was drawn to LFA “because of its strong, close-knit community and prestigious reputation.” The All-School Handshake has been her favorite LFA moment so far and she is most looking forward to learning more about all of the school’s traditions.
Elizabeth Bulley is the new Assistant Director of Experiential Learning and will also teach in the Health, Wellness and Community Department. She studied education and English at Lake Forest College. Bulley completed a fellowship in the UK, working with community education nonprofits in England and Scotland. Later, she served as program director for the Grace E. Groner Foundation. There she managed local, national and international service-learning programs. Bulley then spent five years teaching, four in language arts and literature in middle school, and one year in social studies, language arts and literature in 4th grade. After that, she worked for three years as a project manager for an event firm. At LFA, she is excited to combine her experiences in education and program management to create meaningful opportunities for students. Drawn by LFA’s commitment to global education, Bulley says her favorite part so far has been the strong sense of community. “Everyone has been so welcoming,” she added.
