Alumni Committee

I graduated from the MAT program in 2023 with a concentration in US History. Since graduating, I accepted a post at Dever Elementary in CPS where I teach 6th and 7th grade Social Studies. In addition to teaching, I coach volleyball and coordinate athletic programs for my school.

When I’m not in the classroom, I like to spend my time with my husband and our two cats. I’m also an avid hiker. My husband and I took a trip to the Canadian Rockies in 2024 to celebrate our 6-year wedding anniversary!

I graduated from the UIC Teaching of History graduate program in 2015. I have my ESL endorsement and Bilingual certifications in Russian and Spanish. This is my 9th year at Farragut Career Academy where I teach Social Studies and I am the Head Baseball and 16-inch Softball Coach. I am married and I have a son named Brian.

1. Graduated from the UIC Teaching of History Program in May 2011.
2. I have had the same teaching job since graduating, which is at Homewood Flossmoor High School in the south suburbs.
3. I am currently teaching juniors and seniors in U.S. History, IB Psychology and Sociology.
4. Personal info: while I really enjoy teaching, I am already thinking of retirement careers (shout out to Tier II!!!!!!) One thing I would like to do is record animal behavior and help zoologists at Lincoln Park Zoo.  The other retirement career option is to learn American Sign Language, but I only want to work at hip hop concerts

She/her. I graduated from the MAT program in 2020. I have been teaching freshmen World Studies and sophomores US History and IB MYP Honors US History at Curie High School ever since. I co-lead the World Studies Course Team with fellow Advisory Committee member Dan Jimenez and co-sponsor the GSA. I live on the South Side with my cats Melon and Rooster and make as much time as I can for friends, family, fostering kittens, and bouldering and cycling (injury and weather-permitting), but wish there were several more hours in a day.

Ryan’s interest in Education started while working as an Education Associate at Circle School, at the University of Iowa Hospital, offering inpatient and day school services for children and adolescents in the psychiatric unit.  After graduating with his Bachelor’s Degree, he moved back to Illinois in 2015 to complete his Master’s at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

In the Fall of 2017, Ryan began teaching at James H. Bowen High School on the southside of Chicago.  For 7 years, Ryan taught United States History, Civics, AP Psychology, and Embarc Chicago, while also serving as an Athletics Coach (Football, Track, and Weightlifting), an Instructional Coach, a Mentor to new teachers, and he served as the Department Chair for five years.  During the spring of 2023, Ryan hosted and mentored a Student Teacher from UIC’s MAT History program, getting a chance to give back to the program.

In the summer of 2024, Ryan accepted a position as a Social Science Teacher at Lane Tech College Prep, where he currently teaches American Government & Politics and United States History. He and his wife, Katy, live on the northside with their dog Marty.

I graduated from the MAT program in Fall 2019 (oh, how the world seemed different then!) and was hired at Roberto Clemente Community Academy in February 2020. I taught thirteen full school days before lockdown and am thankful every day that I managed to land a job before everything seemed to hit the fan. I’m still at Clemente, where I run the school’s GSA club as well as serve as a Global Glimpse advisor. Currently, I teach Freshmen Civics, TOK (a core class in the IB DP program) and Embarc. In particular, I love teaching Civics as Clemente has given me the autonomy to customize most of the curriculum. We cover a broad range of topics in class including prison policy and environmental racism. This year is the first year I’ve felt like I’ve had a semblance of a work-life balance, so I’m taking a screenprinting class at Chicago Printmaker’s Collaborative and have also enrolled our beloved Great Pyr/Cattle Dog pup in manners classes.

(she/her): I graduated from UIC in Spring 2023, and currently teach at East Leyden High School in Franklin Park, IL. My course load includes teaching A.P. U.S. History, Sociology, and a Chicago History class to mostly juniors and seniors. In addition to teaching responsibilities, I serve on the School Improvement Team, District Equity and Leadership Team, and as club advisor to Student Council, History Club, and National Honor Society.

(he/him): I graduated from the Teaching of History program at UIC in the fall of 2006. I have been teaching for over 15 years. I taught at Homewood-Flossmoor High School during my first years of teaching but have been teaching at Curie High School since 2014. I currently teach World Studies and AP Government & Politics. I have collaborated with organizations such as the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Southwest Collective on civics projects. Recently, I have worked together with the Southwest Collective on letter writing campaigns to the state representative and state senator regarding food insecurity. We also helped organize the first aldermanic candidate forum at Curie High School. I am married and have a dog (shih-tzu). I enjoy spending time with family, going on biking trips with my wife, and drawing.

(she/her): I graduated from the MAT program in 2020 (online unfortunately). I currently work at Lincoln Park High School in CPS, in my 11th year of teaching overall and 8th year at LPHS. I also taught for 3 years at a school called Northwood High School in Silver Spring, MD. This year I teach Civics, Latin American History, African American History, and Yearbook, all of which are 11-12th grade classes. I also sponsor the Theater Club, meaning I direct a play each spring. I’m an avid traveler, music appreciator (my husband is a professional jazz musician), crafter, and pet owner (dog Banjo and cat Tuna).

My name is Carolina Parra Garcia, and I am honored to serve as the Social Studies Department Chair for District 212.  I graduated from UIC in 2018 with a degree in the Teaching of History.  I also hold a Master’s in Teaching and Learning with a concentration in ESL, as well as a Master’s in Instructional Leadership. I have taught a variety of social studies courses, including bilingual and ESL classes.  I proposed, developed, and implemented Bilingual Civics and Bilingual Global Studies, and co-developed a Latin American Studies course. I am deeply passionate about supporting undocumented students by helping them access resources and pursue higher education.  It is a privilege to have a role that allows me to combine my love for teaching, supporting others, and making a positive impact on students’ lives.

2007 MAT History Graduate.  I am in my 18th year of teaching history at York High School in Elmhurst.  While I am currently teaching ACP US History Honors (Dual Credit through Indiana University Bloomington), Military History, and World History Honors, I have also taught US History, World Studies, American Government, Current Events and Conflict and Modern Warfare.  Have also co-taught a number of times in the past.  Interests are local history (like incorporating the history of the places where students live into my teaching) and the history of Chicago’s immigrant communities (particularly Lithuanians, since 3 of my 4 grandparents are from there).

B.A. Teaching of History UIC ’08; M.Ed. American College of Education ’18

I was hired by Thornton Fractional Township High School District 215 in the summer of 2009. I have been at Thornton Fractional South since that time. I have taught Civics, Psychology, World History, U.S. History, and Honors U.S. History. Currently, I teach History of Chicago and Honors U.S. History. I am proud that I created the Chicago curriculum myself and the course began being offered as an elective in 2012. I sponsored the Mock Trial program for eight years and I am currently the sponsor of our History Club. I love baseball (Go Cubs!) and coached for eight years until my son was born. I have been married to my wife, Sara, since 2014 and we have two children – Emmett, 8 and Ava, 5.

(she, her, ella) holds a BA in the Teaching of History, Anthropology, and a Masters in Youth Development from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a teacher, cultural worker, and musician. She started her teaching career in 2009 at Rudy Lozano Leadership Academy, an alternative high school that provides second chance opportunities to students and is rooted in education for liberation and social justice curriculum in Pilsen. She currently teaches at Benito Juarez Community Academy where she is the Social Studies teacher and lead teacher for their new Teaching Academy, preparing future generations of teachers. Jackie is Mexicana and proud-to-be raised by a single mom in the Back of the Yards neighborhood, a neighborhood that has laid the foundation of her spirit and identity. She has been a part of various community organizations that center their work around Zapatismo, Latine cultural arts, immigration, and other social movements in Latin America. She is a part of the son jarocho collective Jarochicanos performing, teaching, and building community through this music for the past 13 years. She is passionate about culturally relevant pedagogy, integrating the arts with the construction of knowledge, and supporting educators in traditional and non-traditional settings to create dynamic experiences for BIPOC children, families and youth. All of her work for the past 20 years has led her to co- found and co-direct a cultural center in Pilsen called 18th Street Casa de Cultura, a cultural center that honors the historical memory and legacy of Chicago’s Mexican community. At the same time, it supports the cultural, artistic, linguistic, and positive identity development within the Mexican and Latine community here in the Chicagoland area.

Yamali (Yah-mah-lee) is the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants and a first-generation college graduate. Her journey into the world of social science education began in college, where she first encountered educators who deepened her sense of identity and purpose. At the University of Illinois at Chicago, she found herself immersed in Latino Studies that deepened her understanding of her heritage and ignited her passion for history.

After earning a degree in Secondary Education with a focus on the Teaching of History in 2006, she began her teaching career at Benito Juarez Community Academy, where she was able to serve the community that shaped her. Over the next decade, she continued to refine her teaching practices at Social Justice High School in Little Village and North Lawndale, where she taught courses in African American & Latino History, World Studies, and other Social Science electives. These experiences allowed her to co-learn with students and develop a deeper commitment to social justice and culturally responsive education.

Now, as the Director of Social Science for Chicago Public Schools (CPS), the fourth-largest school district in the United States, Yamali leads the district’s K-12 social science vision and strategy. She is responsible for ensuring that every student in CPS has access to high-quality, culturally responsive, inquiry-based instruction. In this role, she oversees the development and implementation of curriculum, professional learning opportunities, and district-wide assessments to improve student outcomes. Yamali leads a team of educators, working to foster a collaborative environment that emphasizes academic excellence, equity, and continuous learning.

Her work also involves strategic planning, building partnerships with universities and external organizations, and securing funding to support CPS’s social science initiatives. Yamali is committed to shaping the future of social science education by supporting professional learning communities, advancing student engagement in civic life, and championing the district’s mission to support students in reaching their full potential. 

With close to 20 years of experience in education, including leadership in curriculum development, adult learning, and team management, Yamali’s work is rooted in a deep understanding of the C3 Framework, Illinois Social Science Standards, and asset-based pedagogies. She is passionate about empowering both students and educators, ensuring that every learner has the opportunity to thrive.

Dennis Rogala was a 2016 graduate of UIC’s MAT program and has since worked at Downers Grove North High School. He primarily teaches freshman world history and junior economics classes. He also teaches in the school’s AVID program, which primarily mentors first-generation college students over their four years of high school. He coaches the school’s Model U.N. and scholastic bowl teams. He resides in downtown Chicago, enjoys playing tennis, and got married this summer.

I graduated from the UIC Teaching of History program in 2018. I am currently in my 7th year as a social science teacher at Solorio High School. I teach United States History and Junior Seminar, and have taught various social studies courses along the way. I recently completed coursework for a masters degree in Instructional Leadership from UIC, was formerly a part of my school ILT, and served as Data Lead for the 10th grade class for two years.

Cecilia Soto Perales (she/her) is a Spring ‘21 graduate of the Teaching of History undergraduate program. She currently teaches at Lindblom Math & Science Academy, and this will be her fourth year teaching. She currently teaches Honors U.S. History and AP U.S. History which are both 11th grade courses at her school. She has returned to UIC to obtain her MEd Language, Literacies and Learning, and she is currently in her 2nd semester in the program.

Luke graduated from the MAT program in 2014. After graduation, He taught for 9 years at George Westinghouse College Prep High School in Garfield Park, where he primarily taught AP and Honors US History (also World Studies and Human Geography). He led several professional teams at Westinghouse, including the Instructional Support Team and AP Committee. He helped dramatically expand access to and success in the AP program. Luke is also a yearly reader for the AP US History exam. In 2023, Luke concluded his CPS career when he and family left for the ‘burbs as their daughter was ready to start kindergarten. In the summer of 2024, Luke founded Pathways of Potential ACT/SAT/AP Test Prep in Glencoe, Il, which is a premier test prep educational consulting firm. He lives in Glencoe with his wife Claire, daughter Willa, and son Jude.

Meghan graduated from the MAT program in 2007 and has been teaching social studies at Von Steuben High School ever since. Von Steuben is a mixed magnet and selective enrollment school in Albany Park. Meghan currently teaches US History, Civics, and History of Chicago to sophomores and juniors. Meghan and her husband, Nick, have two sons who attend Beaubien Elementary and a dog named Cleo. They spend their weekends watching the boys play basketball and enjoying the city.

I completed the MAT program from 2009-2012, taking one class per semester while teaching.  I started my career right after college at Paul Robeson HS, a CPS neighborhood school.  Then I taught for two years at an American international school in Hong Kong.  Since returning in 2008 I’ve been at Walter Payton College Prep, a CPS selective enrollment school that draws students from every neighborhood of the city.  I’m currently teaching AP World History , AP Human Geography, and AP U.S. History.  I live in Lincoln Square with my wife, daughter, and dog in an old house that keeps me busy learning how to rehab and repair everything.