Logan Junior High - Meet the New Staff
Mrs. Michels
My name is Kim Michels and I am the new 7th and 8th grade English and Literature teacher at Logan. I studied at IVCC where I earned my Associate Degree, and from there I studied at Illinois State University where I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. I continued my education at Aurora University where I then earned my Master's Degree in Reading Instruction with a Reading Specialist Certification. This is my twenty first year of teaching with seventeen of those years being in junior high ELA. I live with my husband and two daughters, ages twenty one and seventeen. I am excited to be at Logan and to meet all of my students. My favorite part is watching them learn and grow while we have fun in our classroom. If you have any questions or concerns this year, please feel free to reach out to me via email at kim_michels@pes115.org. I am looking forward to a great year. Go Lions!!
Mrs. Munson
My teaching position this year is 8th grade science. I received my undergraduate degree in Secondary Science Education from Judson University (where I also played on the volleyball team), and my Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University Chicago. I began my teaching career at Bartlett High School teaching biology and chemistry; and coached girl’s swimming and badminton. From there, I moved to the Crystal Lake High School District for 3 years where I taught earth science, biology, chemistry, and forensics; and helped coach the Science Olympiad team. After Crystal Lake, I spent 5 years at Wheaton Warrenville South High School teaching freshman biology (ranging from intermediate to advanced); and coached the varsity girls swimming team. I am from Princeton and attended Logan as a student. I love all activities revolving around water and enjoy getting caught up in a good book. I live in Princeton with my husband, two children, and a golden retriever named Moose. What I love most about teaching is getting to know my students and watching them grow over the course of the year. "If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to speak with me in person or via email jaimie_munson@pes115.org.
Mrs. Neuhalfen
Hi! My name is Emma Neuhalfen, and I am the new 6th grade ELA teacher this year. I grew up in McNabb and attended Putnam County schools! As I am sure one could guess, one of my favorite hobbies is reading; however, I also love to move my body (run/walk/hike/Pilates/weightlifting), cook fun meals, and spend time with my loved ones. One exciting life change is that I just got married this summer to my high school sweetheart! Furthermore, I graduated in the Spring from Olivet Nazarene University with my Bachelor of Science in English Education with an ESL endorsement. During the Spring semester, I student taught at Grant Park Middle School using the Wit and Wisdom curriculum, and the rigor of that curriculum helped prepare me for stepping into my role as a full-time teacher. Although pushing students to achieve great things is one of my favorite parts of teaching, the part that I value the most is showing students how loved they are, and seeing how they are able to blossom when they are in an environment where they feel seen, loved, and heard. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to speak with me in person or via email, emma_neuhalfen@pes115.org.
Mr. Stevens
Hello, my name is Tim Stevens. I will be teaching 7th grade Social Studies this year. I received my bachelors degree in history from the University of Illinois in Springfield and later attended Aurora University to get my Masters degree in teaching. I taught for the past 16 years at DePue Unit Schools in both the high school and junior high. I am a sports fan and enjoy cooking and playing board games. I love to spend time with my dog Willow and helping others as much as possible. Teaching is my passion because "life is a journey, not a destination," and I get the privilege to share in that journey each day. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to speak with me in person or via email at timothy_stevens@pes115.org
Mrs. Vice
I am a 5th-grade special education teacher at Logan Jr. High. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education and Elementary Education. Prior to becoming a teacher, I worked as a paraprofessional for six years, gaining valuable experience in the field. This marks my second year in a teaching role within special education. I reside in Hennepin with my husband, two children, and two labs. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, reading, and spending quality time with my family and friends. I am eager to connect with both the staff and students at Logan and look forward to becoming part of the team here at Logan.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me in person or via email at jamie_vice@pes115.org.