Vicki Kennedy - Director
Vicki is a graduate from Illiniois State University with a Bachelors degree in Special Education. She has a Master of Science degree in Educational Administration and a Special Education Directorship Endorsement. Vicki joined the Blooming Grove staff on August 1, 2006. Previously, Vicki was the principal of Parkside Elementary School in Normal. Prior to that, Vicki was the principal at Hudson Elementary School, Euguene Field Elementary and an administrative intern at Colene Hoose Elementary School. Before entering administration, Vicki taught in the areas of learning disabilities, behavior disorders and the standard program from kindergarten to high school grade levels. Vicki has completed numerous administrative academy courses, received Standard Aligned Classroom training (SAC), Co-teaching training, Positive Behavior Intervention Strategy (PBIS) training and is certified in physical restraint.
Jodi Stalsworth - Business/Human Resources Manager
Jodi joined the Blooming Grove team in March of 2005 as the Business Manager.
She has a Bachelors degree from Illinois State University and brings with her
many years of experience in the financial area. She handles all family
accounts, financial records and human resources. Jodi has a great deal of
familiarity with the school and its philosophies, not only as the Business
Manager, but also having been a BGA parent for several years. She has been
instrumental in many roles such as the PT Crew, Fundraising Team, and publisher
of What's Blooming, just to name a few.
Marcia Esparza - Office Administrator
Marcia joined the Blooming Grove team in 2004. She is a graduate of the American College of Technology and has over 30 years of secretarial experience. Prior to working at BGA, Marcia worked for a local public school district as the Administrative Assistant for Title I, Reading & Gifted. Marcia has acquired numerous office administration certificates throughout her years of employment.
Peg Hayden - Teacher
Peg is a graduate of Eureka College with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education. She also has a Masters degree in Elementary Education from Georgetown College in Kentucky. Peg joined the Blooming Grove team in 2001. Her previous employment includes teaching 1st grade, Kindergarten, and pre-school. She has also directed education day care programs and worked with the Early Intervention programs serving children ages 0-3 as well as the Head Start program. She has training in S.T.E.P. (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting), Math Their Way, Peer Coaching/Student Team Learning, and the Garrison Model Behavior Modification.
Gayle Uphoff - Teacher
Gayle is a graduate of Illinois State University with a Bachelors degree in Special Education (EMH). She has been with Blooming Grove since 1993, but has 14 years previous experience teaching at various preschools in the area and Metcalf Laboratory School. Gayle is trained in piano and flute. She also has training in Positive Discipline in the Classroom and the High/Scope Curriculum.
Kay Griepentrog - Teacher
Kay is a graduate of Eureka College with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education. She has been teaching at Blooming Grove since 1990. Prior to her employment with us, she was employed as a licensed home day care provider. She has also worked at Faith Lutheran Day Care Center and as a substitute teacher for public schools. Kay has training in Developing Capable People, Math Their Way, Positive Discipline in the Classroom, the High/Scope Curriculum, and Wright Group Reading Techniques.
Kris Barnett - Teacher
Kris has been a teacher at BGA since 2004. She received her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Elementary Education from the University of Evansville in Indiana. Kris has taught elementary classes and Music at BGA but has 12 years of teaching experience at various grade levels. She has been trained in Positive Discipline in the Classroom and the Four Blocks Reading Program and has previous experience with the Head Start Program.
Melissa Tuman - Teacher
Melissa has been with Blooming Grove since 2005. She is a graduate of Governors State University with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education. Her past experience includes working at a pre-school/day care as a teacher and planner of summer camp themes.
Nina Jagasia -Teacher
Nina Jagasia is a graduate of Drury University in Springfield, Missouri. She has a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education along with a minor in both Spanish and Global Studies. Throughout college, she was involved in several extracurricular activities, including varsity tennis and Spanish club. She had the student teaching experience of a lifetime, where she had the opportunity to teach in a classroom full of diversity in Durgapur, India ages 4-14 all subjects. In addition, she has been involved in several after school reading and math programs in Missouri. She is very excited to be here at Blooming Grove Academy and is greatly looking forward to making a difference in student's lives.
Cristen Susong - Teacher
Cristen is new to Blooming Grove this year. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso and has 10 years teaching experience ranging from 3 year olds to high school. Cristen's areas of expertise are Language Arts, History, Kumon Math K-3, Speech & Debate, Theatre and Psychology.
Erin Hoppock - Teacher
Erin has recently relocated to the Bloomington area. She is a graduate of Kansas State University with a major in Elementary Education. She has taught elementary and middle school level. Erin has been involved with various extra-curricular activities including the Big Brother/Big Sisters program and the Education Council.
Angelica Cornenjo - Spanish Teacher
Angelica joined Blooming Grove's staff in August of 2006. She is the part time Spanish Teacher. Angelica graduated from the University of Guadalajara with a Dental Degree in 1995 and moved to Illinois later that year. She was a Spanish Teacher at Holy Trinity in Bloomington. In addition, she has taught Spanish to individuals in her home. Her family consists of her husband, Luis, and their two boys, Jared and Noe. When she is not busy with her family she enjoys traveling, working out and bike riding. Angelica is very excited to be a member of the BGA staff, and looks forward to teaching the children lots of Spanish.
Matt McClintock - Physical Education Teacher
Matt has a Bachelors Degree in Physical Education from Illinois State University. He joined Blooming Grove Academy's team in August of 2006. He taught PE at Olympia North Elementary part time the last two years.
Laurie Allen - Teacher Assistant & Extended Day Director
Laurie has been at Blooming Grove since 1999. Prior to coming to BGA, Laurie worked as a nurse's aide and ran an in-home day care business for 20 years. She has taken education classes at Heartland Community College and currently works as an Early Learner Teacher Assistant and is the Extended Day program director. Laurie is trained in Positive Discipline and Multiple Intelligence.
Pushpa Chaudhari - Teacher Assistant
Pushpa has been at Blooming Grove since 1994. She has attended classes at Heartland Community College and Illinois State University. Her past experience includes babysitting for several years, working at BGA's Summer Camp, and Year of the Volunteer work with Balvihar, a Sunday School program for children from India.
Tricia Basolo - Teacher Assistant
Tricia is our new teaching assistant in the Earler Learner program. She graduated from Heartland Community College and has previously worked at
Chesterbrook Academy as a lead teacher.
Gail Henson - Teacher Assistant
This is Gail's first year at BGA and she is assisting in the Early Learner
Program with Peg. Gail is a 1982 graduate from Illinois Western
University. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Home Economics (Child
Centered Agencies) and a minor in Business Management. Gail has had
experience in the Assistant Directorship for a preschool, being a
preschool teacher and a home care provider.
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