South Elgin High School, 760 E. Main Street, South Elgin, IL opened its doors to students for the first time on August 24, 2005 with freshman and sophomore classes. The first graduating class will be in the spring of 2008.
It is located on the eastern edge of South Elgin on property formerly owned by the Kenyon Brothers Dairy Farms. It’s adjacent to Kenyon Woods Middle School that opened in the fall of 2004.
Dr. Jean Bowen, formerly the Assistant Principal at Larkin High School in Elgin, was named the principal of South Elgin High School in December of 2004. Her vision for the high school is a simple one - “an outstanding learning community.” She is a 28-year veteran of School District U-46. An Elgin resident, Dr. Bowen began her career as a math and social studies teacher at Abbott Middle School and joined the Larkin staff as a guidance counselor in 1982. She eventually headed the student personnel office and in 1993 became the assistant principal of curriculum and instruction. She is married and has two adult sons.
Mrs. Melanie Meidel and Mr. Richard Wince have been named Associate Principal of Curriculum and Instruction and Assistant Principal of Student Services, respectively. Mrs. Meidel began as a Physical Education teacher at Elgin High School in 1996. She moved to Larkin High School as a Lead Teacher when the Visual and Performing Arts Academy opened where she also taught dance. In 2002 she moved back to Elgin High School to head the departments of PE and Driver Education and in 2003 became Athletic Director. Mrs. Meidel lives in Elgin with her husband and two teenage sons.
Mr. Wince began his tenure in the district in 1977 as a special education teacher. He became a guidance counselor at Elgin High School in 1986 and then became the Director of Guidance in 1993. He is married, has three children and lives in Kirkland.
John O’Brien is the Director of Athletics and Wellness. Mr. O’Brien came to U-46 in 1986 as a physical education teacher at Streamwood High School. He taught PE one year in the elementary school before returning to Streamwood High where he also served as Assistant Athletic Director. He headed up one of the more successful wrestling programs in U-46 at SHS for 8 years before stepping down in 2004. In addition, he has coached the boy’s golf team. He lives in Naperville with his wife and three children.
Ms. Annette (Calderon) Quiles, Dean of Students, comes to SEHS from Larkin High School where she has served as a Dean of Students and Divisional Chairperson for the Bilingual department. She has taught at the elementary level, high school level and served on numerous district and school site committees. Ms. Calderon resides in Carol Stream, IL, with her two teen-age daughters.
Mr. Darnell Gibson, Dean of Students, comes to us after serving two years as the Dean of Students and eight years in the East Aurora School District 131 serving the in following capacities: the District Vocational Director, Department Chair of the Industrial Technology Department, District Curriculum Council Chair, teaching and coaching basketball. He served 11 years working for Elgin Community College teaching off campus at the St. Charles Youth Center in St. Charles. Darnell received his Masters Degree in Educational Administration from Aurora University. He lives in Aurora with his wife, two daughters and two sons completing college at Western Illinois University.
Mr. Paul Pennington, Dean of Students
Mrs. Michelle Poland, Dean of Students
Mrs. Carol DePue, Instructional Chairperson for Fine and Applied Arts, graduated from Eastern Illinois University, has a Masters degree from the University of Illinois and her Administrative certification from Aurora University. She has taught in the Family and Consumer Science areas for 21 years in the south suburban area, St. Charles and Larkin High School. In addition to her teaching responsibilities she has recently served as the SIP committee co-chairman at Larkin High School. Twice she has been named in Who’s Who Among American Teachers. Carol and her husband have two children and reside in Elburn.
Mrs. Tracey Jakaitis, Instructional Chair for PE/Wellness/Health & Social Studies
Mrs. Lori Lopez, Humanities and Global Studies Instructional Chair, comes to South Elgin High School from Larkin High School. There she served for 6 years as the Divisional Chairperson for Physical Education and Health. She taught English for a number of years in the Chicago suburban area. Lori was instrumental in the formation of the First Class program at Larkin High School. She lives in St. Charles with her husband and two boys.
Mr. Jim Szymczak, Instructional Chair for Math and Science, is coming to SEHS from Maine South High School. He has taught science at a variety of schools in Illinois and Wisconsin. At Maine South he has written curriculum for Chemistry I, served on the district strategic planning committee as well as a committee to investigate ways to adjust the class schedule due to increased core requirements. During his teaching career he has coached high school girls’ and boys’ track, varsity football and even coached running backs for a Division III college football program. Jim and his wife reside in Bartlett with their 2 children.
