Ms. Mangione has served as the principal of DREAM Academy since the 2020-2021 school year. Prior to this role, she was the Assistant Principal of Student Services at Central Schools Programs. With over two decades of experience in teaching and educational leadership, Ms. Mangione possesses deep expertise in working with students with autism, emotional and behavioral disorders, and at-risk youth.

Before joining School District U-46, Ms. Mangione spent 15 years working in private therapeutic day schools in the Chicagoland area, supporting students with various disabilities through specialized programming. A strong advocate for mental health wellness in education, she is committed to ensuring that all students have the support they need to meet academic challenges. As an instructional leader at DREAM Academy, Ms. Mangione is dedicated to creating optimal learning environments that lead to successful post-secondary outcomes for every student.

Ms. Mangione holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in visual communication and painting/drawing from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She also earned a Master’s degree in special education and another in educational leadership from Northeastern Illinois University.

Mr. Martinez-Ortiz came to Dream Academy this year 2023 as the new Associate Principal. He is not new to our district, he came to U-46 in 2007 as a Bilingual Science Teacher. He has served in several roles mostly in U-46, as a teacher, Dean, Division Head and Assistant Principal of Freshman of Success. Prior to coming to Dream Academy Mr. Martinez has support the transition of the 8th graders to 9th grade, has one of the highest numbers of Freshman On Track across the district and has being an advocate in the district for students to earned the distinction of Seal of Biliteracy as part of promoting the value of being bilingual as an important asset in the 21st century. He also oversees many curriculum departments in his positions like Family and Consumer Science (FACS), AVID, PE, Social Science, World Language and ELL/DL Programs.

While at Elgin High School Mr. Martinez built many supports and programs to support freshman students from the ground up. He created tier interventions to support the students transition to high school after school with Fresh Start and collaborated with partners like Upward Bound at ECC to connect students with post-secondary opportunities. As the first Assistant Principal of Freshman of Success, Mr. Martinez has worked to connect students with extracurricular opportunities to find success during their four years of high school. 

Prior to taking on this position, Mr. Martinez  taught Biology, Chemistry, Physical Science, Geometry, Environmental Science, ESL, Health classes at Larkin High School and Elgin High School in Spanish and English. He also was part of the Dual Language Program committee in the implementation of the program in each of the comprehensible high schools. During this time Mr. Martinez was able to experience teaching in every grade level from 9th grade to 12th grade. 

Mr. Martinez earned his Bachelor of Secondary Education degree in Science (Biology) from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico and then earned two Master degrees in Bilingual Education and Educational Leadership from Aurora University and Concordia University. He is always striving to be a long life learner and do what is in the best interest of all students. He is very happy to continue to be part of the Dream family moving forward. 

Mr. Kurt Andrews will be the resident administrator for Dream Academy for the 24-2025 school year.  Beginning his 19th year in education.  Joining U-46 in 2013.  He taught Strength and Performance, Adapted PE, EN2 PE, and Team Sports.  Coaches football, basketball, baseball, and bass fishing in Bartlett HS.  Mr. Andrews has worked in various roles within the district, including Teacher Leader / Teacher Mentor, District Instructional Technology Coach, District digital leader Corps, PE District Curriculum.  Writing and working on the SIP and School Dept. team.  He holds a Bachelor's degree from Loras College, a Master’s degree in education with Curriculum and Instruction from North Central College, and is currently pursuing his 2nd Master's degree in Education Administration from NIU.  We look forward to having him at Dream/New Beginnings. 

Mr. Shogren came to Dream Academy this year 2024 as the new Assistant Principal of Climate and Culture. 

He was the dean of students at Streamwood High School for 5 yrs. and a special education teacher prior to that for 6 yrs. before coming to Dream Academy.

He is a proud U-46 graduate!  His passion is to help each student become a successful person in order to empower them with the ability to succeed in any personal, educational or career goals they have.

The greatest joy in his professional life is playing a role in helping others achieve their potential.

B.A. in Special Education (LBS1) from Eastern Illinois University

M.A. in Principal Preparation from Concordia University Chicago