Education:
B.Ed. - Kibbutzim College, Tel Aviv
Idit Epstein was born and raised in Israel, and teaches Hebrew 3. She was a high-school teacher in Israel before moving to the U.S. In addition to teaching she has also worked in design. Ms. Epstein is the coach of the cross country team. She is an avid runner and has long had a passion for getting youth more involved in running.
Mrs. Epstein lives in Northbrook with her husband and 4 kids.
Education:
B.A. - University of Chicago
M.Ed. - University of Illinois at Chicago
Jack Helbig teaches Junior Honors American Literature and Sophomore Literature and Composition. Mr. Helbig earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Chicago and Master’s degree in Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Mr. Helbig is also an avid writer and playwright. His articles regularly appear in the Chicago Reader. His plays have been produced locally and in theatres around the country. Mr. Helbig is a confirmed word nerd, theatre and improv lover, and bibliophile. He lives in Oak Park, the hometown of Ernest Hemingway, the voice of Homer Simpson, and Cecily Strong with his wife, his daughter, and a sleepy old hunting dog (Mountain Cur).
Education:
B.S. – University of Florida
M.A. – University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Pat Henderson will be teaching the Performing Arts course with Ms. Singer. For the past seven years, Ms. Henderson taught theatre, stagecraft, directing, acting, and Intro to Drama at Trinity High School. In addition, she directed and designed the lights and sets for all student productions. Ms. Henderson is a director and designer for several professional theatres in Chicago including Skokie Theatre, The Raue Center, On the Spot Theatre, and Three Cat Productions. Ms. Henderson is looking forward to expanding student theatrical arts knowledge at RZJHS.
Ms. Henderson earned a Bachelor’s in Advertising with minors in Marketing and Management and earned her Master’s degree in Theatre. Ms. Henderson will be opening a bakery (and hopefully performance space) in Elgin with her husband, son, and her son’s partner.
Michael Paradiso
Education:
B.A. - Lewis University, 1999
M.A. - Governors State University, 2001
M.A. - Purdue University, 2001
Ph.D. - Purdue University, 2008
M.Ed. - Loyola University Chicago, 2020
Dr. Paradiso is excited to be joining the faculty of the Social Studies and English Departments. Dr. Paradiso teaches Global Studies, Literature and Composition, and AP World Literature, and is a faculty advisor for Model United Nations. Formerly the Malvin and Lea Bank Postdoctoral Fellow in Jewish Studies and Philosophy at Penn State University (2008-2010), Dr. Paradiso brings more than twenty years of college and high school teaching experience with him to RZJHS.
Dr. Paradiso lives in Northbrook with his family. He is completing the manuscript for his second edited book, Creolizing Frankenstein, for publication.
Education:
B.S. – University of Maryland
M.Ed.– Hunter College
Jessica Rosenberg began her career working in digital marketing in New York City but decided to switch careers once she realized her passion for education while volunteering as a college advisor to high school students. She went on to receive her Master’s degree in School Counseling and has spent the last twelve years working in both high school college counseling and selective college admissions, most recently as the Director of College Counseling at Woodlands Academy in Lake Forest.
Ms. Rosenberg knows that the struggle for students doesn’t just lie with getting into college, but also being able to find a place where they can feel successful when they get there. She feels passionately that for her to be successful in her role as a college counselor, she must not only prepare students and families for the admissions process, but also equip them with the knowledge they need to choose the college that is the right fit for them academically, socially, and financially.
Ms. Rosenberg lives in Wilmette with her husband, Matias, and their son, Leo. In her free time, she enjoys sewing, trying out new restaurants, and traveling. She is so excited to be part of the Rochelle Zell community!
Education:
B.A.--Southern Illinois University
M.A.--University of Northern Colorado
Mary Sullivan is a Learning Specialist who is dedicated to supporting diverse learners through their high school journeys. Her goal is to help students leverage their strengths and understand their challenges so they can grow into confident, successful learners.
Ms. Sullivan earned a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Southern Illinois University and a Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado. She has 23 years of experience as a teacher, tutor, coach, mentor, consultant, and administrator in both public and private settings. She is currently working on a Bachelor’s degree in nutrition and a Master’s degree in Acupuncture at the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine in Skokie. In her free time, she enjoys kickboxing, yoga, hiking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. She lives in the northwest suburbs with her Russian Blue, Betsy.
Education:
B.A. - University of Wisconsin
M.A. - Indiana University
B.S. - Illinois State University
Jamie Pearlman Tessier teaches Global Studies, Civics, U.S. History, and Debate. She looks forward to working with and supporting students in multiple grades. Her professional background in civil rights and government gives her a unique perspective in the classroom.
Mrs. Tessier earned a Bachelor’s degree in Russian from the University of Wisconsin, a Master’s degree in Russian and East European Studies from Indiana University, and a second Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences Education from Illinois State University. She and her husband have three children and two golden retrievers.