Pre-Laureate Program Staff

Lisa Donnelly

ldonnelly@scienceandartsacademy.org

Mrs. Donnelly has 22 years of teaching experience, with 5 years being at SAA.  She has many roles, including: Pre-Laureate Homeroom Teacher, Affective Teacher, Behavior Management Team, and Student Council Sponsor.  She has a BS in Psychology with a minor in Speech Language (Pathology & Audiology) from Elmhurst College and graduate work in Gifted Education and Autism Education from Aurora University, National-Louis University, and Dominican University.  Mrs. Donnelly has certification with TEACCH and ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis).  Other professional experience includes IAGC Presenter (2005), Research Assistant and published an article on Malingering (neuropsych).  She enjoys reading, hand-beading jewelry, gardening, camping, and hiking.

Joann Polko

jpolko@scienceandartsacademy.org

Mrs. Polko has 31 years of teaching experience, and 15 of those are with SAA.  She is a Pre-Laureate Homeroom Teacher and Pre-Laureate Coordinator.  Mrs. Polko possesses a BA in Education from Northeastern University (formerly known as Chicago Teachers College).  As an Illinois Certified Teacher, Mrs. Polko has further education in gifted through the Gifted Institute with National-Louis University.  She is a Golden Apple Award finalist.  Mrs. Polko enjoys reading, traveling, and her favorite quote is “Reach for the stars!”

Dana Clark

dclark@scienceandartsacademy.org

Ms. Clark has been with SAA for 4 years and has 9 years of teaching experience.    She is a Pre-Laureate Homeroom Teacher and Science Olympiad Coach.  Ms. Clark has a BA in Spanish from Grand Valley State University and graduate work in Gifted Education from Dominican University.  She possesses Elementary Education certification (K-9 all subjects; 6-9 Spanish; bilingual endorsement) and was an IAGC Presenter in 2005.  Ms. Clark’s favorite classroom project is incubating and hatching ducklings and her favorite quote is from Mary Dunbar and says: “We are each gifted in a unique and important way.  It is our adventure to discover our own special light.”

Jennifer Kirchman

jkirchman@scienceandartsacademy.org

Mrs. Kirchman (formerly Ms. Trotta) has been with SAA for 3 years as Pre-Laureate Teacher and currently serves as Yearbook Coordinator and a member of the Before & AfterCare Staff.  She earned her BA in Education from Saint Xavier University and holds Certification in Illinois Teaching, as well as a Sanitation License.  Her prior experience includes: customer service, food service, and management.  Ms. Kirchman enjoys scrapbooking, dog training, and baseball (Go Sox!).  Her favorite quote is: “Don’t stop believing.” 

Jill Pokres

jpokres@scienceandartsacademy.org

Ms. Pokres has been teaching for 7 years with 4 of those years at SAA in a Pre-Laureate Homeroom.  She has a BA in Early Childhood Education from the University of Missouri (St. Louis) and holds Certification in both Illinois and Missouri.  Ms. Pokres enjoys teaching her Healthy Cooking class after school (2 years running!) and, in her spare time, scrapbooking.  Her favorite quote is: “Work hard.  Play even harder!”