Chuck Wathen
Department Chair
cwathen@dist113.org
224-632-3221

After nine years teaching both high school and middle school elsewhere, I arrived at Deerfield High School in 1987, and have been here ever since, serving as department chair since 2001. My BA in Mathematics is from Lewis University and my Masters in Mathematics from Northeastern Illinois University. For many years I coached both cross country and track and field, and remain a daily exerciser. My wife Marcy and I are kept plenty busy raising our two small children. As I moved nine times before leaving high school, it is great to be grounded in the fabulous Deerfield High School community. And remember, the only constant in the universe is change.

Blanche Esgar
besgar@dist113.org
224-632-3223

I am a 1985 graduate from Deerfield High School (If you care about age, you are welcome to do the math...) I graduated from The University of Iowa and then taught for 5 years at Grayslake High School. I received my Masters Degree in Teaching Mathematics from Northeastern Illinois University, then went on to receive my Type 75 certificate from National Louis University. On a personal note, my husband teaches Biology here at Deerfield, and I have 4 children.

Kip Gasper
kgasper@dist113.org
224-632-3236

BA Valparaiso University, MS University of Illinois - Chicago. Taught four years at Joliet Catholic and Benet Academy. This my 26th year at DHS. I have coached girls' cross country, boys' and girls' basketball and boys' and girls' track as well as Mathletes.

Gina Graafsma
ggraafsma@dist113.org
224-632-3228

I grew up in Fox River Grove and Cary, IL, and graduated from Cary-Grove High School in 1999. I attended the University of Iowa and graduated in 2003 with a major in mathematics and a minor in Spanish. After student teaching at Crystal Lake Central High School, I began teaching at Deerfield High School in 2004. In addition, I am an assistant coach for the girls' swim team.

Kimberly King
kking@dist113.org
224-632-3224

Growing up in Palatine, IL, I attended Fremd High School where I was captain of the State Champion poms team. I continued dancing at Indiana University as a member of the Redsteppers. In May 2006, I graduated from IU with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Math Education. While attending Indiana, I student taught at Bloomington High School South teaching Algebra and Geometry. I started teaching at Deerfield High School in 2006 and have been the Drill Team coach since 2007. I am looking forward to another great year!!

Josh Leighton
jleighton@dist113.org
224-632-3230

In 1976 (when I was two), my parents moved from Chicago to Northbrook. Growing up, I played both soccer and tennis and graduated from Glenbrook North High School in 1992. I then traveled to Greencastle, Indiana where I attended DePauw University. During my four and a half years, I played varsity soccer for one year, varsity tennis for four, and was an assistant coach for the men’s tennis team my fifth year. Once I graduated in 1996, I received a mathematics position from Palatine High School. Outside of the classroom, I coached freshman soccer for five years and varsity tennis for eight years. During this time, I also earned my masters degree from DePaul University. This is my first year at Deerfield High School, and I assisted with the Girls’ Varsity Tennis Team and will be the coach of the Boys’ Varsity Tennis Team in the spring.

Dan McKendrick
dmckendrick@dist113.org
224-632-3225

I was born on November 12, 1980 in Westlake, Illinois. I grew up in Villa Park, Illinois with my parents and two siblings. I attended Willowbrook High School where I played basketball, baseball, and soccer. I attended Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL for college. At TIU, I played four years of varsity college basketball while receiving a degree in Secondary Education of Mathematics. I did my student teaching here at Deerfield under Kip Gasper, and I was fortunate enough to be hired in the math department in April of 2003. On June 21, 2003 I got married to Kristin Welborn (now McKendrick) in Pewaukee, WI, and spent a few weeks in Maui on my honeymoon. At Deerfield I have taught Geometry, Precalculus, and AP Calculus. I also have been a coach with the boy’s basketball program for the last few years. I recently moved to Grayslake, IL where I am proud to say that I have joined the ranks of homeowners. I truly enjoy teaching here at Deerfield High School and am privileged to be a part of the math department.

Mary Crystal Montague
mmontague@dist113.org
224-632-3238

In 1997 I graduated from being a Conant Cougar and began my journey as a Warrior. I went to Winona State University where I earned a BS in Secondary Education Mathematics and played softball for the Warriors of Minnesota! I'm currently working towards my Masters of Mathematics at Northeastern Illinois University. After working for a year at Niles West High School I made the move and am proud to say I have been a Math teacher here at Deerfield High School since 2003. I coach the freshmen softball team and am a member of our 1st class committee promoting excellence throughout our school. I truly love teaching, coaching, and being part of the Deerfield culture!! Go Cubbies!

Tony Peters
apeters@dist113.org
224-632-3233

I was born and raised in Indianapolis, IN. I am the middle child of 3 to Larry and Debbie Peters. I attended Indiana University and graduated in December of 2000. I started teaching at Deerfield High School during in 2001. I have one more class to finish before I will earn my Masters of Science of Mathematics from Northeastern Illinois University. I have coached the Boy’s Freshmen / Sophomore tennis team for the last 5 years. In the summer of 2006, I married Natalie. We currently live in Lincoln Park.

Lisa Shah
lshah@dist113.org
224-632-3239

I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri (Go Cardinals!), where I attended Parkway South High School. I graduated in 1996 and then went on to attend the University of Missouri-Columbia, where I majored in Math Education. In 2000, I began my teaching career at Pattonville High School in St. Louis where I taught for 6 years. I was a coach/sponsor for Girls Tennis, Speech and Debate team, Mock Trial, Board Student Administration Action Committee and I was heavily involved with the after school tutoring program. While in St. Louis, I also received my Masters in Administration at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. In November of 2005, I married my husband, another Parkway graduate, in two lengthy ceremonies on the same day. He received a residency at UIC, which is the reason we relocated to lovely downtown Chicago! Now I am excited to be teaching at Deerfield and working with this lovely community of parents, students, and teachers!

Derrick Tiveron
dtiveron@dist113.org
224-632-3234

Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, I moved to Chicago in 1999 where I attended Lake Forest College. I graduated in 2003 with degrees in Mathematics and Education. I have been teaching at Deerfield High School since 2004. I have also served as an assistant on the Boys Lacrosse Team since coming to DHS.

Lynn Weiss
lweiss@dist113.org
224-632-3237

I was born in Michigan, grew up in Ohio, went to college in Indiana and have lived in Illinois since 1990. I love the Midwest! I graduated from IU with an undergraduate degree in Journalism with a Business minor. I worked in Chicago for a brokerage firm for four years after graduating college. I then realized that I really wanted to be a teacher. I earned a Masters of Math Education degree from DePaul University. In 1997, I became a Warrior and continue to love my job. The students and staff at DHS are truly first class!