312-999-9360

Meet Our Teachers

Our Teachers

by Academy

Personal Development

Mr. David Ashkenaz

Mr. David Ashkenaz
Forensic Science

Mr. Ashkenaz has been the Science Teacher at Innovations High School for the past 15 years and previously taught in Chicago Public Schools for five years.

Mr. Keith Chrisman

Mr. Keith Chrisman
English

Keith Chrisman teaches English at Innovations High School. After earning a B.A. in English from Elmhurst College and cultivating an interest in the works of J. Krishnamurti, John Taylor Gatto and Paulo Freire, he attended Lewis University to further his education and pursue a career as a teacher.

Ms. Fannie Dillingham

Ms. Fannie Dillingham
Physical Education

Ms. Dillingham is a certified fitness professional and nutrition coach. She has over 15 years of experience in the fitness industry working with youth, teens, adults and athletes of all levels. She is a speaker, author, and creator of weight management programs, tools, and educational resources for fitness enthusiasts. Fannie has worked at Innovations High School since 2017 as the Physical Education teacher. She loves working with the youth as they are vibrant, eager to learn and fearless in their pursuit of personal happiness and success especially when their minds are properly nurtured.

Ms. Elizabeth Eisenlohr

Ms. Elizabeth Eisenlohr
Math

Ms. Eisenlohr has a Bachelors of Science from Michigan State University. She has worked in the fields of public health policy education and health outreach and education. She enjoys teaching English & Reading

Intelligent Creative Expression

Ms. Sable Breathett

Ms. Sable Breathett
Media Arts

Ms. Breathett is a first year Media Arts teacher serving Innovations High School. She holds a Masters in Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Film and video. After many years of being in the field of entertainment and film arts. Ms. Breathett decided to teach. After many thoughts Ms. Breathett decided to combine both her degrees and sought out a position that would allow her to showcase her love for the film arts and that position would be the Media Arts teacher for Innovations High School.

Mr. Bilal Fatemi

Mr. Bilal Fatemi
Math II

Born in Pakistan and raised in Chicago, Mr. Fatemi attended The University of Illinois Chicago, receiving a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences. Mr. Fatemi previously taught Biology at Innovations High School, switching to Geometry in 2017. Mr. Fatemi has been with Innovations since 2015.

Ms. Jennifer Hall

Ms. Jennifer Hall
Art

Jennifer Hall is a Chicago native who has taught in public schools for 17 years. She graduated from The School of the Art Institute with a bachelor's degree in arts education. Her artistic background is in ceramics, sculpture and light metals. Her passion for integrating the arts into other subject areas has led to her position as an arts liaison. She finds joy in inspiring students to find their creative outlet in a variety of artistic mediums

Social Responsibility

Mrs. Benereta Lamaj

Mrs. Benereta Lamaj
Math

Benereta Lamaj is the Mathematics Teacher at Innovations High School. She has been teaching Mathematics at the school for five years. She serves as the numeracy coach of the school.

Ms. Ashley Merlin

Ms. Ashley Merlin
Civics/African American History

Ms. Ashley Merlin earned her B.A. in History and Anthropology from Ball State University and M.A.Ed. from Northeastern Illinois University. Ms. Merlin currently teaches Civics and African American studies at Innovations. Ms. Merlin interned at Walt Disney World prior to starting her student teaching at Innovations in fall 2021. Ms. Merlin focuses on a student-centered approach to learning that makes everyone in the classroom accountable for their own learning.

Saniya Noor

Saniya Noor
English III

Bio coming soon.

Ms. Neci Riley

Ms. Neci Riley
Physical Science

Bio coming soon

Scholastic Excellence

Ms. Dominique Beltrano

Ms. Dominique Beltrano
Senior Portfolio (English IV)

Ms. Beltrano studied at Illinois State University and received her B.A. in Secondary English Education with a focus in Creative Writing, British Literature, and American Indian Literature & Studies.

Mr. Matthew Glendenning

Mr. Matthew Glendenning
Math IV

Originally hailing from Los Angeles and holding a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Southern California, Mr. Glendenning (aka "Mr G") has been with Innovations High School for two years.

Ms. Jasmine Jones

Ms. Jasmine Jones
Workforce Prep

Ms. Jones joined Innovations High School in 2019 and have been enjoying the journey ever since. She graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a specialization in Marketing. Ms. Jones later continued her education at the University of Phoenix Chicago Loop campus with her MBA and Entrepreneurship. She enjoys cooking, traveling, and engaging in recreational activities such as volleyball and softball. One of many reasons Ms. Jones enjoys working at Innovations is because of the family environment. Everyone is so welcoming and creates a great synergy. She enjoys teaching and watching the young scholars grow into their own greatness.

Ms. Emily Wagner

Ms. Emily Wagner
US History

Emily Wagner teaches a combined U.S. History and Civics course at Innovations High School. Originally from Boston, MA, Emily attended Loyola University Chicago, where she received her B.A. in History with a minor in Spanish. Influenced by her time as a Peer Advisor at LUC, Emily obtained her M.Ed and Teaching English Language Learners endorsement from Boston College. She took her talents to Waltham Public Schools, where she taught Sheltered English Immersion History before returning to Chicago in 2019. In addition to teaching U.S. History, Emily also provides ELL support to the bilingual learners at Innovations. She hopes her students leave her classroom with a newfound perspective on American history!

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