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Meet Our Teachers
Our Teachers
by Academy
Personal Development
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
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. Nevada Montgomery
Biology
Ms. Montgomery teaches biology to our PD Scholars. She was born in Pennsylvania and raised in Georgia. After college, she moved to Chicago and began her career as an educator. She worked as education coordinator for DuSable Museum of African American History, drama instructor for Apachi Day Camp, and as a long term substitute teacher for various schools. Ms. Montgomery is an inventive and engaging teacher. Her creative biology lessons leave lasting impressions on our scholars.
Ms. Chrichauna Scott
Math
My name is Ms.Scott, and I am a first year teacher here at Innovations High School. I was born and raised on the southside of Chicago. I recently graduated from University Illinois Springfield with a B.A in Education. Here at Inno, I teach Integrated Math 1 in the PD Academy. I really enjoy working with the youth, and I am excited to see how this school year goes.
Intelligent Creative Expression
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
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.
Mr. Ian McElroy
Art
Art Educator and Arts Entrepreneur from Gary, IN. I have a BA Fine Arts-Indiana University Northwest, BA Art History-Roosevelt University Chicago, MS Education (Arts)-Indiana University Northwest. State Certified Ed-UTEP Program. Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. A Father and Creative Business Mentor.
Mr. Charles O’Brien
Media Arts
Originally from Quincy, MA, I came to Chicago to earn a bachelor's degree at Columbia College Chicago. After graduating, I came to Innovations as a tutor, which was a large part of my involvement at Columbia. After a year of tutoring, I was given the opportunity to work more closely with scholars in American Literature. Integrating my artistic background and interest in writing, I help scholars become effective writer's through combining their interests with the lessons we learn from literature. I enjoy connecting with the scholars through the things that interest them and through the clubs I host, Horror movie club and Phoenix Clothing Co.
Social Responsibility
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.
Mrs. Ashley Taras
Civics/African American History
Mrs. Ashley Taras earned her B.A. in History and Anthropology from Ball State University and M.A.Ed. from Northeastern Illinois University. Mrs. Taras currently teaches Civics and African American studies at Innovations. Mrs. Taras interned at Walt Disney World prior to starting her student teaching at Innovations in fall 2021. Mrs. Taras focuses on a student-centered approach to learning that makes everyone in the classroom accountable for their own learning.
Saniya Noor
English III
A proud Chicago native with a deep passion for education, I hold a Bachelor's degree in English and Linguistics, and a Master's degree in Secondary Education, both earned from Northeastern Illinois University. My focus lies in working hand-in-hand with students to overcome academic challenges, always with the primary goal of putting students first. I'm an educator who values building positive rapport with my students and views it as the groundwork for effective learning. Over the past five years, my teaching journey has been a mission to give back to the communities that have not only supported me but have also played a vital role in shaping who I am today.
Ms. Neci Riley
Physical Science
Ms. Riley, a dedicated member of our faculty at Innovations High School for the past 10 years. Holding a BA from Jackson State University, Ms. Riley is passionate about physical science. Her mission is to make science an enjoyable and engaging experience for our scholars, fostering a love for learning in every classroom.
Scholastic Excellence
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.
Mr. Eric Heim
Math IV
Bio coming soon
Ms. AuShawna Jelks
Tutor
Ms. Jelks currently serves as the Workforce Prep Tutor Assistant for the senior class. She is from the city of Chicago and a proud alumna of Providence-St. Mel High School and Chicago Scholars. Her unwavering guidance and support from counselors, advisors, and mentors stimulated her passion to work with children and adolescents. Ms. Jelks has obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a focus in Ethnic Studies and Creative Writing-Poetry.
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.