Morton West Administrators

  • One Morton, One Family

    What we do at Morton West

    Our duty at Morton West High School is to provide a safe, enriched, and positive environment for our students, staff and teachers. Meet the Morton West administration team that are here to provide the best education for your students. GO Mustangs!

Morton West Principal

Phone: 708.780.4100, ext: 3011

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Saint Xavier University, Bachelor of Arts- Social Science in Secondary Education Saint Xavier University, Master of Arts in Educational Leadership

Ms. Kristina Cavanaugh

Lynn Ostapczuk, Secretary: 708.780.4100 x 3010

Welcome to Morton West High School!  As your new Principal, I am looking forward to leading our school through a growing partnership with students, staff and families, and the broader community. I truly believe that creating an atmosphere of trust and cooperation amongst all stakeholders is paramount in supporting our students as they work to achieve their academic, social and career goals---in a safe, caring and responsive environment.

I began my professional career at Morton Alternative School as a teacher of Social Science for eight years before joining the administrative team at Morton West. Once at Morton West, I served two years as a Dean of Students, and then became Assistant Principal of Operations for the following nine years. This year I embark on my new journey as Principal at Morton West. Going forward, I will encourage our entire staff at Morton West to value the dignity and uniqueness of each individual student. I am committed to providing a positive, safe and supportive environment for students to engage in all aspects of the school community, develop responsible citizenship and the value of lifelong learning. I am honored to be a career Mustang and a member of the District 201 family.

Assistant Principal of Operations

Phone: 708.780.4100, ext: 3974

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Northern Illinois University, Bachelor of Science: Secondary Education, Family Consumer Sciences Concordia University of Chicago, Master of Arts, School Leadership

Mrs. Claudia Gurney

Fax: 708.780.2835

Claudia Gonzalez, Secretary: 708.780.4100 x 3045                                          

Welcome! It is my pleasure to serve as the Assistant Principal of Operations at Morton West. I have been a proud member of the District 201 Morton family since 2011!  Highlights of the Operations position include overseeing registration, enrollments, student records, scheduling, and building concerns.

Prior to becoming an Assistant Principal, I taught Culinary Arts in the Career Technical Education (CTE) department at Morton East and had the privilege of being the Head Varsity Poms Coach for eight years. In 2018, I transferred to Morton West to begin my administrative journey as a Dean of Students. I am beyond excited to be serving the students, staff, parents, and community of Morton West. I look forward in helping fulfill the district's vision and mission by helping students succeed and providing opportunities for our students that will empower them to be productive members of our global community.

Assistant Principal of Instruction

Phone: 708.780.4100, ext: 3020

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Bachelors of Science in Mathematics and Secondary Education from Upper Iowa University Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Mrs. Amanda Torres

Maria Reyna, Secretary: 708.780.4100 x 3019

I am excited to be entering my fifth year at Morton West!  This year I will be entering the role of Assistant Principal of Instruction.  I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the students of District 201 in this new position.  I will continue to collaborate with teachers to strengthen, not only our academic curriculum, but our social-emotional learning as well.

 
Prior to becoming Assistant Principal, I served as the Lead Dean of Students at Morton West.  I am proud of my time in the Deans' Office and cherish the times I spent guiding our students towards a life of citizenship and happiness.  During my 16 years in education, I have strived to help each student become a successful contributor to their community. 
 
I am looking forward to another great year in District 201!

Assistant Principal for the Freshman Academy and Student Activities

Phone: 708.780.4100 ext: 3017

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Concordia University of Chicago Master of Arts, School Leadership St. Xavier University Bachelor of Arts, History

Mr. Matthew Dugan

Valerie Palomares, Secretary: 708.780.4100 x 3016
 
It is an honor and privilege to be serving as the Assistant Principal for the Freshman Academy and Student Activities here at Morton West.  I started working in the Morton District in 2016 as a Dean of Students at the East Campus and was immediately impressed with the dedication of the staff in helping students achieve their goals.  As an Assistant Principal, I strive to work with staff members to ensure that all of our students succeed and that they have the best high school experience possible.

 

Assistant Principal for Student Support Services

Phone: 708 780 4100 ext. 3054

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Bachelor’s Degree Pennsylvania State University 2000 Master’s Degree De Paul University 2007 Administration in Educational Leadership Certificate De Paul University 2010

Mr. Michael McGreevy

Secretary Joanna Manno 708-780-4100 ext. 3025
 
I am extremely pleased to get the opportunity to be your Assistant Principal of Student Supports just this past winter of 2021. For the previous 15 years, I had a tremendous experience teaching, being heavily involved in many student activities and serving as Dean of Students at Maine South High School.  
 
In just a short time, I've already come to know that Morton is a special school community. Every single student's mental and physical health here at Morton West is my priority.  I get the pleasure to work closely with our student support team here at Morton West, which consists of our guidance counselors, social workers, psychologists, deans, nurses, and school resource officer.  My previous students and parents can attest to my genuine concern for every single student knowing that one size doesn't fit all.  I'm honored to now be a part of the Morton Mission and serving every Mustang.  
 
I was born and raised in Pittsburgh and moved to Chicago in 2005. My wife, Leslie, and our two children, Luke and Olivia, live in the city of Chicago.

Lead Dean of Students

Phone: 708 780 4100

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education and Bachelor of Science in Spanish from Vanderbilt University Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Concordia University Chicago.

Ms. Aimee Dayhoff

¡Bienvenidos! I have been a proud member of the Morton West Family since 2014. I am very excited for the opportunity to serve our students and families in my new role as a Dean of Students.

Prior to becoming a Dean, I taught Spanish in the Modern Language Department for six years. I also had the privilege of being the Head Varsity Cheerleading Coach, as well as a co-sponsor for the Student Athletics Activities Leadership Team (SAALT). In my new role as Dean, I aim to foster a positive school environment that allows students to grow academically, socially and emotionally. I currently have a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education and Bachelor of Science in Spanish from Vanderbilt University, and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Concordia University Chicago.

Dean of Students for the Freshman Academy

Phone:

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Western Illinois University- Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education Master in Administration

Gianna Pigoni

Welcome to Morton West High School. I am your new Freshman Dean and I am extremely excited to get to know all the students that enter Morton West. I am passionate about building relationships with each student as a foundation for a successful school year. 

I have been in education for 14 years and this will be my second year as a Dean of Students. I graduated from Western Illinois University with a degree in Elementary Education and then pursued a Masters degree in Administration. 

I am honored to be a part of Morton West and I am committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for every student. GO Mustangs!! 

Dean of Students

Phone:

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Bachelors: Recreation - Southeastern Oklahoma State University 2000 Masters: School Leadership - Concordia University Chicago 2012

Mr. Daniel Woulfe

Hello Mustangs!  I am excited to begin my administration career as Dean of Students/Assistant Athletic Director here at Morton West High School.  Prior to becoming an educator, I served in the U.S.A.F. as a Special Warfare Airmen in the TACP career field.  Once I became an educator, I have worked as a PE/Driver Ed/Health teacher, for 12 years, at a lot of different schools including the last 4 years at Westmont High School where I was the Head Varsity Football Coach as well.

I am originally from the great state of Oklahoma (Boomer Sooner!) but I have been living in the Chicago area now for 14 years.  My wife Lacy, also a teacher, and I have two daughters that are really into gymnastics.

Dean of Students

Phone:

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Bachelor of Arts in History and Secondary Education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale Master of Arts in Educational Administration from University of St. Francis, Joliet Master of Science in Public Administration from Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Mr. Dustin Heap

I am honored and excited to begin my first year as Dean at Morton West!  I am looking forward to building relationships with students, staff, and the entire community of Morton West.   I believe that students are most successful when they are truly a part of the school community. I want to encourage every student to get involved, whether that is in clubs, sports, or other opportunities. 
 
Prior to joining Morton West, I spent the last 8 years teaching social studies. I also coached football, wrestling, and track.   I believe in constantly pushing oneself to improve their knowledge and skills and want to empower students to do the same.  I look forward to being a part of the Morton West family.  GO MUSTANGS!

Special Education Coordinator

Phone: 708.780.4100, ext. 3733

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Ms. Kerry Pozulp

 Angela Duran, Secretary

(708).780.4100 x3724.

I am honored to serve as Special Education Coordinator at Morton West High School.  With over a decade of teaching experience, I have worked with students at multiple levels of the Special Education continuum.  I began my career as a mathematics educator with my own classroom before moving to roles that allowed me to support students in the general education environment while developing curriculum and implementing accommodations and modifications.  As IEP Facilitator for the district in 2020-2021, I earned my Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert and Master Trainer certifications, facilitated over five hundred IEP meetings, provided professional development, and participated on various leadership teams.  I hold a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Finance from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Master’s degrees in Differentiated Instruction and Principal Preparation, and a Director of Special Education endorsement on my professional educator’s license.  Families are an essential part of a student’s educational journey, and I look forward to partnering with you.  My goal is to ensure that students receive an education that allows them to meet their full potential academically, functionally, and social emotionally.  
 

Biliteracy Coordinator

Phone:

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Florida International University, BS in Biology and Chemistry Pace University, MS in Education Concordia University, MA in Illinois Principal Preparation Bilingual Endorsement

Ana Castellanos

Hello Mustangs,
I am very excited to join the administrative team with the objective of supporting the bilingual community at Morton West. 
A little bit about myself: Born in Bucaramanga and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, I came to the United States at the age of 18. After earning a degree in Biology and working on different Everglades restoration projects as a research assistant in Miami, I decided to pursue a career in education in New York City. My first job was as a bilingual science teacher. This experience sparked my passion for Bilingual education as I saw first hand how communicating with families in their native language allows the school to connect deeper with the communities it serves. Embracing the families’ rich cultural heritage supports all of our students’ education, teaching them to think critically and have an open mindset. 
 
Hola Mustangs,
Es un gran privilegio ser parte de la comunidad Morton. Estoy muy contenta de unirme al equipo administrativo con el objetivo de apoyar a la comunidad bilingüe de Morton West.
Algo acerca de mí: Nací en Bucaramanga y me crié en Bogotá, Colombia, llegué a los Estados Unidos a los 18 años. Después de estudiar Biología y trabajar en diferentes proyectos de restauración de los Everglades como asistente de investigación en Miami, decidí hacer una carrera en educación en la ciudad de Nueva York. Mi primer trabajo fue como maestra de ciencias bilingüe. Esta experiencia despertó mi pasión por la educación bilingüe cuando vi de primera mano cómo la comunicación con las familias en su idioma nativo permite que la escuela se conecte mucho más con las comunidades a las que sirve. Adoptar la rica herencia cultural de las familias, enriquece la educación de todos nuestros estudiantes, enseñándoles a tener un pensamiento crítico y una mentalidad abierta.