HART Team Members of Collinsville, IL

H.A.R.T. Trauma & Grief Team Members of

Collinsville Unit10 School District: Collinsville, IL 62234

Julie Benson - C.T.S., School Psychologist

Building Assignment: Special Education Office working currently in Twin Echo, Hollywood Heights, and Collinsville High School.

Joined the Collinsville District in 2001.

Degrees: BS in Psychology, MS in School Psychology

Achievements: Holds a LEVEL I certification as a School Certified Trauma Specialist with "The National Institute for Trauma and Lost in Children". Getting back on the road of life when a huge boulder threw me off. :)

Favorite Quote: "Don't close your eyes on the rain. You might miss the rainbow."

Hobbies: Scrap booking

Reason for joining HART: Being a member of the HART team helps me to feel connected to both our school district and community. I like to feel like what I am doing makes a difference and I enjoy helping other people. Since joining, I have experienced my own personal losses which help me identify to an even greater degree with those the HART team services.

Natalie Ellington - C.T.C., Social Worker

Bachelor of Science in Social Work. Masters of Science in Social Work.

Achievements: Holds a LEVEL I certification as a School Certified Trauma Specialist, and a LEVEL II certification as a School Certified Trauma Consultant with "The National Institute for Trauma and Lost in Children".

Favorite Quote: "Ain't nobody gonna get your goat if they don't know where he's tied."

Hobbies: My children, reading, traveling, and cooking.

Reason for joining the HART: To be a part of a district wide team that is prepared to handle crisis situations that arise with our students and faculty.

Michelle Fedorchak, Social Worker

Building Assignment: Maryville Elementary and Jefferson Elementary.

Joined the Collinsville District in August of 2002.

Degrees: BSW from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. MSW from Saint Louis University.

Achievements:

Favorite Quote: "Treat others the way that you want to be treated."

Hobbies: Scrap booking, music, watching movies, and looking at the pictures in great magazines. Although, I enjoy these things, I spend most of my time enjoying the activities my daughters are involved in -- softball, soccer, basketball, violin, and dance.

Reason for joining HART: In today's world tragedies occur. I wanted to be trained and part of the team that will assist in helping our community work through these tragedies.

Garry Henson - C.T.S., Classroom Teacher

Building Assignment is CHS. Joined the Collinsville District in 2001.

Bachelor of Science in History and Sociology. A Major in English.

Achievements: Holds a LEVEL I certification as a School Certified Trauma Specialist with "The National Institute for Trauma and Lost in Children". I have great kids!

Favorite Quote: "I cannot teach anyone anything, I can only make them think." - Socrates

Hobbies: Golf.

Reason for joining the HART: To help.

Greg Hobbs - C.T.C.-S., Individualized Instructor

Building Assignment is Kreitner Elementary. Joined the Collinsville District in 1994.

Bachelor of Science in Special Education K-12. Bachelor of Science in Regular Education K-8. Masters of Science in Education. Gifted Education Endorsement. Currently working on a second Masters in Educational Leadership.

Achievements: Holds a LEVEL I certification as a School Certified Trauma Specialist, a LEVEL II certification as a School Certified Trauma Consultant, and a LEVEL III certification as a School Certified Trauma Consultant Supervisor with "The National Institute for Trauma and Lost in Children". Recently certified in the Lindamood-Bell "LiPS" reading program, the "Visualization & Verbalization" program, and the "On Cloud Nine" math program.

Favorite Quote: "People never improve unless they look to some standard or example higher and better than themselves." - Tryon Edwards

Hobbies: Ebaying, World Travel, and Urban Living.

Reason for joining the HART: To assist students, staff, and community in times of trauma.

Marilyn Huber, School Psychologist

Building Assignment is Dorris Intermediate School and Jefferson. Joined the Collinsville District in 1998.

Bachelor Degree: Psychology / Fine Arts. Master Degree: Psychology. Also hold a Specialist degree in Community / School Psychology

Achievements: Mother of two wonderful sons.

Favorite Quote: "Do not pray for an easy life, pray to be a strong person." Unknown

Hobbies: Gardening, Decorating, and Traveling.

Reason for joining the HART: To help students and staff in crisis situations.

Kristen Kennett - C.T.C.-S., School Social Worker

Building Assignment is CHS. Joined the Collinsville District in 2004.

Bachelor of Science in Social Work. Masters of Science in Social Work.

Hobbies: Reading, exercising, traveling, and son.

Reason for joining the HART: To work with other compassionate employees to ensure that our district was as prepared as possible if a traumatic event would occur.

Karen Leskera, School Social Worker

Building Assignment is

Bachelor Degree:

Achievements:

Favorite Quote: "

Hobbies: .

Reason for joining the HART: .

LaVern Oatman, 5th Grade Classroom Teacher

Building Assignment: Dorris Intermediate School

Bachelor Degree: Elementary Education. Master Degree: Elementary Education.

Joined the Collinsville District in 1992.

Achievements: WalMart Teacher of the Year 2001 and 2007.

Favorite Quote: "Well done is better than well said." Benjamin Franklin

Hobbies: Singing

Reason for joining HART: To help the district in times of crisis and to make a difference.

Jennifer Osaben - C.T.S., Speech / Language Pathologist

Building Assignment is Maryville Elementary. Joined the Collinsville District in 1999.

Bachelor Degree: Speech Pathology and Audiology. Master Degree: Communication Disorders.

Achievements: Holds a LEVEL I certification as a School Certified Trauma Specialist with "The National Institute for Trauma and Lost in Children", since 2005.

Favorite Quote: "Life is good."

Reason for joining the HART: I joined the HART Team to help and support our students and staff.

Jim Pipkin - C.T.C.-S., Classroom Teacher

Building Assignment is CHS. Joined the Collinsville District in 2004.

Bachelor of Science in Special Education K-12. Bachelor of Science in Regular Education K-8. Masters of Science in Special Education. General Administration Endorsement.

Favorite Quote: "It's never too late to be what you might have been!" - George Eliot

Hobbies: Spending time with family. Learning to play the guitar.

Reason for joining the HART: To assist both kids and adults in need of help!

Regina Prior - C.T.S., School Nurse

Building Assignment is CMS. Joined the Collinsville District in 1998.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing. School Nurse Certification ISNA.

Achievements: Holds a LEVEL I certification as a School Certified Trauma Specialist with "The National Institute for Trauma and Lost in Children". I have worked in a hospital setting with children, newborns and new mom's for 14 years. Also have worked in the home health care for four years assisting new moms and the transition to home and caring for new babies. Currently in my 10th year as a school nurse. I am an AED/CPR trainer.

Favorite Quote: "Don't worry be HAPPY"

Hobbies: Gardening and Swimming.

Reason for joining the HART: To learn how to help students and staff through crisis that happen within our school community.

Kathi Ritchie - C.T.C.-S., Case Manager

Building Assignment is Dorris Intermediate School. Joined the Collinsville District in 1985.

Bachelor of Science in Special Education/Elementary Education from SIUE. Masters of Science in Special Education from SIUE. Currently working on a second Masters in Educational Leadership from McKendree.

Favorite Quote: "And in the end, its not the years in your life that counts. It is the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln.

Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends. I also enjoy photography.

Reason for joining the HART: I have a passion for helping children.

Lisa Brown Sabatino - C.T.S., School Nurse

Building Assignment is Renfro and Summit.

RN, BSN, and CSN

Achievements: Holds a LEVEL I certification as a School Certified Trauma Specialist with "The National Institute for Trauma and Lost in Children". I am a Certified School Nurse. Certified AHA CPR/AED/First Aid Instructor. Contemporary Lifesaving Training: Training Center Faculty. Currently the CUSD#10 AED Program Coordinator.

Favorite Quote: "Live, Laugh, Love"

Hobbies: I enjoy scrapbooking, writing poetry, and reading novels. My husband and I are very active coaches for our childrens' sports teams. I was a Boy Scout leader for 4 years with my son's Cub Scout pack, and am now a parent helper with my daughter's Brownie troop. I am a Premier Designs High Fashion Jewelry Independent Distributor and greatly enjoy the friends that I have met along my Premier journey. My true passion, however, is teaching CPR/AED/First Aid classes to students, staff, and community members.

Reason for joining the HART: I joined the HART Team to become part of a support system for students and staff who are grieving a loss or who have experienced a traumatic event. I have learned through the HART Team training that there are many ways to grieve and many ways to support those feelings of grief. With each tragedy we, as a team, are able to learn more and give more to those who are in the midst of the tragic event. We are fortunate that our school district has been supportive of our team. My hope is that our HART Team will continue to lear and grow in the future.