District Directory

Mrs. Jamie Adolphson is the Associate Principal. She earned her undergraduate degree from Bradley University and her Master’s in Educational Leadership and Administration from Saint Xavier University. Jamie previously taught for Pekin District 108 as an emotional/behavioral classroom teacher before joining the Pekin High School Staff teaching Special Education Science. The last three years Jamie spent as a Dean of Students at Pekin High School. Jamie is married to her husband Cory, and they have a daughter Kylie and a son Bradley.

"Does life imitate art, or does art imitate life?" Whatever the answer is, the Arts are alive and well here in Morton 709.

It is a pleasure to be a part of the team that helps get nearly every arts-related production up and going in the district. Band, Orchestra, Choir, Theater, and Art Shows with promising student resident artists bring many into our community to enjoy the talents of our students.

The Bertha Frank Performing Arts Center is a busy place for budding talent and creative minds. Learn more about the school and community connection at berthafrank.org

All students come to explore, perform, and enjoy the world of music. Students learn basic music theory, demonstrate their knowledge by playing many kinds of instruments, and perform their talents through a concert format. We strive to have all of our students feel successful in developing not only musical skills but also a lifelong appreciation of music.

Mr. Todd Herrman is an Assistant Principal and Dean of Students (A-L) at Morton High School.
He earned an undergraduate degree from Illinois State University in Marketing. After a couple years of working in the business sector, Todd decided to pursue a career in education. He worked as a classroom aide in an alternative education classroom and went on to acquire an undergraduate degree in Business Education from Illinois State University.
Mr. Herrmann taught and coached at East Peoria Junior High and High School for six years. He taught both STEM and Business courses, and he coached cross country and track and field. After obtaining his Master's degree in Educational Leadership from Aurora University, he worked as Dean of Students at Pekin High School for two years.

Mr. Herrmann is married to his wife Nicole, they have two daughters and a son, Adelyn,Olivia, and Zachary.

Scott Jones is the Athletic Director. He is a native of Berwyn, IL where he attended Morton West High School and Hinsdale South High School. He holds degrees from Western Illinois University and the American College of Education. Scott taught instrumental music for 19 years and during that time has coached Football, Baseball and Softball. He was awarded the ICA Softball Coach of the Year in 2007 & 2009, and was also awarded the Illinois Principal’s Association (CIV) Assistant Principal of the Year in 2014 while working for Dunlap High School. During his free time Scott enjoys playing Golf, Softball, and traveling with his wife Jeanie, who teaches 3rd Grade for the Brimfield Schools. Scott and Jeanie have 5 children and 2 grandchildren.

Mrs. Christina Kienitz grew up in Lubbock, Texas and Michigan City, Indiana. She attended Ball State University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies Education. During thirteen years as a Social Studies teacher at Pekin Community High School, Mrs. Kienitz also completed a Master of Science at ISU in Curriculum and Instruction and a Master of Science in School Counseling at Bradley. Mrs. Kienitz was a school counselor at PCHS for two years before becoming a school counselor at MHS in 2016. Mrs. Kienitz is thrilled to be a part of the greater Morton Community and to collaboratively serve the students and families of MHS!

Crystal Lohnes came to Morton 709 to bring the food services home. After decades of paying food service providers, she came on board to intentionally build a meal program that students and staff can look forward to in the middle of the school day. She is building menus as she builds a food services team. She would love to hear what your students look forward to the most.

Josh Prichard is an Assistant Principal/Dean for students whose last names begin with M-Z. He grew up in Morton and graduated from Morton High School in 2005. He earned his undergraduate degree from Luther College in 2009 and his Master’s in Educational Leadership from Aurora University in 2014. Prior to becoming an Assistant Principal at Morton High School, Josh taught PE and Health for Morton District 709 for 6 years and served as the head wrestling coach for Morton High School for 8 years. He currently lives in Morton and enjoys spending time with his wife Rachel and their two girls Anna and Paisley.

Mrs. Deidre Ripka is the Principal at Morton High School. She spent her formative years as a Lady Pretzel at Freeport High School in Freeport, Illinois. She attended Western Illinois University as an elementary education major, Golden Apple Scholar, and a member of the women’s basketball team. She taught 8th grade Language Arts at Central Junior High in Kewanee, Illinois, and was also a girls basketball coach at Kewanee High School. While teaching, Mrs. Ripka earned her MS in School Counseling at WIU. In 2005, she moved into the Counseling Office at Morton High School and became the Director of Counseling in 2007. She earned her Educational Leadership certificate from Bradley University in May 2013 and was an assistant principal and dean for three years.

Mrs. Ripka and her husband live in Morton with their children, Izzy and Anderson. In her free time she enjoys watching her kids play sports, cooking, and being active outdoors.

Mrs. Stephens started working at Lincoln in 2003. She is originally from Washington, Illinois. She attended Illinois State University and graduated in December of 2002 with a Bachelors Degree in Special Education. In June of 2006, she received her Masters Degree from Olivet Nazarene University in Curriculum and Instruction. She lives in Morton with her husband, Tyler, daughter, Lily, and son, Hunter. In her free time, she loves playing with her children, reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Mission for the Class
Her mission for the class is to help her students work to the best of their abilities and succeed in the regular education classroom.