District Directory

Ms. Adolphson

Associate Principal
Morton High
Subject: Assistant Principal

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.

Mr. Arbisi

Fine Arts Coordinator/ Bertha Frank Manager/ Band Assistant
Morton 709 District
Morton High
Morton Junior High
Subject: Aide

"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

Ms Ball

Cafeteria
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Cafeteria

Mr. Barker

Maintenance
Morton High
Subject: Maintenance

Ms. Beard

Project Lead the Way Teacher
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Technology Education

Ms. Berger

Music Education/ Choir Director
Jefferson Elementary
Morton High
Subjects: Music, Choir

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.

Ms. Berger

Custodian
Morton High
Subject: Custodial Staff

Ms. Beyer

Social Studies
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Social Studies

Ms. Bilyeu

French
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Modern Language

Ms. Block

Special Education
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Special Education

Katie Bolkema

MHS Administrative Assistant
Morton High
Subject: Adminstrative Assistant

Mr. Bradford

Mathematics
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Mathematics

Mr. Brilley

Physical Education/Health
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Physical Education/Health

Mr. Bushman

Counselor
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Counselor

Ms. Buzzell

School Psychologist
Morton High
Morton Academy
Subjects: School Psychologist, Special Education

Ms. Christianson

Building Technologist
Morton High
Subjects: Building Technologist, MPTV

Ms Ciocca

Math Teacher
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Mathematics

Ms Corey

SPED Aide
Morton High
Subject: Aide

Ms. Dallinger-Eaker

MHS Nurse
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: School Nurse Staff

Ms. Dardanes

Administrative Assistant/ Athletic Dept.
Morton High
Subject: Adminstrative Assistant

Mr Dardanes

Aide
Morton High
Subject: Aide

Ms DeHart

Aide - SPED
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Aide

Mr Dehm

PE Teacher
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Physical Education/Health

Mr. DeLong

Social Studies
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Social Studies

Mr. Deters

Sociology
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Social Studies

Mr. Dunehew

Lead Maintenance
Morton High
Subject: Maintenance

Ms. Durand

Mathematics Department Head
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Mathematics

Ms. Dyche

Special Education Instructional Aide
Morton High
Subject: Aide

Ms. Eckart

Special Education
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Special Education

Ms. Eddleman

Instructional Coach
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Instructional Coach

Mr. Epkins

Head Custodian
Morton High
Subject: Custodial Staff

Mr. Feleccia

English Language Arts
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: English Language Arts

Ms Fell

Aide
Morton High
Subject: Aide

Mr. Finney

Physical Education
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Physical Education/Health

Ms. Fonner

Cafeteria
Morton High
Subject: Cafeteria

Ms. Fort

Instructional Aide
Morton High
Subject: Aide

Ms. Fountain

Student Support Services Secondary Special Education Coordinator
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Special Education

Mr. Franks

Social Studies
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Social Studies

Ms. Friend

Administrative Assistant/ Dean of Students
Morton High
Subject: Adminstrative Assistant

Ms. Fritts

Science
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Science

Ms. Gardner

Family & Consumer Science
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Family and Consumer Science

Mr. Garner

Technology and Engineering Education
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Technology Education

Mr. Getz

Music Education/ Orchestra Director
Morton High
Morton Junior High
Grade: High School
Subjects: Music, Orchestra

Mr. Ginzel

Science
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Science

Ms Gordon

English Language Arts
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: English Language Arts

Mr. Grant

Counselor
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Counselor

Mr. Gray

Music Education/ Director of Bands
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subjects: Band, Music

Ms. Gschwend

Special Education
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Special Education

Ms. Gunter

Aide
Morton High

Mr Hatter

Band
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Band

Ms. Heitz

Speech Language Pathologist
Morton 709 District
Morton High
Morton Junior High
Subject: Speech Language Pathologist

Mr. Henderson

Driver's Education
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Driver's Education

Mr. Hendricks

Agriculture & Industrial Technology
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subjects: Agriculture, Technology Education

Mr. Herrmann

MHS Assistant Principal / Dean of Students A-L
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Assistant Principal

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.

Ms. Hess

Administrative Assistant/ Attendance
Morton High
Subject: Adminstrative Assistant

Ms. Hobbs

Special Education
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Special Education

Ms. Holmgren

Science Department Head
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Science

Mr. Hornsby

Social Studies Department Head
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Social Studies

Ms. Hornsby

Administrative Assistant/ Counseling Office
Morton High
Subject: Adminstrative Assistant

Ms. Hoskins

Social Studies
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Social Studies

Mr. Hurst

Physical Education/Health Department Head
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Physical Education/Health

Mr. Ingwersen

Science
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Science

Mr. Jacob

Custodian
Morton High
Subject: Custodial Staff

Ms. James

Special Education
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Special Education

Mr. Jones

Athletic Director
Morton High
Subject: Assistant Principal

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.

Mr. Keefauver

Grounds Crew
Morton 709 District
Morton High
Subject: Grounds Crew

Ms. Kelly

Family and Consumer Science
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Family and Consumer Science

Ms. Kerby

Physical Education
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Physical Education/Health

Ms. Kienitz

Counselor (K-N)
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Counselor

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!

Mr. King

Special Education
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Special Education

Ms. King

Counselor
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Counselor

Mr. Klinkner

Social Worker
Morton High
Subjects: Social Work, Special Education

Ms. Knapp

Mathematics Interventionist
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Mathematics

Ms. Kolacki

Aide- SSS- RISE
Morton High
Subjects: Aide, Special Education

Ms. Kolls

English Language Arts
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: English Language Arts

Ms. Lane

Custodian
Morton High
Subject: Custodial Staff

Ms. Lienhop

Family & Consumer Science
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Family and Consumer Science

Mr. Lindley

English Language Arts
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: English Language Arts

Ms. Lucas

Mathematics
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Mathematics

Mr. Mahannah

Modern Language Department Head
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Modern Language

Ms. Malin

MHS Biology
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Science

Ms. Maran

Special Education Aide
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Special Education

Ms. McClure

Science
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Science

Mr. McFarland

Industrial Technology
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Technology Education

Ms. McKimmey

Aide
Morton High
Subject: Aide

Ms. Monferdini

Mathematics
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Mathematics

Ms. Moss

English Language Arts
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: English Language Arts

Ms. Muniz

Spanish
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Modern Language

Mr. Myers

Business Education
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Business Education

Mr Neisen

Business Education
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Business Education

Ms. Osborne

Librarian

Ms. Osmers

Cafeteria
Morton High
Subject: Cafeteria

Ms Parungao

Administrative Assistant/ MHS Front Office
Morton High
Subject: Adminstrative Assistant

Ms. Plevka

English Language Arts
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: English Language Arts

Ms. Powers

Special Education
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Special Education

Mr. Prichard

Assistant Principal and Dean (M-Z)
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Assistant Principal

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.

Mr. Pullium

Special Education Teacher
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Special Education

Ms Railey

Bus Aide
Morton High
Subject: Bus Aides

Ms. Ripka

Principal
Morton High
Subject: Principal

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.

Mr. Roberts

Special Education
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Special Education

Mr Rowe

School Resource Officer
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: School Resource Officer

Mr. Rutan

Science
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Science

Ms. Sanders

Custodian
Morton High
Subject: Custodial Staff

Ms. Schock

Special Education
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Special Education

Ms. Sheets

English Language Arts
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: English Language Arts

Mr. Smith

Math
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Mathematics

Ms. Stewart

Multilingual Teacher
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subjects: Special Education, Multi-Language Learner

Mr Svendsen Jr

Custodian
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Custodial Staff

Ms. Towner

Special Education Resource Teacher
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Special Education

Mr. Tucker

Driver's Education Department Head
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Driver's Education

Mr. Williams

Business Education
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Business Education

Ms. Woods

Art
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Art

Ms. Young

English Language Arts
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: English Language Arts

Mr. Young

Science
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Science

Ms. Zamora

English Lanugage Arts
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: English Language Arts

Mr. Zehr

Mathematics
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Mathematics

Ms. Zehr

Spanish
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Modern Language

Mr. Zeller

Mathematics
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Mathematics

Mr. Zoss

Spanish
Morton High
Grade: High School
Subject: Modern Language