Staff

We currently have four staff members. We work together as a team, sharing the many tasks involved in running a good school, and sharing the decision-making as much as is possible. Among us we have a wide variety of interests and skills, so we work well together and are able to provide many "extras" for the students. We like to work hard, and we like to have fun.  We believe that working hard can be fun. We like to laugh, and we are usually (not always) willing to laugh at ourselves.  We like people, we like teenagers, we like working at Lake View Academy.

Anita Smith

Three of us are full-time, long-term LVA teachers. Anita Smith, now the counselor, started teaching in the Chicago Public School system. Then, in 1972, she came to Lake View Presbyterian Church and helped start Lake View Academy. She was the first director of the school. Later she resigned that position so she could devote more time to counseling. She has a BA from Wheaton College and an MA from Northeastern Illinois University, with Illinois certificates in high school teaching as well as counseling. She is also an accomplished musician.

Deborah Bayly

 I am Deborah Bayly, the principal. I, too, started out as a Chicago Public School teacher. In 1974 I came to the Academy. I have a BA from University of Illinois, Champaign, and got my MA from University of Illinois, Chicago. I have an Illinois teacher's certificate as well as a school administrator's certificate. The Board of the Academy appointed me Principal when Anita resigned the position of Director.

Laura Lyman

Laura Lyman started out her relationship with the Academy years ago as a  Board member, moved on to volunteering, and more recently joined the staff, adding some teaching to her other duties. She has a BA from Wells College, and taught high school English in Harrisburg, PA for three years right before moving to the Chicago area.

Bob Bobesink

Bob Bobesink joined our staff in February, 2006, after spending 25 years working in food service industry management.  He has a BA from Carleton College, and recently received an Illinois teacher certificate after studying at National Louis University.  

Volunteers and Part-Time Staff

Kelly Martin has been teaching social studies on a part-time basis since 1993.  This year, she is teaching anthropology.  She has a BA from Westmont College, MEd from UCLA and an M.P.H. from University of Illinois Chicago.

Carl Cohen

Carl Cohen has a BA from the University of Chicago, an MBA from University of Michigan, and an MA from National Louis University.  He came to us after working for 25 years in private industry.  Carl is teaching human biology and working on designing a hands-on physics class.

Peter Stover

Peter Stover started teaching art at the Academy in the fall of 2007.  He has a BFA from Columbia College and is currently getting a Master's Degree. 

Bob Friedlander

Volunteer Bob Friedlander has taught Greek and Russian Lit seminars in alternate years since the early nineties.  He graduated from Brown University and Chicago Kent College of Law.

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