Office

Absences and Late Arrivals
To report absences or late arrivals, please call the Student Absence Line 847-353-5503 by 8:00 a.m.
The Absence Line is available at all hours and may be accessed in advance of the date of absence.

Office phone: 847-353-5500

Secretaries:
Ms. Kerri Kurtz (Email Ms. Kerri Kurtz)

Mrs. Jin Feldman (Email Jin Feldman)

Nurse:
Mrs. Jamie Holmes (Email Mrs. Jamie Holmes)
Phone: 847-353-5508

School Office Hours:
7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Monday – Friday

School Hours
Staff Directory

principal headshot

Mrs. Dana Tamez

Principal
(847)353-5500

Dana Tamez joined the Aptakisic Junior High School as Principal in August 2018. Mrs. Tamez has administrative experience from Early Childhood through High School. She served as a high school teacher and world language department chair at Jones College Prep High School and then accepted a position as Assistant Principal of Hawthorn Middle School South for four years. Most recently, Mrs. Tamez was the Principal at Winkelman school for two years. Mrs. Tamez holds a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Texas at Austin, Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning from DePaul University, and a second Master of Arts in Administration and Supervision from The University of Illinois. Mrs. Tamez is passionate about “creating a strong sense of community, encouraging innovative and engaging instruction that benefits all students, and caring for the whole child.”

Associate Principal headshot

Mrs. Nicole Koren

Assistant Principal
(847) 353-5500

Mrs. Koren has over fourteen years of experience in education, most recently serving as a Spanish teacher for 6th and 7th graders and as Principal for summer programming for grades 5–8. She began her career teaching bilingual 5th grade in Chicago Public Schools and went on to support students as both a Spanish and English Language Learner teacher. She holds multiple degrees, including a BA in Spanish Language & Culture and two master’s degrees—one in Teaching of Spanish and another in Principal Preparation. Mrs. Koren is passionate about creating a positive and supportive learning environment and is dedicated to working with students, families, and staff to ensure life-long learning for all students.

Assistant Principal headshot

Mr. Jonathan Weintraub

Assistant Principal
(847) 353-5500

It’s an honor to serve as the Assistant Principal at Aptakisic Junior High. After spending most of my career at the high school level as both a teacher and administrator, I’m excited to join this incredible junior high team and community. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Applied Health Sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago and began my career as a PE teacher and instructional coach. I later received my Master’s degree in School Administration from Concordia University. I believe that strong, supportive relationships are the foundation of a positive school culture where students can grow academically, socially, and emotionally.