Administrative Team

Mr. Ara has been a loyal part of Lane Tech faculty since 2013. Mr. Ara possesses a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science: Human Computer Interaction and a Master of Education degree in Secondary Education, a Master of Arts degree in School Administration from American College of Education, and he is currently finishing up his Doctorate Degree at Concordia University with a focus on Educational Leadership. Mr. Ara has completed his superintendent certification and hopes to use it some day to make a greater impact on a school district. During his teaching career at Lane Tech, Mr. Ara taught Programming, Graphic Design, Animation, and Web Design. Mr. Ara was technology lead for Lane Tech’s STEAM program and has been an active member on the CIWP and Technology Committees. With background in Arts, Computer Science, and Educational Leadership, Mr. Ara invests time and efforts into school improvement by focusing on the use of technology as a creative tool to enhance teaching and to improve student achievement. Mr. Ara’s goal as an administrator is creating a can do attitude with students through efficiency and integration of technology into daily instruction in order to create an environment where student innovation, creativity and productivity is encouraged and visible. Mr. Ara is a creative educator and a leader who believes that diversity at Lane is an advantage which creates environments where students explore different approaches to solving problems, and are encouraged to think progressively, work collaboratively, and be innovators in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. Since 2012 Mr. Ara focused on transforming standard classrooms into modern laboratories where students look forward to project based learning, collaboration, and input from others is valued as students are challenged towards excellence. His latest projects include working with the World Language department shifting the focus towards verbal fluency and communication, and physical education shift into fitness based activities.

Departments

Computer Science, Physical Education, ROTC, World Languages

Responsibilities

Athletics, Building Operations, Library, Lunchroom, Student Support, Technology Office

Mr. Dresser is incredibly excited to join the Lane community as an Assistant Principal and comes to the role with a passion for learning and collaboration. Most recently, he served as a Resident Principal at Northside College Prep High School, where he led the SEL, MTSS, & Leadership Teams. Prior to his work at NCP, he served in numerous roles at ChiTech Academy High School, including Teacher Leader and Director of Adult Learning, where his work focused on project design, assessment, and instructional coaching. In 2015, he had the opportunity to study at the High Tech High Education Leadership Academy, where he led a school team focused on curating high-quality student work and building capacity of staff to design interdisciplinary projects. He believes all students learn best when they feel a connection to their teachers, their curriculum, and their school. Mr. Dresser graduated with a Bachelor’s in Music Education from the University of Tulsa, a Master’s in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas, and completed a Principal Residency with the Chicago Leadership Collaborative in concert with the New Leaders Aspiring Principals Program.

Departments

English

Responsibilities

ILT, Attendance, Omega, Tutoring, Volunteers, Library

Dr. Hanly has been a part of the Lane Tech faculty since 2000 and an assistant principal since 2012. She was an English teacher for 6 years and English Department Chair for 2 years before heading up the Records Office at Lane from 2007-2010. In addition to her teaching, Dr. Hanly served on the curriculum committee, PPLC committee, produced the plays and musicals, and was a sponsor of the National Honor Society. Prior to Lane, she taught English at Hubbard High School in Chicago. In 2003, Dr. Hanly was a LAUNCH fellow which allowed her to take a sabbatical from teaching to work as an intern principal at Hope High School and Ray Elementary. Dr. Hanly graduated from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana with a B.A. in English Literature and received her Masters Degree in Educational Administration from Northeastern Illinois University. In 2021, she completed her Doctorate in Education in Education, Policy, Organization, and Leadership with a concentration in Diversity and Equity from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana.

Departments

Art, Drama, Music

Responsibilities

Communications, Culture and Climate, Deans, LT Academic Center, Public Relations, Security, Social Media, Student Activities, Title IX Coordinator

Ms. Hart has been a dedicated faculty member at Lane Tech College Prep for 21 years. Ms. Hart is in her 11th year as an Assistant Principal. Ms. Hart possesses a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences, a Master of Arts degree in Learning Disabilities, a Master of Arts degree in School Administration, and holds a Director of Special Education certification. Ms. Hart was the Director of Admissions at Lane Tech for seven years. While working as the Director of Admissions, Ms. Hart coordinated Open House, Freshman Connections, Best Practice Fair and testing for CPS Selective Enrollment high schools. Ms. Hart began her career at Lane Tech as a special education teacher. During her three years of teaching at Lane Tech, Ms. Hart worked with students in Inclusion Biology and Inclusion Physics and taught self-contained science courses and the Wilson Reading Method for students with reading difficulties. Ms. Hart has served on several committees such as PPLC, Freshman on Track, S.T.A.R.S. Mentor Program, and Curriculum Development for the Lane Tech Academic Center. Ms. Hart also taught at the Elementary level and provided hearing impaired students with speech and language services. While working at the elementary level, Ms. Hart coached track and volleyball and provided tutoring services after school. In her free time, she attends athletic events for her own children.

Departments

Counseling-SEL, Diverse Learners, Personnel

Responsibilities

Admissions, Behavioral Health Team, Human Resources-Personnel Director

Ms. Hildebrandt has been a part of the Lane Tech faculty since 2007 and an assistant principal since 2015. She was an Alpha and Biology teacher for 8 years and Biology Lead Teacher for 4 years. In addition to her teaching, Ms. Hildebrandt was the Alpha STEM Coordinator, the Data and Assessment Coordinator, and served on the Instructional Leadership Team. Ms. Hildebrandt graduated from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona with a B.S. in Biology and received her Masters Degrees in Secondary Education and Educational Administration from DePaul Universtity and American College of Education.

Departments

Counseling, Science

Responsibilities

Advanced Placement, Alpha-STEM, Data & Assessment, Programming, Lane Scholars

Edwina Thompson, a wife, mother to a son and two bonus daughters, is the very proud Principal of Lane Tech College Prep. She is also a Lane alum, former student teacher, teacher and Assistant Principal. Her foundation as a licensed educator spans 17 years with most of that time being spent as a Lane Tech faculty member since 2006. However, she has been a member of the Lane Tech community since 1995 serving as an involved student member of the Gospel Choir, Black Student Association, Cheerleading Team, Senior Class Officers, Aid to Staff, and so much more!

Mrs. Thompson’s post-secondary accolades include a Bachelor’s Degree in English-Secondary Education/Minor in Computer Information Systems from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and a Masters Degree in Educational Administration from Concordia University. During her time as a National Board Certified teacher ( achieved 2008) , she taught all levels of English including Debate and Argumentation and even developed Lane Tech’s inaugural African American Literature course.

In addition to teaching, she worked as a teacher leader on the Instructional Leadership Team, curriculum committee, SIPAA team , Performance Improvement team, and Parent Resource Initiatives. She also served as the city and national championship Debate coach, Gospel Choir Sponsor and Black Student Association Sponsor- for which she wrote two plays, organized Lane’s first HBCU college tour and designed Lane’s first T.A.S.T.E. ( a festival for school and community groups to share their talents, goods, and services with the Lane community).

Her work is heavily steeped in what is best instructionally, socially, and equitably for our students and staff as she believes that we are all here for the purpose of seeing our students succeed. As an Assistant Principal, she oversaw the English Department, SAT Prep, Equity Initiatives, Literacy, Attendance Incentives, the Instructional Leadership Team, HBCU College Tour Planning, Gospel Choir, BSA, Tutoring, and wherever else she was needed

Mrs. Thompson is a highly skilled, passionate, and results-oriented instructional servant leader who believes in providing optimal and equitable educational experiences for students while building staff capacity. Her dedication to student and staff success fuels her desire to serve as the collaborative leader of Lane Tech. It is not only because of what she has done or can do for Lane. That desire is fueled by what the Lane Tech community- students, staff, and parents, community partners- have imparted into her.