Phone: 224-513-6447 | Email
Dr. Megan Clarke - Superintendent
Dr. Clarke has served as the ELC Superintendent since 2015. Megan has a BSE in communication disorders from the University of Arkansas, a MAT in special education from National Louis University, a CAS in administration from National Louis University, an EdS in educational leadership from Northern Illinois University, and an Ed.D. in educational leadership from Aurora University. Ms. Clarke began her teaching career in a large suburban school district in Illinois, teaching children with significant emotional needs and learning disabilities at the junior high level. In that district, Ms. Clarke taught younger elementary students with multiple special needs. Ms. Clarke has served in public schools for over 20 years as an administrator, starting as a building leader at a middle school, then at three elementary buildings, and later in the central office as a coordinator, director, and assistant superintendent.
Phone: 224-513-6458 | Email
Ms. Mary Bhardwaj - Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning, and Professional Growth
Ms. Bhardwaj serves as the Director of Professional Growth and Shared Services for the ELC. She earned both her bachelor's degree in elementary education and her master's degree in educational leadership from Illinois State University. She completed her educational specialist degree program from Northern Illinois University. She also holds an English as a second language endorsement. Mary began her almost 30-year career as a classroom teacher in a middle school setting. Beyond the classroom, she held roles as an assistant principal, instructional coach, and assistant principal. She also served as an elementary principal for 9 years before serving as a director of student services, prior to her arrival at the ELC in 2021.
Phone: 224-513-6456 | Email
Ms. Whitney Draegert - Director of Business and Operations CSBO
Ms. Draegert serves as the Director of Business Services and Operations/Chief School Business Official for the ELC. Whitney earned a Bachelor of Science in Commerce with majors in Accounting and Finance from DePaul University and a Master of Science in School Business Management from Northern Illinois University. She also holds a Chief School Business Official endorsement.
Whitney brings nearly 20 years of experience in school finance and operations, of which eight years were spent in public accounting conducting audits for school districts and local governments and 11 years in school district business offices, 10 of which have been as a school business administrator. Throughout her career, she had led budget development, financial planning, payroll and benefits administration, audits, and operational services while ensuring fiscal accountability and compliance. Whitney is committed to collaborative leadership and supporting students, staff, and member districts through sound financial stewardship.
Phone: 224-513-6459 | Email
Ms. Angela Grossnickle - Fiscal Services Manager
Ms. Grossnickle joined the Exceptional Learners Collaborative in 2022. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Lake Forest College and a master’s degree in business administration from Loyola University Chicago. Prior to joining ELC, Angela served as the business manager for the IT and campus safety departments at Loyola. She also worked at Chicago Public Schools for 10 years in various finance roles.
Phone: 224-206-3885 | Email
Ms. Laura Fine - Assistant Director of Programs and Services
Ms. Fine began in her assistant director role at the ELC in 2020. Laura received her BA in special education from Miami University, a master's in special education from the University of Illinois Chicago, and a master's in educational leadership from Concordia University. Laura began her career as an educational and life-skills teacher before spending 6 years as an assistant director of a community-based day program. Prior to the ELC, Laura served as a community employment coordinator and transition specialist.
Phone: 224-206-3244 | Email
Ms. Brooke Goldberg - Coordinator of Special Education
Ms. Goldberg started with the ELC in 2021. Brooke earned her BA in special education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and her MA in leadership and administration from Benedictine University. She began her teaching career as a special education teacher and assistant to the principal. Just prior to joining the ELC, Ms. Goldberg worked in Los Angeles in a variety of different positions. She has also served as a director of special education for ages Pre-K through 8th grade.
Phone: 224-513-6453 | Email
Ms. Ann Hofmeier- Director of Human Resources and Talent Acquisition
Ms. Hofmeier joined the Exceptional Learners Collaborative in 2025. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology, a master's degree in teaching from Roosevelt University, a master's degree in educational leadership from Northeastern Illinois University, and an educational specialist (Ed.S) degree from Northern Illinois University. Throughout her career, Ann has served in a variety of educational roles, including teacher, assistant principal, principal (District 103), assistant director of student services, and curriculum director.
Phone: 224-285-7350 | Email
Mrs. Alicia Johnston - Assistant Director of ELC West
We welcomed Mrs. Johnston in the Fall of 2024 as an assistant director. Alicia earned her Bachelor of Arts in Special Education from Bradley University. She continued her education at Northeastern Illinois University with an endorsement in English as a second language and a master's in early childhood special education. An additional master's degree in educational leadership was completed through the American College of Education. She has spent her career teaching in both general education and special education settings, as well as in school administration as an assistant principal.
Phone: Coming Soon | Email
Ms. Erin Marquard - Assistant Director of ELC West
Ms. Marquard serves as the Assistant Director at ELC West, where she leads the high school and transition programming. She brings extensive leadership experience in special education, most recently serving as a Director of Student Services in a neighboring community. Erin began her career in education, teaching at the elementary level for over 15 years before continuing to serve as an administrator at the building and district levels.
Erin earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Eastern Illinois University and her master's degree in Educational Leadership from North Central College. She also holds her English as a Second Language Endorsement.
Phone: 224-513-6122 | Email
Mr. Ricky Medina - Coordinator of Special Education
Mr. Medina has served the ELC since 2018. Ricky has a bachelor's degree in special education from Illinois State University, a master's degree in reading education, and a specialist degree in educational leadership from National Louis University. Mr. Medina began his teaching career at a private therapeutic day school serving students with significant emotional and behavioral needs before moving to the public school setting, where he served as a district office coordinator and assistant director for early childhood and elementary education.
Phone: 224-206-3243 | Email
Ms. Joanna Robbins - Assistant Director of Programs and Services
Ms. Robbins began with the ELC in 2022. Her degrees are from the University of Illinois (BA in secondary education), Loyola University (EdS in school psychology), and Concordia University (MEd in educational leadership). Over the past 20 years in education, Ms. Robbins has served in various roles, including teacher, school psychologist, assistant principal, and social-emotional wellness coordinator.