Ms. Megan Clarke - Superintendent
Ms. Clarke has served as the ELC Superintendent since 2015. Megan has a BSE in communication disorders from 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 is working on 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 well as learning disabilities at the junior high level. In that district, Ms. Clarke spent time teaching younger elementary students with multiple special needs. Ms. Clarke has served within public schools over twenty years as an administrator starting first as a building leader at a middle school and then at three elementary buildings, and then moved to central office as a coordinator, director, and assistant superintendent.
Ms. Mary Bhardwaj - Director of Professional Growth and Shared Services
Ms. Bhardwaj serves as the Director of Professional Growth and Shared Services for the ELC. She earned both her bachelors in elementary education degree and masters in educational leadership degrees 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 acted as an elementary principal for nine years before serving as a director of student services prior to her arrival at the ELC in 2021.
Ms. Jennifer Cox - Director of Business and Operations
Ms. Cox began as the Director of Business and Operations with the ELC in 2021. Jennifer holds a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Southern New Hampshire University. Before joining The Exceptional Learners Collaborative, Ms. Cox served as the accounting manager and payroll specialist for 13 years in a nearby district. She has also held a wide range of accounting and finance positions during her more than twenty-five-year career.
Mr. David Graham - Director of Technology
Mr. Graham joined the ELC in 2020 as the Director of Technology. Dave has a bachelors of science in technical management from DeVry University, and a masters of business administration from Keller's Graduate School of Management. Mr. Graham began his career in educational technology serving as help desk support and then as a technology manager at the high school level.
Mr. Ricky Medina - Private Placement Coordinator
Mr. Medina has served the ELC since 2018. Ricky has a bachelors degree in special education from Illinois State University, a masters degree in reading education from National Louis University, and specialist degree in educational leadership from National Louis University. Mr. Medina began his teaching career in 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 school levels.
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.
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 masters in special education from the University of Illinois Chicago, and a masters in educational leadership from Concordia University. Laura began her career as an educational and life skills teacher before spending six 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.
Mrs. Alicia Johnston - Assistant Director of Transition Services
We welcomed Mrs. Johnston in the Fall of 2024 in the assistant director role. 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 masters in early childhood special education. An additional masters degree was also completed through American College of Education in educational leadership. She has spent her career teaching in both general education and special education settings as well as in school administration as an assistant principal.
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 (Ed.S in school psychology), and Concordia University (masters 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.
Ms. Kelly Szafranski - Coordinator of Programs and Services
The ELC welcomed Ms. Szafranski in 2024. Ms. Szafranski received her BA in special education and special education early childhood from Eastern Illinois University, ESL endorsement from National Louis University, masters in reading from Olivet University, and masters in educational leadership from Concordia University. Ms. Szafranski started her career as a special education teacher and most recently had the role of a coordinator of student services in a nearby district.