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| Maureen Hanrahan |
| Coordinator, Northwestern University's Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS) |
For the past 17 years, Maureen Hanrahan has been the Coordinator for NUMATS. She works closely with parents to ensure that increased opportunities are available to students as a result of participation, including summer programs, distance-learning programs, awards at school, more appropriate curriculum, accelerated courses, and sometimes grade skipping. She also works closely with the schools to encourage them to make this opportunity available. As a former teacher in the Chicago Public Schools and the former coordinator of the Center for Talent Development’s Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) and Gifted LearningLinks (GLL) distance learning program, Maureen is an expert on the opportunities available to gifted/talented students. She feels that this program provides something worthwhile for everyone—students, parents and schools.
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| Mary Ellen Lydon |
| Department Assistant, NUMATS |
Department Assistant Mary Ellen Lydon is a former teacher in the Chicago Public Schools and has also worked as an editor and production manager. She assists parents and teachers when they have questions about NUMATS, and helps out on some of the CTD programs.
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| George Peternel |
| Associate Director, Center for Talent Development |
George Peternel serves as an associate director at Center for Talent Development, overseeing Northwestern University's Midwest Academic Talent Search, technology, accreditation, community outreach and several programs focusing on the needs of underserved gifted students. He takes great pleasure in stimulating the intelligent thought needed around the world and is inspired by witnessing CTD students’ genius at work. George’s gifted education expertise comes from both teaching and administrative experience, including 28 years as an elementary and middle school principal. He has taught at the college level, presented at numerous conferences, including the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and National Association for Gifted Children, and been actively involved with teachers and parents as a speaker and workshop facilitator. While mastering his craft as an educator, George has also become a rock and roll trivia expert, specializing in music from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s.
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| Veronica Ryskin |
| Program Assistant, Northwestern University's Midwest Academic Talent Search |
| Veronica Ryskin is the uber-organized program assistant for Northwestern University’s Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS). It is her keen attention to detail that enables NUMATS to assist 30,000 students each year. Though she guides thousands of families through the process of choosing and enrolling in tests appropriate to each child, Veronica forms such close relationships that families often call just to inform her about their children's progress and other family affairs. This is one of the many aspects of her job that Veronica finds rewarding. She also enjoys on-the-job problem solving and says her graduate training comes in handy, given the volume and complexity of issues she addresses. Veronica holds a master's degree in biotechnology from the Institute of Technology in St. Petersburg, Russia. She is fluent in Russian, loves gardening and has even been known to plant vegetables in the garden behind Center for Talent Development! |
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| Christine Thom |
| Department Assistant, NUMATS |
Christine Thom is a master at management as a program assistant for Northwestern University’s Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS). But, in contrast to her former life, her managing activities these days rarely involve coordinating rehearsal schedules, planning set changes or calling shows. That was certainly not the case for the previous eight years when Christine was an Equity stage manager in Chicago. She worked for both Steppenwolf and Lookingglass theatres but says, “My home was Remy Bumppo Theatre Company for whom I stage managed 10 shows.” (Her favorites were “Man and Superman,” “Hapgood” and “Top Girls.”) Now Christine answers questions from parents, educators and students about the NUMATS program and registration process. She processes registrations, assists with mailings and helps proofread printed materials – all critical to the success of NUMATS. She came to work as a temporary employee in the fall of 2008 and happily accepted a full-time position six months later. She believes that “A good education is empowering, and what we do helps students find their optimal/customized education – the one that serves them best because it matches their ability.” Christine holds two bachelor of arts degrees, English and Theatre, from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
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| Diane Unger |
| Assistant Coordinator, Northwestern University's Midwest Academic Talent Search |
As the Assistant Coordinator for NUMATS, Diane Unger ensures that NUMATS works optimally for students, parents and educators. She answers participants’ questions, oversees the EXPLORE test that CTD administers, updates explanatory materials, and generally makes sure that everything runs smoothly. With an English Literature degree, years of experience as an editor, and an academic family background, Diane understands not only the challenges that families face in receiving the best services for their gifted children, but also how hard educators work to ensure those same services. She is continually inspired by parents and educators who are committed to providing the best options for their children/students, sometimes in the face of limited finances and time.
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