Dr. Machak attended grade school in Waukegan (St. Bartholomew) and high school in Mundelein (Carmel) before earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois in 1989.
Dr. Machak will celebrate his twentieth year in Education in 2009, having taught English in Des Plaines (Maryville Academy) and Mundelein (Mundelein High School), where he also spent four years as the Freshman Baseball coach and Director of Adult Education programs. During that time, Dr. Machak earned a Master’s Degree in school administration and in 1997 became a junior high school assistant principal in Hawthorn (Vernon Hills) District 73. Two years later, Machak was named principal of Field Middle School in Northbrook, IL. During his nine years at Field, his school was awarded the National Blue Ribbon Award for Academic Excellence, named a Service Learning Leader School by the non-profit Corporation for National Service, and designated a National School to Watch by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform. Machak earned his doctoral degree from National-Louis University in 2005.
Dr. Machak, his wife Kathy, and their Yorkie (The Big Hurt), live in Mundelein. He serves on a number of community-related advisory boards, including the Executive Board of the Ann M. Kiley Center Parents’ Association and a State of Illinois Task Force to keep at-risk and pregnant teens in school. Machak has also served as past regional president and regional state director of the Illinois Principals Association.
Principal of Emmons School since 1994, Dr. Cynthia Vandrush began teaching Art here in 1981, and she has also taught our students in kindergarten and fourth grade. She earned her Bachelor degree in secondary art education, elementary education certification, and Master’s degree in reading from Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago. Her studies in educational leadership were completed at National Louis University, Evanston, and her doctorate in curriculum and instruction was awarded by Loyola University Chicago. Born and raised in Chicago and the northwest suburbs, Dr. Vandrush and her family have lived in the Antioch community for over 30 years. She and her husband, Al are proud parents of four grown children, and four growing grandchildren. Over the years, Dr. Vandrush has been a part of many changes at Emmons School, but one thing has remained the same. Dr. Vandrush says “the true Emmons spirit is still here among us, just as it was when Myron Emmons donated land for a schoolhouse over 160 years ago. The expectations, determination, sacrifice of our parents, staff, and community make Emmons a great place to learn. Sound education with a deep spirit is the “EMMONS WAY!”
Mr. Seaver was born and raised in Delavan, Wisconsin. He attended elementary and high school in Delavan. Upon high school graduation, Mr. Seaver did his undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville (where he had the opportunity to work with the Super Bowl Champion Chicago Bears). He earned his Bachelor’s degree and started his teaching career at Carl Sandburg Middle School in Mundelein. While teaching at Carl Sandburg he coached basketball and coached track at Mundelein High School. He earned his Master’s Degree from Roosevelt University in 1992 and shortly after started his administrative career as the Assistant Principal of Palombi Middle School in Lake Villa. While in Lake Villa District 41, Mr. Seaver served as Assistant Principal of Palombi Middle School, Assistant Principal of Thompson School, and Assistant Principal of Hooper School. He later became the District Technology Administrator overseeing the technology in all five district buildings. He came to Emmons four years ago as the Technology Coordinator and has since taken on the additional role as Student Services Coordinator.
He is married to his wife Kim and together they have three beautiful girls, Claire (19), Cari (12) and Kendra (6) and a talking cockatiel named Cocoa. In his spare time he enjoys listening to music, watching the Cubs and Bears and spending time with his girls.
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