Leo High School’s faculty is fully certified, according to State of Illinois education standards, and fully committed to the academic mission of the school. Our well-trained, thoroughly professional teachers are accustomed to coming early and staying late to provide additional instruction for any student who requests it. Along with its academic goals, Leo strives to educate the total person, stressing citizenship, leadership and good decision-making, all within the context of strong Catholic values.
Fajr Al-Nurridin
Office Manager/Executive Support
Fajr Al-Nurridin, affectionately known as “Ms. Al”, joined the Leo staff during the 2020 pandemic year. She attended Chicago State University, where she studied English and later attended The Illinois Institute of Art, where she studied Fashion Marketing and Management. Her many years of experience in not-for-profit business management, administrative operations and customer service has allowed her to study techniques to better serve Leo as the Office Manager and provide Executive level support. Her skills include coordinating educational assignments for staff, budgets, and cost-benefit analysis on internal program vendor usage. She is a charter member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Alsip Chapter, and enjoys being outdoors, spending time with her family, traveling and socializing with friends.
Samantha Alvarado
Samantha Alvarado has been in education serving as an English teacher, Department Chair, and Principal since 2007. She is from Chicago and has always worked with students on Chicago’s South Side. She had Masters in English as well as Educational Leadership. She has three biological children and more than 2000 babies (most are adults now!) who walked through her classroom doors.
Michael Anderson '91
Mr. Anderson played football and baseball and wrestled for four years at Leo. He accepted a football scholarship to Purdue University and was a backfield mate of former Leo teammate Corey Rogers before graduating in 1995. He holds a BS in Industrial Technology, Minor in Civil Engineering from Purdue. A member of the Leo High School Hall of Fame, Mr. Anderson received the Community Service Award from the Leo Alumni Association in 2013 for his tireless efforts in recruiting for Leo. Mr. Anderson teaches Physical Education and serves as head baseball coach, assistant football and assistant wrestling coach. Mr. Anderson’s sons have attended Leo, Class of 2014, 2020 and 2022.
Tiana Bogard
Tiana Bogard is a dedicated Math Teacher’s Assistant currently pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering. With a passion for education, they hold a robust teaching certification in Robotics and Engineering, bringing a unique blend of mathematical expertise and practical engineering knowledge to the classroom. Their commitment to fostering student learning and enthusiasm for problem-solving make them an invaluable asset in the field of education.
Noah Cannon '95
Athletic Director
Mr. Cannon was the Lions’ varsity basketball coach from 2003-14. In his first season as coach, Leo won the Class A state basketball championship for the only time in school history. The Lions made a return trip downstate in 2009 and have also appeared in three sectional championship games. A former Leo point guard and a member of the Leo Hall of Fame, Coach Cannon is a graduate of Elmhurst College, where he also played basketball. Mr. Cannon teaches Social Studies.
Osvaldo Carnalla
Mr. Carnalla is a native South Sider—born and raised in the neighborhood of Marquette Park. A proud Hancock College Prep graduate, Mr. Carnalla spent his last four years in Boston where he attended Brandeis University. In his studies, he focused on English, Spanish, and Education, all subjects that intertwined to his identity as a first generation man. During his time at Brandeis, Mr. Carnalla worked as teacher assistants for both middle-school and high-school ELA classes. Mr. Carnalla was able to graduate early from Brandeis in the winter of 2024, where he then spent 7 months working with special education kids. This is what pushed him to seek out opportunities in teaching—where he stumbled on Leo High School and has proudly been serving since.
Phoenix Charleston
Phoenix C. Charleston is the IDEA Math Teacher at Leo High School. She is a Chicago native who earned her Masters Degree in Psychology at National-Louis University, and her undergraduate Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Tougaloo College. She has over 20 years of professional experience in mediation, conflict, crisis management, academic advising, training, group facilitation, leadership, organization training topics including time management, study skills, college prep, decision making and life skills. Most of these skills were obtained as an Academic Coach and Academic Instructor for Title I services throughout private schools in Chicago for the past 15 years. Her motto she lives by “I am a seed planter, it is my responsibility to pass on the knowledge and wisdom that was given to me through life experiences, and rather they accept it or not, I know I did what I have been created to do. “
Terence Cook '94
Dean of Students
Mr. Cook is the Dean of Students. He has been in the education field since 2009 serving as Cadre, Coach, and Dean of Students. Mr. Cook was on the football and track team, and graduated from Leo with a football scholarship to Tulane University. Mr. Cook graduated with a B.A in ’99 and experienced a brief opportunity to play football professionally. Mr. Cook also helped coach Leo’s football and track team to a successful playoff appearance and state championship in track in 2001-2002. Having worked alongside Mr. Rawls in education prior to coming to Leo, he understands the value and dynamic of becoming a Leo Man and the resources needed to ensure their success.
Tamishae Curry
Tuition Coordinator
Ms. Curry is excited to join the Leo Family as The Tuition Coordinator. Her many years of working in the medical and healthcare field providing great customer service, assisting with bill collecting, and completing intake for patients has allowed her to gain the skills to better help and understand the needs of others. Ms. Curry came highly recommended for her people skills and ability to remain calm under pressure. She is kind hearted, detail oriented, and a self-starter with a good work ethic. Ms. Curry enjoys spending time with her children and loves doing arts & crafts.
Jonathan Dorsey
Growing up on the South Side Chicago, Mr. Dorsey developed a strong sense of community and ambition from an early age. His passion for storytelling and creativity led him to pursue a degree in marketing at the prestigious Morehouse College in Atlanta. At Morehouse, not only did he hone in on skills in marketing but also immersed himself in the rich cultural experiences that the college had to offer. Outside of his academic pursuits, he found joy in audio and video production, exploring the art of creating compelling narratives through various media. After graduating, Mr. Dorsey returned to Chicago, where he gained valuable experience working in higher education at Chicago State University. In this role, he was dedicated to supporting students and enhancing their educational journeys.
James Earner
Business Manager
Mr. Earner has been Leo’s Business Manager since 2012, after 25 years in corporate Accounting and Finance with PepsiCo and Pepsi America. A graduate of Brother Rice High School, Mr. Earner earned a degree in Finance and Accounting from Northern Illinois University and an MBA from St. Xavier University. His father, Gene Earner, is a member of the Leo High School Hall of Fame and a Man of the Year honoree by the Leo Alumni Association. Six Earner brothers attended Leo.
Bill Figel '72
Mr. Figel is a guest instructor for Big Shoulders Fund to facilitate and teach Leo’s “News Literacy” program, “Why News Matters” underwritten by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. Bill owns Figel Public Relations. The former Chicago Sun-Times sportswriter has experience in print and electronic media. He graduated from Saint Mary’s University, Winona, MN in 1976. In 1984 he received a Master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism – broadcast division. Bill played basketball and baseball at Leo and Saint Mary’s.
Jennifer Fleck
Teaching/Learning Coordinator
Ms. Fleck is thrilled to join Leo High School as the Teaching and Learning Coordinator. She holds a B.S. in General Biology from the University of New Hampshire, an M.Ed. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Curriculum & Instruction, and a Masters in General Administration from Chicago State University. Previously, Ms. Fleck as served as a Science teacher and department chair in the Chicago Public Schools, as a School Transformation Facilitator through Diplomas Now, and as an Assistant Principal at the Academy of St. Benedict the African.
Dorah Floyd
Ms. Floyd is joining the Leo Lions as an Algebra 1 teacher. She hails from the south suburbs of Chicago graduating from Mother McAuley High School with a background in building and coding robots for competitions around the city. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Physics with minors in Mathematics and Philosophy from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana. In her time at Saint Mary’s, she did research on black holes and the Schwarzschild Radius. She spent her days tutoring other students, running the Black Student Association, and playing varsity soccer. After college, Ms. Floyd took a 2 month internship in Australia where she worked with AI companies to help test and improve their integration of technology into society. Today, Ms. Floyd wants to use her knowledge and experience to help our young men stay ahead of the game and prepare for their destined and very bright futures.
Adreanna Grillier
Adreanna Grillier is a graduate of Kalamazoo College with a B.A in Anthropology/Sociology. She is the U.S Government and Civics Instructor at Leo High School and takes pride in helping our Lions on the prowl create possibilities, develop as leaders, and engage in solving their own real world problems as current and future leaders.
Ishrahel Guidry
Mr. Guidry is a Physics graduate from Illinois Wesleyan University with a passion for the sciences of the world. During his time at there, he completed research ranging from nano-plasmonics and quantum optics to coal and nuclear power. Outside of academics, his time was spent mentoring and tutoring young men on campus. After graduating from university, Mr. Guidry continued his interest in assisting others academically and made it a goal to show others how fun the science world can be.
Tiffany Harston
College Counselor
Ms. Harston is Leo’s Counselor and brings her experience from CPS to Leo. She has a BS from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and an MS from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Theo Hopkins
Head Football Coach
Theo Hopkins, a 2014 graduate of Leo High School and a 2019 graduate of Quincy University with a B.A. in Human Services, serves as P.E. teacher, Head Football Coach, and Assistant Track Coach. His mission is to develop young men daily—mentally, physically, and emotionally—while guiding student-athletes toward success at the collegiate level.
Michael King
Michael King is a dedicated art teacher at Leo High School, combining a rich background in freelance painting, photography, and design with his passion for education. Outside of the classroom, Michael has designed album covers for various emerging bands, showcasing his ability to merge artistic vision with musical expression. His diverse experience and creative expertise enrich his teaching, inspiring students to explore and develop their own artistic talents. At Leo High School, Michael creates a vibrant learning environment where creativity and innovation flourish.
Joseph King
Joseph King teaches the Title 1 Math class at Leo. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Professional Writing from Purdue University. Joseph brings a wealth of experience from the Financial Technology industry, where he specialized in explaining complex calculations and formulas to financial advisors through personalized, one-on-one sessions. With his passion for education and strong professional background, he has developed the ability to make complex mathematical concepts both accessible and engaging for his students. He looks forward to helping students at Leo build confidence in their math skills and succeed academically.
Aurora Latifi
One of the most popular and enthusiastic figures at Leo, Ms. Latifi has taught math at Leo since 2001 and rarely misses a Leo event. She also chairs the Math Department and is moderator for the National Honor Society. In that role, she oversaw the process by which Eder Cruz Alvarado became Leo’s first Gates Millennium Scholar in 2011. Ms. Latifi is a native of Albania and graduated with a degree in Mathematics from the University of Tirana. She holds a Master’s in Leadership and Curriculum Development from Concordia University. She has also been included into the Leo High School Hall of Fame. Ms. Latifi loves the pride and loyalty of the Leo Community.
Francisco Pantoja Martinez
Mr. Martinez is a proud first generation, low-income Mexican-American hailing from the Southwest side Chicago, growing up mainly in Pilsen, but also calls other places like Brighton Park, Cicero, Englewood and Little Village home. He is a proud graduate of Benito Juarez Community Academy, where he was the school’s first ever Questbridge National Match Scholarship recipient. He then attended Grinnell College in Iowa majoring in Political Science and concentrating in Educational Studies. He regularly shadowed teachers at the local middle school in Grinnell and later completed a fellowship with Uncommon Schools in New York/New Jersey. He is passionate about ensuring that every student he meets has adequate resources and support to succeed, because he personally knows the value of education and how it can truly change lives. After graduating Grinnell College, Mr. Martinez set his eyes on teaching back in Chicago and becoming the teacher/mentor he wished he had growing up. By the fate of God, he found himself at Leo High School, where he wears the black and orange with tremendous pride.
Kevin McNair
Admissions Director
Mr. McNair is a long time resident of the south side, where he excelled in sports and academics. He attended St.Laurence High School, after accepting an offer for an academic scholarship. While at St Laurence, Mr. McNair played basketball for two years and participated in student government. Mr. McNair graduated from Chicago State University, with a degree in Political Science. He has given a lot of time and service to the community through extensive volunteer work with the AFCA (Athletes For Christ Association) and the Chicago Park District. His coaching and teaching career has spanned 20 years with stops at St. Francis de Sales, Hales Franciscan, Seton Academy, Hyde Park, Emmanuel Christian School, Oakdale Christian Academy, and Aspire Charter Academy. Mr.McNair serves as the Director of Admissions/Recruitment.
Lonnie Norwood
Lonnie Norwood, Jr. is an in-demand Africana vocal music clinician with emphasis in Black American sacred traditions. Lonnie collaborates frequently with continental African and diasporic tradition bearers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lonnie shared gospel music through the self-created ChicaGO REACH Gospel Workshop, which boasted singers from the U.S., Africa, and Canada virtually. Lonnie’s 1st EP entitled Rooted, a spiritual and emotional journey of Trans-Atlantic African ancestry, was released in August, 2021. He was lauded by Chicago Reader as Best Music Teacher in 2023. He is Director of Africana Studies and conductor for Uniting Voices Chicago. Lonnie recently joined the Leo Lion family as the new choir director. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from Luther College and a Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from Florida State University.
Bria Polk
Introducing Bria Polk, the latest addition to the Leo family as the new Biology teacher. Hailing from the south side of Chicago, she has been shaped by both public and charter school education. A top graduate of her high school class, Bria continued her academic journey at Tuskegee University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. With a passion for teaching, she has dedicated 5 years to the field of education and is currently pursuing her MAT in Secondary Education at Western New Mexico University.
Jim Prunty
Vice President of Athletics
Jim Prunty begins his 47th year in education at Leo High School this fall. He spent 30 of those years at St. Rita and Saint Ignatius College Prep. He has worked in athletics administration for 30 years and has also been an English teacher, guidance counselor and dean. He has also been a head basketball and baseball coach at the high school level as well as an assistant basketball coach at the University of Chicago and Saint Xavier University. He is a a graduate of Brother Rice H.S. and Loras College and holds two masters degrees in School Counseling and School Administration. He has been married to his wife, Maureen, for 48 years. They have 3 children and 9 grandchildren.
Beatriz Quinteros
Ms. Quinteros attended Ripon College and graduated in 2021 with a major in Spanish and a minor in Education. Ms. Quinteros believes in the power of education and the benefits in learning a new language. She is passionate in teaching the Leo Men about the Latino community roots, culture, and people. Ms. Quinteros is helping students navigate the world of Spanish.
Titus Redmond
Assistant Principal
Mr. Redmond brings 25 years of experience and commitment to Catholic education to Leo’s English department. A former basketball standout at Gordon Tech High School (now DePaul Prep), Mr. Redmond holds a BS in computer science and is pursuing a Master’s degree in the art of teaching. A father of four, Mr. Redmond has been an athletic director, an admissions director and a dean of students in addition to classroom teaching. He lists reading, politics, public speaking and “research for new knowledge” among his interests. His students have gone on to attend some of the nation’s top universities, including Dartmouth, Northwestern, Marquette and Michigan State.
Daniel Ridges
Mr. Ridges teaches freshman theology, sophomore English, and journalism at Leo High School. Raised in the St. Jane de Chantal parish in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood, and a member of Quigley South’s (now St. Rita) second to last graduating class, he is a product of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s elementary and high schools. A 20+ year veteran of Illinois public schools, Mr. Ridges brings his passion for teaching and his diverse and storied experience to the students at Leo every day. He and his wife have been married for over 20 years, and they have four children.
Michelle Rodriguez
Ms. Rodriguez is a proud native of Chicago’s Lower West Side, where her community shaped her passion for teaching and service. She attended the University of Louisville, earning her degree in Secondary Education with a focus on Social Studies. As a Spanish native speaker and first-generation college student, Ms. Rodriguez has dedicated her work to mentoring and empowering students with similar backgrounds. In both high schools and mentoring programs, she has supported first-generation students by translating, guiding families, and building bridges between school and community. Ms. Rodriguez joined the Leo team in January of 2025 and is excited to work with students, helping them grow academically while also embracing their identities and voices.
Yolanda Sandifer-Horton
Coordinator of Community Partnerships, Student Engagement and College Persistence
ysandifer-horton@leohighschool.org
Yolanda entered the doors of Leo Catholic High School in the fall of 2023, ready to serve. Prior to joining the Leo community, she worked in both the public and private sector for over 10 years. During this time, Yolanda supported over 1000 students with early college exposure, while assisting them with their post-secondary plans. She also served as the Assistant Director of Admissions and the Coordinator of Financial Aid at a neighboring Lasallian High School. Yolanda is the former Founder and Artistic Director of Expressions of You Fine Arts Studio. Her organization allowed youth in underserved communities to tap into their creative sides while unleashing their hidden talents. Yolanda’s passion to minister through dance provided a pathway for her and her troupe to minister throughout Illinois. For 8 consecutive years, she became the lead choreographer for the African American Mass at Holy Name Cathedral. Yolanda was born and raised in the Catholic community. She attended St. Felicitas Elementary School and Seton Academy High School. Yolanda holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Chicago State University. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. Yolanda is truly happy to call Leo Catholic High School her new home, and she looks forward to supporting our scholars.
Catherine Sedun
Ms. Sedun teaches Freshmen English at Leo. In 2001, she received a full athletic scholarship to row crew at the University of Notre Dame, which is how she discovered the friendly Midwest, since she is originally from Portland, Oregon. After graduating from ND in 2005 with a degree in English and a teaching degree, she moved to Florida to both teach and start a high school rowing program. Then, she moved to Philadelphia, PA, where she taught and coached at an all-girls high school for 4 years. She earned a Master’s of Science in Higher Education Administration from Northwestern in 2013, where she was also a rowing coach for the university’s club team. She worked in Admissions at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine, and then decided to take a break from education for six years, where she managed women-owned restaurants in Chicago’s vibrant hospitality industry. She moved to Indianapolis and started teaching again in the Indianapolis public school system. But she missed Chicago, and moved back in 2025, and found Leo. In addition to teaching here, she is also the Head Coach for St. Ignatius College Prep’s rowing team.
Yesenia Sotelo
Ms. Sotelo was born in Chicago but raised in Miami. She graduated from Warner University receiving both a BA and MBA in Business, and has been in the educational field for 5 years. Ms. Sotelo has coached cheer, and is a very spirited person who loves sports. (You can often catch her at the Leo games!) She made a huge change from the sunshine state and wanted to bring her teaching skills back to the Windy City. Ms. Sotelo finds immense joy in teaching and guiding scholars through their learning journey and witnessing their progress. She finds this incredibly rewarding, knowing that her efforts contribute to their future success and happiness. I’m excited for the opportunity at Leo and being able to share the Hispanic culture and knowledge of our language.
Antwane Spivy
Antwane Spivy a 1992 Graduate of Leo Catholic, was an All Conference football player under legendary Football Coach Bob Foster. After graduation, Antwane attended Trinity International University. After several years in corporate America, Antwane returned to the Greatest School in the Land to assist his fellow Alumni and coworkers in continuing our Motto FACTA NON VERBA.
Lydia Tabernacki
Mrs. Tabernacki is a native of South Chicago and attended St. Michael Grade School in South Shore. She completed her undergraduate studies at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO, majoring in Juvenile Corrections and minor classes in Social Science, Theology, and Philosophy. Ms. Tabernacki obtained her Masters Degree from Chicago State University in Education, concentration in School Guidance. She worked within the Catholic School system for several years as a high school counselor, teacher, and coach, and is happy to now be a part of the Leo High School Family as our theology teacher and campus minister.
Darryl Wedgeworth
Maintenance Manager
Coach Debo is a proud Leo man from the class of 1990 where he played football, was on the bowling team, and a honor roll student. Facta non Verba, the school motto, is what he applies to his service at Leo. Since 2010 Coach Debo has coached football and bowling, driven the school bus, and managed both transportation and facilities. His favorite job at Leo is cooking ‘Debo Dogs” for the students and staff.
Kyla Winford
Ms. Winford is an educator, technologist, and lifelong learner dedicated to empowering students through the fusion of math, computer science, and technology. She graduated from the University of Missouri–Columbia with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a minor in Architecture, and is currently pursuing both an MBA and a Master’s in Data Science. Her career path bridges education and the tech industry. She began as a math and computer science teacher, transitioned into healthcare as a Technical Analyst, and then returned to education with fresh technical expertise and a renewed mission to inspire the next generation of problem-solvers.Passionate about the betterment of youth and the transformative power of education, Ms. Winford believes in equipping students with the knowledge, confidence, and creativity they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world.
Tenille Wright
Meet Tenille Wright, who calls herself the unpaired electron that the school needs for a perfect reaction. Tenille is a science teacher who has been teaching for 4 years. She has her masters degree in Secondary Education with a Focus on Stem. She has 15 years of hands-on scientific experience in a laboratory. Tenille needed a change from the lab scenery. She went and taught in Mfantsiman, Ghana and this is where her passion for teaching evolved. She substituted at a school in Lincoln Park and has been teaching science since then. She loves teaching in her community and bringing the real world to chemistry, while helping the students realize that they have been scientists their entire life. She is an active member of the American Chemical Society, where she recently attended the Atlantic Basin International Conference. She is a member of the American Association of Chemistry teachers where she is always networking to try to find new ideas on how to differentiate student learning. She is thrilled to be a part of the Leo Family.
Ethan Zagore
Development Director
With two decades of leadership in educational administration, nonprofit management, and diversity, Ethan has extensive experience in grant writing, strategic program development, predictive analytics, and organizational growth. Securing more than $23 million in competitive funding as a primary writer and helping generate an additional $32 million through grant writing teams, Ethan has advanced initiatives in educational equity, workforce development, and community transformation. Ethan’s leadership experiences include serving as the Director of TRiO Programs at the University of Notre Dame, Vice Chancellor of Student Success at Ivy Tech Community College, and the Senior Director of Academic & Career Pathways at the Gary Comer Youth Center. Ethan holds a BBA in Marketing from Howard University, an MA in Inner City Studies Education from Northeastern Illinois University, is ABD for a Ph.D. in Urban Higher Education at Jackson State University and has been honored with Congressman Danny K. Davis’ Outstanding Educational Administrator Award.