Faculty and Staff

Dr. Rebecca L. Nelson is the Dean of the School of Education. Prior to this role, Dr. Nelson served as teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent in Markham, Northbrook, and Skokie, Illinois. She also taught at Loyola University Chicago. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from North Park, a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from DePaul University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Loyola University Chicago.

Dr. Angelyn (Angie) Balodimas-Bartolomei has served at North Park University since 2004 and currently is an associate professor in the School of Education. She is the coordinator of the ESL Teachers’ Endorsement Program and also teaches Comparative International Education for the MA program. She received a BA in Greek Studies/Social Work from Deree College-Athens, Greece; a BA in Greek Pedagogy from Rallios Pedagogical Academy-Greece, a MA in Linguistics and ESL from Northeastern Illinois University and a PhD in Comparative International Education and Policy Studies from Loyola University, Chicago. Her areas of research include: comparative international education, Greek/ Italian/ Jewish ethnic identity and ethnographic studies on the Greek Romaniote Jews, the Griko communities in Southern Italy and Holocaust Education.

Nancy Berggren is an Assistant Professor and the Coordinator of Field Experiences. She holds certification and degrees as an elementary and special education teacher. Nancy teaches Survey of Exceptional Learrners and is the Jumpstart site manager supervisor, and works closely with partnership schools. She has taught for North Park for more than twenty five years.

Dr. Barbara Levandowski received her bachelor's degree in elementary education and Spanish from North Park University, and her master's degree, CAS in curriculum and instruction, and Ed.D in Curriculum, Instruction, and Administration from Northern Illinois University. After teaching and serving as an administrator in public education for 34 years, “Dr. L” (as she is referred to by students) came back to North Park to serve as professor and teach curriculum, methods, and graduate and capstone courses and to supervise clinical hours.

Levandowski serves on the IRB Committee, ICCTE Journal editorial board the State Board of Education/NCATE University, and Teacher Education Program Review Team to name a few. She developed the Type 75 and MAEL program North Park University. She mentors first-year teachers and serves on doctoral committees for Ph.D. candidates. She has presented papers locally, statewide, nationally, and internationally. These presentations include Oxford University, IASCD, ASCD, Delta Kappa Gamma, IPA, CLD, and National Rural schools conferences.

Levandowski has been given numerous awards for teaching excellence. She received the Omega Award from the Institute for Educational Research for Action for her Effective Teaching Characteristics Observation (ETCO) program, Those Who Excel from the State of Illinois, and Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America. The Plato Award and the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers (for the last four years) have been the most meaningful as they are the result of recommendations from all of her colleagues and students.

She has written and published numerous articles on teacher leadership, REI (Regular Education Initiative), curriculum development, and effective teaching. She was invited to present a paper at the Oxford Round Table at Oxford University in July 2008. Her presentation was entitled, "The Effects of Federal and State Mandates on Curriculum and Instruction and Educating the Whole Child." Levandowski has published books and articles, but her most recent writing is a collaboration with a first-year teacher on an article to be published, "Theory Into Practice: You Never Showed Me How To Do It," which describes the difficult transition from college and university teacher-education programs to the classroom.

Dr. Sally Pryor is coordinator of the Masters of Arts Program in Educational Leadership. Prior to coming to North Park, she served as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and most recently as superintendent in Park Ridge-Niles District 64. She holds a bachelor's degree in history and a Master of Arts in Education from Nazareth College in Rochester, New York. She earned an Ed.D. from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo and completed post-doctoral work at Loyola University.

Previous to coming to North Park University as a visiting professor, Diana was employed in the public school system as a teacher of the gifted, classroom teacher, district-wide continuous improvement facilitator, elementary building administrator, and central office administrator responsible for grants and professional development.

Poinsette joined North Park in the School of Education in February 2002 as Chief Certification Officer. Prior to joining North Park, she worked at Chicago State University as a Certification Counselor. Viveca has many years of work and supervisory experience, but she feels her greatest accomplishments are the raising of her two children Ebony and Evan. Viveca holds a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Arts and Masters Degree in Technology and Education, both from Chicago State University. She is looking forward to furthering her education by completing her Doctoral program in Education. She believes that education is the future and the more we know, the more we can contribute to our communities and society. She has also been a faithful member of the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago for over ten years and is a member of the Sons and Daughters of Levi (TSDL) Music Ministry whose ministry has taken them all over the world.

Dr. Reyes earned a B. A. with Honors in Secondary Education from Northeastern Illinois University and holds a Ph. D. in Counseling Psychology and Counselor Education, the M.ED. in Guidance and Counseling from Loyola University Chicago and holds certification as a School Counselor, ESL/Bilingual teacher, and additional certifications in K-12 education (Language Arts / Reading/Social Studies). Dr. Reyes is currently a tenured faculty member in the School of Education at North Park University and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses. Dr. Reyes previously taught language arts and math to ESL and Bilingual Education students (grades 4 – 7) in a CPS school.

Theodoros (Ted) G. Zervas was born in Chicago to immigrant parents from Greece. He received his BA in History and Political Science from DePaul University, MA in History with Distinction from DePaul, MSED from Northwestern University’s School of Education and Ph.D. in Cultural and Educational Policy Studies for Loyola University Chicago. Prior to North Park, Ted taught World and European history in the regular, honors and International Baccalaureate program at Lincoln Park High School in Chicago. While at Lincoln Park, Ted also taught as a part-time teaching associate at Northwestern University. In 2006, Ted was appointed Director/Assistant Professor of the Master of Arts Program and Teacher Certification (MATC) at North Park University in Chicago and continues to work in this position today. His academic papers have been published in both the United States and Europe. Ted has also been a visiting professor of History at Instituto Technologico Y De Estudios Superiores De Monterrey in Chihuahua, Mexico. Ted enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with family and friends. Currently Ted lives in the Northwest side of Chicago.