Hall High School welcomes new staff members for the 2019-20 school year

SPRING VALLEY — Hall High School in Spring Valley has seven new staff members — Rochelle Claire, Erik Fuentes, Elizabeth Gjerde, Christina Gonzalo, Allanah Harper,  Kristen Meling and James VanFleet.

Rochelle Claire is the new guidance counselor. She received her bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and her master’s degree from Lewis University. She comes to Hall after working as a guidance counselor at a Georgia high school. She will be co-leader of the Counselor’s Club, which is part of the 21st Century Grant.

The new bilingual aide is Erick Fuentes. He earned his associate of science at Illinois Valley Community College, and he will finish his bachelor’s degree this December in organizational leadership from Lincoln College. He is the varsity boys basketball assistant coach. He is also a Hall High School alumnus.

Christina Gonzalo joins the Hall staff as the 21st Century Community Learning Center site coordinator. She has worked previously as a bridal consultant and group therapy facilitator. She will plan before- and after-school activities throughout the year.

Elizabeth Gjerde is joining Hall as a life skills paraprofessional. She has previous experience at Princeton Elementary, where she served as a paraprofessional for 19 years. She is currently earning her Associate of Science degree at Illinois Valley Community College.

Another new life skills paraprofessional is Allanah Harper. She is currently in the process of earning her bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She is a former Hall student and cheerleader.

Kristen Meling is the new deaf and hard-of-hearing teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Deaf Education. She previously worked as a hearing itinerant for 18 years.

Hall’s technical coordinator is James VanFleet. He graduated from Illinois Valley Community College and Columbia College. He has worked at Miller Group Media and NewsTribune. He currently works as an audio engineer at Hornbaker’s, and is a professional musician and songwriter. He will be starting a website club later this fall.