About UsMetea Valley High School's Counseling Department is organized on a House system. Each student has their own "go to" place within the school building. Each House is assigned counselors, a dean, a social worker, school psychologist and both a counseling secretary and a dean's secretary. Services include academic advising, social/emotional support, and post-secondary planning/college & career counseling. Attendance and discipline are conducted through the House, as well.
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STAFF BIOS
Darcy Hutzler, Director of Guidance
Mrs. Hutzler earned her BA in English at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and MSEd in School Counseling at Northern Illinois University. She has been employed with Indian Prairie School District since 2001 and has been a member of the Metea Valley faculty since the building opened in 2009. She is an avid reader and co-sponsors MV's Book Club.
Counselors
Javier Polavieja
Mr. Polavieja earned a combined BA and MS degree in Kinesiology, Sport Management and Physical Education at Madrid Polytechnic University, Spain. Before moving to United States he worked as a Physical Education teacher and a School Athletic Director. He came to the United States back in 2003 as part of a visiting teacher program and work as a bilingual 4th grade teacher in District 99. Mr. Polavieja earned his MSEd in School Counseling in 2006 and has been a District 204 employee since then, starting at Waubonsie Valley HS and then transferring to Metea Valley one year after the school opening. |
Lisa Lassandrello
Ms. Lassandrello earned her BA in Psychology from Benedictine University, followed by post-baccalaureate coursework in medical sciences. She then earned her M.S.Ed in Counseling, Specializing in School Counseling. Ms. Lassandrello is a Licensed Professional Counselor in state of Illinois. She has been working with the Guidance staff at Metea since 2011. Ms. Lassandrello completed post-graduate level coursework in drug and alcohol counseling, grief, crisis and educational technology. She currently serves as PLC leader and co-sponsor of Homework Club. |
Isaiah DavisMr. Davis earned his BS in Criminal Justice at MacMurray College and his MSEd in School Counseling from Northern Illinois University. He has been employed with Indian Prairie School District since 2011 working at Waubonsie Valley for eight years and now joining the Metea Counseling team this year. Mr. Davis is also the Head Boys' Basketball Coach at Metea. In his free time Mr. Davis enjoys watching sports, spending time with his family and traveling. |
Bob Vozza
Mr. Vozza earned his BA in Mathematics at Aurora University, and his MSEd in School Counseling and MSEd in School Adminstration at Northern Illinois University. He has been employed with Indian Prairie School District since 1995 and has spent time at all three high schools. He was a Math teacher at Granger Middle School, Waubonsie Valley, and Neuqua Valley prior to his time at Metea. He has been a member of the Metea Valley faculty since the building opened in 2009. After his time as a student athlete in District 204 he has been a coach of various sports during his time with the district, most recent being the Head Boys Basketball Coach at Metea Valley from (2009 - 2016).
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Tom Daugherty
Mr. Daugherty has a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Illinois University, specializing in math education and a Master of Science in Education, specializing in school counseling from Northern Illinois University. Mr. Daugherty is in his 24th year as an educator. He has had the pleasure of teaching middle school math and social studies as well as being a middle school counselor. In District 204, he has spent time at Scullen Middle School, Neuqua Valley, and now Metea Valley. Professionally, He has a passion for the college and career end of school counseling and has enjoyed visiting and learning about a vast amount of colleges and universities. In addition to being a school counselor, you will find Tom working the scoreboard at our home football games In his personal life, he and his wife and have five children, ranging from eight to nineteen. He is quite busy! In the limited spare time that he has, Mr. Daugherty enjoys spending time with friends, playing golf, and watching sports. |
Katie Kulak
Mrs. Katie Kulak earned her BA in Psychology and Mathematics at North Central College. While a North Central College, she received a grant to travel to the middle east and perform a research study regarding the perceptions of women in mathematics in the middle east compared women in the United States. Mrs. Kulak then earned and her MA in School Guidance from Lewis University, and her MA in Educational Administration with a Type 75 at Concordia University. Mrs. Kulak has been in District 204 since 1999. She taught math at Neuqua Valley High School for eight years and then started her career as a school counselor. Throughout her career in the district, she has coached JV Poms and was a leader for Operation Snowball. Currently, she is a co-sponsor for Best Buddies. Mrs. Kulak’s husband is a 2nd grade teacher in the district. They have three teenage daughters, so if there is a free moment, she loves to enjoy her passion for practicing yoga and teaching spin.
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Tammy Kurth
Tammy A. Kurth graduated with her BS in Science in elementary education from Indiana University and her MS in Science in School Counseling from Northern Illinois University. She has been a high school counselor in District 204 for the last 16 years. Mrs. Kurth earned her National Board Teacher Certification and holds a license for professional counseling in the community.
Mark Jager
Mr. Jager attended Southern Illinois University and earned his BA in Psychology; later he completed his BA in Education and started his teaching career as an 8th grade Language Arts teacher in Orland Park, Illinois. While teaching, Mr. Jager completed his Master of Arts in Counseling at Lewis University. Mr. Jager has been a school counselor for eighteen years, thirteen of which have been with District 204. Outside of the guidance office, Mr. Jager is the Head Girls and Boys Swimming coach for the Mustangs as well as the Aquatics Director. Originally from Colorado, Mr. Jager is an avid Denver Broncos fan and die hard Cubs fan (WGN broadcasted games before the Rockies were around). |
Nina McMahon
Mrs. McMahon earned her BA in Sociology at Northern Illinois University and Masters in School Counseling at National Louis University. This is her first year joining the Mustangs. She worked at DeKalb High School as a School Counselor and has experience working as a Career Coach at College of DuPage and Career Counselor at workNet DuPage. In her free time she enjoys biking, yoga and spending time with her family and friends.
Nicole Liska
Mrs. Liska earned her BS in Communication at Illinois State University and MSEd in School Counseling at Lewis University. She has been involved with our Metea Valley community since the building opened in 2009. She was hired in 2011 as a Counselor. Currently, she also serves as the AP Coordinator and Head Badminton Coach.
Mrs. Liska lives in Batavia with her husband and three kids. She enjoys watching her kids in all of their activities and her Chicago sports teams. Her proudest accomplishment is running the Chicago Marathon six times. |
School Social Workers
Kevin Wynard, Victory House
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Lara Polavieja, Spirit House
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Deepak Santhiraj, Honor House
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Welcome to Metea! I am one of three Social Workers in the building. I enjoy working with students to enhance their problem solving and coping skills. I am a strong proponent of a growth mindset. I believe that effort when coupled with different strategies and approaches students can think differently and improve success. I have sixteen years of experience working in schools as well as experience in the areas of child and adolescent mental health and medical social work. I live in Aurora with my wife and two children. I love anything Cubs and time spent with family.
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Ms. Polavieja has been a school social worker since 1998. In addition to working as a high school social worker, she has experience as a clinical social worker and is trained as a life coach. Ms. Polavieja completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Art at Eastern Illinois University and completed her Masters of Social Work at the University of Michigan.
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Mr. Santhiraj is a licensed clinical social worker that received both his undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Spanish and Masters in Social Work degree from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. He has been in the public schools for over 12 years and with the Metea Valley High School faculty since 2011. Mr. Santhiraj has been involved within multiple building-wide initiatives focused upon establishing the LIFE vision statement and mission of Metea Valley High School’s culture, and he creates a warm regard for students’ diverse needs at MVHS.
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Additional Guidance Staff
Janine Wange, Mental Health Coordinator
Prior to accepting her current position as Mental Health Coordinator, Mrs. Wange served as a school psychologist in Indian Prairie schools from 2003-2019. Mrs. Wange started her career at Crone Middle School, transitioned to Neuqua Valley, and had the opportunity to help open Metea's doors in 2009.
She earned her Bachelors from North Central College and her Specialist Degree in School Psychology from Western Illinois University. She holds additional certification in school administration, with an endorsement to serve as Director of Special Education. Mrs. Wange previously coached girls' volleyball at Metea, Neuqua, and Crone, and currently co-sponsors the Mental Health Matters (MHM) club at Metea. Mrs. Wange lives in Naperville with her husband and 2 kids. |
Tyler Ruschmeyer, 504 Coordinator and
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