College of Education & Human Services

Student Profiles

Colleen BiebelColleen Biebel

Colleen Biebel had a fantastic experience as a center fielder on the WIU Women's Softball Team. She balanced her academic studies in elementary education with the time and efforts required to be a varsity player. Her home town is Alsip, Illinois and is a graduate of Marist HS, Chicago, Illinois. Her student teaching experience was completed at Sutherland Elementary School, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, Illinois. She is a 4th grade teacher at Galileo Scholastic Elementary Academy, Chicago Public Schools.

Erica LewisAndrew Godfrey

Andrew Godfrey is a mathematics education major who balanced his academic course work with four years on the WIU Men's' Golf Team.  He graduated from Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Homewood, Illinois.  He is currently completing his student teaching experience at Oak Forest High School, Oak Forest, Illinois.  His future goal is to secure a position, teaching high school mathematics and coaching a golf team.

Erica LewisErica Lewis

Erica Lewis has lived and breathed basketball since she was in Jr. High.  With much time and effort, Erica has successfully completed her academic coursework in elementary education and graduated with a BS.  She was a guard/forward for the Women's Basketball team while at Western.  She is a coach for the Women's Basketball Program at Lewis and Clark College in Alton, Illinois.  She is also a member of the semi-pro basketball team, Illinois Shooting Stars, based in Godfrey.  She is a substitute teacher for a local school district. Her future plans include a Master's Degree in Counseling.  Her home town is St. Louis, Missouri.  Her student teaching experience was completed at V.I.T. Jr. High, Table Grove, Illinois.

Cosimo PatanoCosimo Patano

Cosimo Patano was on the WIU Soccer Field on a regular basis playing the mid-field position.  As a team member for four years at WIU and prior to that at East Leyden High School in Franklin Park, Illinois, he gained much experience that is assisting him now as a K-12 soccer coach and teacher.   Cosimo graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education.  His student teaching experiences were at Glenbard East High School in Lombard, Illinois and North Lake Middle School in North Lake, Illinois.

Lauren DeWolfLauren DeWolf

For Lauren DeWolf, one of her future goals has been realized as a coach for a high school soccer team.  Lauren, who was a member of the WIU Women's Soccer Team, is a JV Soccer Coach for Hinsdale South High School in Darien, Illinois. She is afaculty member in the District's Excel High School Program.  At Western, she played the mid-field position for her team. Her future goal is to be a physical education/health teacher and varsity soccer coach.  She is from Darien, Illinois and a graduate of Hinsdale South High School.  Her student teaching experience was completed at Fenton High School and Park and Center Schools , Orland School District #135.

Chris MacekChris Macek

Chris Macek was a pitcher for the WIU Leatherneck Baseball Team for 3 years and was the team captain during his final season. He balanced practice and games for the baseball team with his academic course work in the special education program. He graduated from Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort, Illinois. His student teaching assignment is at Lockport Township High School-East in Lockport, Illinois and Wesmere Elementary in Plainfield, Illinois. His future goal is to be a high school special education teacher and to also coach a baseball or golf team.

Ellen MillerEllen Miller

For Ellen Miller, volleyball was her game of preference at Western. She successfully completed her BS degree in Physical Education while devoting time and energy to the Women's Volleyball Program.  A native of Evergreen Park, Illinois, Ellen graduated from Marist High School, Chicago.  She is a teacher at St. Walters Elementary School.  In addition, she is the High School Varsity Volleyball Coach for Morgan Park Academy, Morgan Park, Illinois.  Her student teaching experience was in the Lewistown School District, Lewistown, Illinois.

Michelle PrietoMichelle Prieto

Michelle Prieto was a member of the Western Illinois University Women's Softball Team for four years playing the leftfield position.  While balancing her practice and games schedule for the softball program, she completed a bachelor's degree in elementary education.  She graduated from Queen of Peace High School in Burbank, Illinois.  Her student teaching assignment was completed at Sutherland Elementary School, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, Illinois.  She is currently a kindergarten teacher at Marquette Elementary School in the Chicago Public Schools system.  In the future, she plans to begin work on a master's degree in educational leadership.