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Meet Our Instructors

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A

  • Tom Akers is a Corporate Education Contract Manager at Heartland Community College. Tom is a communications and business administration graduate of Western Illinois University with post-graduate work at Quetico Leadership Center and the General Motors Management Institute.
  • Robin Albright, Owner & President of Zinger Zanger, Inc., is a practicing professional life coach, keynote speaker and freelance writer. Robin has worked in the sales field, in retail industry, and as a writer/reporter.
  • Christian Alieff attended Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and received a BS in Plant and Soil Science with a minor in Botany and an MS in Ornamental Horticulture. He has experience as a greenhouse manager and a professional consultant.
  • Anne Anderson is a nationally-certified and state-licensed massage therapist. She received a BS in Biology from Illinois State University and a degree from Central Illinois School of Massage Therapy in Peoria. Anne focuses on neuromuscular therapy.
  • Dale Anderson is a Corporate Education Contract Manager at Heartland Community College and a graduate of Illinois State University. He has over 20 years of experience in sales and customer service training in industry all over the Midwest, east coast and the Province of Ontario.
  • Dr. Chuck Armitage has experience as a high school teacher and principal, and a university instructor and administrator. He retired from the staff of Illinois State Board of Education and is past Chairman of the Central Illinois SCORE chapter, counselors to America’s small business owners.

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B

  • Steve Barnhart, President of Eagle Rock Consulting, helps management teams to identify, and implement growth strategies. He has a Bachelor’s from Harding University in Arkansas and an MBA from St. Thomas University in Minnesota.
  • Brian Batronis is a member and officer of the Central Illinois Sport Fencing club and enjoys competing in tournaments around the Midwest. He teaches both youth and adult fencing classes. Brian is a technical analyst at State Farm Insurance.
  • Holly Beer is a certified travel agent with a Master’s in Education. She runs Global Getaways, specializing in group travel. Her trips, Girls Getaways, focus on ladies groups traveling to New York City or Paris for theatre, sightseeing and shopping.
  • Cheryl Belligio received her BS and MS in Business Education from Northern Illinois University. She taught in the Chicago suburbs and overseas in Italy for the Department of Defense. She also helped establish the Secretarial Studies Program at Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education in Australia.
  • DeAnna Belz has been providing her personal chef service to clients for more than six years. As Assistant Director at the Ecology Action Center, she blends her passion for the environment with a growing trend toward a healthier and more sustainable food system.
  • Anne Besler has taught French and Business at Bloomington High School for 12 years. She has a Master’s in French from Illinois State University and has traveled throughout France.
  • Beverly Beyer is Assistant Director at the Stevenson Center for Community and Economic Development at Illinois State University. She has an MS in Sociology from Illinois State University and an MA in English from the College of William & Mary.
  • Robert Bligh is Training Coordinator for Mechanical Devices Company. A journeyman toolmaker with a teaching degree, he has a wide variety of interests that include helping people find a more fulfilling and satisfying life.
  • Megan Boone is a certified Pilates instructor through Yogafit and Fitour. She has practiced Pilates for 5 years and taught for 2 years. She is also a certified water aerobics instructor.
  • Kelly Bordewick is a certified Pilates instructor who has taught in Bloomington/Normal for the past 4 years.
  • Kay Bowen has worked with computers for the last 40 years. She worked at State Farm Insurance for 17 years before coming to Heartland Community College.
  • Al Brown is a licensed home inspector. He has 19 years of experience in home inspections and 24 years as building inspector.
  • Terry Brown is the Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for BassFan.com. He has been on ESPN’s Classic Yearbook and Great Angler Debate shows and he hosts the nationally-syndicated BassFan Radio.
  • Barbara Bruno was born into an Austrian family and grew up speaking German. She also attended a German language school. While employed abroad, she practiced her language skills and learned more about the German culture.
  • Carol Burroughs is a certified Financial Planner® and Principal of Forward Financial Planning, LLC in Normal where she provides guidance in investments, retirement, insurance, education funding, and estate planning for individuals and small businesses.
  • Michelle Buzicky has a B.S. degree, FCS, Merchandising and Design, with 10 years experience in interior design. She is also a certified substitute teacher K-12 with a love of design, teaching, and lifelong learning.

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C

  • Stephanie Calahan is the founder and CEO of Calahan Solutions, Inc. She is passionate about putting proven strategies into action that will help you get organized and stay productive and organized. Her humor, enthusiasm, honesty and common sense have encouraged many nationwide at meetings and workshops. Her audiences learn usable ideas that they can incorporate into their business and personal lives. She has developed presentations to help even the most “disorganized” save time, money and limit frustration by utilizing her sound advice and practical hints.
  • John Chambers began fencing at Michigan State University, where he earned three varsity letters and qualified twice for the NCAA Nationals. Currently, he is the President of the Central Illinois Sport Fencing club and teaches both youth and adult classes. John is a software applications developer at State Farm Insurance.
  • Roy & Judy Chaplin are husband and wife business partners that together have over 40 years of experience in the upholstering business. They own Chaplin's Upholstery and Woodworking Center in Normal.
  • Lynn Cheeseman, CPA, has worked in the public and private accounting fields locally since 1970. He is the owns his own accounting firm, Lynn Cheeseman, CPA, which provides accounting services to small and medium sized businesses.
  • Kristin Chenoweth holds a State of Illinois teaching certificate for grades 6-12 in the area of Biological & Life Sciences. She is a former teaching assistant at Heartland Community College and a substitute teacher for local schools.
  • Martie Cinnamon is a realtor, a broker, and a certified Real Estate instructor for the State of Illinois. She attended the Graduate Real Estate Institute, Augustana College, and the University of Illinois. She has over 300 hours of classroom instruction.
  • Jennifer Coombs a Planner for Technisource. She has certifications as a Microsoft Office Specialist, a Master Instructor of Microsoft Office, and a certified Technical Trainer.
  • Bryan Crabtree is a certified Financial Planner® with Edward Jones Investments in Bloomington. He focuses his business on comprehensive financial planning with an emphasis on retirement and education savings.

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D

  • Peter Dederich has taught mathematics at Bloomington High School since graduating from Illinois Wesleyan University. He has taught college prep classes for four years.
  • Amy DeFalco is a sign language interpreter with 13 years experience. She has an AAS in Interpreting and a BS in Deaf Education.
  • Uday Deoskar, MD, internist and geriatric specialist, has devoted the last 20 years of his life to caring for seniors. He has seen illness, suffering, and dependency that could have been avoided through successful aging techniques and is motivated to arm individuals with this information so they can live healthier and longer lives. Dr. Deoskar established the Successful Aging Center to promote a healthful journey to successful aging.
  • Shanon Dickerson studied abroad in Spain and Costa Rica and currently is Coordinator of International Programs/ICISP at Heartland Community College. She served as the interpreter for three trips to Costa Rica through Illinois College’s Tropical Ecology Class Break Away.

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G

  • Joe Grabill is a Professor Emeritus at Illinois State University. He coordinates the Children & Elders Forest and serves on the planning committee for Imagine Green Bloomington-Normal.

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H

  • David Haynes has taught music for over 30 years all over the eastern United States. He has a great enthusiasm and love for music.
  • Cathy Hempstead has taught various Ballroom, Latin, and Nightclub styles of social partnership dancing since 1996. She owns her own dance studio, Dance Partners, where she teaches intermediate and advanced dance classes.
  • Gina Henry-Cook, owner of Go Global Inc., teaches travel classes in over 86 cities nationwide, has traveled to over 80 countries and 40 states, and is the author of many travel publications, books, DVDs & CDs.
  • Ed Hernandez is the owner of Twin City Bonsai in Uptown Normal. He has been dedicated to growing and training bonsai for 13 years. Ed has also been involved with importing and breeding champion, exotic goldfish.
  • Katie Hopkins is a certified Art teacher. She has experience teaching at home and abroad. She has studied the art of stained glass for eight years.

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J

  • Kenny Jacobs is the Director of Instruction at All Seasons Golf Learning Center. He is a PGA member and has taught since 1988. He teaches all skill levels from beginners to professionals, including PGA Tour player Chris Kirk.
  • Jewels in Your Crown is a team of professionals who have worked in technology and financial services companies for a combination of nearly eighty years. Their leadership experience, top notch team-building skills and expertise in diversity, inclusion and accessibility enable them to effectively assist clients with a variety of management needs.

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K

  • Jim Karch is the Director of Public Service with the City of Bloomington, is a dynamic speaker who has been teaching the Strengths Based Leadership class to local organizations, businesses and at conferences. Jim also has leadership and teaching roles within his local church.
  • Otis Kindle is an automotive instructor and vocational educator at Distric 87 Public Schools. He received a Master’s from Illinois State University and a Bachelor’s Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.
  • Dana King attended Joliet Junior College and Illinois State University where she received a degree in Graphic Communications. She has an MS in Technical Training.
  • Randy Kirchner has a MS in Applied Computer Science from Illinois State University. He has worked at State Farm Insurance for 8 years and a Java Developer for over 2 years.
  • Lyuda Kizer, a native Russian speaker, teaches Russian and Acting classes at Illinois Wesleyan University. She also teaches English to adopted Russian children. Lyuda worked with the government-sponsored Open World program as an interpreter for the librarians from Vladimir, Russia.
  • Kay Kjeldgaard graduated with a major in teaching and a minor in Art from the University of Iowa. She did graduate work in fiber art and studied in Nantucket and Stow. Kay is an accredited McGown Teacher of Traditional Rug Hooking.
  • Patti Koranda is a physical education teacher at Metcalf Lab School at Illinois State University. She is certified as an American Red Cross Instructor Trainer for First Aid, CPR/AED, Lifeguarding, Swimming and Aquatic Safety. She teaches scuba diving for Wild Country.

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L

  • Barbara Laff has taught Middle Eastern Dance in Bloomington-Normal for four years. She began studying this dance form 13 years ago and continues her education through workshops and lessons with teachers from around the world.
  • Matthew L'Hote is a community educator, a network engineer, and a computer hardware technician. He has 12 years of professional experience ranging from support, sales, education, and implementation.
  • Becky Lockett is a retired educator with a lifelong interest in the folk arts. She researches and creates the ancient art form of Pysanky, hoping to preserve the legacy of her Ukrainain ancestors by sharing of this springtime ritual.
  • Kelly Lyle is a semi-pro photographer. He teaches eighth grade language arts at Parkside Junior High School. He specializes in portrait and wedding photography with an emphasis on photojournalistic style.

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M

  • Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance is a collaborative network advancing energy efficiency to support sustainable economic development and environmental preservation. MEEA fosters market penetration of new and existing energy-efficient technologies, products and best practices.
  • Greg Maier is an Instructional Developer and Multimedia Specialist at Illinois State University, where he also received his Master’s in English. He teaches technology classes and creates web content as a webmaster and developer.
  • Ron Maier is a licensed counselor with over 30 years experience in universities, a community behavioral health center, and private practice.
  • Mary McMahon is a faculty member at Heartland Community College. She teaches courses for the Business Essentials and Information Technology Essentials programs. Mary earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s from Western Illinois University.
  • Margaret Mead is an accredited residential manager with the Illinois Real Estate Management Association. She professionally managed four properties, totaling 600 rental units. Since retirement in 2002, she has been a consultant for subsidized properties.
  • Dr. Susan Mitchell has successfully served thousands of people of all ages over the last 11 years. She helps adults and children to restore their health and empowers them to stay well.
  • Shannon Morrow is a certified sign language interpreter. She has worked in a variety of settings in the educational and community interpreting fields.
  • Terry Mullin, MS, MBA, EdD-ABD, has posted his resume at www.ilstu.edu/~temulli/resume.htm.

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O

  • Barbara A. O'Neal, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She has been a counselor, working at IWU and several local social service agencies and treatment centers for 22 years. She opened her own private practice in 2003, helping individuals deal with anxiety, depression, grief and addictions. She has a passionate interest in the mind-body connection and the lifetime pursuit of health and well being.

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P

  • Teri Payne, M.S., is an ACE Gold Certified Personal Trainer and Group Exercise instructor. She has over 20 years of experience in the fitness industry.
  • Edward W. Pegg III, MD, a board-certified neurologist who has practiced in the Bloomington-Normal area for the past 23 years. He completed his undergraduate work at the University of Iowa, attended medical school at the University of Illinois and received his neurology training at Indiana University. Providing concussion screening and management for Illinois State University and high school athletes, Dr. Pegg is one of only three certified ImPACT™ physicians in the state of Illinois.
  • Janet Peterson is a graduate of Augustana College, Rock Island and has an Interior Design degree from Black Hawk College. She has been an interior designer for 22 years and is co-owner of Sugarbaker Design Ltd., Bloomington.
  • Lee Ann Piano is a top speaker for an international training company. She created Destination Excellence and challenges people to go beyond an attitude of "just good enough" to one of pursuing and using their full potential.

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R

  • Karen Riccio is an elementary school Literary Resource Specialist for District 87 Public Schools. She received her Master’s in Instructional Technology and Design from Illinois State University and a Bachelor's in Elementary Education from Illinois Wesleyan University.
  • Patricia Rigsby has degrees in Art from Lincoln College and Illinois State University. She has taught painting and drawing since 1990.
  • Raegan Rinchiuso is the Marketing and Public Information Specialist at Heartland Community College and has five years experience in non-profit marketing. She has an advertising degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and is pursuing her MBA at Illinois State University.
  • Debra Risberg, founder of Main Street Yoga in Bloomington, was certified at Kripalu Center and has studied yoga since the 1970’s. She is currently a student of Ayurveda at the New Jersey School of Ayurveda.
  • Nancy Roop is a certified Travel Counselor and Destination Specialist in Normal. She has worked in the travel and tourism industry for the past 30 years. Her personal and professional travel experience spans 80 countries on 5 continents.

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S

  • Angie Scott is a certified Pilates instructor who has taken Pilates for over three years and has taught for one year.
  • Paul Shapiro is a creative writer, artist, and inventor. He has a telecommunications degree from Indiana University. His writing credits include TV shows, books and several film screenplays including Calendar Girl and Breaking the Rules.
  • Trudy Shea, MS in Education, is both a horsewoman and an educator. She owns Raspberry Grove Equestrian Center, celebrating 15 years of quality equestrian education.
  • Angela Sicinski has been in elementary education for 20 years teaching 1st -5th grades. She has BA in Elementary Ed from the University of St. Francis and a Master’s in Educational Administration from Illinois State University.
  • Christina Smith is an adjunct faculty member in the Business at Heartland Community College. Christina has taught for the Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Security Administration, and Fortune 100 companies. Currently, she is a trainer at State Farm Insurance.
  • Shirley Splittstoesser has co-authored a cookbook and written several magazine stories about chefs and their recipes. She and her husband, Walter, wrote and published their memoirs as a gift to their three children.
  • Walter Splittstoesser is a retired University of Illinois professor. He taught horticulture and biochemistry classes and is the author of the book: Vegetable Growing Handbook-Organic and Traditional Methods. He and his wife Shirley have traveled all seven continents including Antarctica.
  • Rose Stadel is a certified Health Education Specialist and a licensed Nursing Home Administrator with nearly 35 years of experience working with older adults. She has a BS in Health Education. Rose founded the local Children of Aging Parents support group.
  • Jason Steffens is the Fine Wine on Premise Manager for Hamburg Distributing. Jason has helped open a chain of French Cafés, a French Provencal restaurant, and an upscale Bed and Breakfast.
  • Andy Sweet is a certified Bike Fit professional and four-time Ironman triathlon finisher. He builds and maintains bicycles and works at Vitesse Cycle shop in Normal. Currently, he is a graduate student at Illinois State University.
  • Eric Sweetwood is chairperson for the Social Science department and a History and Psychology instructor at Pontiac Township High School. He has sold on eBay for over nine years.

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T

  • Talbots is a specialty retailer of classic apparel for women, men, kids and babies. They offer an assortment of quality merchandise meet evolving fashion tastes and wardrobing needs.
  • Tammy Taylor, MSN, RN is an Associate Professor of Nursing at Heartland Community College. She serves as the program assistant for the Nursing Assistant program and is a member of the Illinois Department of Public Health Nurse Aide Advisory Board.
  • Dee Thompson majored in Fashion Merchandising at Western Illinois University. Dee is a costumer at Bloomington High School's Drama department, and has worked with Normal Parks and Recreation’s Summer Theater program, the Peoria Opera, and for CATS during their Bloomington performance.
  • Bill Thomas has been cooking and baking since he was in junior high school. He has won numerous Grand Champion Pie Baking awards at the Fall Festival in Atlanta, IL and the 2007 Grand Champion Pastry Baker at the Illinois State Fair.
  • Dr. John R. Throop has presented nonprofit and management training workshops throughout the Midwest. He has 37 years of experience in the nonprofit sector as a board member, volunteer, executive director and consultant.
  • Mike Tomlianovich runs bridge club games in Bloomington-Normal and teaches bridge for various skill levels at both Heartland and Richland Community Colleges. Mike is an ACBL silver life master player with 1,535 master points to his credit.

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U

  • Kerry Urquizo is an ESL Specialist at Heartland Community College. She teaches a variety of ESL courses such as ESL Survival Workplace Skills, Academic ESL, ESL Parenting, and American Pronunciation and Business ESL.

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W

  • Cathy Walker-Bilow is a landscape specialist at Grieder Sod and Landscaping. She is also President of Kid Conscious Lawn Care, a local company dedicated to the development of sustainable lawn care products and practices. She has a BS and MS from the University of Illinois.
  • Scott White is a Human Resources Representative at State Farm Insurance Companies. Scott has a Bachelor's in Psychology from Syracuse University and a Master's in Counseling Psychology from Illinois State University.
  • Paul E. Woike, Jr. is a Client Server Support Specialist at Country Insurance and Financial Services in Bloomington. He is the Team Leader on .NET development, teaches technology seminars, and is a Microsoft Certified System Engineer.
  • Eva Wyman has a Bachelor’s from the University of Chile and a Master’s in Spanish and Latin American Literature from the University of Washington in Seattle. Trilingual in Spanish, English and German, she has taught these languages for over 40 years both in Chile and the USA.