![portraits of four new faculty members for 2024-25 school year 2]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1727799579/lakeforest/x4z1upcfwhgjv5iugybx/24-25newemployeeswebthumbnail.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1727799579/lakeforest/x4z1upcfwhgjv5iugybx/24-25newemployeeswebthumbnail.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1727799579/lakeforest/x4z1upcfwhgjv5iugybx/24-25newemployeeswebthumbnail.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1727799579/lakeforest/x4z1upcfwhgjv5iugybx/24-25newemployeeswebthumbnail.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1727799579/lakeforest/x4z1upcfwhgjv5iugybx/24-25newemployeeswebthumbnail.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1727799579/lakeforest/x4z1upcfwhgjv5iugybx/24-25newemployeeswebthumbnail.jpg","width":1800}])
Seoyeon "Stella" Choi joined Lake Forest Academy's math department in 2024. Stella was born and raised in South Korea and then went to California, where she spent a year as an exchange student. From there, she went to Canada and graduated high school, then moved to New York to attend college. Stella studied computer science at the University at Albany - State University of New York. At LFA, she will teach both AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles, along with Conceptual Precalculus. She will serve as a coach for the girls swimming team in the fall. Stella lives on campus in Warner House.
Q: What attracted you to LFA? A: I am attracted to LFA because LFA seems to have something special that makes its faculty and staff stay for a long time, and even students come back to school to visit their teachers. Also, as a person that graduated from a boarding school in Canada, it made me feel like what it was like to be in school again.
Q: What are you most excited about in your first year? A: The most exciting part of my first year will be teaching my favorite subjects: computer science and mathematics.
Q: What's something people may not know about you? A: I love mathematics, programming, and solving problems to provide positive impacts to society.
Mark Eleveld joined Lake Forest Academy in the summer of 2024, and the 2024-25 school year marks the start of his 29th year teaching high school English and journalism. Mark will also help to coach LFA's baseball team in the spring, marking his 11th year coaching the sport. He holds a master's degree in Great Books from the University of Chicago, a master's degree in philosophy from Lewis University, and a bachelor's degree in English/journalism from Lewis University. He has been teaching philosophy at the university level for 22 years and is also a grader for the AP College Board in AP Language and Composition. Mark is an expert in the poetry slam literary movement and edited the best-selling "The Spoken Word Revolution" series. Among his accomplishments, Mark was a field producer for the CNN series "Chicagoland," and was on the committee to recommend the Illinois Poet Laureate in 2020. Currently, Mark is on a podcast about the origins of poetry slams.
Q: What attracted you to LFA? A: LFA has a wonderful reputation and a beautiful campus. The intrigue of Global Citizenry and the very unique community is what brought me to LFA.
Q: What are you most excited about in your first year? A: Everyone has been so accommodating and so student-centered toward education - I am most looking forward to collaborating on English and journalism with students and colleagues.
Q: Where's your favorite hang-out spot on campus? A: Reading in the Poet's Room in the library is my favorite spot so far, but the Formal Gardens are pretty compelling. Plus, that's a beautiful baseball field.
Alex Gordon comes to LFA as a new member of the math department. He graduated from Highland Park High School in 2020, where he was a part of the swim team and the goalie of the water polo team. Alex holds a Bachelor's of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he studied math education and swam for two years. At LFA, Alex will teach Algebra 1 and Algebra 2. He will also serve as a coach of both the boys and girls swimming teams.
Q: What attracted you to LFA? A: The close proximity to where I grew up, just down the road in Highland Park.
Q: What are you most excited about in your first year? A: Getting back in the classroom and interacting with students. Student teaching was one of the most fun parts of my college experience.
Q: What's an LFA event or tradition you're looking forward to? A: I'm looking forward to all of the athletic events, as well as events involving the arts. Any time we are able to see our students' hard work and passion.
Dr. Kate Hartke is an instructor in Lake Forest Academy's English department. She graduated with her doctorate in English literature from Ohio State University. Prior to arriving at LFA, Kate taught at a college prep high school in downtown Chicago and at Ohio State. She has been the recipient of grants for her research and writing on literature and sustainability awarded by the Ohio State University and the Modernist Studies Association. At LFA, she teaches ELL Literature and Composition and English 9.
Q: What attracted you to LFA? A: I was interested in LFA because of its diverse, international student population and its outstanding reputation.
Q: What are you most excited about in your first year? A: I'm most excited to meet and work with the students and faculty of LFA.
Q: In what ways are you involved on campus? A: I'll be helping time track events in the spring and I will be offering extra academic support to students. In the future, I can see myself getting more involved with athletics.