About the K.I.C. Founder
Brian Horner
Mr. Horner received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Illinois State University in 1998 and has been a certified classroom teacher in District 203 in Naperville for 12 years. He has taught 7 years in the regular ed 5th grade classroom and 5 more years in the district’s “Project Idea Plus” program for gifted students. Mr. Horner received his master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from North Central College and attained his National Board Certified Teaching Certificate in 2005. He is a multiple nominee for the “Disney Teaching Award”, a multiple nominee and winner of the “Office Max Teacher Innovator Award” for November of 2007, and a multiple nominee for the “Those Who Excel” program (most recently selected for Highlands School in February of 2008). In addition he has spoken at national conferences and universities on the development of student thinking, the Habits of Mind, and giftedness.
Mr. Horner’s interests include soccer, piano, painting, poetry, golf, softball, grilling out, tailgating at White Sox and Notre Dame games with his dad and brothers, and eating Spaghettios and sushi whenever he gets the chance. Mr. Horner lives with his wife, Karen, two sons (Noah and Josiah), their new baby girl, Rayah (born in October), and a crazy white German Shepard dog, Mary Jane (she eats rocks).
About the K.I.C. Staff
Jeff Gerard
Mr. Gerard graduated from Texas Christian University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and has received his master’s degree in educational administration from Northern University. He has been a certified classroom teacher for the past eleven years and has a diversified resume which includes teaching 2nd grade for three years, 5th grade for one year, and 1st grade for seven years. Mr. Gerard is a National Board Certified teacher and currently teaches 1st Grade at Spring Brook Elementary in Naperville, District 204. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, who also teaches 1st grade, and they have two beautiful daughters (Annie 5 yrs and Delaney 1 yr.).
Mr. Gerard enjoys running, fishing, gardening, grilling year round, and once ate 100 sausage links for breakfast in college.
Adam Schmitt
Adam Schmitt has been a teacher in district 203 for 10 years spending the majority of that time teaching 8th grade American History and Project IDEA Language Arts. He recieved his bachelor's degree in elementary education from Southern Illinois University and has two masters degrees from North Central College--the first in curriclum/instruction and the second in education leadership. At Lincoln Junior High he is an 8th grade academic team leader and the Social Science department chair. He sponsors a range of intramurals like archery and track as well as coaching the lightweight football team. He and his wife have two boys (Aidan and Anderson) who never run out of energy.
Mr. Schmitt has a habit of celebrating the lesser known holidays with his students. Whether it National Waffle Day or Act Like a Ninja Day, Mr. Schmitt will find a way to celebrate the unsung heroes of the holiday lists.
Kate Shaw
Mrs. Shaw has been a Naperville teacher in District 203 for the last 5 years teaching 2nd grade at Highlands School. Her enthusiasm for teaching and life make her a favorite among her cherished students. She graduated from North Central College with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and received her master’s degree from National Louis University in curriculum and instruction. In addition, she has been recently nominated for the “Those Who Excel” program in 2009 for Highlands School! Mrs. Shaw has three beautiful children (Lily, Ben, and Tommy) and a Boston Terrier named Simon. In her spare time she enjoys playing cards and training for/running in marathons where she has ran in support of the Cornelia deLange Syndrome Foundation (CdLS). At one point in her life (we won’t say when) Mrs. Shaw had a collection of ceramic pigs. ---and that’s all we’ll say about that…
Donna Stevens
Ms. Stevens graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Benedictine University and received her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from National-Louis University. She has been a certified classroom teacher in District 203 for 10 years in which she taught 3rd grade for 8 years, two of which included teaching Honors Math, and is currently on her second year teaching 5th grade. Ms. Stevens has a feisty little Westie named Vito. However, his bark is worth more than his bite. In her spare time she enjoys reading, hanging out with her five nephews, and eating pizza. Lots of pizza!!!!
Ashley Flakus
Kid Innovation College is excited and proud to have Ashley Flakus back supporting and assisting KIC students in our Powerful Poets class this year. Ashley will again team up with Mrs. Shaw to bring additional support and mentorship to a classroom of strong and excited writers! Ashley is currently an 8th grader over at Kennedy Jr. High and has been a gifted student in the Project IDEA Plus (PI+) program for four years. She is a talented and extremely creative writer and has participated and won in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) for the past two years. She has written novels, screenplays, and a number of exceptional poems. When she isn’t writing, Ashley enjoys spending time with her wonderful family and friends, as well as listening to music. This is her second year supporting students in Kid Innovation College, where last year she assisted in our Journalism class.
“Ashley brings a wealth of knowledge and strong writing ability to our program. Not only is she smart, creative, and exceptionally talented, but she is a fantastic person with a great heart who has the ability to nurture and support the talents of others. In any writing class, giving students effective feedback is critical, and Ashley will help provide this in our poetry class as she supports Mrs. Shaw’s instruction,” says, Mr. Horner.