Chris Guerrieri

Science Teacher & Football Coach

33 years at DGN

Chris Guererri has worked at DGN as a football coach and teacher for the past 33 years and it’s the only school he has taught at.

“My parents are both teachers, and I had other relatives who were teachers. Teaching would let me enjoy science as well as coaching. That was a big factor for me,” Guerreri said. “I always loved science,”

Guerreri’s passion for teaching was rooted in his love for science, and coaching. Before becoming a teacher he considered a career in the medical field. He was eventually led to teaching where he could impact students on a daily basis.

“Students are what make DGN special. Every student is similar in some extent, but I don’t think in 33 years I could say there’s ever a student that wasn’t excited to be here. They like coming here,” Guerreri said.

Guerreri intends on spending most of his retirement fishing and relaxing. He also plans to continue coaching football and occasionally substitute teaching here.

Michael Heinz

Science Department Chairperson

14 years at DGN

Michael Heinz has worked at DGN as the Science department chairperson and a teacher for 14 years. Before working at DGN, Heinz worked at Allan B. Shepard, Plainfield Central, Glenbard South, and Niles West.

“The students at Downers Grove North are just so great. Of all the schools I’ve been at, they’re the only ones that, when they leave class, they say thank you. That’s never happened before,” Heinz said.

Heinz believes his love for teaching started in his senior year of high school because of his high school science teacher, Mr. Tabor.

“Mr. Tabor allowed us to go do science demonstrations for eighth grade students where I showed them osmosis and they listened to me. That was my start,” Heinz said. “I didn’t know it at the time, but I was enthralled by the idea of the teaching-learning process.”

Some of Mr Heinz’s plans for retirement include traveling, including a trip to Japan with the DGN math team, golfing, and spending more time with his family. He also plans on possibly instructing a Methods of Teaching Science class at North Central College.

Mary Hart

Librarian

14 years at DGN

Mary Hart is one of the DGN librarians and has worked here for 14 years, and is one of the few librarians who remembers DGN before the buildings renovations.

“I started out in special services as a one-on-one parapro for a student who had high-functioning Asperger’s,” Hart said. “I went back to school and got a certificate as a library technical aide, so I started in the library around six years ago,”

Hart has ensured the library remains a safe and productive space for students.

“Through the years I’ve seen kids from freshmen to seniors, once they’ve found this special place, they come back to it,” Hart said. ““It’s truly a welcoming, safe spot in the school,”

This isn’t her first job in a library either.

“I started working in libraries in 8th grade. I made 80 cents an hour in the Glendening Public Library,” Hart said. “So I felt drawn back to it as an adult,”

Now she looks forward to her retirement .

“I just want to enjoy each day as it comes, and maybe do a little more sleeping,” Hart said.

Mary Beth Tamm

School Nurse

15 years at DGN

Mary Beth Tamm has been a school nurse at DGN for 14 years. Prior to DGN, she worked at Hinsdale South. She attended Rush University in Chicago and worked at Rush Medical Center.

“DGN is a wonderful school. There is so much opportunity for student success. All faculty are committed to the learning process and student development. I have enjoyed seeing students mature and move onto post graduation opportunities,” Tamm said. “Part of my job is helping students to understand how they can succeed in spite of challenges and encouraging them to be strong self advocates,”

Although Tamm’s retirement hasn’t panned out the way she initially thought it would due to a cancer diagnosis, she maintains a positive attitude and is ready to spend more time with loved ones during retirement.

“Unfortunately I have cancer and this semester I have been taking treatment. This has been hard physically and emotionally,” Tamm said. “I feel like I will prevail and have a healthy retirement. I do have plans to get to Italy this year and spend as much time as I can on the beach in Michigan with family and friends,”