ICSS Candidate Bios
President
Levin, Andy
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
Political Science Instructor at Harper College and History Teacher/ACT Prep Teacher/Multicultural Club Advisor at Franklin High School
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
I have been a an active member of the Council for just over ten years and have served on the Board for six as Chicago regional representative, then vice president, and now president.
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
In addition to continuing to produce great conferences (of which I will be active as Harper's representative), we will also be creating quarterly virtual PD sessions to inform our members. I will also continue to maintain Board meetings in order to ensure long-term planning and financial oversight. With the NCSS Conference in Chicago in 2026, I will also work to establish synergies and make sure that our members attend in large numbers.
Outside Interests
I am a coach for my son's basketball team. My wife and I are also avid gym goers and work out together on a nearly daily basis. On election days, I volunteer as an election observer with the League of Women Voters. Finally, I am in year two of four(ish) on my doctorate in Educational Leadership at Northern Illinois University.
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
Political Science Instructor at Harper College and History Teacher/ACT Prep Teacher/Multicultural Club Advisor at Franklin High School
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
I have been a an active member of the Council for just over ten years and have served on the Board for six as Chicago regional representative, then vice president, and now president.
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
In addition to continuing to produce great conferences (of which I will be active as Harper's representative), we will also be creating quarterly virtual PD sessions to inform our members. I will also continue to maintain Board meetings in order to ensure long-term planning and financial oversight. With the NCSS Conference in Chicago in 2026, I will also work to establish synergies and make sure that our members attend in large numbers.
Outside Interests
I am a coach for my son's basketball team. My wife and I are also avid gym goers and work out together on a nearly daily basis. On election days, I volunteer as an election observer with the League of Women Voters. Finally, I am in year two of four(ish) on my doctorate in Educational Leadership at Northern Illinois University.
Vice-President
Gunn, William
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
I have been a social studies teacher at Lincolnwood High School for almost 30 years. I teach World and U.S. History, Psychology and Sociology, and Geography.
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
I have never served is a leadership position with ICSS, but i have been a member for many years. The ICSS does a great job providing resources for educational professionals.
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
I think we could strengthen the bond between the ICSS and college and secondary education programs across the state so that the membership feels more connected to the organization and the profession they are a part of.
Outside Interests
I have a hobby farm, and I play the drums for the bands The Grand Moff and RetroRockit.
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
I have been a social studies teacher at Lincolnwood High School for almost 30 years. I teach World and U.S. History, Psychology and Sociology, and Geography.
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
I have never served is a leadership position with ICSS, but i have been a member for many years. The ICSS does a great job providing resources for educational professionals.
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
I think we could strengthen the bond between the ICSS and college and secondary education programs across the state so that the membership feels more connected to the organization and the profession they are a part of.
Outside Interests
I have a hobby farm, and I play the drums for the bands The Grand Moff and RetroRockit.
Secretary
Benchik-Osborne, Jacquelyn
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
Chicago State University, Assistant Professor, Elementary Education Program, Department of Education Studies
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
I have recently presented at the Harper College Fall 2024 ICSS Conference. I also recently joined ICSS, wanting, after COVID, to make other professional contacts with those interested in social studies education.
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
I recently presented at the Harper College Fall 2024 ICSS Conference. I joined ICSS, wanting, after COVID, to increase professional contacts with those interested in social studies education.
Outside Interests
Love to read and live with the best beagle on the planet. She gets smarter as she gets older!
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
Chicago State University, Assistant Professor, Elementary Education Program, Department of Education Studies
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
I have recently presented at the Harper College Fall 2024 ICSS Conference. I also recently joined ICSS, wanting, after COVID, to make other professional contacts with those interested in social studies education.
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
I recently presented at the Harper College Fall 2024 ICSS Conference. I joined ICSS, wanting, after COVID, to increase professional contacts with those interested in social studies education.
Outside Interests
Love to read and live with the best beagle on the planet. She gets smarter as she gets older!
Treasurer
Rathbun, John
Historian
VanGorder, Megan
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
Assistant Professor of History and Coordinator of Secondary Social Studies Education at Governors State University
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
As a teacher educator, I'm invested in the development and dissemination of best practices in the social studies across the state of Illinois.
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
I am interested in examining the growth of the institution over time and using a knowledge of its past to begin to determine ways to include more Illinois educators and preservice candidates in a supportive professional development community.
Outside Interests
We raise chickens in DeKalb. :-)
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
Assistant Professor of History and Coordinator of Secondary Social Studies Education at Governors State University
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
As a teacher educator, I'm invested in the development and dissemination of best practices in the social studies across the state of Illinois.
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
I am interested in examining the growth of the institution over time and using a knowledge of its past to begin to determine ways to include more Illinois educators and preservice candidates in a supportive professional development community.
Outside Interests
We raise chickens in DeKalb. :-)
Region 1 Representative
Southall, Aubrey
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
Aubrey Brammar Southall, PhD, is an associate professor and secondary education program coordinator at Aurora University, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses. She previously taught middle and high school social studies in the Atlanta area.
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
Aubrey has previously served a variety of roles in CUFA/NCSS through the Small College and University Faculty Forum and the Motherscholar Forum. She regularly attends and presents CUFA/NCSS and looks forward to becoming more involved in ICSS.
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
Aubrey aims to create specialized working groups within the membership, such as one for social studies methods instructors.
Outside Interests
Aubrey is a mother of three (Charlotte, 6; Sam, 4; and Anne, 22 months) and is active in several philanthropic and community advocacy groups. She coordinates her children's school district's Author Fest, plays tennis, enjoys trips "home" to the Georgia Lowcountry, and loves cheering on her alma maters, the University of Georgia Bulldogs and Georgia State University Panthers.
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
Aubrey Brammar Southall, PhD, is an associate professor and secondary education program coordinator at Aurora University, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses. She previously taught middle and high school social studies in the Atlanta area.
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
Aubrey has previously served a variety of roles in CUFA/NCSS through the Small College and University Faculty Forum and the Motherscholar Forum. She regularly attends and presents CUFA/NCSS and looks forward to becoming more involved in ICSS.
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
Aubrey aims to create specialized working groups within the membership, such as one for social studies methods instructors.
Outside Interests
Aubrey is a mother of three (Charlotte, 6; Sam, 4; and Anne, 22 months) and is active in several philanthropic and community advocacy groups. She coordinates her children's school district's Author Fest, plays tennis, enjoys trips "home" to the Georgia Lowcountry, and loves cheering on her alma maters, the University of Georgia Bulldogs and Georgia State University Panthers.
Region 2 Representative
VanGorder, Megan
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
Assistant Professor of History and Coordinator of Secondary Social Studies Education at Governors State University
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
As a teacher educator, I'm invested in the development and dissemination of best practices in the social studies across the state of Illinois.
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
I am interested in examining the growth of the institution over time and using a knowledge of its past to begin to determine ways to include more Illinois educators and preservice candidates in a supportive professional development community.
Outside Interests
We raise chickens in DeKalb. :-)
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
Assistant Professor of History and Coordinator of Secondary Social Studies Education at Governors State University
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
As a teacher educator, I'm invested in the development and dissemination of best practices in the social studies across the state of Illinois.
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
I am interested in examining the growth of the institution over time and using a knowledge of its past to begin to determine ways to include more Illinois educators and preservice candidates in a supportive professional development community.
Outside Interests
We raise chickens in DeKalb. :-)
Region 3 Representative
No Candidate
Region 4 Representative
Bickford, Jay
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
I am a professor of Social Studies Education at Eastern Illinois University.
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
I have been a member of ICSS for over a decade, have attended conferences, and edit the journal for ICSS.
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
I am intrigued at the possibility of online professional development throughout the course of the school year as a benefit for our members.
Outside Interests
I enjoy fishing and hiking during my off time.
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
I am a professor of Social Studies Education at Eastern Illinois University.
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
I have been a member of ICSS for over a decade, have attended conferences, and edit the journal for ICSS.
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
I am intrigued at the possibility of online professional development throughout the course of the school year as a benefit for our members.
Outside Interests
I enjoy fishing and hiking during my off time.
Region 5 Representative
D'Arcy, Ryan
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
I am the AP and dual-credit instructor at Bond County High School where I teach AP US Government, AP World History, and AP US History in addition to regular US History. I am also the social studies curriculum committee chair.
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
I have attended several ICSS over the years and gained valuable connections, resources, skills, and insight from them. I support the mission of both ICSS and NCSS and hope to help grow the resources available to teachers like me.
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
I hope to work inside the ICSS to realize the vision of providing more varied and accessible professional development for content teachers. Additionally, ICSS provides a great framework to help those inside the professional community to network, collaborate, and share resources in ways that may be challenging in traditional school frameworks. I hope to help make it easier to find quality, trusted resources that are standards-aligned and ready to use by teachers.
Outside Interests
I love hiking, reading, watching movies, and, of course, learning new things in history!
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
I am the AP and dual-credit instructor at Bond County High School where I teach AP US Government, AP World History, and AP US History in addition to regular US History. I am also the social studies curriculum committee chair.
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
I have attended several ICSS over the years and gained valuable connections, resources, skills, and insight from them. I support the mission of both ICSS and NCSS and hope to help grow the resources available to teachers like me.
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
I hope to work inside the ICSS to realize the vision of providing more varied and accessible professional development for content teachers. Additionally, ICSS provides a great framework to help those inside the professional community to network, collaborate, and share resources in ways that may be challenging in traditional school frameworks. I hope to help make it easier to find quality, trusted resources that are standards-aligned and ready to use by teachers.
Outside Interests
I love hiking, reading, watching movies, and, of course, learning new things in history!
Region 6 Representative
West. Brandon
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
Middle School Social Studies Teacher at Altamont Lutheran Interparish School in Altamont, IL
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
I have been a member for two years, and been able to attend a couple of the conferences.
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
I am hoping to build ICSS up to be a prominent place educators can come for information and resources that can be used in the classroom. I also hope to expand the network and bring more people to the group.
Outside Interests
I love to travel for professional development and visit new places. I also love to watch movies, and attend baseball games (Go Cubs). Love spending time with my wife and son, and love vacationing to Disney World.
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
Middle School Social Studies Teacher at Altamont Lutheran Interparish School in Altamont, IL
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
I have been a member for two years, and been able to attend a couple of the conferences.
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
I am hoping to build ICSS up to be a prominent place educators can come for information and resources that can be used in the classroom. I also hope to expand the network and bring more people to the group.
Outside Interests
I love to travel for professional development and visit new places. I also love to watch movies, and attend baseball games (Go Cubs). Love spending time with my wife and son, and love vacationing to Disney World.
Member At Large
Coomer, Theresa
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
Middle School Science and Social Studies teacher, Paw Paw CUSD 271
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
Conference Program Director 2025-2025, Secretary 2023-2024, Member of Constitution Committee 2023-2024
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
Continue as Conference Program Director and help plan and develop the future professional development opportunities.
Outside Interests
Crocheting and Advocating for military and veteran families
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
Middle School Science and Social Studies teacher, Paw Paw CUSD 271
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
Conference Program Director 2025-2025, Secretary 2023-2024, Member of Constitution Committee 2023-2024
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
Continue as Conference Program Director and help plan and develop the future professional development opportunities.
Outside Interests
Crocheting and Advocating for military and veteran families
Member At Large
Johnson, Crystal
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
I am the manager of Chicago Metro History Day. I lead student outreach and teacher professional development for the Chicago History Museum, and co-direct the NEH institute “Rethinking the Gilded Age and Progressivisms.”
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
I am relatively new to ICSS. I presented and exhibited at vendor tables at the annual conferences in 2023 and 2024.
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
I would love to work with ICSS partners to develop and enrich professional development opportunities for teachers. My current professional role involves serving teachers and students at more than 70 schools across the Chicago metro region. I have experience in event planning, adult learning, and communications that may be leveraged to support ICSS’s outreach to teachers. I look forward to opportunities to strengthen the networks that support Illinois’s social studies teachers and their students.
Outside Interests
I advocate regularly for students with disabilities. I try to support efforts to make social studies more inclusive of neurodivergent and disabled voices.
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
I am the manager of Chicago Metro History Day. I lead student outreach and teacher professional development for the Chicago History Museum, and co-direct the NEH institute “Rethinking the Gilded Age and Progressivisms.”
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
I am relatively new to ICSS. I presented and exhibited at vendor tables at the annual conferences in 2023 and 2024.
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
I would love to work with ICSS partners to develop and enrich professional development opportunities for teachers. My current professional role involves serving teachers and students at more than 70 schools across the Chicago metro region. I have experience in event planning, adult learning, and communications that may be leveraged to support ICSS’s outreach to teachers. I look forward to opportunities to strengthen the networks that support Illinois’s social studies teachers and their students.
Outside Interests
I advocate regularly for students with disabilities. I try to support efforts to make social studies more inclusive of neurodivergent and disabled voices.
Member At Large
Brown, Lauren
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
Current role 7th grade U.S. history in Oak Park. Classroom teacher in middle & high school for 17 years, plus 8 years in social studies education at university level.
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
Have presented and attended fall conference in 2014, 2023 and 2024
Long time member (though on and off) of NCSS.
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
This past summer, I attended the NCSS Summer Leadership Institute in DC last summer. It was a great opportunity to learn more about becoming a leader in social studies education, as well as network with leaders from other state and regional social studies organization. With the new status of ICSS as a provider of professional development, this is a key moment to entice new members. With the experience we all now have of learning online, we could develop online offerings more regularly that would offer professional development credit. We might also consider an online book club and regional get togethers to promote relationship/network building. I plan to attend our neighbor to the north’s conference in March this year (WCSS). Perhaps we might consider allowing neighboring states reciprocal membership and reaching out to them to attend our conferences. And we could even consider some joy–the newest buzz word in education–how fun to meet up at a bar or cafe and talk shop with other history teachers? Perhaps to commiserate and celebrate the work we all do in shoring up our democracy?
Outside Interests
I enjoy eating things I've never tried before, live music & festivals, and a good read on a lazy weekend afternoon. Always a history buff, when I wander around Chicago and travel elsewhere, I'm always on the lookout for historic sights.
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
Current role 7th grade U.S. history in Oak Park. Classroom teacher in middle & high school for 17 years, plus 8 years in social studies education at university level.
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
Have presented and attended fall conference in 2014, 2023 and 2024
Long time member (though on and off) of NCSS.
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
This past summer, I attended the NCSS Summer Leadership Institute in DC last summer. It was a great opportunity to learn more about becoming a leader in social studies education, as well as network with leaders from other state and regional social studies organization. With the new status of ICSS as a provider of professional development, this is a key moment to entice new members. With the experience we all now have of learning online, we could develop online offerings more regularly that would offer professional development credit. We might also consider an online book club and regional get togethers to promote relationship/network building. I plan to attend our neighbor to the north’s conference in March this year (WCSS). Perhaps we might consider allowing neighboring states reciprocal membership and reaching out to them to attend our conferences. And we could even consider some joy–the newest buzz word in education–how fun to meet up at a bar or cafe and talk shop with other history teachers? Perhaps to commiserate and celebrate the work we all do in shoring up our democracy?
Outside Interests
I enjoy eating things I've never tried before, live music & festivals, and a good read on a lazy weekend afternoon. Always a history buff, when I wander around Chicago and travel elsewhere, I'm always on the lookout for historic sights.
Member At Large
Mahoney, Kathleen
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
I am currently a special education teacher at Lake View High School in CPS. I teach civics in a co-taught and instructional setting. In addition to teaching I am also the civics course team lead, Student Voice Committee mentor, and student experiences lead on the Climate Team. Prior to my special ed work at LVHS I was a general education civics, history, and psychology teacher.
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
While I have been a member of NCSS for several years, I am newer to ICSS. I am proud of the work that Illinois has done for social studies education and I am really excited about opportunities to work with like minded social studies professionals from across the state.
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
I am really passionate about civics education and believe that it doesn’t live in one class or subject area. I would love to collaborate with a variety of social studies professionals to leverage student identity and agency through a variety of grade levels and subjects. I also look forward to the opportunity to learn from others. I believe that ICSS can be a great asset for educators all across the state through curricular resources and professional development. I would also be interested in working with students from across the state to leverage their experiences and ideas as well.
Outside Interests
I am currently a doctoral student at UIC. My research focus is on civics education policy. I also enjoy Irish set dancing, being a cool aunt, and spending time with my family including my dogs Marty and Quinn.
Tell us about your current professional role, including institution, if applicable.
I am currently a special education teacher at Lake View High School in CPS. I teach civics in a co-taught and instructional setting. In addition to teaching I am also the civics course team lead, Student Voice Committee mentor, and student experiences lead on the Climate Team. Prior to my special ed work at LVHS I was a general education civics, history, and psychology teacher.
Tell us about your experience with ICSS
While I have been a member of NCSS for several years, I am newer to ICSS. I am proud of the work that Illinois has done for social studies education and I am really excited about opportunities to work with like minded social studies professionals from across the state.
How do you envision working to grow ICSS?
I am really passionate about civics education and believe that it doesn’t live in one class or subject area. I would love to collaborate with a variety of social studies professionals to leverage student identity and agency through a variety of grade levels and subjects. I also look forward to the opportunity to learn from others. I believe that ICSS can be a great asset for educators all across the state through curricular resources and professional development. I would also be interested in working with students from across the state to leverage their experiences and ideas as well.
Outside Interests
I am currently a doctoral student at UIC. My research focus is on civics education policy. I also enjoy Irish set dancing, being a cool aunt, and spending time with my family including my dogs Marty and Quinn.
Member At Large
Leiby, Olivia