/About Glenwood Middle School / Administrators
Administrators
Mrs. Christine Lehnen, Principal
Mrs. Christine Lehnen is beginning her second year as Principal at Glenwood Middle School. She was previously an Assistant Principal/Special Education Coordinator at Glenwood High School, and before that, she was a Special Education Teacher, and Coordinator for Ball-Chatham. After graduation from Monmouth High School, she went on to receive her bachelor’s degree from Monmouth College, and her Master’s degree in Education Administration from ISU.
Mrs. Lehnen says the best part about being in education is working with students and their families as well as coming alongside amazing colleagues to assist students in their educational journey. “Being able to help students and staff reach their goals, gain confidence in their own abilities, and celebrate their successes is a reward that is immeasurable,” she says.
Mrs. Lehnen also believes there are challenges in education today, particularly, “To always remain current in our instructional practices to meet the needs of a student population that continues to change in the way that they learn and then to make those skills relevant in the community to which they will contribute after they graduate.”
She is married to Trevor, and together they have four children: Sydney, Luke, Katelyn, and Blake. On her own time, she enjoys attending her kids’ sporting events, working in her yard, and spending time with her family.
Mr. Kendall Gibson, Assistant Principal
Mr. Kendall Gibson was named Assistant Principal, Glenwood Middle School, at the Board of Education’s April 27th meeting.
Mr. Gibson previously taught math at GMS. He also served as the GHS Freshman Boys Basketball coach, GMS Assistant Football Coach, and GMS Boys Basketball Head Coach.
He graduated from Sesser-Valier High School, Sesser, Illinois in 2010, and earned his Bachelor’s degree from Illinois College in 2014. He completed his graduate studies from the American College of Education in 2020.
About the education field, he says he likes to work with students to help them reach their goals and potential best. He also enjoys working with other educators who have the same passion as he does.
Kendall is married to Madelyn, who teaches Physical Education at Glenwood Elementary School. Together they have one child, Blakely, who is one year old.
On his own time, he enjoys spending time with his family, watching/playing sports, watching different TV series, and traveling to Nashville to spend time with his family.
Jeffrey Rieck, Assistant Principal
Mr. Jeffrey Rieck was named Assistant Principal, Glenwood Middle School, at the May 25, 2022 Board of Education meeting.
Mr. Rieck previously taught science, and was head varsity track coach (boys) and head varsity wrestling coach at Westville High School. Prior to Westville, he taught science, and was the head varsity wrestling coach for Champaign Centennial High School. He was also a Golden Ruler Recipient for Excellence in Education while working at Westville CUSD 2.
He graduated from Mattoon High School in 2007, and went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Science/Science with Teacher Certification in 2013 from Eastern Illinois University. He also earned his Master’s of Science in Education/Educational Leadership degree in 2020 from EIU.
Mr. Rieck believes that the greatest aspect of working in the education profession, is the lasting relationships that are created with students, staff, and the communities that we serve as educators.
About the challenges he sees in education, he says, “I think that the challenges working in education are similar to those that our students experience within the classroom. To grow academically and personally, it takes a lot of doing things the wrong way before you figure out how to do them to the best of your ability. I think this is just as true for educators as it is for students. I have experienced so many learning opportunities along my path working in education which were sometimes tough lessons to learn.”
On his own time, he enjoys spending time with my family, traveling, hiking, fishing, and exercising. He says he really enjoys any sort of activity that incorporates nature and the outdoors. “Academically, I’ve always been interested in the sciences, mainly biology with a focus in zoology, genetics, and human physiology,” he says. “I am also passionate about learning new practices, techniques and philosophies that can be applied to a classroom setting to produce positive student outcomes.”
Mr. Kristopher Ketelsen, Special Education Administrator
Mr. Kristopher Ketelsen is the Special Education Administrator at Glenwood Middle School. Mr. Ketelsen previously taught at Olympia High School in the Olympia Transition Program.
He graduated from Palatine High School in 2015. In 2019, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Special Education LBS1 from Illinois State University. While at ISU, Mr. Ketelsen completed two study abroad programs at Leicester in England and at the University of Taipei in Taiwan. The study abroad opportunity in Taiwan was education focused and he was able to learn and teach in various classrooms across the country. In 2022, he earned his Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of Illinois at Springfield. Mr. Ketelsen is on track to complete the Director of Special Education endorsement through Aurora University by the end of 2023.
Throughout his educational adventures, Mr. Ketelsen has committed to researching best practices when transition planning for individuals with disabilities.
Mr. Ketelsen values and emphasizes the following skills for staff and students: independent, advocate, prepare for transition, and a growth mindset.
Mr. Ketelsen values a collaborative approach and is excited to meet and achieve great things with the parents, students and staff throughout the Ball-Chatham School District.
On his own time, Mr. Ketelsen enjoys traveling. He’s backpacked across 19 different countries throughout Europe and Asia. During breaks, Mr. Ketelsen often visits with family in Tennessee and Wyoming and friends in the suburbs of Chicago. On the weekends, he plays games on the Xbox and Nintendo Switch. Mr. Ketelsen has also recently started a record collection with his first album being Currents by Tame Impala!