“The relationship you have with a student has to be based on trust,” says Dan Polonsky, who teaches junior high students at The Cove School. The students in his classes all have significant learning disabilities. Polonsky describes Cove as a place where “students who have experienced a lot of difficulties can show what they’re capable […]
Teacher by day, secret agent by night. At least that’s what some of his students think. Because he requires little sleep, the Physics and AP Physics teacher has been known to review his students’ research drafts and respond to their emails at 1, 2 and 3 a.m. “He makes himself more available than any teacher […]
Every September, we entrust a major part of the care and mentoring of our children to a new teacher or teachers. And if we’re lucky, these individuals give our kids knowledge, perspective and understanding; helping our children become their best selves. Often, they transform and inspire. And they don’t ask for much in return. Sometimes, […]
Want to Make It Better for someone today? Here’s a really easy way—the Cure JM Foundation is an organization near and dear to Make It Better—Wilmette residents Jacque and Bruce DenUyl have been actively involved with this group, which supports funding efforts for research and treatment of Juvenile Myositis (JM). JM is a rare automimmune […]
It’s unfortunate how many people lose their lives because their important medical information isn’t available fast enough for first responders. Fern Silver is doing something to change that. The professional motivational speaker recently invented the Mama Care Card—an easy way to carry your emergency medical information with you at all times. It also comes in […]
It takes a special sort of cancer patient to laugh instead of cry when she goes to put on mascara and realizes there’s no reason to because she’s lost her eyelashes. Or to name the two tubes that send chemo into her body “Simon and Garfunkel.” But that was former Long Grove and Highland Park […]
Choreographer Brian Friedman is one of today’s hottest directors for concert tours, music videos, television shows, commercials and films. Born in Highland Park, Friedman has choreographed and directed numerous music videos—including Britney Spears’ “Toxic” and “Slave 4 U” and *NSYNC’s “Dirty Pop”—and performances, working with artists like Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Usher, Pink and Ne-Yo. As […]
It’s a season ending worthy of a Hallmark television special—a girls’ baseball team knocking off a boys’ team for the division championship. Where’s Geena Davis to star as one of the moms? You don’t need to dream it—it’s a fact. The Chicago Pioneers, one of just two all-girls baseball programs in the country, recently won […]
Max Herrick of Barrington just celebrated his sixth birthday. And in his young life, he has already been through more health crises than most people go through in a lifetime. Born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, Max underwent his first open heart surgery when he was just three days old. Shortly after, his name was […]
When former caterer Meg Dhamer of Libertyville sent her children off to college, they encouraged her to share her fabulous cooking with a broader audience. The result is Pigtale Twist: Ridiculously Garlic Blue Dressing, Three Berry Vinaigrette and Buttery Caramel Sauce. All are bottled at Lamb’s Farm by adults with developmental disabilities—and the organization receives […]
