Several teachers and student teachers have joined MCHS for the 2026-2027 school year. Read on to learn more about them.
Tim Ohlwein
Division of Mathematics, Upper Campus
Tim grew up in Lindenhurst, Illinois and attended Lakes High School. He participated in many sports and activities while there. Then he wanted a different adventure and attended Florida State University and found the sport of rugby. Transferring to Arkansas State University to pursue continuing to play while studying Mathematics and Secondary Education. Since then have been playing professional rugby across the United States and overseas in Australia. All during this time has been various in different teaching roles from elementary to high school.
Derek Franzen
Division of Physical Education, Upper Campus
Derek grew up in Grayslake, Illinois, participating in baseball and football in high school. After graduating high school, he tried community college but wasn’t engaged in it. He decided to join the Marine Corps for four years. He found his passion of teaching during that time, watching his subordinates grow in their field of work and as people. Following the military, he went to Illinois State University to get his degree in Teaching Physical Education. He has been involved at McHenry the past two years as a student teacher, substitute teacher, and coach. His hobbies include working out, golf, and movies. He is looking forward to continuing to be a part of the MCHS family.
Kasey Kuiper-Gallagher
Division of English, Upper Campus
Kasey is from Woodstock and this is her 13th year of teaching. Prior to teaching at McHenry High School, she taught for seven years at Harlem High School in Machesney Park and five years at Marian Central Catholic High School. She attended Western Illinois University for her Bachelor’s in English Education, her ESL endorsement from American College of Education, and Northern Illinois University for her Master’s in Instructional Technology. She has taught various English, Journalism, and photography classes in her prior teaching experiences, along with being a yearbook & newspaper adviser; various clubs’ adviser, theatre technical director; girls/boys tennis coach; and girls lacrosse coach. Her husband is also a teacher and a retired Marine sergeant and they excitedly welcomed their first child, Penelope, last year. Along with an infant to keep them busy, they have two energetic dogs, Gatsby and Hank, and a cat, Mitchell. In her free time, she loves to run and work out, travel, read, listen to podcasts (especially anything true crime), anything that gets her outside in the sun, and discover new music and attend concerts. She hopes to get involved in any way possible at MCHS. She is excited to join the Warrior family!
Tess Earl
Division of CTE, Upper Campus
Tess is from East Moline, Illinois and is going into her first year of teaching. Her family fosters dogs which has grown her love for all sorts of animals. Tess’s favorite things to do are read, crochet, watch TV shows, sing, and hang out with her friends. She is interested in helping out the volleyball team or any club that involves reading, fandoms, or singing. Tess is new to the area, and if you have any recommendations for her to check out, feel free to let her know!
Drake Deccardo
Division of Social Science, Upper Campus
Drake is from Aurora Illinois and graduated from Waubonsie Valley High School. After graduation Drake went to the University of Illinois Chicago where he got his degree in history education. Currently Drake has moved to Glendale Heights with his Fiance and dog. In his free time Drake enjoys playing video games, reading sci-fi and fantasy novels as well as playing Dungeons and Dragons. For McHenry High School Drake hopes to join the coaching staff for football and baseball bringing his 2 years of coaching experience to a new community. Overall, Drake wants to be a team player and become a long term member of the community.
Allie Whyte- ISU Student Teacher
Division of Social Science, Upper Campus
Allie is from Cary Illinois where she attended Cary-Grove High School. Allie is currently a senior at Illinois State University where she is getting her degree in Secondary Education in Social Science with an endorsement in Political Science. While attending ISU, Allie was a part of the Big Red Marching Band as a trombone player where she was given the opportunity to travel to Ireland and march in the St. Paddy’s Day Parade. While Allie is very excited to join the Warrior family for her student teaching, she will finish her student teaching studying abroad in Murcia, Spain. Outside of school, Allie enjoys spending time with her family, creating crafts, reading, camping, hiking and traveling!
Bria Verber- ISU Student Teacher
Division of English, Upper Campus
Bria is from Grayslake, Illinois, and attended Grayslake North High School in Grayslake. She is currently a senior at Illinois State University where she is getting her degree in Secondary Education in English. Now, she is currently student teaching this fall under the English division with Peter Kim and Stacy Rockweiler, and will graduate from ISU in December, 2026. Bria currently lives in Lake Villa, and in her free time, she enjoys journaling, shopping, taking walks, spending time with friends and family, and binge watching television series.
Abigail Wight- University of Iowa Student Teacher
Div of English, Upper and Freshman Campus
Abby lives in Buffalo Grove and graduated from Buffalo Grove High School. She just moved back home from college at the University of Iowa. She is getting her degree in English and Creative Writing with a double major in Secondary Education. She also has minors in Spanish, Theater Arts and an endorsement in “All English”. In college Abby spent her time on an Improv Comedy team and directed a play! In her free time she loves reading, arts and crafts and hanging out with her three siblings.
Krista Graham- Northern Illinois University Student Teacher
Division of SPED, Upper Campus
Krista lives in Wauconda with her husband and 4 kids. She holds a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from NIU. Most recently she has worked as a para in a therapeutic day school with transition and high school students. In her free time, she volunteers with Cub Scouts and spends time with her family. She’s excited for the opportunity to learn at MCHS - and very excited to graduate with her MS. Ed. this December.