Lisa M. Vondale

About Lisa

As an award-winning English and Biology teacher, Lisa Vondale served as a faculty associate at Illinois State University in their education department, training preservice teachers while also teaching at the secondary level. Prior to that, Vondale trained hundreds of teachers in Chicago Public Schools as an instructional coach and also led numerous professional trainings while developing district-wide literacy curricula. In her professional writings, Vondale focused on research regarding the professional development of teachers within their own classrooms and excels at developing curricula that span multiple subject areas, often uniting the arts with the sciences to create enriching learning experiences.

Building on her reputation for authentic and engaging teaching in the classroom, Vondale now proudly works as a sought-after private coach for literacy instruction and academic training for gifted students. She also dedicates time to volunteer work at South Bend Civic Theatre and previously with the Monday Musical Club, Peoria Symphony Orchestra, Peoria Playhouse Children's Museum, Benton Harbor Public Schools, and the Krasl Art Center.

Outside of her work in the classroom and community, Vondale spends time cultivating her interests in gardening, farm-to-table cooking, and habitat restoration. After being raised between the Detroit suburbs and northern Michigan, Vondale spends much of her free time outdoors, hiking, kayaking, and enjoying the water. She is the proud mom of two daughters as well as an Interlochen Arts Camp alumni herself, attending Camp as a flute major for many summers.

I believe that all students can thrive when they are truly understood by their teachers. With the right tools, empathy, and well-crafted learning experiences, students can safely explore their questions and curiosities to dig deep into the topic at hand, leaving them with a more meaningful understanding of their impact on the world around them.