District 70 hires new director of special services
Dr. Christian J. Otto joins Libertyville School District 70 this school year as director of special services, overseeing both the gifted program and special education.
Otto, who has his doctorate in human services from Capella University in Minneapolis, takes over for Marilyn Menuey, who retired at the end of June after 16 years with District 70. He began working for the district July 1.
"We are pleased to have Dr. Otto join our administrative team," said Superintendent Dr. Guy Schumacher. "In a critical role for school districts today, he brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience. His profoundly inspiring background and past professional practices offer much to the system at large. We are very excited to have Dr. Otto in District 70, he's a great addition to an impressive team."
Otto comes to District 70 from Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95, where he served as director of student services. Before taking on an administrative role, Otto was a school psychologist with Barrington Community Unit School District 220 for eight years.
He completed his school psychologist internship with Park Ridge-Niles School District 64. Before joining the public school system, Otto was the clinical director at the Lutherbrook Child and Adolescent Center in Addison, and the former Forest Academy Therapeutic Day School in Des Plaines, where he also worked as a clinician. He is a licensed school psychologist, counselor and marriage and family therapist.
"Libertyville District 70 has a reputation for its positive culture and a mindset of collaboration and innovation," Otto said. "I am honored to be part of the district and excited to partner with parents and staff to ensure that our students experience learning that prepares them to live and work in the 21st century."
His education background includes a bachelor's degree in psychology from Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and a master's degree in child and family studies from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Otto received an educational specialist degree in school psychology from National Louis University in Evanston.
Otto is also a fifth dan black belt instructor of northern Shaolin and praying mantis kung fu, and teaches traditional Chinese martial arts. He and his wife, Nancy, and their two children live in Park Ridge.
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