Neighbors in the News: Science & Arts Academy in Des Plaines names new assistant head of school
Ari Frede was appointed assistant head of school at Science & Arts Academy, an independent, nonprofit day school for gifted students in Des Plaines.
Frede, who will work closely with Head of School Tim Costello, serves as the chief instructional officer, responsible for the supervision and support of all teachers and instructional staff.
Additionally, he will support teachers and promote a culture of growth that advances the school's priorities and strategic initiatives.
Frede has taught students in inner cities and the rural South, from elementary to high school, special education and general education in Massachusetts, New Orleans, Mississippi and Winnetka.
He served as a principal intern and assistant principal with Chicago Public Schools, and later founded an arts-based elementary charter school in Chicago. Most recently, he served as head of school for the Ancona School, a progressive, Montessori-fusion school.
He attended Hampshire College, the University of Mississippi and the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he earned a doctorate in urban education leadership in 2017.
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Dr. Ryan Jacobs, a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician with subspecialty training in nonsurgical musculoskeletal care, medical management of pain and interventional diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, has joined Illinois Bone & Joint Institute.
Dr. Jacobs, who will practice out of the Gurnee, Lake Bluff and Libertyville clinic locations, specializes in the treatment of pain stemming from a variety of conditions, including head and neck pain, back pain, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, joint pain related to osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, spinal compression fractures, sciatica, herniated disc, sports and work-related injuries, complex regional pain syndrome, cancer and shingles related nerve pain.
He is committed to the use of interventional techniques to help minimize medication usage and reduce or prolong the need for major surgery. His research on these topics has been featured on the cover of Pain Medicine News.
He also has extensive training in implantable nerve stimulators, medication delivery systems and interspinous spacer devices.
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Katie Brooks has joined Elderwerks as business development director.
Brooks began her career as a music therapist, working with the geriatric population. She became a resident social service coordinator for dual diagnosis seniors; worked as a property manager in low-income senior housing; was the marketing director in skilled home health care; assisted in opening an inpatient psychiatric hospital in Northern Illinois as community liaison; and, most recently, worked as the business development manager for an area hospice.
Brooks holds a bachelor's degree in music therapy from Alverno College, Milwaukee, and has devoted nearly 20 years to the senior health care industry.
"I am thrilled to join the Elderwerks family and eager to help enhance the efforts of bringing senior living coordination, advocacy and education to the Chicago area and beyond," said Brooks.
Brooks has volunteered as president of the Senior Service Coalition of Lake County; has served on the board of directors of AgeGuide and was a founding member of the Coalition for Aging Resources & Education; was past corporate sponsorship chairwoman for the Lake County Walk to End Alzheimer's; and was past vice president of the Lake County Behavioral Health Alliance.
• Bartlett native Cadet Andrew Michael Thennes has completed Cadet Basic Training at the U.S. Military Academy.
Thennes entered West Point on June 28 and has successfully completed the six weeks of Cadet Basic Training, one of the most challenging events a cadet will encounter over the course of their four years at the academy.
The initial military training program provides cadets with basic skills to instill discipline, pride, cohesion, confidence and a high sense of duty to prepare them for entry into the Corps of Cadets.
Areas of summer instruction included first aid, mountaineering, hand grenades, rifle marksmanship and nuclear, biological and chemical training.
Thennes, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Todd Thennes, graduated from Bartlett High School. He plans to graduate from West Point in 2025 and be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
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