Staff
Founder
Patrick G. Ryan, Jr. is the Founder of the Inner-City Teaching Corps (ICTC). He is also co-founder and President of 21st Century Urban Schools, a sister organization of ICTC. Pat received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgetown University. Prior to establishing ICTC in 1991, Pat was a social studies teacher at an inner-city school on Chicago’s West Side. He is a graduate of the Chicago Police Academy where he was voted “Outstanding Recruit” by fellow officers. Pat’s work as a police officer included assignment as a narcotics investigator focusing on gang narcotics activity in inner-city Chicago. He received a Master of Management from the J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and a Juris Doctorate cum laude from Northwestern University School of Law. Pat serves as CEO of Incisent Technologies. He is a member of the Visiting Committee of the Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy.
Claire Hartfield
Chief Operating Officer
Claire Hartfield brings to this position extensive education and professional experience in urban education. During most of her years as a practicing attorney, she specialized in developing education policy at the law firm of Hartunian, Futterman & Howard. As a member of this private legal team, she developed and implemented system-wide desegregation plans for the Chicago Public Schools and Rockford Public Schools. This work built on her studies at the University of Chicago Law School (J.D.) and Yale University (A.B.). Claire has also written three books for children, including Me and Uncle Romie, published in December, 2002.
Elaine Berndes
Director, Execution in Entrepreneurial Schools Leadership Program
After receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, Elaine spent 10 years in the fields of marketing and advertising for publishing companies in New York and Chicago. Volunteering for the East Harlem Tutorial Program in New York and then the Mercedes-Benz Mentoring Program of Chicago, Elaine's passion for improving education and child welfare inspired a career change. She joined Teach for America and spent three years as a Chicago Public School teacher. Most recently Ms. Berndes served as Director for Aspiring Principals at New Leaders for New Schools Chicago Program recruiting, selecting and supporting aspiring principals. As the Director of Execution in Entrepreneurial Schools Leadership Program she seeks to further develop high performing Principals, leading the new partnership between Inner-City Teaching Corps and the Levy Institute for Entrepreneurial Practice at the Kellogg School of Management.
Judith Blank, CFRE
Director of Development and Communications
Judith has 23 years of experience in fund raising in both the not-for-profit and in the political arena. Her skills include major gifts solicitations, annual and capital campaigns, grant writing; board development, policy analysis, planning and lobbying. She is an accomplished manager, writer and photographer.
Prior to becoming a fundraiser, Judith spent 14 years in the healthcare arena. Her work was primarily in the field of transplantation immunology. She has also served on the board of directors of a major hospital and HMO and has knowledge of healthcare policy and planning issues.
Judith holds a Masters degree in non-profit management from New School University in NY. She is a former member of the board of directors of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Chicago Chapter and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive.
Jim Conti
Recruitment Coordinator/Assistant Director, Volunteer Teaching Corps
As the Recruiting Coordinator, Jim is responsible for recruiting Volunteer Teaching Corps members from colleges and universities around the country. After graduating from Boston College in 2007 with a degree in Communications, Jim joined the Volunteer Teaching Corps and spent the next two years teaching sixth grade Language Arts, Reading, and Religion at the San Miguel School - Gary Comer Campus in Chicago's Austin neighborhood. While working and traveling for ICTC, Jim is also completing his Masters of Science in Education from Northwestern University. Jim originally hails from Hudson, NH.
Maura Dell
Director, Volunteer Teaching Corps
Before assuming responsibility as Director of the Volunteer Teaching Corps in June 2009, Maura served as the Program Coordinator for the VTC for approximately 3 years. A 2006 graduate of the VTC, Maura volunteered as a fourth grade teacher at Our Lady of the Gardens School on Chicago's South Side. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame and a Master's of Science in Education degree from Northwestern University.
Pat Dwyer
Programming Coordinator/Assistant Director, Volunteer Teaching Corps
Pat joins the ICTC staff as Programming Coordinator after six years as a teacher at St. Malachy School on the Westside of Chicago. After two years as a VTC volunteer, Pat continued to teach Language Arts to the junior high students and reading and religion to his 7th grade homeroom. He was also a support person for two different VTC communities. Pat is originally from Milwaukee, WI, and graduated from Boston College in 2003 with a Philosophy degree. He also holds a Masters of Science in Education from Northwestern University.
Janet Gogins
Office Manager and Assistant to the Executive Director
Prior to joining ICTC in February 2004, Janet was Administrative Assistant in the executive offices at Big Idea Production, Inc. (makers of "VeggieTales" children's videos). She served for 8 years as Secretary at her childhood church; as a camera operator for its TV broadcast, and spearheaded the new members' dedication committee. Janet spends time volunteering as newsletter editor for a women’s support group; pursues a love of desktop publishing, and writes poetry.
Keelin Philippe
Director of Teacher Coaching
After graduating from Villanova University in 2000, Keelin joined the Volunteer Teaching Corps. She spent seven years working in both Catholic Schools and Chicago Public Schools before joining ICTC and as coach for new teachers. In 2006, Keelin was the Illinois Math Awardee for the Presidential Awards for Math and Science. Keelin holds a Masters Degree in Education from Northwestern University, and a Masters in Literacy, Language and Culture with a Reading Specialist degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Matt Smith
Director of Outreach & Partnerships
Matt Smith joined ICTC staff in August 2002 and currently serves as the Director of Outreach and Partnerships and Administrative Coordinator for the Books 'n Hoops program. Prior to joining the ICTC staff, he taught fourth grade at St. Dorothy School as a VTC Corps member and continued teaching there for two years after his volunteer service commitment. A Boston native, Matt graduated from Providence College in 1998 and holds a Master of Science in Education degree from Northwestern University. Currently, Matt serves on the boards of YNPN Chicago and the Illinois Chapter of The Gift of Adoption Fund.
Cynthia Thomas
Director of Professional Development
Prior to joining ICTC in June 1999, Cynthia taught grades three through eight during her twenty-five years at St. Sabina Academy on the South Side of Chicago, serving as the chair for both the Language and Science Departments. Recognized by both her school and community for her excellence as an educator, Cyndi is the recipient of the Heart of the School Award and the 17th Ward Someone You Should Know Award. Cyndi earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Barat College in Lake Forest, IL.
Amy Thompson
Office Assistant
Having an in depth knowledge in database management, Amy creates and maintains a variety of essential databases for the organization; she also works closely with the Office Manager in maintaining the administrative office. Amy who has worked as a secretary, bookseller, and theatre spotlight operator, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance from Oakland University, and participates in theatre productions around town as a lighting and sound designer/board operator. Amy has been with ICTC since August 2008.
Lisa Vogt
UNITE Director
Prior to joining ICTC in September 2007, Lisa was the Director of Teacher Quality Enhancement at Roosevelt University’s College of Education. While there she also served as a Clinical Instructor for undergraduate teacher candidates. A career changer herself, Lisa was a social worker for several years after college before becoming a teacher in the Chicago Public Schools. Lisa taught seventh grade at Pablo Casals Elementary where she was active in the school improvement process. Lisa holds a Bachelors Degree from Marist College, a Masters of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from Roosevelt University, and is in the final stages of completing an Ed. D in Curriculum and Instruction from George Washington University in Washington, DC.
