Hall High School introduces new staff

SPRING VALLEY — Hall High School has six new staff members this year.

Amber Backus will be teaching band and contemporary music. She comes to Hall having taught previously in the DePue school district instructing vocal and general music. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Bowling Green State University.

The new paraprofessional is Christine Despinis. She previously worked at L-P High School as the STEP job coach. She will be sponsoring the pep club.

Dani Larson joins the math department, where she will teach Algebra I, Algebra IA and Algebra II. She earned her degree from Bluffton University and taught previously at Wapakoneta High School in Ohio.

The Isolated Learning Classroom will be supervised by Derek Neahring. He is a familiar face to Hall students having previously substituted at JFK, Hall, and Ladd. Neahring holds an AS from Sauk Valley Community College and a BS from Illinois State University. He will coach the Ladd fifth-/sixth-grade boys’ basketball.

Joanna McConville is the new special education teacher. She has a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in special education. She has 12 years of teaching experience from Mendota elementary and junior high schools and Leland Community Junior High.

Gina Taliani is the new superintendent secretary. She has worked in the field of human resources.