Administration
Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Jodi Megerle
Dr. Jodi Megerle began serving as superintendent of schools on July 1, 2022. Prior to that, she spent three years as the assistant superintendent for student services. Dr. Megerle began her teaching career as a special education teacher, working at the middle and high school levels. Following several years of teaching, she spent fifteen years as a middle school assistant principal and principal in Barrington School District #220, Round Lake Area School District #116 and Community Consolidated School District #59. Dr. Megerle currently holds a BA in special education from Arizona State University, a Master’s Degree and Educational Specialist Degree from Northern Illinois University and recently completed her Doctoral Dissertation in Education Leadership at NIU. She is thrilled to be part of the River Trails community and cherishes working with the wonderful students, amazing staff and supportive families in the district.
Email: jmegerle@rtsd26.org
Assistant Superintendent for Business Services
Mr. Ryan Berry
Mr. Ryan Berry has served as the assistant superintendent for business services at River Trails District 26 since July 2024. He began his school accounting career in Barrington Dist. 220. He received his bachelor’s degree in finance from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree in school business management from Northern Illinois University. Since 2011, Berry has served as the assistant superintendent of business services/CSBO for Skokie Dist. 68. Prior to that, he served as the assistant to the bookkeeper for Skokie School Dist. 69.
Email:rberry@rtsd26.org
Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning
Mrs. Kristine Seifert
Mrs. Kristine (Kristy) Seifert is the district's assistant superintendent for teaching and learning. Mrs. Seifert has been in education since 2000 as a teacher, assistant principal and principal in Palatine School District 15, working with students of all backgrounds. She has a BA in education from Purdue and two master's degrees, one in curriculum and instruction and the other in educational leadership.
Email: kseifert@rtsd26.org
Assistant Superintendent for Student Services
Dr. Carie Cohen
Dr. Cohen joined River Trails School District 26 in 2022. Previously she served as the director of student services for Lake Zurich District 95. Prior to that, she spent three years as the coordinator of special services for Hawthorn School District 73. She began her career as a special education teacher and also has acted as a university supervisor for National Louis University. Dr. Cohen earned a Doctorate in Disability Studies from National Louis University in 2011 and a Director of Special Education Endorsement in 2018.
Email: ccohen@rtsd26.org
Director of Innovation and Technology
Ms. Alicia Duell
Alicia Duell joined River Trails School District 26 in July 2023. Ms. Duell has been a technology administrator for the past eight years, serving as Director of Technology in Lombard District 44 as well as in Wheeling District 21. She began her career as a high school social studies teacher at the American School of Tegucigalpa, Honduras before attaining her Master's Degree in Library and Information Science from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Ms. Duell then served as school librarian at Riverside-Brookfield High School; at North Jakarta International School in Jakarta, Indonesia; and at International School of Manila in Manila, Philippines. Serving as school librarian ignited Ms. Duell's passion for technology and its potential to impact student creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and critical thinking. Ms. Duell also has her Master's Degree in Educational Leadership.
Email: aduell@rtsd26.org
Indian Grove School - Principal
Mr. William Timmins
After graduating from DePaul University, Mr. Timmins started his career in Chicago Public Schools before moving to Community Consolidated School District 59 in Elk Grove. Mr. Timmins taught reading, science, and technology and, after completing a master's in Curriculum and Instruction and an administrative certification program through Concordia University Chicago, moved into assistant principal and principal roles in District 59. He took over as principal of Indian Grove Elementary in 2020. Mr. Timmins is currently completing a doctoral program in Educational Leadership through Concordia.
Email: wtimmins@rtsd26.org
Indian Grove School - Assistant Principal
Ms. Melissa Naples
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More information coming soon!
Email: mnaples@rtsd26.org
Prairie Trails School - Principal
Mrs. Amy Veytsman
Mrs. Amy Veytsman has spent more than two decades in education, a majority of them with River Trails School District 26. While with the district, she has had the opportunity to work in all three buildings, and in 2021 became the first principal of Prairie Trails School for kindergarten and preschool students. She has served as a special education teacher, a TOSA (Teacher on Special Assignment), and assistant principal at Indian Grove, before becoming the kindergarten and early learning transition facilitator. Prior to her career in District 26, Amy taught special education at Anne Sullivan School, in Prospect Heights, and at Aptakisic Jr. High, in Buffalo Grove. During her time in District 26, Amy has served on many committees, facilitated staff development workshops, presented at the NCLB conference and taken on many different leadership roles. Amy has a Bachelors of Science in Education degree from Illinois State University and a Masters of Education in Administration from National Louis University. She currently resides in Arlington Heights with her husband and three children.
Email: aveytsman@rtsd26.org
Prairie Trails School - Assistant Principal
Ms. Natalie Hudson
Ms. Natalie Hudson joined D26 in 2015 as a special education teacher at Indian Grove School, moving to Prairie Trails School when it opened in 2021. She earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from Indiana University South Bend and her master’s degree in special education leadership from Concordia University Chicago. She also holds ESL and Director of Special Education endorsements.
Email: nhudson@rtsd26.org
Euclid School - Principal
Ms. Karen Daly
Ms. Karen Daly has worked in education for more than two decades and is currently the principal at Euclid Elementary. Karen has held a variety of roles in schools such as middle school teacher, literacy specialist, mentoring coordinator, curriculum writer and assistant principal. Karen earned her undergraduate degree in English education at University of Illinois, earned a master's in curriculum/instruction from Illinois State University, and a master's in organizational leadership at U of I. Karen has been a National Board Certified teacher since 2001.
Karen lives in Palatine, loves the outdoors, runs and rides her bike for exercise, and reads voraciously during the summer months when time slows down a bit. Her daughter, Sofia, is in high school and is an avid soccer player.
Email: kdaly@rtsd26.org
Euclid School - Assistant Principal
Mrs. Sarah Hogan
Mrs. Hogan began working at Euclid School in the Fall of 1999 as a social worker. In the fall of 2018, she began the role of assistant principal. She is thrilled to serve in a leadership role at Euclid.
Mrs. Hogan completed her undergraduate studies at University of Notre Dame and her master's in social work degree from University of Illinois at Chicago. Additionally, she completed a certification of educational leadership from National Louis University.
Email: shogan@rtsd26.org
River Trails Middle School - Principal
Mr. Kyle Henkel
Prior to joining River Trails Middle School in 2020, Mr. Henkel taught business classes at both the high school and middle school levels and served as the Dean of students in West Aurora School District 129. He became the assistant principal at River Trails Middle School in 2020.
In 2009 he completed his undergraduate from Illinois State University and received his Master’s in Educational Leadership from Aurora University In 2011.
Mr. Henkel is both proud and grateful to have this opportunity with District 26. He hopes to continue to build positive relationships with students, staff, and families..
When Mr. Henkel is not in school, he spends his free time with his two sons and their events. He is an avid sports fan, enjoys woodworking, and loves being outdoors.
Email: khenkel@rtsd26.org
River Trails Middle School - Assistant Principal
Mrs. Tara Nunes
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Mrs. Tara Nunes joined River Trails Middle School in 2024. Prior, she taught middle school math and science, and was Dean of Students in Elmhurst. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and her masters in Educational Leadership at Concordia University. Mrs. Nunes is grateful to be a part of the River Trails community.
Mrs. Nunes stays busy during her free time by cheering on her three kids alongside her husband, baking, and spending time with family and friends.
Email: tnunes@rtsd26.org