Highcrest Headlines | 8.7.2026
Hello Hawk Families,
I hope your family is having a wonderful end of summer! My name is Anthony Haduch, and I serve as your Principal at Highcrest Middle School. I am so looking forward to our partnership ahead! Highcrest Middle School serves as an important step in your child's education in District 39. You started up the staircase in your home elementary school and are now halfway through your journey! Here at Highcrest we help your child time-travel to their future selves, to a world in which they see their future successes. Highcrest is about further strengthening your child's academic skills while growing their sense of self as it relates to their interests, hobbies, college, and career goals. At this step, we get to play with a multitude of ideas to keep your child excited about growing toward their future. As they continue up the staircase of success toward Wilmette Junior High, they develop a strong sense of self and a passion that anchors them in deeper and more focused learning.
Together, in fifth and sixth grade, we will ensure every child can communicate their hopes and dreams for the future. At Highcrest, every child is capable of success.
With so much Hawk Pride,
Dr. Anthony Haduch | Principal
Mrs. Linda Moric
Mrs. Moric is our incredibly talented 5th Grade Level Administrator [GLAd]. Her enthusiasm, sense of humor, and deep care for students are visible every day here at school. I am so grateful to have her on this administrative team!
Mrs. Susie Carlson
Mrs. Carlson is our wonderfully skilled 6th Grade Level Administrator [GLAd]. Her presence is felt throughout the school, her laughter is heard through the halls, and students are at the center of everything she does. I am also so grateful to have her on this administrative team!
Mrs. Beth Barbin
Mrs. Barbin arrives bright and early to help make sure our school is staffed and ready for student arrival! The early bird may get the worm, but no bird can beat this hawk!
Mrs. Rebecca Motsinger
Mrs. Motsinger may have been a huge support to your family during the registration process! It is because of her attention to detail, our hawks are ready for learning each day!
Mrs. Senada Dibra
Mrs. Dibra is the incredible welcoming committee for our school! Her bright smile and supportive presence help make sure your questions are answered when stopping by our front office.
Mrs. Mary McLone
Mrs. McLone is the resident expert to all things health here at Highcrest! Not only does she ensure the students and staff here are cared for, but she is also the lead nurse here in District 39! We are so grateful for her expertise and leadership. Stay tuned for our next headline for Nurse Notes, a section with information to make sure you have all of your forms up to date here at the school.
Mrs. Laura Astley | 6th Grade ELA Teacher
My name is Laura Astley, and I am thrilled to be joining the Highcrest community! I have been teaching for 21 years, working with students from 2nd grade all the way to 8th grade. Nineteen of those years have been spent right here in District 39. I am coming to Highcrest from a 3rd-grade position at McKenzie. Before that, I taught ELA and social studies at WJHS, and I am looking forward to working with older students again. Outside of school, my husband and I are kept wonderfully busy by our four-year-old daughter, Emily, who loves going on little adventures with us.
Ms. Dimitra Pietrucha | Social Worker
Hi everyone! My name is Dimitra Pietrucha, and I’m so excited to be joining Highcrest Middle School. I have five years of experience working in schools, and I hold both my LSW and CADC certifications. I am also bilingual in Spanish and deeply value building strong connections with students and families from all backgrounds. As someone who is half Greek and half Puerto Rican, I have a strong appreciation for culture and community. My passion is helping students feel safe, connected, and supported so they can thrive both inside and outside of the classroom. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, music, and spending time with my two children. I’m looking forward to a wonderful school year together!
Mrs. Ellen Zywiciel | 5th Grade ELA Teacher
Hello Highcrest! My name is Ellen Zywiciel, and I am thrilled to join your staff as a fifth grade Reading, Writing and Social Studies teacher! I have over twenty-five years of experience teaching grades three through eight in Bloomingdale District #13 and Norridge District #80. Most of my experience is with grades three, four and five, but most recently, I’ve been teaching English Language Arts to seventh and eighth graders. I am very excited to get back to fifth grade. When I’m not at school, I love reading, traveling, running and spending time with my friends and family. My husband Jon and I have three teenagers and two beagles to keep us on our toes. Our oldest, Jack, is nineteen and he is working at a car dealership. Ryan is seventeen and spends his time playing soccer, running track, and deciding where to go to college next year. Anna is our baby at fourteen. She starts high school this year and is excited to be on the cheer team. Tulip and Daisy are our beagle twin sisters, and they bring us endless cuddles and laughter. I look forward to meeting everyone in August!
Ms. Annie Burkhalter | Social Worker [HMS + WJHS]
Nice to meet you, District 39 Community! My name is Annie Burkhalter and I am so excited to be working as a social worker at HMS and WJHS this year! This is my first year as a social worker and my first year at D39. I spent my internships at Barrington High School and Youth & Family Counseling, a community mental health center. Outside of school and work, I like to spend my time hanging at a coffee shop, working on several crafts, baking, or being with my friends. Thanks for welcoming me into your community, and I look forward to working with you!
Mrs. Gissele Drpich | Spanish Teacher [HMS + WJHS]
I am an experienced educator and a native Spanish and French speaker, and I am excited to meet our students and begin this new chapter in the Spanish classroom. I believe language learning should be engaging. My goal is to create opportunities for students to participate, explore different cultures, and discover new perspectives. Outside the classroom, I am the proud mother of two adult sons. My husband and I enjoy traveling around the world and spending time with our three dogs, visiting dog parks together. I look forward to building new relationships and to all the wonderful experiences this new school year will bring!
Ms. Abby LeSeure | ALOP Advocate
My name is Abby LeSeure, and I am so excited to be joining Highcrest as your Student Advocate this school year! I graduated from The Pennsylvania State University in 2023 with a bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Studies, with a concentration in Child Development. After graduation, I moved to Chicago to be closer to family, and I am excited to become a part of the Highcrest community. I believe every student deserves to feel supported, encouraged, and connected at school. I look forward to getting to know our students and families and contributing to a positive and successful school year.
Ms. April Clark | ALOP Advocate
Hi everyone! My name is April Clark and I am so excited to be joining Highcrest Middle School as a student advocate! I just moved to Chicago from Kent, Ohio in July. I earned my Bachelors of Social Work degree from the University of Cincinnati. I love hiking, trying new food spots, listening to music, and spending time with friends! I'm looking forward to a wonderful year!
Ms. Sarah Wejman | Student Teacher in Orchestra
Sarah Wejman recently finished her undergraduate coursework at Northwestern University, receiving degrees in Music Education, Legal Studies, and Political Science. She now looks forward to student teaching in orchestra at both the middle and high school levels. Having played viola since age 9, she hopes to share her love of music with students every day in the classroom. In her free time, she enjoys playing in pit orchestras, reading, and relaxing with her two dogs. Sarah is also a proud New Trier High School alumna!