Sara Diaz
[Department Chair, Counselor]
Ms. Diaz has worked for the Chicago Public Schools for 15 years as both a counselor and social worker. She earned her AB in English Literature at the University of Chicago and her Masters of Social Work at the Jane Addams College of Social Work at University of Illinois in Chicago. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and also earned her certificate in Guidance Counseling after a two year post-graduate program at DePaul University. Ms. Diaz is bilingual and has worked extensively in Latino neighborhoods throughout Chicago. Now that she is at Payton, she looks forward to interacting with the diverse student body and offering each student the support that he or she needs to be successful.
Tom Dunne
[Counselor]
Mr. Dunne has worked as a teacher, counselor and Guidance Director for over thirty years in downstate Illinois, the Western suburbs and Chicago. He received both his B.S. in history and his M.S. in Guidance and Counseling from Southern Illinois University. He holds an Administrative and Supervisory Certificate from Northern Illinois University. He serves students in the areas of helping to resolve personal issues, course selection, career awareness, pre-college preparation, selection of college/universities, other post-secondary opportunities and whatever issue/s a student walks through the door with and wishes to discuss. "Every day is different - that's what makes it fun."
Mr. Dunne also works with students and families in the area of financial aid and scholarships. He enjoys working at Walter Payton and interacting with students and teachers on a daily basis.
Karen Grimes
[Social Worker]
Coming Soon.
Lance Paulsen
[Counselor]
Lance Paulsen is entering his third year at Walter Payton College Prep. He came to Payton after serving as an academic counselor for the Northwestern University School of Continuing Studies. He holds a B.A. in Journalism, from the University of Iowa, and an M. Ed. in Human Services and Counseling, from DePaul University. Lance is the counseling contact for college representatives wanting to schedule a visit to Payton. Visits take place from September to November. He can be reached by email at LRPaulsen@cps.edu or by phone at 773.534.0034 ext. 48175.
Cassandra Stiff
[Guidance Counselor]
Cassandra Stiff serves as Department Co-Chairperson. She has 18 years of experience as an Educator/Counselor. She currently holds a BA in Education and an MA in School Counseling, as well as an MA in Educational Leadership. She coordinates Payton's Counseling Internship Program and serves on the Instructional Leadership Committee. Ms. Stiff has worked with a variety of students and parents within the Chicago Public Schools. She has worked in communities ranging from Austin to Lakeview. She thoroughly enjoys her work as a school counselor and loves to help families problem solve as well as to assist in providing a framework for making a decision on the "best fit" college/university.
Kenna Whitley
[Registrar]
Coming Soon.
Sara Diaz
[Department Chair, Counselor]
Ms. Diaz has worked for the Chicago Public Schools for 15 years as both a counselor and social worker. She earned her AB in English Literature at the University of Chicago and her Masters of Social Work at the Jane Addams College of Social Work at University of Illinois in Chicago. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and also earned her certificate in Guidance Counseling after a two year post-graduate program at DePaul University. Ms. Diaz is bilingual and has worked extensively in Latino neighborhoods throughout Chicago. Now that she is at Payton, she looks forward to interacting with the diverse student body and offering each student the support that he or she needs to be successful.
Tom Dunne
[Counselor]
Mr. Dunne has worked as a teacher, counselor and Guidance Director for over thirty years in downstate Illinois, the Western suburbs and Chicago. He received both his B.S. in history and his M.S. in Guidance and Counseling from Southern Illinois University. He holds an Administrative and Supervisory Certificate from Northern Illinois University. He serves students in the areas of helping to resolve personal issues, course selection, career awareness, pre-college preparation, selection of college/universities, other post-secondary opportunities and whatever issue/s a student walks through the door with and wishes to discuss. "Every day is different - that's what makes it fun."
Mr. Dunne also works with students and families in the area of financial aid and scholarships. He enjoys working at Walter Payton and interacting with students and teachers on a daily basis.
Karen Grimes
[Social Worker]
Coming Soon.
Lance Paulsen
[Counselor]
Lance Paulsen is entering his third year at Walter Payton College Prep. He came to Payton after serving as an academic counselor for the Northwestern University School of Continuing Studies. He holds a B.A. in Journalism, from the University of Iowa, and an M. Ed. in Human Services and Counseling, from DePaul University. Lance is the counseling contact for college representatives wanting to schedule a visit to Payton. Visits take place from September to November. He can be reached by email at LRPaulsen@cps.edu or by phone at 773.534.0034 ext. 48175.
Cassandra Stiff
[Guidance Counselor]
Cassandra Stiff serves as Department Co-Chairperson. She has 18 years of experience as an Educator/Counselor. She currently holds a BA in Education and an MA in School Counseling, as well as an MA in Educational Leadership. She coordinates Payton's Counseling Internship Program and serves on the Instructional Leadership Committee. Ms. Stiff has worked with a variety of students and parents within the Chicago Public Schools. She has worked in communities ranging from Austin to Lakeview. She thoroughly enjoys her work as a school counselor and loves to help families problem solve as well as to assist in providing a framework for making a decision on the "best fit" college/university.
Kenna Whitley
[Registrar]
Coming Soon.