Arlene Bertoni-Mancine
[Department Chair]
Arlene has been teaching for twelve years. The first two years at Amundsen High School where she was also the assistant girl’s soccer coach. Arlene has been at Payton since it’s inception in 2000. Arlene teaches Health and Physical Education to all ninth grade students. In the ten years at Payton Arlene has served as a cheerleading coach, Local School Council Teacher Representative and a Mentor for colleagues. Arlene has also served on the Chicago State Advisory Board for Physical Education and for the Illinois State Board of Education as a tester for the current performance indicators in physical education. Arlene attended Gustavus Adolphus College for her undergraduate degree in Physical Education and Health Education. Arlene was also a college gymnast earning academic and floor exercise All-American honors as well as National Team Champion. She also has a Masters in school leadership from Northeastern Illinois University. Currently Arlene is the Physical Education Department Chairperson at Walter Payton College Prep and the moderator for the Badminton Club.
Joel Anderson
[Athletic Director]
Coming soon...
Tom Cook
Mr. Cook graduated from Chicago State University in 1973. He worked in the Chicago Public School playgrounds where his job responsibilities included keeping the playgrounds safe and secure for the children in the neighborhood. Mr. Cook coached multiple activities at the schools such as: Boys Basketball, Co-ed Volleyball and Wrestling, 16" Softball, Table Tennis, and Flag Football. He was also in charge of the after school adult programs. While working at Mendell High School, Mr. Cook coached Football for two years. He is currently the head of the Athletic Department, as well as the teacher of the sophomore gym classes here at Payton.
Paul Escobar
Mr. Escobar graduated from Niles North H.S. in Skokie, IL where he was a student athlete playing soccer. He received All-Sectional and All-Area honors as a senior. Mr. Escobar then attended DePaul University and continued his soccer career from 1999-2000. In 2003 he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and a minor in history. He has been a soccer coach for the past seven years with the Northbrook Spartans, Wilmette Wings as well as the Latin Middle School of Chicago. Paul has been the Girls and Boys Junior Varsity soccer coach at Walter Payton for the past year while coaching for Urban Initiatives. Urban Initiatives, a not-for-profit organization, is dedicated to assist children of Cabrini Green learn soccer fundamentals, along with the importance of teamwork and good sportsmanship.
Eric Kuchii
Mr. Kuchii, an All-American soccer player, graduated from Evanston High School in 1995. He went on to pursue a career in physical education, and got his bachelor's degree at DePaul in 2001. Mr. Kuchii has been coaching boys and girls soccer for many years in both Evanston and Chicago. Today he's the head coach of the girls varsity soccer team and the assistant coach of the boys varsity soccer team. Mr. Kuchii is also an avid volunteer for the Justin Wynn Leadership Academy, and Urban Initiatives. Mr. Kuchii currently teaches all level P.E. classes.
Arlene Bertoni-Mancine
[Department Chair]
Arlene has been teaching for twelve years. The first two years at Amundsen High School where she was also the assistant girl’s soccer coach. Arlene has been at Payton since it’s inception in 2000. Arlene teaches Health and Physical Education to all ninth grade students. In the ten years at Payton Arlene has served as a cheerleading coach, Local School Council Teacher Representative and a Mentor for colleagues. Arlene has also served on the Chicago State Advisory Board for Physical Education and for the Illinois State Board of Education as a tester for the current performance indicators in physical education. Arlene attended Gustavus Adolphus College for her undergraduate degree in Physical Education and Health Education. Arlene was also a college gymnast earning academic and floor exercise All-American honors as well as National Team Champion. She also has a Masters in school leadership from Northeastern Illinois University. Currently Arlene is the Physical Education Department Chairperson at Walter Payton College Prep and the moderator for the Badminton Club.
Joel Anderson
[Athletic Director]
Coming soon...
Tom Cook
Mr. Cook graduated from Chicago State University in 1973. He worked in the Chicago Public School playgrounds where his job responsibilities included keeping the playgrounds safe and secure for the children in the neighborhood. Mr. Cook coached multiple activities at the schools such as: Boys Basketball, Co-ed Volleyball and Wrestling, 16" Softball, Table Tennis, and Flag Football. He was also in charge of the after school adult programs. While working at Mendell High School, Mr. Cook coached Football for two years. He is currently the head of the Athletic Department, as well as the teacher of the sophomore gym classes here at Payton.
Paul Escobar
Mr. Escobar graduated from Niles North H.S. in Skokie, IL where he was a student athlete playing soccer. He received All-Sectional and All-Area honors as a senior. Mr. Escobar then attended DePaul University and continued his soccer career from 1999-2000. In 2003 he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and a minor in history. He has been a soccer coach for the past seven years with the Northbrook Spartans, Wilmette Wings as well as the Latin Middle School of Chicago. Paul has been the Girls and Boys Junior Varsity soccer coach at Walter Payton for the past year while coaching for Urban Initiatives. Urban Initiatives, a not-for-profit organization, is dedicated to assist children of Cabrini Green learn soccer fundamentals, along with the importance of teamwork and good sportsmanship.
Eric Kuchii
Mr. Kuchii, an All-American soccer player, graduated from Evanston High School in 1995. He went on to pursue a career in physical education, and got his bachelor's degree at DePaul in 2001. Mr. Kuchii has been coaching boys and girls soccer for many years in both Evanston and Chicago. Today he's the head coach of the girls varsity soccer team and the assistant coach of the boys varsity soccer team. Mr. Kuchii is also an avid volunteer for the Justin Wynn Leadership Academy, and Urban Initiatives. Mr. Kuchii currently teaches all level P.E. classes.