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Physical Education Dept Bios

Tom Cook
[Athletic Director]

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.

Arlene Bertoni-Mancine

Mrs. Bertoni-Mancine was raised in Chicago and graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1993. She attended Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota where she majored in Physical Education and Health with a minor in coaching, and graduated Cum Laude. Arlene has been a student-athlete most of her life. She competed in gymnastics from age five through college and became a member of the 1994 National Championship Team. In 1997, she became a Floor Exercise and Academic All-American. From the fall of 1998 to the spring of 2000 she taught health, physical education and coached soccer at Amundsen High School. Mrs. Bertoni-Mancine graduated with her Masters in School Leadership from Northeastern Illinois University in December 2001. She is also a member of the Chicago State University Advisory Board for Physical Education. This past June Arlene married her husband Mike Mancine. At Walter Payton, Arlene is teaching Health and Physical Education for all first year students. She is also the teacher representative on the Local School Council.

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.

TEACHER BIOS

Arlene Bertoni-Mancine
Tom Cook
Paul Escobar
Eric Kuchii

COURSES

Physical Education I
Physical Education II
Advanced Weight Training
Physical Education Student Leader I
Physical Education Student Leader II
Team Sports
Fitness