Walter Payton College Prep



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Admissions Staff

Naomi Nakayama
[Director of Admissions]

Naomi Nakayama completed her LAUNCH Internship at Walter Payton during the 2005 - 2006 school year and then returned as Assistant Principal. Before coming to Payton, Naomi taught English and ESL at Sullivan High School and served as an Assistant Principal at Clemente High School. In addition to Admissions, she will also be in charge of student activities. Naomi received degrees from University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and University of Illinois at Chicago.

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.

Michael Hermes
[Assistant Principal]

Mr. Hermes has worked as a counselor and social worker with students in grades 6 through 12 in parochial and public schools in Chicago and the suburbs. He was a member of the faculty team, which developed an effective program of peer group counseling. Mr. Hermes completed graduate studies at Loyola University where he graduated with a Masters in Social Work. He later received a post graduate degree in family counseling at Northwestern University. During his fourteen years at Glenbrook North High School, Mr. Hermes was actively involved in the interscholastic athletic programs coaching baseball and basketball. His mission is to work towards helping all students to realize their potential. He encourages student interactions and adheres to an open door policy.

Admissions staff

Naomi Nakayama
Tom Dunne
Michael Hermes