Meet the Teachers
Mrs. Banduch (Math)
Welcome! I teach 7th grade math here at OGS. I have a Master of Arts in Teaching and Leadership from St. Xavier University and a BBA in finance from Texas State University, where I also completed my teacher certification requirements. I taught junior high math in Texas
and Tennessee before taking some time off to stay home and raise my young children. My husband’s job moved us to the Libertyville area in 2001. I have been teaching at OGS since the Fall of 2002. I have three children, Kaitlin, Aaron and Eric. They are all Grovers and graduates of Libertyville High School. Every year, I look forward to getting to know my students and teaching math. My favorite 7th grade activities are the Camp Duncan trips.
Welcome! I teach 7th grade math here at OGS. I have a Master of Arts in Teaching and Leadership from St. Xavier University and a BBA in finance from Texas State University, where I also completed my teacher certification requirements. I taught junior high math in Texas
and Tennessee before taking some time off to stay home and raise my young children. My husband’s job moved us to the Libertyville area in 2001. I have been teaching at OGS since the Fall of 2002. I have three children, Kaitlin, Aaron and Eric. They are all Grovers and graduates of Libertyville High School. Every year, I look forward to getting to know my students and teaching math. My favorite 7th grade activities are the Camp Duncan trips.
Mrs. Osterman (LA and Lit)
I teach 7th grade Lit and LA, public speaking and CAR. I live in Libertyville with my husband and two sons. I went to Indiana University for my undergraduate degree and National Louis University for my graduate degree. I taught sixth grade for ten years in Glencoe before staying home with my children for eight years. This is my fourth year teaching at Oak Grove. In my free time, I enjoy cooking and gardening. I like to take walks and ride my bike. I love reading and I’m always interested in talking about books!
I teach 7th grade Lit and LA, public speaking and CAR. I live in Libertyville with my husband and two sons. I went to Indiana University for my undergraduate degree and National Louis University for my graduate degree. I taught sixth grade for ten years in Glencoe before staying home with my children for eight years. This is my fourth year teaching at Oak Grove. In my free time, I enjoy cooking and gardening. I like to take walks and ride my bike. I love reading and I’m always interested in talking about books!
Ms. Pittam ( Spanish)
¡Hola! My name is Jenny Pittam and I am the 6th and 7th grade Spanish Teacher. I am a University of Iowa Graduate. Go Hawks! I began at Oak Grove as an Aide in 1994. I taught in Mundelein and Highland Park until FINALLY a position opened up at Oak Grove School. I taught 8th Grade Spanish as well as 5th and 6th grade rotations for two happy years. I became pregnant after two years at Oak Grove and decided to stay home with my daughter Olivia and son Evan. I came back 6 years ago and here I remain! I studied Spanish in Sevilla, Spain and have travelled through Mexico a couple of times. I look forward to returning to Spain with my kids when they are old enough to spend a summer abroad. In my free time, which means the summer, I love to read, play with my kids, and spend time with family. I am one of those blessed people who LOVES their job! Thank you for entrusting your children to me. I know this will be a great year!
¡Hola! My name is Jenny Pittam and I am the 6th and 7th grade Spanish Teacher. I am a University of Iowa Graduate. Go Hawks! I began at Oak Grove as an Aide in 1994. I taught in Mundelein and Highland Park until FINALLY a position opened up at Oak Grove School. I taught 8th Grade Spanish as well as 5th and 6th grade rotations for two happy years. I became pregnant after two years at Oak Grove and decided to stay home with my daughter Olivia and son Evan. I came back 6 years ago and here I remain! I studied Spanish in Sevilla, Spain and have travelled through Mexico a couple of times. I look forward to returning to Spain with my kids when they are old enough to spend a summer abroad. In my free time, which means the summer, I love to read, play with my kids, and spend time with family. I am one of those blessed people who LOVES their job! Thank you for entrusting your children to me. I know this will be a great year!
RecMrs. Pusateri (Science)
My journey to teaching science began with I received my radiation therapy certificate, followed by a BS in secondary education. I then went on to pursue my masters in Teaching Leadership with an additional thirty-six graduate hours in technology. Recently, I earned my National Boards in Science. My career began nineteen years ago teaching science in middle school. Born and raised in the Chicago burbs, I love to snorkel, zumba, bike, hike, and my new German Shepard puppy Hans. I have served as the head of the Science SAC for the past four years. Currently I mentor both the Computer Club and Robotic Club. Bringing the most advanced skills in today’s world as well as instilling a passion for science and our environment is what I look forward to bringing to my students each and every year.
My journey to teaching science began with I received my radiation therapy certificate, followed by a BS in secondary education. I then went on to pursue my masters in Teaching Leadership with an additional thirty-six graduate hours in technology. Recently, I earned my National Boards in Science. My career began nineteen years ago teaching science in middle school. Born and raised in the Chicago burbs, I love to snorkel, zumba, bike, hike, and my new German Shepard puppy Hans. I have served as the head of the Science SAC for the past four years. Currently I mentor both the Computer Club and Robotic Club. Bringing the most advanced skills in today’s world as well as instilling a passion for science and our environment is what I look forward to bringing to my students each and every year.
Mr. Russert (LA and Lit)
Mr. Russert teaches Language Arts and Literature. He has been married for 27 years and has lived in Libertyville his entire adult life. His two sons attend Southern Illinois University and Ilinois State University. Mr. Russert spent many years at Abbott Laboratories in the Leadership & Employee arena writing, facilitating and developing coursework for employees. After an early retirement, he followed his goal to work with middle school students. In his free time he can be found driving his red Jeep, training for various running events, spending time in Door County or riding his bike. His labradoodle, Wrigley, is with him most of the time. They are both die hard Cub's fans... Hope springs eternal!!!
Mr. Russert teaches Language Arts and Literature. He has been married for 27 years and has lived in Libertyville his entire adult life. His two sons attend Southern Illinois University and Ilinois State University. Mr. Russert spent many years at Abbott Laboratories in the Leadership & Employee arena writing, facilitating and developing coursework for employees. After an early retirement, he followed his goal to work with middle school students. In his free time he can be found driving his red Jeep, training for various running events, spending time in Door County or riding his bike. His labradoodle, Wrigley, is with him most of the time. They are both die hard Cub's fans... Hope springs eternal!!!
Mrs. Smith (Resource)
Mrs. Smith earned her Bachelors degree from Ohio University and her Masters degree from St. Xavier in Chicago. She is from the central Ohio area where she taught math, language arts and served as a special education teacher. Today she serves as a Resource teacher for Oak Grove. She is married and has two grown children. Mrs. Smith enjoys watching romantic comedies, spending time on the
beach and she loves chocolate! On Saturdays you can find her enjoying Big Ten football. She looks forward to an awesome year with her students.
Mrs. Smith earned her Bachelors degree from Ohio University and her Masters degree from St. Xavier in Chicago. She is from the central Ohio area where she taught math, language arts and served as a special education teacher. Today she serves as a Resource teacher for Oak Grove. She is married and has two grown children. Mrs. Smith enjoys watching romantic comedies, spending time on the
beach and she loves chocolate! On Saturdays you can find her enjoying Big Ten football. She looks forward to an awesome year with her students.
Mrs. Yarc (Social Studies)
This is Mrs. Yarc's 12th year teaching at Oak Grove School. She has taught a variety of different subjects, from gifted to 7th grade S.S. to Global Studies and last year, she taught S.S. in 6th grade. She is very happy to be joining the 7th grade team once again. Mrs. Yarc lives in Libertyville with her husband, firefighter Andy and her two children, Isabella (5) and Jackson (2). Mrs. Yarc spends most of her free time hanging out with family and friends. She is very excited to begin another wonderful year at Oak Grove School.
This is Mrs. Yarc's 12th year teaching at Oak Grove School. She has taught a variety of different subjects, from gifted to 7th grade S.S. to Global Studies and last year, she taught S.S. in 6th grade. She is very happy to be joining the 7th grade team once again. Mrs. Yarc lives in Libertyville with her husband, firefighter Andy and her two children, Isabella (5) and Jackson (2). Mrs. Yarc spends most of her free time hanging out with family and friends. She is very excited to begin another wonderful year at Oak Grove School.
Mrs. Grambo (French)
Bonjour!
Je m'appelle Madame Grambo, et je suis le prof de Français! I have been teaching French at OGS for 5 years and have loved every minute of it! Teaching French is my dream job. I graduated from Florida State University with a degree in French. I did my Junior year abroad in Paris and vowed that I would return to France to live and work. And I did! I got a job at a tourist office in a small town in the South of France. After that I moved to New York City and had several different jobs, all of them using my language skills. But, I was never quite happy. I began volunteering in New York City Public Schools. And, Voilà, I found the career I was meant for. I went to NYU and got a double Master's Degree in Foreign Language Education, teaching French, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). I am truly lucky to be able to use both of my degrees here at Oak Grove. In addition to teaching Middle School French, I also teach English to our small, yet growing, population of non-native English speakers here at OGS. I live right here in Green Oaks with my husband, my pug, and three young sons who attend school at Oak Grove! Besides being of lover of languages, I also enjoy tennis and college football.
Bonjour!
Je m'appelle Madame Grambo, et je suis le prof de Français! I have been teaching French at OGS for 5 years and have loved every minute of it! Teaching French is my dream job. I graduated from Florida State University with a degree in French. I did my Junior year abroad in Paris and vowed that I would return to France to live and work. And I did! I got a job at a tourist office in a small town in the South of France. After that I moved to New York City and had several different jobs, all of them using my language skills. But, I was never quite happy. I began volunteering in New York City Public Schools. And, Voilà, I found the career I was meant for. I went to NYU and got a double Master's Degree in Foreign Language Education, teaching French, and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). I am truly lucky to be able to use both of my degrees here at Oak Grove. In addition to teaching Middle School French, I also teach English to our small, yet growing, population of non-native English speakers here at OGS. I live right here in Green Oaks with my husband, my pug, and three young sons who attend school at Oak Grove! Besides being of lover of languages, I also enjoy tennis and college football.