Get to know the individuals that make Peterson Elementary great!
Michelle Correa - School Counselor - 2023 - Medellin, Colombia - mcorrea27@cps.edu
Gabriela Mistral, Colombia until 5th grade
Waukegan High School
University of Illinois at Chicago for BA
National Louis University for Masters in Counseling.
I spent my primary education in Medellin Colombia and came to the United States for my middle school years and beyond. I was a English Language Learner which is when my passion for language education began.
My journey in education began as a 6th grade teacher in Waukegan. I have since taught and coordinated English Language Learner programs in Waukegan, Zion, and Belmont Cragin. My interest for social emotional learning grew as I coordinated a ELL program in a charter school on the west side of Chicago. In 2017 I went back to school to get my masters in school counseling. I am very excited to be your new bilingual school counselor and learn about the Peterson Elementary community!
“Peterson is a very welcoming space. I am so happy to be a part of this close community!”
I enjoy traveling to Colombia to see my family and I also go indoor rock climbing on the weekends.
Kaitlin Bonney - School Counselor - 2024 - Elgin, IL - kmbonney@cps.edu
MacArthur Elementary
Eisenhower Jr. High
Hoffman Estates High School
North Central College, BA
Johns Hopkins University, MS
I grew up dreaming of becoming a social studies teacher, but during my undergraduate years, I discovered my true passion—working individually with students to support their academic/career/social emotional well-beings. This realization led me to graduate school in Baltimore, where I earned my master’s degree in counseling. While in Baltimore, I worked in urban schools and volunteered with Baltimore City Special Olympics and at a nonprofit that supports children whose parents were in recovery from addiction.These experiences deepened my love for working in diverse, urban environments. In the spring of 2024, I moved back to Chicago, knowing I wanted to continue to work in city schools. After interviewing at Peterson, I was immediately drawn to its wonderful, diverse, and high-achieving community. I feel so lucky to begin my career here and support the incredible students at Peterson!
“I love how much this school celebrates diversity as well as the relationships Peterson has built with families and community stakeholders.”
I love to play soccer, do photography, and play with my cat Boba!
Miriah Yurick - Social Worker - 2022 - Chicago, IL - mvyurick1@cps.edu
Edgebrook Elementary School
Von Steuben MSC
North Park University (BA)
University of Illinois - Chicago (MSW)
I was working as a school-based therapist during Covid and started reflecting on my values and what I wanted from my job. I thought back on my own experience in school and how I wanted to be involved in school systems more directly as they are often children and adolescents’ first point of access for mental health support. I completed a school social work endorsement program and started working with CPS (like everyone else in my family).
I love that Peterson feels like my neighborhood growing up (Albany Park) - full of so many different languages, experiences, and cultures. I love being able to learn from all my students and hope to keep learning from them for many more years!
Outside of Peterson, I look forward to seeing live music, spending time with my cats, tackling my To Be Read list, spending more time by Lake Michigan, scoring the ultimate thrift find, and consuming iced coffee regardless of the temperature.
Svetlana Vasilev - School Counselor - 2019 - Chicago, IL - svasilev1@cps.edu - Ext. 18422
Budlong Elementary
Amundsen High School
The University of Illinois at Chicago - Bachelor of Arts-Applied Psychology
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology - Master of Arts-Counseling Psychology & Child and Adolescent Treatment
Northeastern Illinois University - Master's Program-School Counseling Certification
While at NEIU, it was a requirement to do a year long internship and I always preferred CPS schools around this area as I am a product of a neighborhood CPS school. I've known about Peterson for a very long time as we played against team in many sports years ago. Peterson was one of my top choices to apply to and have always heard good things about the school. I reached out to Michael Coleman about an interview, we set up a date and I was ecstatic. A few days later he emailed me offering the intern position and of course I accepted!
“My favorite thing about Peterson is everyone treats each other like family. I also love the diversity of the staff and students within the school.”
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I love traveling and continue to add new places on my list. I also enjoy shopping, music, reading books, watching movies, and going to concerts.