Get to Know our Consultants

Amanda Christensen

DeKalb County Regional Superintendent of Education
Amanda  taught in the area of English / Language Arts for 15 years at Granger Middle School in Aurora, Kishwaukee Education Consortium, and then at DeKalb High School. She earned National Board Certification in 2008 and has a Master’s degree and a Specialist degree in Educational Leadership. She was elected to the office of Regional Superintendent of Schools in 2012 and is always looking for opportunities to expand ROE programming in order to serve the needs of the community. 
Miriam taught middle school Social Studies, Language Arts, and Pre-Algebra in Camas, WA prior to moving to Aurora, IL. Upon arriving in the Midwest, she served as a  home bound tutor, substitute teacher, and ACT tutor. She began her tenure at Aurora University in 2005 where she taught in both the teacher preparation and General Education programs. Miriam completed her Ed.D in Leadership in Curriculum & Instruction in 2017. Her dissertation research examined the experience of underrepresented minority students who learned mindfulness. She is the founding director of Resilient Mind Consulting, a non-profit dedicated to helping communities implement contemplative practices, and a board member with the Coalition of Schools Educating Mindfully (COSEM).

Miriam Ojaghi, Ed. D.

Middle School Consultant
Social-emotional Consultant
Strengths and Expertise:
  • Culturally Relevant Teaching                                        
  • Social/Emotional Learning
  • Trauma
  • Mindfulness & the Brain
  • Instructional Coaching
  • English Language Learners
  • Middle School Curriculum Alignment
  • Elementary Classroom (licensed K-8)
  • Classroom Management​

Anne Almburg, Ed.D.

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Anne has taught for more than 25 years, spanning kindergarten through college-aged students.  She has taught in a variety of educational settings as a classroom teacher and as a reading specialist.  Anne received her doctoral degree in 2011.  Her dissertation explored families’ literacy practices, teachers’ perspectives, and areas of intersect.  She has co-authored four articles; two based on in situ research within a Puerto Rican community in Chicago and two pertaining to family engagement practices.
Anne’s passion for literacy instruction and the importance of family engagement has driven her career pathway. She is currently a literacy consultant for D428 assisting with curriculum development, assessment, and instructional practices. She is very happy to be part of the Regional Office of Education team whose work has a positive impact on the DeKalb County community.
Margo taught and was an administrator in public education for 35 years. She taught students from Pre-K-8th grade, a alternative high school program, and Title 1 reading. She served as a Literacy Coordinator, Instructional Technology Leader, Director of Accountability and School Improvement, and then retired as an Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Assessment. She earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from National-Louis University, and currently serves as an adjunct professor at National-Louis University. Her doctoral study was in the area of Standards Based Grading. She is passionate about making the school improvement planning process a powerful and meaningful way to move student achievement in a sustainable and consistent way.

Margo Sickele

Professional Development Specialist