My name is Liz Thomas and I am so excited to be an Ideal Panther! I started my teaching career at Spring Avenue at 2017 and moved over to Ideal in 2021 as a Math Specialist. In my free time, I love walking my dogs, cycling and spending time with my husband. I am looking forward to a great year with your student!

BA - University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
MAT - National Louis University

My name is Rich Kogen.  I joined the Ideal staff as a math specialist in 2021.  Before coming to Ideal I taught advanced academics in District 105 (2016-2017).  Before that I served families as a math and science teacher in the Little Village community in Chicago (2001-2014).   I've also had the pleasure of working with district families at the Connections Community Center where I have helped organize activities in the community center makerspace since 2016.

Some highlights!

• Proud member of the Kogen family including Henry, Jackie, Sammy, Virginia and Bugsy
• Middle School Mathematics and Science Teacher (2001-2014)
• Teacher in Mathematics Education Departments at Indiana University (2014-15) & UIC (2015-2021)
• Connections Community Center Makerspace Organizer (2017-2021)
• Researcher, Elementary Mathematics Improvement, Learning Sciences, UIC (2019-2021)