Administration

Thornton Fractional North is comprised of the following administrators. This 5-member leadership team implements the District 215 curriculum and policies.

Brian Rucinski, TF North Principal

Brian Rucinski started his teaching career at East Chicago Central High School where he taught both Algebra and Geometry, and coached Basketball and Golf. Brian was a member of the Principal Advisory Team and earned Teacher of the Year recognition. In 2002, Brian was hired as a math teacher here at Thornton Fractional North. During his teaching tenure, he taught Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra II while again coaching basketball and golf. In 2012, the Illinois State Board of Education presented him an award of Meritorious Service for his Outstanding Contributions to Illinois Education. He also led the Homework Center program, increasing attendance by over 200%. During the 2012-2013, Brian transitioned into the role of Assistant Principal of Building Control. During his time in that position, he provided a safe environment for students while creating opportunities to grow academically. He reduced suspensions by 78% while celebrating student successes. Brian obtained a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education Mathematics from Indiana University, and holds a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Olivet Nazarene University as well as a master’s in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. He has recently completed coursework to become a Chief School Business Official.

Phone: (708) 585-1001

Email: brucinski@tfd215.org

Joshua Humphrey, Assistant Principal of Building Control

Joshua Humphrey is the Assistant Principal of Building Control at Thornton Fractional North High School. Prior to this position, he served as a Dean at Crete - Monee High School in Crete, IL. During that time, he created and implemented restorative practices across the school through organizing team structures.

As a teacher, he spent his early career in the Saint Louis area as an algebra teacher for several years at KIPP High School. To be close to family, he relocated to the Chicagoland area where he taught middle school math for 6^th through 8^th grades on the west and south sides of Chicago as well as the south suburbs. Throughout his teaching years, he has also been a high school basketball coach, started various clubs, and served as a grade level chair.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a triple emphasis in Finance, Marketing and Management with an Economics minor at the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay. He earned a master’s degree in Teaching and Learning at Washington University in Saint Louis, and is currently working towards a doctorate in Urban Education Leadership at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Phone: (708) 585-1004
Email: JHumphrey@tfd215.org

Christin Passarelli, Assistant Principal of Pupil Personnel Services

Christin Passarelli became the Assistant Principal of Pupil Personnel Services in 2022. In 2020, Christin began working at the Center campuses as the Dean. While there, she became the co-facilitator of the White Allyship group and developed a student leadership team.

From 2009-2020, she was an English teacher at TF North High School. In addition to teaching at TF North, she was the Speech, Group Interpretation, Newspaper, and Freshman Board sponsor and coached soccer and badminton. She also participated in curriculum development and school improvement committees, developed a program for at-risk freshman students, and helped create an orientation for freshmen. Christin began her career as a paraprofessional at TF South.

Christin obtained a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Illinois State University, a degree in English Education at Trinity Christian College, a Master’s in School and Community Counseling from St. Xavier University, and a Master’s in Principal Preparation from Concordia University.

Phone: (708) 585-1003
Email: cpassarelli @tfd215.org

Mychael Webb, Assistant Principal for Instruction

Mychael Webb has joined the administrative team at TF North as the Assistant Principal of Curriculum & Instruction, bringing over two decades of dedication within the Thornton Fractional School District. His career began as a math teacher at TF North High School, where he taught a diverse range of students and took on numerous leadership roles. He later served as Assistant Principal of Building Control at TF South, then returned to teaching as a Division Leader to focus more on instructional methods.

Mr. Webb is a two-time recipient of the Calumet City Teacher of the Year Award and played a pivotal role in an award-winning restructuring initiative that earned a State of Illinois Excellence Award. His contributions extend beyond the classroom, having been part of the school improvement planning team, coaching basketball for twelve years, and serving six years as Assistant Athletic Director.

Outside the classroom, Mr. Webb dedicates time to volunteering and mentoring at-risk youth. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Curriculum & Instruction at Concordia University Chicago, where he also earned a Master of Arts in Administrative Leadership. Additionally, he holds a Master of Arts in Curriculum & Instruction from Olivet Nazarene University and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale. His commitment to professional development and his passion for teaching are evident in his ongoing efforts to adopt best practices in education.

Phone: (708) 585-1002

Email: mwebb @tfd215.org

Jake Gourley

Assistant Principal, Thornton Fractional Center for Academics and Technology & Center for Alternative Learning & Thornton Fractional North High School

Jake Gourley is currently an Assistant Principal at T.F. Center and T.F. North after serving as T.F. South’s Principal for 8 years and a T.F. South Social Studies teacher for 18 years. A native of Danville, Illinois, he holds a B.A. in History with an English minor from Illinois State University and earned his M.A. in Educational Leadership from Chicago State University. He is currently pursuing his Ed.S. certification through a program at Northern Illinois University. A longtime Lansing resident and active member of the community, Gourley was awarded the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2010 which permitted him to spend a semester sabbatical studying Leadership and Education at Northwestern University. He was community co-chair of the committee that successfully marketed a construction referendum that helped secure a $19 million state grant for modernization and expansion at all three District 215 campuses. He was the recipient of the Frederick D. Drake Teaching Excellence Award from the Illinois State University Department of History in 2011 was named a Most Influential Educator by Western Illinois University in 2012. In addition to his responsibilities at T.F. South, he has served as Vice President and Board Member for the Lansing Association for Community Events, former Chair of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators, and once sat on the Board of Directors of both the Golden Apple Foundation and A.C. Jaacks Credit Union. He is a former President of Thornton Fractional Federation of Teachers Local #683. In his spare time, Gourley enjoys to travel and has visited more than 22 countries. He is a fervent defender of high quality public education and for advancing student opportunities. He has been featured in Catalyst Chicago and in the textbook, “Everyone at the Table: Engaging Teachers in Evaluation Reform.”

Phone: (708) 585-9409

Email: jgourley@tfd215.org

DeVale Stubbs, Athletic Director

Previous Employment:

School Counselor, Rich East High School
Football and Basketball Coach, Rich East High School
Thespian Club Sponsor and Male Mentorship Group Sponsor, Rich East High School
Football Coach and Drama Sponsor, TF North High School

Credentials:

Educational Specialist Degree in Administration & Supervision, National Louis University
Master's Degree in School Counseling, Lewis University
Bachelor's Degree, Business Administration, Illinois Wesleyan University

Phone: (708) 585-1027
Email: dstubbs@tfd215.org