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Our Team

Charlise Berkel, Principal

Charlise Berkel is the daughter of multilingual Dutch Caribbean immigrants, who after attending the University of Chicago for undergraduate studies, began her career in bilingual teaching as a Montessori Elementary teacher. In recent years she has served as Multilingual Coordinator (TWI) in the district’s Multilingual Department, supporting the adoption of a Spanish/English dual Language Arts curriculum in two-way immersion classrooms in six buildings district-wide. She plans and facilitates district wide professional learning for K-5 TWI strands in alignment with school improvement and the district strategic plan, building TWI coaches and dual language teachers in biliteracy instructional strategies and sheltered instructional practices for multilingual learners. Her frontline service, as an ACC teacher, substitute TWI teacher and ESL teacher, keeps her connected to the evolving realities of the classroom and the diverse cultural linguistic journeys of students and their families. Ms. Berkel’s knowledge of literacy, biliteracy, content area instruction and pedagogy is expansive, with more than twenty years of teaching and coaching experience spanning preschool, elementary and middle school levels, across private, parochial, charter and public school contexts.

Sarah Antrim-Graf, Assistant Principal

Sarah Antrim-Graf is a dedicated educator with a rich and diverse background in teaching, leadership, and global experiences. With eight years of experience as a Spanish teacher in District 65, Ms. Antrim-Graf has a strong foundation in language education and a deep commitment to fostering cross-cultural understanding among students.

Now in her third year as Assistant Principal at Bessie Rhodes, Sarah continues to make a significant impact on the school community. Known for her innovative approach to education, she has been instrumental in leading service-learning projects that empower students to make a difference both locally and globally. Under her guidance, students have undertaken meaningful projects in Mexico, Panamá, the Cheyenne River Reservation, and Ukraine, gaining invaluable experiences and developing a profound sense of global citizenship.

Ms. Antrim-Graf also has a notable history of innovation in education. As an inaugural cohort member of the first virtual school in Illinois, she played a key role as a course author, teacher, and regional coordinator. This pioneering work in virtual education has helped shape the future of learning in the state, providing students with new and flexible opportunities for academic growth.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Sarah is an avid world traveler, having explored 49 countries and counting. Her passion for travel not only enriches her own life but also brings a unique and worldly perspective to her work in education. Whether in the classroom or the broader school community, Ms. Antrim-Graf challenges students and staff to embrace curiosity, explore new horizons, and appreciate the diverse cultures that make up our world.

With a wealth of experience and a genuine love for teaching and learning, Ms. Antrim-Graf is dedicated to nurturing a supportive and inclusive environment where every student can thrive.