Our Team - Safe Haven School

Meet the Team

Sheila Deal

Executive Director

Sheila Deal has been in the education field since 1986. She began her career working with students with Emotional Disabilities in a Public Junior High School. Three years later, she moved to the private sector and worked with students in a residential/day treatment setting. After obtaining a Master’s in education in 1998 and an Administrative Endorsement in 2002, she moved into an administrative role. She took on the challenge of Principal for a private therapeutic day school in 2006, working with students with Emotional Disabilities, Multiple Disabilities, Autism, and Developmental delays. She joined Safe Haven School in June 2015 as the Director of Educational Services for both Safe Haven School campuses. Sheila assumed the role of Executive Director on July 1st, 2021.

Joanna Krause

Clinical Director

Joanna Krause joined the Safe Haven team as the Clinical Director in February of 2022. Her career in education began in 2006 as a school social worker serving students with disabilities in the public school system for twelve years. Joanna moved into an administrative role as a Student Services Coordinator at her previous school district, where her responsibilities included the department chair of social workers, outplacement coordinator, homeless liaison, and overseeing the special education services in multiple schools. Joanna earned a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois and a Master’s degree in Education Administration from Roosevelt University. She is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Illinois and provides ongoing supervision to our therapeutic team. Most recently, Joanna earned the endorsement of Director of Special Education from National Louis University. In her free time, Joanna enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her husband, daughters, and their dog.

Education Team

Jane Conley

Educational Case Manager
Math/Science Teacher

Jane is thrilled to be teaching at Safe Haven School. Her educational background is in science, and she loves sparking her students’ curiosity and seeing where it leads them. She holds a bachelor’s degree in genetics from the University of Kansas and a master’s degree in genetics from the University of Chicago. She also holds master’s degrees in special education and reading and literacy education. Jane has been teaching students with special needs for six years in therapeutic and general education settings. She loves to watch her students grow and thrive at Safe Haven School and looks forward to their future success.

Emily Curry

Educational Case Manager
Middle School Teacher

Emily graduated from Elmhurst University with a Bachelor's degree in Special Education with an LBS 1 endorsement. Emily has spent her career working with children who have Autism, Behavioral Disorders, and Learning Disabilities. Emily aims to inspire, support, advocate, and create a safe and welcoming environment for students daily. She loves to watch her students grow and thrive at Safe Haven School. In her free time, Emily loves to do DIY crafts, read, cook and spend time with family and friends.

Thomai Ntanga

Physical Education/ Greek
Teacher

Ben Seidman

Educational Case Manager
Science/English Teacher

Ben transitioned to Safe Haven School from Waukegan, previously working as a crisis intervention specialist. After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Behavioral Science from National Louis University, Ben became very involved at his previous school in crisis intervention, sports coaching, and working with students of all ages and grade levels. Ben's passion for working in special education led him to Safe Haven School, where he has found his niche working with the students there as well as the wonderful staff. In his free time, Ben competes in weightlifting competitions, records his own music, plays video games and spends time with his registered emotional support cats.

Johnny Guarnieri

Educational Case Manager
Social Studies/English Teacher

Kelly Bruchert

Paraprofessional

Carrie Derenzo

Paraprofessional

Kelly Evans

Paraprofessional

Lucia Perez

Paraprofessional

Lucia Perez is excited to have joined the Safe Haven team! She has been working at Safe Haven since May 2016. She brings 9 years of experience in working at a therapeutic day school. Prior to Safe Haven, Ms. Perez was working at a therapeutic day school in Mt.Prospect. She graduated from National-Louis University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science and A.A.S in Human Services. Ms.Perez enjoys playing sports and spending time with the family.

Lindsey Frystak

Paraprofessional

Clinical Team

Irina Akimova MSW, LCSW, CADC

Social Worker

Irina joined the Safe Haven School team in October of 2018. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. She is a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor with Adolescent Treatment Enhancement. Irina received her Master of Social Work Degree from Dominican University with a concentration on Children and Families. Throughout her career, she has worked in a variety of settings, providing direct services to adolescents, adults, and their families. Some of the fields include mental health with various diagnoses, substance use disorders, the criminal justice system, and domestic violence.

Irina’s goal as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker is to guide, advocate and support students in finding their inner strength, fostering resilience, emotional well-being, and academic success through personalized interventions and compassionate care.

Sarah Dalicandro MSW, LSW

Social Worker

Sarah Dalicandro holds a master’s in social work from The University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. Prior to joining the Safe Haven team, she has been working in therapeutic and public school environments with adolescents of various disabilities and their families since 2018. When she is not pursuing her passion of supporting students to grow and thrive, Sarah enjoys traveling, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with her loved ones.

Samantha Dunn MSW, LSW

Social Worker

Samantha Dunn officially joined Safe Haven in June 2024 after interning with us the previous school year. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and a Master's in School Social Work from Aurora University. Samantha has worked with children, adolescents, and adults of various abilities since 2015. She is in the process of becoming fluent in Spanish and Sign Language. Outside of school, Samantha enjoys cooking, baking, being outdoors, and spending time with her loved ones and pets.

Sarah Matchen MSW, LCSW

Social Worker

Nancy Pieroni MSW, LCSW

Social Worker

Heidi Torres Smith ATR-BC, LCPC

Art Therapist

Stephanie Reyes-Smiles, ATR

Art Therapist

Anne Wilson

Occupational Therapist

Olivia Garber MS, CCC-SLP

Speech Therapist

Heidi is a Board-Certified Art Therapist and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She earned her Master's degree in Art Therapy at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Heidi has experience working with children and adolescents in a variety of settings including within a medical facility, eating disorder clinic, residential treatment, and in a homeless & domestic violence shelter. Outside of school Ms. Torres also serves as a board member and volunteer for The Art Impact Project.

Stephanie is a registered art therapist and received her degree in art therapy and counseling from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. Stephanie has worked with children and adolescents along the autism spectrum, emotionally disabled students, as well as individuals presenting intellectual and developmental disabilities. While in graduate school, Stephanie also completed an internship at Advocate Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center, providing art therapy for clients with various disabilities. She aims to inspire and encourage young students to explore their minds and expand their imagination through the art process.

Olivia earned her Master's Degree in Speech/Language Pathology from Nova Southeastern University. She is also the owner of Chatterbox Speech Therapy in Deerfield. She has experience working with children and young adults up to 22 years of age with a range of profiles, including Autism, ADHD, and Selective Mutism. She utilizes a family-centered, relationship-based approach supporting speech, language, and social communication.

Staff

Naára Maldonado

Administrative Assistant

Jan Lawson

Business Manager

Riley

Therapy Dog