Ms. Gail Murphy

Title
Admissions & Enrollment Coordinator

CONTACT INFORMATION

School Email
(Primary)
School Phone
847-202-8035 ext.438

EDUCATION
Degree(s)
Bachelor of Science in Journalism
University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana

Biography
Ms. Murphy comes to Quest Academy with a background in marketing communications and sales. She’s experienced in building brands and creating brand loyalty, including working directly with clients and customers. She enjoys introducing Quest Academy to prospective families and contributing to building a vibrant Quest community of gifted learners.

Joined Quest Academy
2025

Ms. Mamta Kapadia

Title
Faculty – Assistant Teacher

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email
(Primary)
School Phone
847.202.8035 x475

Ms. Karen Dickerson

Title
Director of Development

CONTACT INFORMATION
School Email
(Primary)
School Phone
847.202.8035 x461

EDUCATION
Degrees(s)
B.M., Music Education, Lawrence University

BIOGRAPHY
Mrs. Dickerson has been a part of Quest Academy since 1998, when her two oldest daughters entered second grade and kindergarten. Two additional daughters later, she is now the proud alumni parent of four Quest Academy alums from the Classes of ’05, ’07, ’13, and ’17. During the time that her children were in the school, she volunteered in many volunteer positions, including PSA, Auction, as a Room Parent, and as a substitute teacher. She joined Quest Academy as the Development Director in 2018 and is thrilled to be able to devote her time to ensuring the continued success of Quest Academy, the school that she loves!

Joined Quest Academy
2018

Mrs. Diane Tovar

Title
Faculty – Kindergarten

CONTACT INFORMATION

School Email
(Primary)
School Phone
847.202.8035 x418

EDUCATION
Degree(s)
B.S. Illinois State University
M.A.T., National Louis University

BIOGRAPHY

Mrs. Tovar’s favorite part of teaching is to watch her students’ faces light up with excitement when learning something new. In her class, students learn how to show kindness to others, work independently, and discover their love of learning. One of her goals is to teach students to explore new ideas while developing their skills and talents. Before coming to Quest Academy, Mrs. Tovar taught kindergarten at Da Vinci Academy for 17 years and Summit School for nine years. Her motto is, “Work hard, dream big, and never give up!”

Joined Quest
2017

Mr. Darrell Maskell

Title
Faculty – Fifth Grade

CONTACT INFORMATION

School Email
(Primary)
School Phone
847.202.8035 x401

EDUCATION

Degree(s)
B.A., Elementary Education, Newport University, United Kingdom

BIOGRAPHY

Mr. Maskell has been teaching third, fourth, and fifth-grade students for twenty years in both the UK and US. This is his eighth year at Quest. He came from Da Vinci Academy where he taught for eight years. Prior to that, he taught at the Avery Coonley School in Downers Grove. He has worked with advanced learners for twelve years and looks forward to continuing being challenged by these kinds of students. Above all, the valuing of children, raising their self-confidence, and enhancing their love of learning are his main objectives.

Teaching Awards

2007 Postive Promotions, Midwest Teacher of the Year
Sam’s Club Teacher of the Year 2007

Joined Quest Academy
2017

MEDIA

“Class project inspires Palatine fifth grader to publish her own book.”

Ms. Bernice Lau-Paredes

Title
Interim Director of Academics and Student Affairs

CONTACT INFORMATION

School Email
(Primary)
School Phone
847.202.8035 x407

EDUCATION
Degree(s)
B.S., DePaul University
M.Ed., National Louis University

BIOGRAPHY

Ms. Lau-Paredes loves creating challenging opportunities and developing the growth mindset of “loving a great challenge!” She encourages a literacy-rich environment in her classroom and strives to establish a love for reading in all learners. Before coming to Quest Academy, she worked for three years at an independent early childhood school teaching kindergarten and first grade. She loves working at Quest Academy because of the opportunity to provide a creative, challenging, and nuturing environment for gifted learners. There’s no other place that offers children a more personalized learning experience in the most fun way!

Joined Quest Academy
2008

Mrs. Cathy Gruzinsky

Title
Faculty – Third Grade

CONTACT INFORMATION

School Email
(Primary)
School Phone
847.202.8035 x430

EDUCATION

Degree(s)
B.S., Illinois State University

BIOGRAPHY

Quest Academy is Mrs. Gruzinsky’s teaching home, where she creates a caring and challenging environment for her students based on who each person is as an individual. She uses her talents in music, creativity, and ingenuity to use a strong gifted-focused approach toward guiding her students along their learning path.

Joined Quest Academy
1988

Mrs. Kristin Fiore

Title
Faculty – Second Grade

CONTACT INFORMATION

School Email
(Primary)
School Phone
847.202.8035 x463

EDUCATION
Degree(s)
B.S., Merchandising, Eastern Illinois University
M.A., Elementary Education, Roosevelt University

BIOGRAPHY

Mrs. Fiore has been teaching kindergarten, first grade, and second grade gifted students at Quest Academy for the last 20 years. Prior to her teaching career, she was a merchandiser for J.C. Penney. As she proceeded in her different careers, her love of helping others and teaching children took over as she discovered her lifelong dedication to education. She continues to enjoy teaching gifted children the ability to understand themselves as learners, as well as expanding their knowledge in all interests.

Joined Quest Academy
2003

Mrs. Deanna Armentrout

Title
Faculty – Lower School Performing Arts

CONTACT INFORMATION

School Email
(Primary)
School Phone
847.202.8035 x492

EDUCATION
Degree(s)
B.F.A, Theatre, University of Detroit Mercy
M.F.A., Performance, University of Texas at Austin

BIOGRAPHY
Mrs. Armentrout is passionate about drama and its impact on people’s lives. She remains committed to nurturing people’s gifts and abilities to communicate clearly and creatively. She is dedicated to inspiring others to love the actor’s process and to direct each student toward authenticity through disciplined practice. Mrs. Armentrout performed in the drama ministry at Willow Creek Community Church where she trained and developed student and adult actors and upfront communicators. She has directed and performed for various organizations across the U.S. and the world, with the goal to entertain and demonstrate how the arts can bring clarity to content and engage the listener.

Joined Quest Academy
2013

2026 Early Childhood Discovery Day

Join Quest Academy for our Early Childhood Discovery Day on Monday, May 4, 2026, from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM!

This event is designed for families with children entering Preschool (age 3) through Kindergarten. Join for as long as your schedule allows.

During this event, you’ll:

Meet our expert teachers – ask questions and learn how they inspire and challenge gifted learners.
Discover our Preschool, Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs – designed to support young learners at every stage.
Children can join in on fun, hands-on activities happening throughout the event

Children are welcome & encouraged to attend. Register today to reserve your spot. We look forward to seeing you!

Ms. Gail Murphy

Ms. Mamta Kapadia

Ms. Karen Dickerson

Mrs. Diane Tovar

Mr. Darrell Maskell

Ms. Bernice Lau-Paredes

Mrs. Cathy Gruzinsky

Mrs. Kristin Fiore

Mrs. Deanna Armentrout

2026 Early Childhood Discovery Day

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