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
Faculty – Second Grade, Primary Team Leader, and DEIB Committee Co-Chair

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