Janice Belzowski, Civic Learning Coordinator
jbelzowski@McCormickFoundation.org

Janice Belzowski is the Civic Learning Coordinator for the McCormick Foundation Civics Program.  She currently works with the Democracy School Network of teachers to maintain sustainable high-quality civic learning practices in their schools including, but not limited to professional development, best practices and resource-sharing.  Since coming to the Foundation in 2008 as the Special Events Coordinator for the Freedom Museum, Janice has also worked on public programs and teacher professional development.

Janice received her Bachelor of Science in Business/Marketing from Butler University in 2003. Prior to joining the Foundation, she worked in the restaurant industry as a catering manager and event planner.  Her professional interests include the study of the Supreme Court, First Amendment and teacher professional development.  Janice currently serves as a board member for Tabula Rasa Chicago.

Courtney Brouwer, Assistant Director of School Programs and Resources
cbrouwer@McCormickFoundation.org

Courtney Brouwer serves as the Assistant Director of School Programs and Resources for the Robert R. McCormick Foundation Civics Program, where she oversees operations and educational programming for the Freedom Express, a traveling museum that visits schools and communities throughout Chicagoland.  She has also sits on the EdCom board (the American Alliance of Museums' Education Professional Network). Prior to joining the Foundation, Courtney served as an education programs manager for ArtrainUSA, a non-profit that traveled art exhibitions—via the nation’s railways—to predominantly rural communities across the country. She completed her B.A. in History at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and an M.A. in Humanities and Social Thought at New York University, where she also earned an advanced certificate in Museum Studies.

Janira Clark, Adminstration Officer
jclark@McCormickFoundation.org  

Janira Clark is an Administration Officer, providing administrative and project management support to the Civics and Veterans Programs. After serving in the Marine Corps for five years, Janira attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where she worked for the university youth outreach. Upon receiving her Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2009, Janira and her family moved to China, where she spent three years teaching English as a Second Language before moving to Chicagoland.

Danielle Forchette, Civic Learning Manager
dforchette@McCormickFoundation.org

Danielle Forchette has been with the McCormick Foundation since 2007. As the Civic Learning Manager, Danielle oversees the strategic and operational framework for the Democracy Schools Initiative (DSI), managing the DSI training, assessment and application activities. Danielle received her Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology at Rutgers University and her Masters of Education in Instructional Leadership at University of Illinois at Chicago. Prior to her work at the McCormick Foundation, Danielle facilitated civic engagement in the non-profit sector - coordinating non-partisan issue-based citizen lobbying campaigns; managing volunteer resource development programs supporting direct services, fundraising, board development, student internships, and service learning projects; and cultivating higher education and corporate partnerships for community service projects.

Shawn Healy, Civic Learning and Engagement Scholar
shealy@McCormickFoundation.org

Shawn Healy, the Robert R. McCormick Foundation Civics program’s Civic Learning and Engagement Scholar, serves as the Foundation’s internal resource for knowledge on civic education and engagement, and plays a key role in the Civics Program’s work in the areas of advocacy and public policy, serving as a chair of the Illinois Civic Mission Coalition, and leading the state’s Democracy Schools Initiative. 

Before joining the McCormick Foundation, he served as a social studies teacher at West Chicago Community High School andSheboygan North High School. A 2001 James Madison Fellow from the State of Wisconsin, he holds an MA from the University of Illinois at Chicago in political science and earned a bachelor’s degree with distinction in Political Science, History and Secondary Education from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Healy is currently a doctoral candidate within the Political Science Department at the University of Illinois at Chicago specializing in political socialization.

Andrea Jett Fletcher, Senior Program Officer
ajett@McCormickFoundation.org

Andrea is the Senior Program Officer for the McCormick Foundation’s Civics program. In this role she oversees funding for youth civic engagement and civic education programs, for professional development and training for educators, and for research and policy initiatives that impact the civic learning field.

Andrea held previous positions at the Cultural Policy Center at the University of Chicago, the Irving B. Harris Foundation and the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning. She is a board member of the Mikva Challenge and the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights and is on the Chicago Committee of Human Rights Watch. She received a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Chicago’s Harris School and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Latin American studies from Georgetown University.

Neelam J. Noorani, School Programs Educator
njnoorani@McCormickFoundation.org

Neelam Jumma Noorani has been with the McCormick Foundation since 2010. She serves as the School Programs Educator for the Civics Program. Her responsibilities include facilitating school visits for the Freedom Express traveling museum and developing educational materials for teachers and students to supplement the Freedom Express visit day experience. Neelam received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Eeducation from Georgia State University in 2006. She taught Art at an elementary school in Georgia before moving to Chicago to further her studies; she received her Master of Arts in Art Education with a concentration in Museum Education from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2009.  Prior to her work with the Civics Program, Neelam worked in the education departments at the Mary & Leigh Block Museum of Art at Northwestern University and the Art Institute of Chicago.

 
Mike Pellicane, Mobile Museum Technician
mpellicane@McCormickFoundation.org

Mike Pellicane, has been with the McCormick Foundation since 2006, and serves as the Logistics Coordinator and Driver for the Freedom Express Traveling Museum. He is responsible for working with schools and organizations looking to bring the Freedom Express to their location, as well as driving the museum to each event. Mike studied radio and TV at the Illinois Center for Broadcasting, and is currently working on a degree in Applied Sociology and Political Science. Previously Mike was a News Director and on air talent in Kewanee, IL and a play-by -play announcer for a local college. Mike has ten years combined experience in private and contract security, which includes time at Cantigny Park in Wheaton and the McCormick Freedom Museum.

John Sirek, Program Director
jsirek@McCormickFoundation.org

John Sirek joined the McCormick Foundation in 2000 and currently directs its Civics program. Prior to joining the McCormick Foundation, Mr. Sirek was the executive director of the Alfred Friendly Press Fellowships, a visitor training program for journalists from developing countries. He also served as an overseas studies advisor in Georgetown university’s Office of International Programs.

Mr. Sirek is a board member of PACE: Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement, City Year Chicago, TimeLine Theatre Company and CHANGE Illinois. He also serves on the Programs Committee of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the Advisory Committee of the Steans Center for Community-based Service Learning at DePaul University. 

Mr. Sirek has a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Minnesota and a master’s degree in international affairs from The George Washington University. He has also studied in Sweden and Poland.