Jane Donahue

Four Naperville-area kids chosen from among 12,000 applicants to compete on ‘American Ninja Warrior Junior’ TV show

March 4, 2020 at 6:12 p.m.

Four kids from Ultimate Ninjas in Naperville are contestants on season 2 of "American Ninja Warrior Junior." A spin-off of NBC's popular television program, the show features kids ages 9...

Teacher Feature: She’ll do whatever it takes to reach students: ‘Going back to the basics never fails’

March 5, 2020 at 8:31 p.m.

Sometimes, teachers need to do whatever it takes to get through to their students, something LaTonya Forrester knows well. "When you close the classroom door, it is up to you...

Authentic tastes of the Phillippines await at Naperville’s Mesa Manila

February 24, 2020 at 10:51 p.m.

Mesa Manila has been delighting diners with authentic Filipino food since they brought their "turo-turo" style restaurant to Naperville in August 2019. "Turo-turo," which means "point-point," is a typical dining...

Teacher Feature: He may be a biology teacher by day but rocking out is what does at night

February 19, 2020 at 7:07 p.m.

While the classroom is Joe Ruzicka's stage during the week, on Fridays and Saturdays it's another story. Then, he can be found rocking out as a bass guitarist. "I'd generally...

Teacher Feature: ‘Every day a new opportunity’ in the classroom

February 13, 2020 at 10:48 p.m.

Sometimes, there aren't enough hours in the day for Jill Rosner. "One of the biggest challenges I face as an educator is finding enough time in the day and night...

Coffee, fresh pastries are the order of the day at Yogi’s Café

February 24, 2020 at 3:37 p.m.

Yogita Maduri is passionate about coffee, especially the kind of coffee she enjoyed while living in India. Since opening Yogi's Café near the corner of Route 59 and 87th Street...

Teacher and coach Cindy Chejfec keeps score while students play cricket after school at Granger Middle School in Aurora.

Teacher Feature: Sense of humor — and degree in hormones — essential in middle school

February 7, 2020 at 10:04 p.m.

Even before she was a teacher, Cindy Chejfec was teaching. "I was doing program development for the Kohl Children's Museum, The Children's Museum at Navy Pier, the Field Museum of...

Sweets for the sweet abound at Molly’s Cupcakes in Naperville

January 28, 2020 at 10:28 p.m.

Nothing says Valentine's Day like Molly's Cupcakes, located at 30 W. Jefferson Ave. in the heart of downtown Naperville. With more than a dozen center-filled cupcakes and a variety of...

Teacher Feature: One size does not fit all when it comes to teaching, and that’s the key to connecting with kids

January 24, 2020 at 10:40 p.m.

After teaching kindergarten, third grade and fifth grade, Charmonique Joiner got the privilege to teach them all when she took on the role of reading specialist at Graham Elementary School...

Teacher Feature: Waubonsie Valley High School teacher and coach Julie Bergstrom

January 10, 2020 at 1:28 p.m.

Julie Bergstrom spends each day doing what she planned to do once she was old enough to kick a soccer ball. The Waubonsie Valley High School physical education teacher and...

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