As the 2025 school year moves closer toward the end, it’s important to celebrate the retiring teachers at VHHS who have had lengthy careers in education. From a hard-working special education teacher, to the beloved band director, to an incredibly involved math teacher, VHHS will miss these teachers dearly.
Shawn Healey has been a math teacher for 31 years. He started at Libertyville High School in 1994, and worked there for six years before moving to Vernon Hills when the doors opened.
“The most memorable experience [of teaching] was opening the new high school. We had such an amazing group of teachers that were all positive and really excited to open a new school,” Healey said. “It was so much fun to be part of.”
Healey initially had no intention of becoming a math teacher. His undergraduate degree in college was in psychology pre-med, as he came from a long line of doctors in his family — hence the surname “Heal-ey.”
Eventually, Healey ventured into the investment industry, and then went back to school to earn an MBA in marketing and finance, before returning to school again to get a masters in education. Healey explained that it was actually his wife who recommended he teach math.
“My wife worked for a PR firm, and she always had to write annual reports for companies/[With] anything math related, she always came to me for [help]. Then, she [said], ‘You should go teach math,’” Healey said.
Throughout his career, Healey has done his best to maintain a positive attitude with his students.
“We are [working] with teenagers who eventually want to be successful, so if you are a negative person, they pick up on that immediately,” Healey said.“You [have] to be positive and, at the same time, push them to become better, maybe better than they thought they could be.”
Working at VHHS has been an amazing experience for Healey, so much so that he never even considered looking for a job at another school.
“I really never had a day where I woke up and was like, ‘Oh crap, I gotta go to school.’ I’ve always looked forward to coming to school and working, and I’ve always had fun,” Healey said.
Healey has connected with many students over the years through teaching and coaching. He coached Girl’ Basketball for eight years, when VHHS first opened, and Boys Golf for 29 years, also working four years as the assistant coach at Libertyville. Three of his former VHHS golfers work with him today: Mr. Benton, Mr. Downey and Mr. Wall.
Andrew Benton, a math teacher, has known Healey for 25 years now. Benton was a student at Vernon Hills when the school first opened, and had Healey as both a math teacher and golf coach throughout high school.
“He had more hair [then] than he has now,” Benton said, “He was very good at showing exactly what the students [were going] to be quizzed and tested on, which I appreciated, and I felt like he did a great job of preparing me [for tests].”
Now, Benton is teaching math in the same department as his old teacher, along with being the coach for JV Boy’ Golf, alongside Healey.
Benton described Healey as a great mentor, and part of the reason why he became a math teacher.His relationship with Healey has grown a lot over the years, and Benton is thankful for all Healey has done for him.
“He’s very stoic until you get to know him, and then he can be kind of a goofy guy,” Benton said. “I’ve been coming in the mornings for the last five years, going to his [class]room and just hanging out with him. I’m going to miss that.”
Healey will be returning to coach VHHS Boys Varsity Golf next year, as the program has great kids involved, according to him. He will still be involved in the school community outside of the golf program.
“Next year, I’m still coaching golf. I’m still going to play basketball in the mornings, [and] pickleball on the weekends I’m going to work on games, do some tutoring,” Healey said.“Yeah, they’re going to have to throw me out of here.”
Randy Sundell has been the band director at VHHS for 25 years. From directing the fight song at pep rallies to
leading the VHHS Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) band group to earn the title of Honor Band for the sixth year in a row, Sundell has played a big role in shaping the VHHS band, along with the fine arts department.
Sundell began teaching as the assistant director at Libertyville High School, working alongside the band director at the time, Don Shupe, who he said helped him learn a lot.
Growing up, Sundell was always interested in band. He first played the alto saxophone in fifth grade, and later on switched to the bassoon in high school. However, when going into college, Sundell was originally a science major, with no interest in pursuing a major in music education.
Once Sundell changed his major, the rest was history. This will be his 33rd year as a band teacher, and his impact as band director has been felt by many.
Dana Green, one of the orchestra directors at VHHS, explained that one of the reasons he was drawn to working at VHHSl was the fact he would be able to work with Sundell, a master of the wind, brass and percussion.
“What he brings to the bands, the choirs and the orchestras, everybody knows Mr. Sundell. There’s this nice way about him that makes everyone comfortable,” Green said.
Although Green looks toward the future, he is going to miss Sundell’s ability to be a calming force in the fine arts department, along with his great sense of humor and one-liners.
Looking back on his time at VHHS, Sundell is proud of the progress the fine arts program has made since he started.
“Next year’s program will have more kids in it than it’s had in over a decade,” Sundell said. “It’s built back up, which is something I’m proud of, and something I wanted to happen before I left.”
Sundell’s impact as a band teacher is obvious in his students, including alumni of VHHS. On May 24, there will be an alumni concert in the VHHS auditorium at 1:00 p.m., which was set up by a parent group. About 60 alumni signed up to play, and the concert will be open to the public.
“[Having them come back] says that there was some kind of impact, and that people enjoyed their time here,” Sundell said. “I hope the students who have been here and are currently here have enjoyed playing and music, and kept it up in some way.”
Sonya Stevens is a special education teacher who has been at VHHS for 21 years. She has been teaching for 30
years total and has formed lots of memories.
“The most rewarding part of [being a teacher] is watching students meet their goals, succeed and overcome [their challenges],” Stevens said.
Stevens’ role at VHHS is to help students in the special education department overcome any challenges they may face when it comes to reading. She explained that an important aspect of her job is to uplift her students.
“When you are working with students who struggle, a big part of my job is to help them build their confidence and help them believe they can do it before they actually do it,” Stevens said.
Rebeca Garcia is another teacher who works in the special education department and focuses on literacy improvement. Garcia student-taught under Stevens in 2006 at VHHS and was later hired by the high school, where she continued to build her relationship with Stevens.
“She was my mentor, she’s been my role model and now it’s almost like we’ve come full circle,” Garcia said.
Garcia explained that Stevens has always been a great cheerleader to her and provided support in her process of becoming a teacher and earning her masters degree. Something Garcia admires about Steven is her dedication to her students.
“She doesn’t give up easily, especially when working with students. If something’s not working, she will try something else,” Garcia said.
Although Garcia and many others will miss her, Stevens is eagerly awaiting her retirement.
“I’m really looking forward to traveling with my husband, who retired from Libertyville last year,” Stevens said. “I need a break. I need to recharge.”Once she has had a break for a year or two, Stevens said she would consider getting involved in education again, whether it is through subbing or tutoring.
Stevens said she will miss the people at VHHS the most, including her coworkers, students and the general community at the school. She hopes her students will continue to work hard and remember that help is always there if they need it.
“I want [my students] to believe in themselves. I want them to always keep trying to set goals and work towards them,” Stevens said.