Kate Thommes

Kate Thommes is an accomplished education professional with extensive experience in various roles within the field. As of April 2025, Kate serves as the Bridge Builder Program Manager at Marklund, while also fulfilling the responsibilities of an Elected Board of Education Member with School District U-46 since April 2019. Past roles include ESL Services Specialist at Elk Grove Village Public Library and Adjunct Faculty at Elgin Community College, where Kate taught ESL and Citizenship Preparation courses. Kate has held positions such as Senior Manager of Training at Planned Parenthood of Illinois, Teacher at Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health, and Tutor Training Coordinator at The Literacy Connection, along with experience as a high school social studies teacher and item creator for standardized tests. Kate Thommes holds a Master's degree in TESOL from St. Thomas University and has degrees from Aurora University and Illinois State University in teaching and social sciences.