Mary Ann Kalis

Mary Ann Kalis is a retired teacher and administrator who has worked with almost all levels of students from kindergarten through high school as well as graduate level university students. A good portion of her professional working life has been spent in Elmhurst, between Immaculate Conception High School and Elmhurst District 205.

Mary Ann and her husband John settled in Elmhurst after living in Villa Park and Charleston IL while her husband established his medical practice. They had two children, a son who lives and works in Chicago, and a daughter who lives in Elmhurst and works in the western suburbs and Chicago.

Although she retired 14 years ago, she continues to have a keen interest in student learning and progress as well as the uses and impacts of technology on student learning. Having three grandchildren in local schools certainly influences this interest.

Currently she is actively involved in WSWC (Widows Supporting Widows Chicagoland), which supports women who have lost a spouse or partner as they move forward. She has also volunteered with People’s Resource Center as a job coach. Beyond volunteering, she finds numerous ways to keep herself busy: gardening, photography, walking, biking, writing, cooking, playing card games, baking, golfing (not well, though), watercolor painting, cheering at her grandkids’ sports games, and, most recently, line dancing.

She has been traveling since she graduated from college, and that desire to explore and experience something new in our world has not abated. She has also taken a deep dive into ancestry.com and as a result, has been learning Italian.