Instructors
Ms. Alessi
Ms. Alessi has been instructing the Vet Assisting program since its launch in 2016. She started her career as part-time animal keeper at Brookfield Zoo caring for animals from raccoons, to raptors, to lemurs. She honed her passion for education as Conservation Education intern with the Walt Disney Company. In 2010 she began her journey as a teacher with Academy for Urban School Leadership, earning her Masters of Arts in Teaching by 2011. She taught Biology and Special education at CICS Ralph Ellison High school before finding her way to Wilco.
She has recently completed her Associates of Applied Sciences in Veterinary Technology and hopes to become a licensed and certified veterinary technician. Although she has a background in animal care and teaching she felt it a disservice to lack a degree involving veterinary medicine. Ms. Alessi continues her pursuit for education by enrolling at National Louis University's Education Leadership Specialist program.
It is her hope that her students learn that they are capable of more than they realize. She strives to create a comfortable and safe environment where students are encouraged to take risks outside their comfort zones. She believes that communication and personal growth are keys to being successful in any career, especially one that involves the care and wellbeing of animals.
MJ C.V.T.
Margaret Janke, Certified Veterinary Technician
MJ has been a Certified Veterinary Technician since 2011. She is a Joliet Junior College Veterinary Medical Technology program graduate and went straight to the Associate's in Applied Sciences program upon high school graduation from Joliet West HS. She has worked at many local general practice veterinary clinics, including Timberline Animal Hospital, Crest Hill Cat and Dog Clinic, and Banfield Pet Hospital.
She currently has one active dog, Franny (age 7) that enjoys coming to class on "Franny Fridays" to allow students to practice the current skills that they are learning in class on a tolerant patient (as long as there are snacks involved!)
MJ loves the environment at Wilco Area Career Center because she truly believes the motto "every student needs a skill" applies to Veterinary Medicine and the staffing shortages the industry is currently facing. If she can help students develop quality technical skills in Vet Assisting class, they will be able to walk into a local vet clinic and help animals immediately!