Meet our Board Members

Chris Trzeciak, President, was elected for the first time in April 2019 and re-elected in April 2023. He has previous experience serving on the school board at High School District #231, where he completed two consecutive terms from 2007-2015. Currently, he works in Risk Management in the Financial Services industry for a Fortune 500 company. Mr. Trzeciak received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Saint Xavier University and is a Certified Project Management Professional. In 2021, he earned his Master's Degree in Risk Management from the University of Chicago. He serves as the Chairman of the Resolutions Committee for the Illinois Association of School Boards Three Rivers Division. Mr. Trzeciak believes that the top priority of the school board should always be serving the best interest of the students and that all decision-making should be guided by this principle. He advocates for an open-door leadership approach where the board, students, parents, faculty, administration, and community can work collaboratively as a school-community team.

Melissa Chandarana, Vice President, was elected to the board in April 2021 and re-elected in 2025. she and her husband, Andy, have resided in Lockport for 18 years with their five children. Over the years, she has had the opportunity to volunteer at Homer 33C as PTO President, volunteer office assistant at Young School, What I Need (WIN) volunteer, and numerous PTO volunteer opportunities. Her children have utilized a wide range of the district's offerings: Early Childhood (tuition-based and non-tuition-based), extended kindergarten (Bright Start, prior to full-day being offered), SI program for students with special needs, Discovery program, and accelerated classes at HJH. She looks forward to using her volunteer and parenting experiences to serve as an advocate for the students, teachers, families, and community members of the district.

Missy received her Associate Degree with High Honors from College of DuPage in June of 2002. She has worked as the Business Manager, handling all accounting and human resources responsibilities, for a not-for-profit located in the western suburbs since 2000. She enjoys her ongoing role as troop leader for multiple Girl Scout troops, an active member of the broader Girl Scout Service Unit team, and as either Camp Director &/or Program Director of a week-long volunteer-led Girl Scout Day Camp for the last 13 years. Volunteering is truly Missy's passion and she enjoys the opportunity to give back to her community whenever and however she can.

Aaron Wolf, Secretary, Mr. Wolf and his family set roots in Lockport in early 2020, with the reputation of Homer 33C being a deciding factor.  As the father of two young children, he is eager to begin working with the staff, administration and community to implement and follow through on our strategic plan.  Mr. Wolf believes in transparency and trust with the community, and that the Board’s highest priority should be safety, student achievement, and equitable access to high quality education. 

Mr. Wolf takes an active role in his children’s education by volunteering for various school activities and believes presence, as a parent and board member, is important.  With a passion for volunteer work, he also volunteers his time coaching softball and serves on the board of our local recreational program.  He and his wife also organize an annual fundraiser to provide Christmas gifts for underprivileged families.

Mr. Wolf received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern Illinois University of Carbondale and is currently working towards his Master of Business Administration.  He currently works in the eCommerce/technology industry using data-driven decisions to solve complex business problems and will rely on his experience to continue our district’s path to success.

Elizabeth Hitzeman, Member, was elected to the board in April 2015 and re-elected in 2019 and 2023. She is a retired educator who dedicated 26 years to the development of young minds in Homer Community Consolidated School District 33C. She and her husband, Kurt, moved to Homer Glen in 1978 when his engineering position brought them to the area. They raised two daughters here and built both of their homes here because they fell in love with the community atmosphere.
Mrs. Hitzeman received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago and subsequently earned an additional 63 hours in postgraduate study in the fields of technology and education. Before moving to Homer Glen in 1978, Mrs. Hitzeman worked in management, overseeing multiple departments for Bell and Howell Schools in their Home Study Division in Chicago. She joined the Homer 33C family in 1988, teaching sixth graders up until her retirement in June, 2014. She estimates she taught 1,700 students during the course of her career. In 2006, she was named recipient of the Teacher Recognition Award from the Give Something Back Foundation.
As school board members, we have the responsibility to oversee the successful implementation of the mission/vision of our district’s strategic plan, states Hitzeman. I believe that success is, in part, related to the positive relationships and support built between students, staff, administration and community.

Deb Martin, Member, has been serving the residents of Homer 33C for 20+ years. She was first elected to the Board of Education in 2003 and re-elected in 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023 -- making her the most veteran board member. She has helped steer the district through periods of growth (including the construction of Young School and renovation work at Schilling School) as well as the hiring of three superintendents. When faced with tough decisions, she always relies on her experience as a parent, teacher (both 2nd and 4th grades) and community member to guide her. “I am not a politician,” she once told a reporter. “I’m here, first of all, as a parent of (four) students who have gone through the district.” Mrs. Martin lives in Homer Glen and teaches second grade in Joliet Public Schools District 86.

Joshua Oster, Member, was elected to the board in April 2025. He is a lifelong resident of Lockport and Homer Glen and currently lives in Homer Glen with his wife Laura and their daughter. Mr. Oster is an educator who has worked as a Paraprofessional, Special Education Teacher, and an Administrator. He is passionate about the power of public education to transform lives and looks forward to working with the Administration, Staff, and Community to reach the goals set forth in the strategic plan. Mr. Oster has had a strong focus on Equity in Education in his work as an administrator.

Mr. Oster was a long-time high school wrestling coach and was a volunteer wrestling coach at Homer Jr. High, IHSA Advisory Committee, Freestyle director for Illinois USA Wrestling, and a board member for the Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation. He founded and currently sits on the board of the Junior Porters Wrestling Club.

Mr. Oster received his Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Illinois Institute of Technology. He has earned two Master Degrees from Lewis University in Special Education and Educational Leadership. He is currently finishing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of St. Francis, which he expects to finish in December of 2025. He looks forward to using his knowledge of school governance and to continue to learn in order to help advance the district.