Student Services

Mrs. Leslie Cornwell

Learning Resource Specialist (K-5), ESL Teacher

Mrs. Cornwell is in her fifth year at CHA. She graduated from Wheaton College with a B.A. in Christian Education and Biblical Studies. She served as the Director of Children’s Ministries at The Orchard EFC in Arlington Heights for several years and continues to attend there now. She has always enjoyed working with children and teens in various ministries from Sunday School and Awana to Christian camps and VBS. Her ministry work continued in a volunteer role after she stepped down from being on the church staff to being at home with her two children and homeschooling them for a time. More recently, Mrs. Cornwell earned an M.A. in Intercultural Studies TESOL at Wheaton College Graduate School and worked as a consultant in the Writing Center during her time there. In her free time, she hikes, bikes, swims, plays ping pong and table games, likes to read, and loves to travel with her husband and adult children.

Dr. Ivy Li

Upper School Counselor

From kindergarteners to college students, Dr. Li has been counseling and teaching students of diverse backgrounds for the past ten years; five of them being at CHA. She is passionate about meeting students where they are at and helping them identify their interests and gifts. Dr. Li earned her Ph.D. from Penn State University in Counselor Education and Supervision and is experienced in providing career, mental health, and school counseling to students from K-12. Dr. Li attends North Shore Chinese Christian Church in Deerfield with her family.

Ms. Rensy Mathew

Social Worker

CHA warmly welcomes Ms. Mathew to CHA this year! She earned a B.A. in Global Studies with a minor in social work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an M.A. in clinical mental health counseling from Moody Theological Seminary. She has experience working with children and adolescents in a variety of settings, and is also working on getting certified as a biblical counselor. Ms. Mathew enjoys volunteering at CityLine Bible Church in multiple capacities (including serving in worship and student ministries), singing worship songs, traveling, going on mission trips, and spending time with others. Ms. Mathew is thrilled to come to CHA and serve as a social worker and be part of raising up the next generation!

Ms. Rebekah Van Someren

US Guidance Counselor

Also new to CHA this year is Ms. Van Someren! She earned a B.S. in secondary English education from Baylor University and a M.Ed in school counseling from the University of Central Oklahoma. She has spent the past six years working in education as a school counselor and ELL teacher in Oklahoma City Public Schools. Ms. Van Someren is excited to return home to the Chicagoland area and continue her work serving the Lord as a school counselor on the CHA team. Outside of school she enjoys exercising, reading, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.