Administration
Thornton Fractional South is comprised of the following administrators. This 5-member leadership team implements the District 215 curriculum and policies.
Mr. James Thurman, Principal
Biography coming soon.
Mr. Brian Bergthold, Assistant Principal for Pupil Personnel Services
Mr. Bergthold is the Assistant Principal of Pupil Personnel Services at Thornton Fractional South High School. Prior to this position, he served as Student Services Coordinator for the previous 8 years at Thornton Fractional South High School and 6 years at Thornton Fractional North High School. During that time, he supervised special education and 504 plan programs for students attending both inside and outside of the district. Additionally, Mr. Bergthold served as the district’s homeless liaison and Alternative Placement Hearing Officer.
As a teacher, Mr. Bergthold spent his early career teaching special education for grades 4th through 12th grade in the Lockport area and Chicago Public Schools.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management Information Systems at Governor’s State University. He earned a master’s degree in Special Education from Lewis University, and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership with a Director of Special Education endorsement from the University of St. Francis.
Mr. Rene Valdez, Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction
Mr. Valdez is a proud alum of TF South High School, Class of 2007, and is honored to return to serve the community that helped shape his educational journey. He earned his bachelor's degree in mathematics with a minor in secondary education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He later went on to earn two master’s degrees from Concordia University Chicago—one in Curriculum and Instruction with an ESL endorsement, and another through the Principal Preparation Program.
Over the course of his career, Mr. Valdez has taught a range of high school mathematics courses, including several years working with English Language Learners. His leadership experience includes roles as a Tier II math interventionist, dean, and assistant principal at various high schools throughout the area. Now serving as the Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction at TF South, he is committed to fostering academic excellence and ensuring all students have access to an equitable and engaging learning experience.
Outside of school, Mr. Valdez lives in Dyer, Indiana with his wife and their three young children. A lifelong sports fan, he proudly supports the Chicago Cubs, Bears, Bulls, and his alma mater, the Fighting Illini.
Mr. Joshua Humphrey, Assistant Principal of Building Control
Joshua Humphrey is the Assistant Principal of Building Control at Thornton Fractional South High School. Prior to this position, he served as a Dean at Crete - Monee High School in Crete, IL. During that time, he created and implemented restorative practices across the school through organizing team structures.
As a teacher, he spent his early career in the Saint Louis area as an algebra teacher for several years at KIPP High School. To be close to family, he relocated to the Chicagoland area where he taught middle school math for 6th through 8th grades on the west and south sides of Chicago as well as the south suburbs. Throughout his teaching years, he has also been a high school basketball coach, started various clubs, and served as a grade level chair.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a triple emphasis in Finance, Marketing and Management with an Economics minor at the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay. He earned a master’s degree in Teaching and Learning at Washington University in Saint Louis, and is currently working towards a doctorate in Urban Education Leadership at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Mr. Marc Brewe, Athletic Director
Marc Brewe is a Lansing native who graduated from T. F. South in 1994. He received his undergraduate degree in Physics and Secondary Education from Ball State University and his Master's degree in Educational Administration from Chicago State University. Prior to becoming the athletic director at T. F. South, he taught science at T. F. South for 11 years. While a teacher, Mr. Brewe coached football, basketball, and baseball, including a stint as the head boys' basketball coach for 7 years. Before that, he worked for District 218 as a science teacher and coach. Mr. Brewe resides in Manhattan, with his wife Melissa, and two sons, Jackson and Alexander.