Sonja Ivanovich

Sonja was the most influential schoolteacher that I ever had. Her passion bubbled over as did her no nonsense,cut to the chase humor. I recall someone asking once who Terry Kohler was when he was running for office. Sonja responded "he makes toilets" rather than saying he was a multimillionaire businessman with far-right ideas. I loved that!

Through Sonja I became acquainted with the music of Joan Baez, many fine AFS people and even did a little Model United Nations. It was because of her inspiration that I came to believe the most important thing I could do with my professional life was to teach political science. Thirty-one years later I am still carrying that baton. as a young teacher I occasionally did substitute teaching at Shorewood High School. This one particular day she asked me if I might like to meet George McGovern since he was going to give a talk in her class that afternoon. McGovern was my first hero,so meeting him and getting to tell him how much he meant to me was such a thrill.

I am glad that I knew Sonja and got to tell her how much she meant to me,too.

She rests in peace.

Ms. Ivanovich was one of the best teachers I ever had. She was passionate about teaching and set high standards for us, while making the classes fun and relevant. She showed us all how politics and government affect our lives. She left a lasting influence on so many of my classmates and other Shorewood alums. My condolences to her friends and family.

WOW! Sonja was the teacher of the year for both of our daughters, Gina and Kristin. Besides teaching them about the world she encouraged them to seek out other cultures and through AFS traveled to Belgium and France while in High School, they have never stopped traveling thanks for her inspiration in helping to understand diversity and love of others. I personally enjoyed working with her ideas for years on the Shorewood Historical Society board, she always stayed a tune to village concerns, what a woman, missed by many and so thankful for sharing her understanding of life with us all. Janet & Marlowe Nortrom

Ms Ivanovich not only raised Shorewood students to global awareness, she influenced family discussions about the same. Gratefully, we slowly moved from MTV to PBS Newshour. Sonja, your enthusiasm for the big picture has touched us for a lifetime. Well done and thank you.
Mary Ellen Gembolis
Shorewood parent & AFS parent.