After 33 years at Niles West, Director of Science, Ami LeFevre is retiring. Throughout her tenure, she has expanded equitable coursework across all levels of science classes, advocated the adoption of AP Capstone courses, created new dual-credit elective opportunities and worked to empower young girls in STEM.

LeFevre has spent all, but one year, of her professional career at West. She began as a chemistry and biology teacher, a role she held for 25 years, before transitioning into administration. Her love for students is why she decided to become a teacher

“I’ve always been a big science-minded person my entire life… I felt like I could take something that I really enjoy learning about myself, learning about content, and then have the privilege of working with high school students. I thought, oh, I think I’m going to go this route. I just couldn’t imagine being with a different crowd of people. I just always have enjoyed working with high school students,” LeFevre said. 

Her dedication to students and staff has benefited the science department in ways that go beyond education.

“She is unbelievably generous, she is empathetic, she is committed as a boss. She has always been willing to provide ideas and provide support. She has always allowed me and the rest of the department to be ourselves and find our way, but at the same time has always been willing to help whenever it is requested,” science teacher Anthony Comstock said. 

Throughout the years, LeFevre has seen the increase of girls enrolled in higher-level science classes, electives and interested in the field. She has promoted female interest in STEM through the creation of the Girls Empowering Math and Science program, which invited 6th-8th grade girls to workshops at West, led by professional scientists and high school students.

“We made crystals and put them on necklaces to wear, and it was a lot of fun! That experience really made me enjoy science more, which eventually helped me decide what I wanted to study in college and even inspired projects at my job working with children,” alumna Hina Haider said.

Serving as Director demands responsibility and courage. LeFevre has led with both as well as kindness and compassion.

“She’s really an amazing, positive influence in our department. I think what I’ll miss is having that positive and encouraging perspective around. From her, I really learned to center people and prioritize and put people first, and I think she’s been a role model in that sense. Well, in many senses, but I think I will miss that the most about her. She really cares so much about everybody here,” former student and science teacher Britt Czupryna said.

In the past three decades, she has been a powerful force in the administration. Reflecting on her time she shares what she hopes her legacy will be.

“I want them to remember me as somebody who had empathy, a sense of humanity, and really focused on the well-being of people, my teachers and my students. Science is secondary in what I do day-to-day. I do hope that my legacy will be that they felt supported, they felt loved, they felt that they could do their job because they had my support along the way… my legacy will be my memories that live through these teachers here,” LeFevre said. 

In retirement, LeFevre plans to continue teaching as an adjunct professor at North Park University, traveling, playing pickleball and volunteering at local food pantries and the library. Niles West thanks LeFevre for her years of service to the community and congratulates her on retiring. We wish her the best of luck in this next chapter!