• About Mr. Novak

    Mr. Novak!  
     
    In the spring of 2009, Mr. Novak received his degree of Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He once again  returned to the University of Illinois (summers only) and successfully completed his Masters of Music Education degree. He previously taught in the Huntley School District before arriving to Wheaton Community Unit School District 200 in the fall of 2010. Raised in Glen Ellyn, Mr. Novak attended Hadley Junior High School and Glenbard West High School. He has played piano since the 1st grade and began playing the trumpet in the 5th grade. 

    While attending the University of Illinois, Mr. Novak played in many ensembles including symphonic band, jazz band, Marching Illini, steel drum ensemble and basketball band. While in the Marching Illini, Mr. Novak was appointed trumpet section leader and later went on to become director of the student led Orange and Blues Band. A subset of the Marching Illini, this band plays for all Big Ten volleyball matches as well as basketball and football related activities. 

    Mr. Novak is married and lives in Wheaton and has a lab named Louis (after Louis Armstrong.) Together, the family recently welcomed the birth of  Ellis Jeffrey. His three year old, Greta, loves princesses and re-enacting scenes from Frozen and Frozen 2. Mr. Novak and his wife continue to play their trumpets for various gigs in the Chicagoland area, but mostly are enjoying their time together as a new family. Lastly, Mr. Novak likes listening to music on vinyl and has a primitive (but growing) tool shop in the garage which helps him fix his Jeep (when necessary.)

    Mr. Novak  works to inspire his students at Monroe Middle School to perform to the best of their abilities and to persevere through any challenges that come along in their studies. Each year, he looks to his band members for student-led leadership in music as well as character.