Deeply committed to the healing power of touch, our teachers bring their expertise from experience to the classroom. As successful professionals, they represent a variety of approaches, settings, and backgrounds. However, they all share a passion for teaching and a commitment to the highest standards.

• Beckley, Jean M.S., NCTMB
• Bermann, Bobbe BS, NCTMB, LMT
• Conner, Earl NCTMB
• Cooper, Maria Durbin BPh, NCTMB, LMT
• Hovious, Kristin
• Hussey, Wayne NCTMB
• King, Bob
• Leyson, Faith
• Love, Connie NCTMB
• Magruder, John NCTMB, LMT
• McNeill, Mark BA, NCTMB
• Porter, Carol BA
• Pritchard, Heather NCBTMB, LMT, ISBE
• Salvato, Frances NCTMB
• Tomal, Holly
• Vater, Patricia
• Visovatti, Terri B.S., NCTM, LMT, CKTP
• Willert, Gail NCTMB

Jean Beckley, M.S., NCTMB
Jean, a 2007 graduate of Chicago, has additional certifications in Energy Work , Aromatherapy , Pregnancy Massage , Lymphatic Drainage , Thai Massage and Massage Cupping . She enjoys maintaining a private practice and working at a wellness center where she sees a variety of clients. She received her undergraduate degree in Mass Communications and Public Relations from Illinois State University , and she received her Master's degree in Human Resource Management from Loyola University, Chicago .

Bobbe Bermann, BS, NCTMB, LMT
Bobbe has taught in the Diploma Program on and off since 1987 in both technique and lecture. She is a Chicago School of Massage Therapy (now Cortiva Institute - Chicago) graduate (1986) with advanced training in deep tissue sculpting, sports massage, St. John Method of Neuromuscular Therapy , infant massage , Manikin anatomy systems and Gyrotonic . Bobbe has been in private practice for over 20 years. She has a B.S. degree in physical education from the University of Illinois at Chicago.  She volunteers for the American Massage Therapy Association - Illinois chapter as well as the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. She is proud of her role at the school as it's Education Director.

Earl Conner, NCTMB
A long time faculty member, Earl has been teaching workshops in neuromuscular therapy and myofascial therapy throughout the U.S. since 1991. Earl is a 1987 Cortiva graduate with advanced training in St. John Neuromuscular Therapy , myofascial therapy , and sports massage . He specializes in massage for relief of chronic pain, and postural/fascial distortion.

Maria Durbin Cooper, BPh, NCTMB, LMT
Maria graduated from Chicago in 1995 (Class 30), and has been an instructor with the school since 1996. She has a full-time clinical massage practice at a chiropractic clinic in Oak Park.  Maria is a published writer and editor, fluent in Spanish, and certified in both Myofascial and Craniosacral Therapies. She presents massage therapy at the annual National Youth Leadership Forum , volunteers for the American Massage Therapy Association - Illinois chapter (AMTA-IL) , and gets up at 6am once a year just to work in the massage tent at the Chicago Marathon.

Kristin Hovious
Kristen is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Registered Yoga Teacher, Watsu Therapist and Certified Personal Trainer. She brings her passion for anatomy, physiology and ethics into the classrooms here in the Loop campus. She has served on the faculty of Cortiva Institute - Chicago since 2006, and served as its Education Director from May 2007 to March of 2008. Kristin is the founder of Body Chicago, a company created to bring anatomy centered wellness to individuals and employers. She has been accepted to attend UIC's Masters of Science Program for Motor Control and Learning. Prior to her career in health services, Kristin spent 10 years in financial services in a variety of leadership, marketing and sales roles.

Wayne Hussey, NCTMB
Wayne is a 2000 Chicago graduate and holds a B.S. degree in Kinesiology and Psychology from the University of in Ontario , Canada. Wayne has experience as a Personal Trainer, Physical Therapy Technician, and Exercise Physiologist in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Bob King
Bob King is a co-founder and past president of the Chicago School of Massage Therapy . He now teaches continuing education for Cortiva Institute-Chicago and works in the school's professional clinic. Bob is a nationally recognized teacher, leader and activist in the field of massage therapy, with 35 years of professional experience. He is a frequent presenter at national conferences, and brings a dedicated and compassionate commitment to massage therapy and the Cortiva community.

Faith Leyson
Faith is a 1997 Chicago graduate with advanced certification in Myofascial Therapy . Faith has extensive experience as both practitioner and manager in high profile Chicago area spa settings. She also maintains her clinical practice in a chiropractic office.

Connie Love, NCTMB
Connie is a 1996 Chicago graduate and holds a B.S. degree in Physical Education and Health Sciences from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale , IL. Connie has been the Program Development, Staff Coordinator at our school and is now a core faculty member. Connie has extensive training in Neuromuscular Therapy , Sports Medicine, Myofascial , Clinical Sports & Pain Management and Muscle Energy techniques .

John Magruder, NCTMB, LMT
Mr. Magruder is a Licensed Massage Therapist and graduate of Cortiva Institute - Chicago School of Massage Therapy (1999). He brings to the classroom many years of teaching and successful industry experience and an extensive background in massage and bodywork. He has advanced training in injury assessment and treatment from the Benjamin Institute of Advanced Studies. His work also includes western massage techniques, myofascial release , neuromuscular therapy , sports massage, Quantum Touch and Reiki . Mr. Magruder was a member of the Winter Sports Massage Team at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002, and received a Humanitarian of the Year Award for his volunteer work in 2000 from the American Massage Therapy Association Illinois Chapter .

Mark McNeill, BA, NCTMB
Mark is a 1994 Chicago graduate with advanced training in Clinical and Sports Massage and myofascial massage therapy . He works with Northwestern University's Athletic Training Department. Mark has a B.A. degree in speech, theater and dance from Glassboro State College in New Jersey.

Carol Porter, BA
Carol, a 1993 Chicago graduate, has been working in the spa and health club industry for 15 years. She is certified in hot stone massage and Ashiatsu and has received a wide variety of continuing education training. Carol graduated with honors from DePaul University with a degree in psychology.

Heather Pritchard, NCBTMB, LMT, ISBE
Heather is a graduate of class #71 from the Chicago School of Massage Therapy . In addition to working with chiropractors and physical therapists, Heather maintains her own private practice. She has worked with clients from college students to professional athletes. Heather is also certified in Pregnancy and Post Partum Massage Therapy , and helped with the production of a belly casting product for pregnant women.

Frances Salvato, NCTMB
Frances is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from AMTA-IL for outstanding performance as a massage educator. Formerly Director of Education, Frances is currently a lead instructor in anatomy, kinesiology, and technique as well as playing a key role in curriculum development. A 1994 Chicago graduate, Frances has advanced training in Structural Integration , Myofascial Therapy , Craniosacral Therapy , Sports Massage , Pregnancy Massage , Infant Massage , Healing Touch and Reiki . Frances' Continuing Education offerings include National Certification Review, Massage for Cancer, Pregnancy Massage, Myofascial Release , Body Mechanics, Anatomy Review, Scoliosis and Palpation Skill Enhancement. Frances maintains a private practice in the Chicago area. She has Bachelor of Science from Northwestern University .

Holly Tomal
As a graduate of the Chicago School of Massage Therapy class 23, Holly has had many incredible opportunities. While in school she held an internship at Podiatry and Sports Center in Roselle and continues there to this day. She has excelled in sports deep tissue massage while focusing on runners. She has had the privilege to work with elite runners of all ages, from junior high school through collegiate and international levels. Holly maintains her own private practice and, with 16 years of experience as a full-time massage therapist in the McHenry area, she felt it was time to teach a new generation the art of massage therapy. She joined the Cortiva family in 2007.

Patricia Vater
Patricia is a 2002 Chicago graduate and has a B.S. from Valparaiso University in Nursing. She has specialized in training in Aquatic Education, Myofascial Release and Deep Tissue Sculpting .

Terri Visovatti, B.S., NCTM, LMT, CKTP
Terri is a 1996 Chicago graduate and has been an instructor in both the diploma and continuing education programs since 2005. She has advanced training in Myofascial Therapy , Sports Massage , Pregnancy Massage , Reiki , and Personal Training. Terri also became a Certified Kinesio Tape Practitioner in 2007. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois-Chicago . Terri has maintained a private massage therapy practice since 1996.

Gail Willert, NCTMB
Gail has been an instructor at Cortiva/CSMT since graduating as a part of class 14 in 1989. She teaches continuing education classes and maintains a private practice that specializes in Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Energy Work in combination with Myofascial Massage. Gail's advanced training includes Orthobionomy , various forms of energy work including Reiki and Chi Gong , Manual Lymphatic Drainage , Myofascial Therapy and Neuromuscular Therapy . She has B.A. degrees from the University of Illinois at Chicago and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago . Her artwork can be seen at galleries and shows in the Chicago area.