Shannon teaches a variety of Upper School science classes including biology, chemistry, anatomy, and environmental science. Shannon grew up on the north side of Chicago and attended Knox College in Galesburg, IL, where she majored in biochemistry and enjoyed working in an organic chemistry research lab. After college, Shannon attended the University of Denver, where she received an M.S. in cell and molecular biology. During her time at DU, she conducted research on embryonic development in Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies). While she was amazed by the microscope imaging techniques that she learned to view the cells and proteins of living embryos, Shannon found that she loved working as a teaching assistant even more.

She returned to the Chicagoland area in 2018 to transition from research to education by teaching AP Biology at Ida Crown Jewish Academy in Skokie. She began working at Roycemore in 2019 and is so happy to have joined such a warm and welcoming community.

Education

M.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Denver
B.A. in Biochemistry & Minor in Chinese, Knox College

Favorite Quote

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

Why do you teach? What is the impact you hope to make on students?

I love sharing my excitement about science with students and seeing them discover how the world works, especially at a molecular level. Teaching inspires me to continue learning since new discoveries are always being made and the topics we study often lead to great questions I may have never considered. My favorite thing is when a curious student asks about something I don’t know, and we can find answers together!

Why Roycemore?

I love the sense of community that can be built in a small school. I was impressed by how many opportunities and the level of individualization Roycemore is able to provide students. I’m also excited for the capacity for collaboration with students and teachers of all grade levels.

Katie was born and raised in Evanston, IL. She currently lives in Skokie with her husband, Alex, and their dog, Toad. She spends most of her free time going on walks, gardening, or chatting with her family, who live nearby. She has two wonderful nephews who are a big part of her life. She has found something magical in watching a child grow and develop. This passion is not isolated to her family, but instead, she finds a sense of beauty in each young mind she works with and is continuously in awe of their unique understanding of the world around them. She has been working with young children for over ten years in a variety of settings and thinks teaching is by far the most exciting. Some settings included working in a therapeutic preschool as a developmental therapist, and an infant room, toddler, and preschool teacher. She has worked with families in all settings and has made this a priority to inform teaching practices.

Teaching allows her to see children engage in play, engage with one another, and dive deep into subjects that encourage inquisitive learners. Teaching is powerful because you must find balance between supporting the classroom as one entity and also by paying close attention to the individual child who has needs that are not always so obvious. It is a job that keeps her mind working constantly and she is forever learning from her peers, the children, and supervisors. She finds herself lucky to be a teacher and is forever thankful that she found her passion.

Education

M.S. in Child Development with a concentration in Infancy, Erikson Institute
PEL with Early Childhood Endorsement, Erikson Institute

Certifications

Professional Educator License (LBS1), Special Education Letter of Approval, and English as a Second Language Endorsement

Favorite Quote

Something I like to repeat in my classrooms: “You can’t say, you can’t play,” a quote from children in veteran Chicago teacher Vivian Gussin Paley

“In times of stress, the best thing we can do for each other is to listen with our ears and our hearts and to be assured that our questions are just as important as our answers.” - Fred Rogers

Why do you teach? What is the impact you hope to make on students?

I teach because I cherish children and their minds. I hope to impact them in positive ways to help them become reflective, caring, thoughtful, investigators of the world. I hope to share with them great literature with powerful illustrations and interesting words. I hope to encourage them to see patterns and understand math with a strong foundation in number sense. I hope to instill an excitement for the academic environment. I hope to support them in meaningful ways and provide them with a calming, caring learning environment.

Why Roycemore?

I am absolutely thrilled to be teaching at Roycemore. Here, I see all the best practices I have recently learned in action! It is incredible to watch the community come together to solve problems, to think thoroughly about kids, and provide each student with a stellar education. The first graders blow me away with their inventiveness, their question asking, their investigating, and their overall thoughtfulness. I am grateful for every moment I get to spend with these amazing children, families, and staff.

Sara brings extensive knowledge of theatrical productions to Roycemore. Beginning in high school, Sara formed her own theatre company of fellow students, produced and directed original works, and went on to have professional stints in Chicago. Her background consists of acting, writing, directing, prop-making, stage management, lighting, sound design, and producing on a scale of a 10-seat house to union stages of over 800. Over the years, several of Sara's plays have been produced in Chicago, New York, Denver, on a Zuni Reservation in Arizona, and one was taught in the Women’s Studies program at Northern Illinois University. She has served as President of several theatre boards, including the Women’s Theatre Alliance of Chicago.

Sara honed her teaching skills by serving as our Yearbook co-sponsor for 7 years, leading Scout troops for 12 years, and running and designing summer camp experiences for youths and workshops for adults. She is thrilled to bring this knowledge both to the classroom and our Summer Camp programs.

At Roycemore, she has led students to understand the power of print and telling a good story. You may recognize Sara from her service as Director of Development at Roycemore from 2017 to 2024. She currently serves as the Treasurer of the Professionals in Development Network.

Education

B.A. from Metropolitan State University of Denver in Communications with a concentration in Theatre and a minor in French and Creative Writing.

Favorite Quote

“The poet's eye, in fine frenzy rolling,
Doth glance from heaven to earth, from earth to heaven.
And as imagination bodies forth
The forms of things unknown, the poet's pen
Turns them to shapes, and gives to airy nothing
A local habitation and a name.”
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream Act 5 Scene 1 William Shakespeare

Why Roycemore?

Roycemore is a place where my talents are valued, and I can pass that on to the students, alumni, and families that I have the honor to work with.

After working 29 years at an after-school program in Lake County, Erin was thrilled to land at Roycemore in September of 2018.

Erin grew up in Waukegan, the firstborn of five children. Being the eldest, her main responsibility was to care for her younger siblings. That led to babysitting cousins, close family friends, and children of her parents’ co-workers. Twelve years of her life were spent in Catholic schools. While attending Carmel High School, she took a Child Development class. It made her realize that she wanted to follow a career path that involved children. Thanks to a relative’s recommendation, she was hired to work at the Afterschool Club. She spent more than half of her life with them. Some of the kids she had taken care of came back and worked for her. A few even wound up sending their own children to her program as the years went on.

She married her husband Tom in May of 1999. Upon fully renovating his childhood home here in Evanston, they moved in during the spring of 2018. They are thrilled to be living in the city they both love so much. Erin has 13 nieces and nephews that are the lights of her life. Being an aunt is the greatest thing in the world to her!! When she is not working, you can find her cheering loudly at a Bears game (she’s a season ticket holder), at a concert, or traveling. NYC/Broadway is her favorite place to visit!

Favorite Quote

"Fill your life with experiences, not things. Have stories to tell, not stuff to show." - Unknown

"Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened." - Dr. Seuss

"Throw kindness around like confetti!" - Unknown

"Enjoy life now… this is not a dress rehearsal." - Unknown

Why do you like working with students? What is the impact you hope to make on students?

Having worked hands-on with children for so many years, I realize how much a person/event can impact them. I strive to leave positive, lasting impressions on the kids I interact with. Sometimes a smile, hello/how are you or a hug can turn a day around. You never know what they might have been dealing with up to that point. My previous company’s motto was: “We make great memories!” I am proud to say that I’ve contributed to many.

Why Roycemore?

I wanted to become part of the Roycemore community as soon as I visited the website. It reminded me, in several ways, of my grade school… even the school colors were the same. Upon meeting the amazing administrators, I knew it was the perfect fit for me. I was welcomed with open arms by the staff, faculty, and families from day one. I am beyond grateful to be a part of this wonderful institution!

Eva Lambert was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina, to a family of English teachers. Here, she developed an admiration for children's literature, young adult fiction, and graphic novels. She has extensive experience when it comes to childcare and working with younger learners through her time spent as a Girl Scout leader, a pre-school teacher, and a Montessori guide.

Eva later earned her Master of Arts degree in English, Rhetoric & Composition from Appalachian State University and published her M.A. thesis on environmental legislation and human rights in South Africa. Eva's teaching career began as adjunct faculty for their alma mater, teaching Introductory Writing to first and second-year college students. Eva's foundation of pedagogy is based around grading for equity, progress-based learning, and student autonomy. She is looking forward to seeing what each student brings to the table and incorporating their thoughts, personalities, and writing into a classroom that recognizes, listens to, and amplifies all voices.

Outside of the classroom, Eva can be found playing Dungeons and Dragons with her 14-year-old sister, listening to Dolly Parton at the highest volume, reading various selections by David Sedaris or crocheting.

Education

M.A. in English, Rhetoric & Composition, Appalachian State University

Favorite Quotes

"Writing gives you the illusion of control, and then you realize it's just an illusion, that people are going to bring their own stuff into it." - David Sedaris

Why Roycemore?

Roycemore hosts a team of people who I believe truly want to create a student-centered system of learning. Student value is not solely based on grade percentile or extracurricular success, but the growth and passions of the students who come here. I have always wanted to become part of a team that puts student success (no matter how you define this term) before anything else.

Before arriving at Roycemore, Brynn taught three languages in three countries. A native of Montana and Oregon, it was after college that she ventured to the midwest to pursue her graduate degree in Secondary Education. In her program, she had the opportunity to study in Europe and spent two years in Italy and France. While studying, she also taught English for the British School of Siena, was a translator and interpreter with an Italian cooking school there, and worked as an au pair in Rennes, France. These were experiences of a lifetime and they have undoubtedly fueled her continued passion for languages, cultures, and teaching.

After France and Italy, she continued her teaching in local secondary schools in northern Indiana and as an instructor in French at Indiana University-South Bend. French also afforded her opportunities to offer translation services and advocate for refugees from francophone parts of Africa. It was also at this time that she took a particular interest in the metacognitive strategies that we teach and learn in the language classroom, the subject of her doctorate research at Middlebury College. In 2012, she and her husband moved to England, where they lived for 6 years and she enjoyed her role as a French and Italian teacher in an outstanding JK-8 independent school in Yateley, Hampshire. As a sports enthusiast, she loved getting to coach sports that were new to her, like rounders and field hockey.

While in England, her son Nathaniel was born and they made lifelong connections and friends, but in 2018 we returned to the U.S. They are excited about setting new roots in Chicago and she is thrilled, and feels very fortunate, to be joining the esteemed Roycemore community!

Education

Ph.D. in Modern Languages (French & Italian), Middlebury College (in progress)
M.S. in Secondary Education with Endorsement in French & ENL, Indiana University-South Bend
B.A. in Art History & Architecture, University of Oregon
PGCE in Secondary Education with Endorsement in French, University of Reading, England

Fun Fact

Henley-on-Thames Sprint Triathlon Champion

Why do you teach? What is the impact you hope to make on students?

There is so much to learn about the world! I love working with students, getting to know them and exploring languages and cultures together, and examining our roles within local and global communities.

Why Roycemore?

I admire Roycemore’s approach to education as a comprehensive yet personalized learning experience. The collaboration of students, faculty, and families seems an ideal environment in which everyone can thrive.

Gina joined Roycemore in 2021 with a wide array of skills and experience in teaching students PreK through 6th grade. She has taught in a large public school as well as a small private preschool prior to joining Roycemore. She finds joy in people of all ages and you can often hear her laughter through the hallway as she engages with her colleagues and students.

Prior to teaching, Gina worked in Advertising for many years in Chicago and honed her analytical, organizational, and presentation skills as Account Director for such clients as Quaker Oats, Equal Sweetener, Solo, and Kroger. However, after heeding the call to teach, she has not looked back.

Gina is passionate about sharing art experiences with children to broaden their perspectives and build bridges to understanding the world around us. She is inspired by creativity everywhere.

She is a mother of two grown children and an animal lover to the core. In her spare time, she likes to read, garden and paint.

Education

B.A. in Studio Art
B.S. in Marketing
Illinois License Type 10 plus 40 hours in Art Ed.

Favorite Quote

“The arts teach children that problems can have more than one solution and questions can have more than one answer.” – Elliott Eisner

Why Roycemore?

I have been familiar with Roycemore for several years and have been impressed with the diversity of cultures represented by the students. Art lends itself well to the study of cultures and I look forward to exploring many artistic avenues together with Roycemore students for years to come.

Andrew has been teaching at Roycemore since 2020 and loves being a part of the Middle School team at Roycemore. He grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and studied Biology at Loyola University Chicago. After his graduation from Loyola, he studied at Providence College in Rhode Island, where he earned his Master's Degree in Secondary Education. During that time, he taught Middle and High School Science and Math at a K-12 school in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Science has always been a passion of his and he continually looks for ways to expand his knowledge about the world around us. He enjoys learning about how living things function and interact with each other and he feels so fortunate that he is able to share his passion for science with his students. At Roycemore, he equips his students with scientific thinking skills that help them to be independent problem-solvers while gaining a solid basis of scientific knowledge. Project-based learning and laboratory experiments are an important part of his teaching, as Andrew believes it is vitally important that students are "doing science", as opposed to just hearing about science that has been done. In his free time, he enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring different cultures through food and travel, following local sports teams, playing a variety of sports, singing, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and spending time with his family and friends.

Education

M.Ed. in Secondary Education, Providence College
B.S. in Biology, Loyola University Chicago

Fun Fact

I love to wear fun socks!

Why do you teach? What is the impact you hope to make on students?

I always aim to inspire my students to have curiosity for the world around them and to ensure that they care for themselves, others, their community, and the world. Especially in today’s society, all people should consider the impact that they have on the environment and should seek out ways to care for our planet. Our students are our future, so it is essential that they are equipped with the tools that they need to make meaning of the world around them and to be able to intelligently approach and solve the problems of tomorrow.

Why Roycemore?

Roycemore creates an environment where all students are given the tools and support that they need to succeed. This individualized approach to learning allows all students to reach their fullest potential and to know that they are being cared for as individuals. Also, Roycemore’s emphasis on project-based learning, particularly through the Personal Passion Projects and the January Short Term, allows students to show their knowledge in a variety of ways and gives them the agency to explore ideas that most interest them.

Hannah has been teaching since 2020. She is originally from Kansas City but has lived in the Chicago area for the past 5 years. In addition to teaching, Hannah has a background in theater arts where she has taught and directed youth theater all across Chicago. Working with students in a creative setting is what inspired her to become a classroom teacher and her arts background is a strong influence on her teaching style. Outside of school, Ms. Miller loves to work in her garden and enjoy beautiful walks around Evanston.

Education

M.Ed in Elementary Education from DePaul University

Favorite Quote

"I don't know where I'm going from here, but I promise it won't be boring." - David Bowie

Why Roycemore?

The importance placed on community and personal connections between teachers, students, and families really resonate with me. I can tell this is a group of people that really care and are invested in the development of students to be compassionate, global citizens.

Wendy's love of learning began as a freshman at Clark University in New England which seemed just far enough away from her native state of New Jersey to be independent from her 9 siblings and close enough to run back home. Aspiring to be a "great artist," she soon discovered a love of learning and of teaching. At Clark, Wendy had the opportunity to support fellow students in their own artistic pursuits, which then led to a position after graduation in the Fine Art department as liaison to the students, helping students navigate their experience. This was her first formal taste of working with students and she loved the feeling of community that was created and knowing that she was making a difference in others’ lives.

Wendy entered a time of "workplace discovery" after that, teaching at various art institutions and not-for-profits that included a stint overseas teaching English and dramatic arts in Wuhan, China. Her love for learning continued and pushed her to study video/film at Temple University as well as receive her MFA in video/installation from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Wendy can look back at her experiences in the arts and her work with installation and design and see its impact on her teaching today. A firm believer in the classroom as the third teacher, Wendy works to create a classroom experience that is child-centered, supportive of their inquiry, innovation, exploration and social emotional development while deepening the bonds within their community.

After her MFA, Wendy worked as adjunct faculty at the Art Institute and Columbia College but really fell hard in love with teaching early childhood after having her own children. Her children were attending the Lab School where progressive education flourished, the spirit of John Dewey and his teachings were revered, and teachers were intellectual and practical learners right beside their students. It was there, 15 years ago, Wendy found a merging of her desire to keep learning, investigating and researching with her passion for teaching young children. Reggio Emilia was a strong influence in the early childhood program at Lab at that time, where the understanding of children begins with the premise that they are capable and strong and able to be the protagonist of their own learning. The RE thought of the emerging curriculum made sense to Wendy as well as many of the other progressive theories she saw in practice. This led her to the Univ. of Colorado where together with Boulder Journey School a collaborative program was offered focusing on the RE approach and she received her M.A. of Ed. in Innovative Education. Participating in this extremely thoughtful program while teaching on teams that were true thought partners, Wendy was able to develop and hone a practice focused on this belief and conviction that the child is capable, strong, and able to be co-creators of their own learning. She loves and considers it a privilege to be able to teach in a progressive early childhood setting, learning side by side with young learners, working to guide them while amplifying their voices, ideas, thinking, their creating and their always surprising unimaginable possibilities which they bring to the community.

Wendy still practices art and uses the “100 languages” Malaguzzi, of the children (which encompass all forms of art/materials) in her teaching practice, but has let go of the grand aspiration of becoming a “great artist”. Instead, Wendy finds inspiration and satisfaction in the belief that art is something that can be practiced by all, enriching the life of the maker and those who experience it.

Education

M.A. of ED Early Childhood, University of Colorado
M.F.A., The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
B.F.A., Clark University

Favorite Quote(s)

"The unexpected offers new possibilities of powerful opportunities of knowing oneself and learning." - Lahdesmaki

"When we are too convinced, we often can't accept change." - Paolo Freire

Why Roycemore?

I don't know Roycemore intimately yet, but I am impressed by the commitment of its faculty, administration and community to the betterment of each student's authentic self and individualized education. I am looking forward to being a part of the Roycemore community.

Janet was born in Chicago and currently still lives there. She is the daughter of two hard-working and inspiring Mexican immigrant parents and a little sister to two older brothers, also college graduates. Janet's first language was Spanish, and she grew up surrounded by many immigrant families as she was involved up until recently with a non-profit organization who served primarily immigrant mothers and their children. Notably, she was a Mexican Folkloric Dancer for this organization for 15 years and a volunteer for their fundraising events. 

The Chicago neighborhood Janet grew up in was West Town and she lived in a very small two-bedroom apartment, but was forced to move away due to gentrification. For the last seven years Janet has lived on the Northwest side of Chicago with her family and two pet fish. In her free time, Janet enjoys going for walks in different forest preserves and hiking in national parks with her boyfriend. She partakes in many hobbies, such as crocheting (mainly amigurumi), photography, wood-burning, painting, card-making, sewing, and more.

Education

B.A. and Professional Educator License in the Teaching of Spanish, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)

Why Roycemore?

I was instantly interested in Roycemore because of its diverse community. I believe that having a more diverse community greatly benefits all students since it better prepares them to develop cultural competence, which is essential for the globalized world we live in. Also, I appreciate that the classes are small at Roycemore because this better ensures that each student gets the attention they need and creates a more rich learning environment.

Favorite Book

One of my favorite books is No Somos de Aquí by Jenny Torres Sanchez.

Alex has loved stories and history for as long as he can remember. He developed both of his passions as an undergrad, studying Theater and Archaeology. He spent two summers on archaeological digs before moving to Chicago after graduation. While tentatively pursuing an acting career, he simultaneously cultivated a love of education while working for the Museum of Science and Industry and the Chicago Park District. Eventually leaving the stage behind, he went on to focus on informal education with Chicago area startups and the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Alex was drawn to Roycemore by the school's emphasis on the whole student and focus on community, and found his way there after finishing his master's degree. A self described “earthy nerd,” Alex can usually be found with his nose in a book, playing video, board, or tabletop games, or daydreaming about spending more time outdoors.

Education

M.S.Ed., Northwestern University
B.A. in Ancient Civilizations and Theatre, University of Iowa

Favorite Book

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

Favorite Quote

"Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt." - John Muir

Why Roycemore?

Roycemore aligns with my belief that most of our learning comes informally — when we learn how to ask questions of our own, rather than answer questions from someone else. What we discover about ourselves and our place in the world will stay with us our whole lives — certainly longer than most of us will remember specific names or dates.