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.

Vicky has worked as a finance and operations specialist in the not-for-profit sector for nearly all of her career. After more than 25 years in financial management and business process improvement areas at Northwestern University, she joined Roycemore School in August of 2017. As a born and bred mid-westerner, Vicky is a fan of Big 10 football and national league baseball. Her love of international cuisines takes her to restaurants all over the city. She loves to cook and to read – a perfect pot of chili and a great murder mystery book is her idea of the best way to spend a cold rainy day. Vicky’s office is located in the main administrative suite. Just look for the giant Chewbacca cutout!

Education

Music Education/Theater, Bethel College
Biblical Studies, Chicago Bible Institute

Favorite Quote

“My blood type is Starbucks.”

Why Roycemore?

There is magic here – every day and everywhere.

Ashley Quire is a Chicago native and Evanston resident. She attended Marquette University where she received a BA in Psychology. Ashley has a strong recruiting background over 10 years including campus recruiting for a Fortune 100 company and college admissions for various colleges including Loyola Marymount University, Otis College of Art and Design, and Northwestern University. She lives with her children, Roycemore students, Selvin III and Melanie, and her husband Selvin. Together they co-run a student success nonprofit.

Education

B.A. in Psychology, Marquette University

Favorite Quote

"Anything you can imagine, you can create." - Oprah Winfrey

Why Roycemore?

Roycemore has been such a wonderful home and community for my daughter (6th grade). After experiencing Roycemore as a parent and volunteer, I'm excited to continue to work with such a great group of professionals and students who are truly masters of their fields and the future innovative leaders of tomorrow.

Karen began her work at Roycemore in 1993 as a sub for Upper School Learning Specialist. The following year she took on the position full-time and currently teaches both Modern European History and AP Euro, in addition to serving as the Upper School Learning Specialist. Over the years, Karen has served the school in the classroom by teaching Service Learning, Topics in African-American History, Foundations of English, and served as a faculty advisor to many Independent studies over the years. In addition to her current role as the faculty advisor of the National Honor Society, she has organized Community Service opportunities for the school, sponsored Yearbook, and currently helps coordinate and support Upper School Student Activities.

Karen has always been drawn to teaching. She supported ELL during her high school years before earning an undergraduate degree in History and Secondary Education. In addition, Karen has earned a Master's in Education in Special Education and has pursued additional graduate work in Educational Therapy and Neurodiverse students with ADHD and ASD. Karen has continued her lifelong learning with professional development in Executive Functioning, ADHD, Mental Health and Education, and most recently teaching and assessing Online Learning. These educational opportunities have been in response to students that Karen has worked with and she continues to search out professional development to meet the ever-changing needs of her students. Karen feels very strongly about helping each student reach their potential as a student and person.

In her free time, Karen has always enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and in Europe, volunteering, and crafting. Over the years, Karen has taken her personal passions of service and traveling and has provided students with opportunities to do both. Karen has been married for 10 years, and she and her husband live with their three Schnauzers, Max, Grace, and Bella in Gurnee. When she is not unwinding, she is busy connecting with her former students and colleagues.

Education

M.Ed., National Louis University & Educational Therapy Institute
B.A., Cornell College

Fun Fact

I am a two-Time All-American Shotputter for Division III Athletics.

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

I teach because I love learning and feel that I can share this with students, as well as help them gain knowledge, learn about themselves, and become great human beings.

Why Roycemore?

I chose Roycemore because I feel it is important to get to know students in order to customize my teaching style to maximize their learning and Roycemore with its small classroom and community gives me this opportunity. Students, teachers, and families work closely in partnership to make this happen.

Marysue Redmann has been a professional musician and teacher all of her adult life and is thrilled to be part of the Roycemore community.

She loves teaching music because it encompasses so many things: Music is a science, music is math, music is history, music is physical coordination, music is a “foreign” language, and most of all, music is art. Marysue is passionate about how studying music opens pathways to creativity and provides so many opportunities to learn how to learn.

Marysue’s hobbies outside of music are travel, learning foreign languages and about foreign cultures, and anything to do with neuroscience, neuroplasticity, and the brain.

Education

M.A. in Harp Performance, Northwestern University
B.A. in Music, Dance & Theater, University of Illinois

Favorite Quote

"This is why I teach music: Not because I expect you to become a musician. Not because you want to play the violin all your life. Not so you can relax or have fun. But so you will recognize beauty. So you will be sensitive. So you will be close to an infinite beyond this world. I want you to learn to never give up when you encounter difficulty and I want you to know the music you produce is one of a kind because you are a very special person. My children, when you are ready, go out into the world and embrace your dreams!" - Yuko Honda

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

I love sharing the gift of music and movement with children and helping them to develop their creativity and a lifelong curiosity for learning and exploring their world.

Why Roycemore?

What I admire most about Roycemore is the sense of community and the personalized approach to education. Roycemore celebrates what makes each student unique and provides a wide variety of creative opportunities and approaches to help each student develop to their fullest potential.

Amanda is the 3rd grade teacher at Roycemore School. She grew up in Highland Park, graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, and now lives in Chicago. In 2017, she obtained her ESL endorsement from National Louis University and is currently pursuing her Masters in Education. With experience teaching multiple grades of elementary school, Amanda understands how to create a curriculum that is both engaging and developmental. She helps ensure her students are inspired and challenged in a supportive classroom environment through individualized guidance. As the daughter of a teacher, Amanda always knew she wanted to take her creativity to elementary education. One of Amanda's passions is art. She uses art to enrich the minds of her students and enable each and every one of them to express themselves in a creative and innovative way. In her free time, Amanda enjoys exercising, exploring the city with her friends and family, and baking.

Education

M.Ed. in ESL and Curriculum & Instruction, National Louis University (In Progress)
B.S. in Elementary Education, Indiana University Bloomington
ESL Endorsement, National Louis University

Favorite Quote

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." - Albert Einstein

"A well-educated mind will always have more questions than answers." - Helen Keller

Why Roycemore?

Roycemore's vision aligns with my teaching philosophy, as I resonate with John Dewey's progressive teaching philosophy. Each student is at the center of their learning and cared for by their teachers. Roycemore is a warm, supportive, and diverse community, that I am excited to be a part of.

For over a decade, Eliese has worked in outdoor, STEM, and environmental education, specializing in training fellow educators and curriculum development. She worked throughout the Southeast US (and one summer in Alaska), leading diverse teams, creating engaging educational activities, and developing training materials. Holding degrees in Wildlife Biology and Ecology, if you have questions about wildlife, conservation, or how to pepper-spray an aggressive moose, she’s got answers.

Eliese writes, crochets, and plans elaborate multi-course meals she and her husband make and enjoy together in her spare time. She also loves exploring diverse cultures and the many museums of the Chicago area.

Education

B.S. in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, North Carolina State University
M.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arkansas

Favorite Quote

"Imagine that every man's mind is an island, surrounded by ocean. Each seems isolated, yet in reality, all are linked by the bedrock from which they spring." - Arthur C. Clarke

Why Roycemore?

I love Roycemore's focus on the holistic growth of students, not only as scholars but as thoughtful members of our community.

Hannah was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area (but grew up a Chicago sports fan — her dad is a South Sider!). After spending four years on the east coast studying English, marketing, and journalism at Boston College, she moved back home to Northern California and worked on the Development teams at the Seven Hills School in Walnut Creek, CA, and the College Preparatory School in Oakland, CA. In these roles, she gained valuable experience spanning communications, marketing, development, and admissions, and fell in love with the world of independent schools. She is thrilled to move to Chicago and join Roycemore’s amazing community, and can’t wait to showcase the wonderful work of its students and educators through the school’s communications initiatives.

In her free time, Hannah enjoys reading, running, fantasy football, trying new coffee shops and restaurants, and spending time with her dog, Izzy.

Education

B.A. in English with minors in Marketing and Journalism, Boston College

Why Roycemore?

I was especially drawn to Roycemore’s small, tight-knit, inclusive community and its mission to guide students to find their passions and establish their own unique identities in the world. I can’t wait to watch the students grow as they journey from Early Childhood all the way through Upper School.

Jorge Sánchez has been teaching English, humanities, and public speaking for over two decades at a variety of schools. Most recently, he taught at Elgin Academy in Elgin, IL. In addition to teaching, he is passionate about academic competitions and hopes to bring the fun and challenge of quizbowl and similar activities to Roycemore. When not teaching, he can be found writing poetry, watching movies, learning Talmud, kayaking, or long-distance backpacking.

Education

M.A. in Divinity, University of Chicago
M.F.A. in English and Creative Writing, University of Michigan Ann Arbor
B.A. Honors in English and Philosophy, Loyola University Chicago

Why Roycemore?

I have taught at several institutions of varying sizes and missions during my teaching career, but the institutions that serve students and families best are those that are student-centered and allow for community members to really get to know each other. Roycemore is a perfect example of that kind of school.

Favorite Quote

This is a hard one. Perhaps a paraphrase of Camus: "The struggle to the heights is enough to fill one's heart."

Jamie is starting her 17th year of teaching middle school! Her career began in Crystal Lake teaching 8th grade science. Jamie has spent the past 11 years at the Frances Xavier Warde School teaching math, science, and small group support. Jamie loves teaching middle school and has such wonderful memories from her middle school years.

Education

M.Ed. in Leadership and Administration, St. Xavier University
B.S. in Elementary Education, Bradley University

Why Roycemore?

Roycemore feels like a family! I love the model of small class sizes where true learning and mentoring can occur.

Favorite Book

My favorite book that I read this summer was Lessons in Chemistry.