Ellen was born and raised in the Chicagoland suburbs. She's always had great math teachers who have fostered her abilities and interest in math. While completing her master's, she worked in the tutoring center at Loyola and that's when she realized that teaching math was the path for her. Since earning her degree, she has been teaching higher education for the last 14 years, from Pre-algebra to Differential Equations and everything in between. Showing the connections and relevance of math in daily life are some of the most important lessons a student can learn.

Education

B.S. in Mathematics with a minor in Physics, Lewis University
M.S. in Mathematics, Loyola University

Why Roycemore?

Attending Lewis University is what led me on my path, so I've always been drawn to and appreciated smaller schools. A sense of community and belonging make all the difference to students!

Favorite Quote

"You are good enough to be everything you want to be." - New Girl

Pooja has been an early childhood educator for the last 15 years and has taught in India and Canada. She says: "Education happened to me accidentally and it is the best thing to happen to me!" Pooja was born in India and raised in Malaysia, India, and Canada. Her educational philosophies lay in land-based teachings and culturally relevant and responsive practices, and she is deeply inspired by the ideologies of the Reggio Emilia schools in Italy.

Pooja is a believer in working and learning alongside children, families, and educators to bring forth the ideas that children are capable and curious. Children are citizens in their own right and it is the teacher's responsibility, through pedagogical documentation and building long-lasting trusting relationships with local and global communities, to share this view of children and childhood.

Pooja is passionate about outdoor learning and connecting to the Land in respectful ways to honour the many ways that children communicate with all our kin. When Pooja is not immersed in educational research, she has a plethora of side projects that fill her cup — lifelong learning is truly an attitude she embraces!

Education

B.A. in Communication from Bangalore University
PG Diploma in Early Childhood Education from Algonquin College, Ottawa, Canada
M.A. in Innovative Early Childhood Education from the University of Colorado Denver

Favorite Quote

I find the quotes that inspire me change as I change, so this is one that currently speaks to me — just where I am and what is happening in the world:

“Everything is on fire,
but everyone I love is doing beautiful things
and trying to make life worth living,
and I know I don’t have to believe in everything,
but I believe in that.”
- Nikita Gill

Why Roycemore?

Roycemore's values of compassion, innovation, and citizenry resonate with my own values of how children are part of our society. Leading with love and empathy builds citizens who care for our world and this will truly change the trajectory of our relationship with the Land. Being open-minded and responsive to the voices of the community members is something I cherish, and in my conversations with Chris and Darcy, they echoed these sentiments from the start — representing the school as valued members. In my decision to join Roycemore, I felt it important that every child and member of the school is valued for their uniqueness and the many joys they bring with them. Celebrating the diversity in the many ways that we show up, not just as individuals, but collectively as a community, is something that aligns with my own views of our communities.

Dan teaches Science and STEM classes for the Upper School at Roycemore. Dan has conducted research in biomechanics around the world including as a professor at Virginia Tech. Prior to teaching at Roycemore, he taught Physics at North Cross School in Roanoke, Virginia. When not at school, Dan enjoys spending time with his family, walking his greyhounds, and playing cello.

Education

Ph.D. in Biology, University of California, Berkeley
B.A. in Biology, University of Chicago

Favorite Quote

“We are stardust brought to life, then empowered by the universe to figure itself out — and we have only just begun.” - Neil deGrasse Tyson

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

The world is a mysterious and awe-inspiring place. The fact that we can understand and predict so much of what happens around us is remarkable when you stop to think about it. As Douglas Adams wrote in The Salmon of Doubt, “I’d take the awe of understanding over the awe of ignorance any day.” I hope that students who leave my classroom have the awe of understanding, understand where they are ignorant and are hungry to fill in the gaps.

Why Roycemore?

Roycemore fosters a community where students (and faculty) can grow their knowledge while being themselves. Our small size allows me to get to know the students and individualize my teaching to help them develop as critical thinkers.

Matt has taught in four US states and overseas in Japan at the Middle School, Upper School, community college, and university levels. Holding Masters degrees in both English and Communication from Northern Illinois University, he has taught courses in English literature, ESL, Photoshop, Web design, print design, digital video, digital audio, rhetoric and composition, AP English Language and Composition, public speaking, communication theory, and film theory. Matt is interested in Ultimate disc sports, scale modeling, podcasting, and Japanese language study.

Education

M.A. English, Northern Illinois University 2001
M.A. Communication, Northern Illinois University 2004

Favorite Quote

"If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, then you can only think what everyone else is thinking" — Murakami Haruki

Why Roycemore?

The mission and vision of Roycemore is tempered with my own personal values in balance - academic achievement, social respect, and responsibility. I'm excited to participate in and learn from the Roycemore Community. I was also eager to return to Illinois after so much time away, and to rediscover the diverse community offered by Chicagoland with my wife and son.

Chris English has over two decades of experience as a creative, solution-oriented, educational leader with a keen focus on effective classroom practice and student-centered learning. He has guided educational philosophy, brought new programs to fruition, developed alternative revenue, overseen expansion, led strategic planning, led accreditation, housed international students, and taught in classrooms, deserts, mountain tops, and rivers.

Chris and his wife, Lori, are parents to twin daughters. Lori and Chris enjoy home-renovation projects, historic houses and architecture, card games, movies, beaches, and discovering local art, music, and cuisine. Chris spends his downtime singing with his guitar or ukulele, or when he needs to be quiet, he settles in with a good book or TV show.

Education

M.A. in Technical and Professional Communication, East Carolina University
B.A. in Creative Writing, East Carolina University

Favorite Quote

“What’s another word for Thesaurus?” – Steven Wright

Why Roycemore?

When describing what I was looking for in a school, the person I was talking to leaned forward and said, “It sounds like you’re talking about Roycemore.”

Ms. Dawn is an experienced early childhood educator. She loves working with children because it keeps her young. She enjoys watching students grow throughout the school year.

Education

AAS in Early Childhood Education, Level 4 Credentials, Paraprofessional Licensure

Favorite Quote

“Opportunities don't happen, you create them.” — Chris Grosse

Why Roycemore?

I love the diverse atmosphere!

Tyler is a graduate of Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. He has been teaching since 2013, including teaching in his hometown of Rantoul, Illinois as well as a couple of Chicago suburbs, Chicago’s Southside, and he also had the pleasure of teaching a variety of subjects in a school 25 miles out of London, England. He believes that his previous experiences set him up for success at Roycemore, and he looks forward to continuing to grow as an educator in Evanston. His hobbies include drumming, football, and TRAVEL!

He believes that PE should be the most fun lesson of the day for all of his students. He wants them to look forward to coming to a class where they can express themselves and build relationships every single day. Being fun, having integrity, and using creativity drive his passion for physical education, and these valuable pieces of the puzzle will be his foundation for providing the most well-rounded and engaging curriculum that he can to all of Roycemore’s students.

Education

B.S., Millikin University

Why Roycemore?

My goal is to set roots down in a community and be able to develop strong and trusting relationships with every student that I teach.

Favorite Quote

“Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.” – Anne Sweeney

Mohan is an educator and multi-disciplinary artist from Toronto, Canada. He studied Mathematical Sciences at Middlebury College in Vermont, earned a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from The Ohio State University and is currently working towards a Masters in Secondary Education at DePaul. He is passionate about integrating mathematics within the broader secondary school curriculum, emphasizing math as a tool for modeling real world phenomena. He aims to cultivate creative thinking, curiosity and problem solving over the traditional pillars of memorization and repetition. In particular, he is fond of student-lead and inquiry-based learning--hoping his students will be motivated by provocative, intrinsically meaningful questions about their world.

When he isn't teaching, Mohan is a husband, father, published writer and audio storyteller, musician and avid chess player.

Education

B.A. in Mathematics, Middlebury College
M.F.A. in Creative Writing, The Ohio State University
M.A. in Secondary Education, DePaul University (currently pursuing)

Favorite Quote

"That's the way it crumbles...cookie-wise."

Why Roycemore?

I was attracted to Roycemore because of the diverse student body. Roycemore is striving to innovate, especially in math, where the roles of empathy, intuition and emotion have been historically neglected. I am excited to learn from the students and faculty at Roycemore, and hopefully teach math in a deeply human way.

Ms. Fleming is so excited to be joining the amazing Roycemore community this fall. She is coming from Columbus, Ohio, where she previously taught looping 3rd and 4th grade in a progressive, student-centered environment. She loves cultivating a classroom family where all students feel safe, heard, and excited to learn every day. She is especially passionate about hands-on learning, building strong relationships, and guiding her students to grow into confident, curious thinkers.

When she's not teaching, Ms. Fleming is at the lake going on walks, reading with her cats, exploring new record stores, and experimenting in the kitchen. She cannot wait to meet our community soon and have a fantastic year together!

Education

B.A. in Elementary Education and Psychology, Wake Forest University
M.S. in Curriculum and Design, Western Governor's University

Favorite Quote

My favorite quote comes from a painting my mom gave me when I was little: "If you're handed it, you can handle it."

Why Roycemore?

I chose Roycemore because it’s a place where creativity, curiosity, and individuality are valued at its core. Roycemore’s progressive approach and strong sense of community align with everything I believe great teaching should be. I’m honored to join this school community!

Rishi is an educator who has spent time teaching in Boston, Chicago, and Miami before arriving to the Roycemore community. He grew up in the Boston area where he began teaching music classes over the summer, a job he continues to return to after each school year. Once he graduated from Northwestern University, he moved to the city to substitute teach at several charter schools in the area, before moving to Miami, FL a year later to teach upper school microeconomics. He made the great decision to move back to Chicago, and when he is not teaching at Roycemore, he is pursuing a master's degree in secondary education from Northwestern.

As a teacher, Rishi is so excited to empower students to take control of their own learning by exploring themes they're passionate about and developing critical skills that will help them beyond the classroom's walls. He is so excited to see all the amazing work his students will achieve and the growth they will demonstrate over the course of the year!

Outside the classroom, Rishi loves rollerblading, playing the trombone, and watching baseball games (go Red Sox!).

Education

B.A. in History and Economics, Northwestern University

Favorite Book

"The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster

Why Roycemore?

Roycemore's community is so supportive of each other and accepting of everyone. From students to staff to parents, everyone is pulling in the same direction with the goal of helping develop empathetic, passionate, and empowered young citizens. From my first day, I fell in love with the small, tight-knit school environment and I am so excited to meet more Griffins and get more involved in this wonderful space.

Hilda became Roycemore's librarian in 2019. She had become familiar with our education and community when her daughter, Alanis, attended and graduated in 2018. Hilda has been in the Chicagoland area her whole life, growing up in the Uptown area where she was always visiting her local branch of the city library. It was there that she developed a love for reading and a desire to pursue a degree in literature.

Hilda put herself through school and earned her B.A. in English Literature at Northeastern Illinois University in 2013 and her Master's Degree in Library Science from UW-Milwaukee in 2020. Before joining our staff, Hilda was a library assistant in the children's department at both Oak Park and Evanston Public Library. Hilda is passionate about diversifying the library's collection, reading to the students, bringing authors in, and offering Battle of the Books and other reading programs to both Lower and Middle School students. Hilda's voice and perspective on diversity and mental health have been a welcome contribution to the school community, as she has sponsored our Diversity Club in the Upper School and co-sponsored our Teen Empowerment Group in the Upper School.

"Ms. Hilda" is loved by students young and old for her library skills and her ability to appreciate and validate every student who enters her door. In her free time, Ms. Hilda enjoys finding gems for the library, watching movies, and connecting with friends and family.

Education

MLIS, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
B.A. in English Literature, Northeastern Illinois University

Favorite Quote

“The only thing stronger than fear is hope.”

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

I chose children’s librarianship because I feel it’s the area where I can make the greatest impact on children’s lives. To put the right book, in the right hands, at the right time is, I feel, one of the most important things one can do for a child.

Why Roycemore?

Roycemore has given my daughter opportunities neither of us could have imagined and welcomed us into their family. I hope to support Roycemore’s mission as a faculty member and help students and families in similar ways that my daughter and I have been supported in the past.

Maggi is so excited to be joining the Roycemore community as a 1st grade teacher! Previously, she taught 1st grade at the Latin School of Chicago. Last school year, Maggi earned her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. Her early teaching career began in theatre and art education (K–12), and she loves that she still incorporates many of the creative skills from the arts in her classroom.

Maggi is especially interested in social-emotional learning and really enjoys connecting with others. Outside of teaching, she likes to camp, go to concerts, and spend time with her animals and friends. She can’t wait for an amazing school year together!

Education

M.A.T. in Elementary Education, National Louis University
B.A. in Theatre Ed, Columbia College Chicago

Favorite Book

Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen (favorite classroom book) and Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed (favorite book, currently).

Why Roycemore?

I love Roycemore’s commitment to the whole child and creating a personalized and inclusive learning environment for all. The emphasis on creativity, community, and student-centered learning is uplifting and inspiring! I’m so excited to be part of such a strong community.