Reggie is a professional communicator who loves storytelling and connecting people in the digital and physical environment. Growing up in northern Indiana, he attended Ball State University to obtain his degree in marketing. Upon graduation, Reggie had the opportunity to serve as the Leasing and Marketing Director for a student-housing complex for 3 years. There, he was able to gain valuable experience in digital communications and working alongside a passionate, close-knit team. Reggie later jumped at the chance to work for his alma mater as Assistant Director of Digital Engagement where he discovered a passion for working in the educational space. After a recent move to Chicago, Reggie is ecstatic to be joining Roycemore's close-knit community and to work alongside the team to launch responsible citizens, innovative thinkers, and compassionate leaders.

When he is not working, Reggie love spending quality time with friends, riding his bike on the Lakefront Trail, and playing with his two cats, Keefer and Marvin.

Education

B.S. in Marketing, Ball State University

Favorite Quote

"I believe finally, that education must be conceived as a continuing reconstruction of experience; that the process and the goal of education are on in the same thing." - John Dewey

Why Roycemore?

I was immediately drawn to the mission, vision, and core values of Roycemore. I deeply admire the school's approach to education, that allows their students to discover their passions and think without limits. Additionally, I am honored to join an organization with such a rich and deep history.

Ruth is an artist and art teacher. She has been teaching at Roycemore since 2004. In her free time, she enjoys being a potter, practicing yoga, and being a mother to her daughter.

Education

M.A., University of Illinois
B.F.A., Washington University

Fun Fact

I love cats and have three.

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

I teach to share my love of art and to show that anyone can be successful at it. Welcoming art into your life is an experience that can last a lifetime and provide peace, beauty, and a sense of accomplishment.

Why Roycemore?

Roycemore has a loving caring environment where I have the autonomy to create my own art lessons and teach on a team of very dedicated, smart teachers. I feel I am a part of a caring community that supports art.

My 19 years in mental health have taught me about community and relationships. As humans, we are only as healthy as our connections to one another. As I have worked in residential, outpatient, private practice, and in schools, and I’ve discovered the importance of helping people to create and sustain healthy connections. From my beginnings in rural Kentucky, to young adulthood in St. Louis, and now landing in the Chicago area, I’ve learned that the school setting is a great place for me to use all of my skills. I’m honored to serve Roycemore, and I’m excited to join the wonderful works of its team to serve every single grade level!

Education

M.A. in Mental Health Counseling, Eastern Kentucky University

Favorite Book

Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss

Why Roycemore?

Because it really does take a village!

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.

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!

Diana is a dedicated French and Spanish educator with over nine years of experience teaching students from elementary through high school. Diana grew up in London where she attended an all-girls’ independent school and spent her spare time rowing and competing in cross country events. She holds a B.A. in Modern Foreign Languages from the University of Durham, and she has lived and worked abroad in Paris, France, and Valencia, Spain. After University, she spent the summer coaching rowing and discovered a love of teaching which prompted her to obtain her M.A. in Language Education.

Diana started her career teaching French and Spanish at a top independent secondary school in London, where she learned a lot about personalized learning and giving students a well-rounded educational experience. She held teaching roles in both public and private schools in the UK before getting married and relocating to the US in 2022. Her most recent role was at an independent Catholic school in Chicago, where she developed custom French and Spanish curricula to help students test into advanced language tracks and enjoy the process of learning a language at the same time. She has a strong academic foundation, international experience, and a deep commitment to student success.

Diana went on maternity leave at the end of 2024 and, while she has been enjoying time at home with her son since he arrived in January, she is very excited to be getting back in the classroom and she cannot wait to share her love of languages and global cultures with the students at Roycemore!

Education

B.A. in Modern Foreign Languages, Durham University, UK
M.A. in Language Education, Sheffield University, UK
QTS (Qualified Teacher Status), Department for Education, UK

Favorite Quote

“You’ll never plough a field by turning it over in your mind.” - Irish Proverb

Why Roycemore?

Roycemore is a school that teaches students how to think, not what to think, and one of my favorite things about being a teacher is hearing students communicate their own innovative and creative ideas, whether in English or the language I am teaching them! This kind of attitude sets students up for success and I am looking forward to contributing to the school’s mission to inspire students to find their voice and think without limits.

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.

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 and Upper School teams 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 am impressed by the commitment of Roycemore's 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.