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.

Johan teaches Spanish and Latin American Literature at Northwestern University and has also taught Spanish at Boston University. His interests are contemporary literature, poetry, Latin American revolutions, and political philosophy.

Education

Ph.D., Spanish and Portuguese, Northwestern University. Master’s degree in Hispanic and Latin American Literature, Boston University. Master Degree in Latin American Literature, Universidad Simón Bolívar. Summer Session of The School of Criticism and Theory, Cornell University

Favorite Quote

“I have made a ceaseless effort not to ridicule, not to bewail, not to scorn human actions, but to understand them.”
― Baruch Spinoza

Why Roycemore?

From my first day at Roycemore, I realized that this school is a great community to learn the art of teaching. I am very excited to help students in their learning of Spanish language and culture!

Yesenia currently works in the Pre-K classroom at Roycemore, and has experience working with children in Pre-K through Eighth Grade. In her free time, Yesenia enjoys spending time with her family and dog Levi and traveling to Mexico to spend time with her extended family. She is looking forward to continuing her career journey at Roycemore.

Education

AAS in Preschool Education, Malcom X. College

Favorite Quote

“Life is too short to do the things you don't love doing.”


Why Roycemore?

Roycemore is a school where staff have a commitment to provide quality education. The staff and children are so kind.

Originally from Washington D.C., Moira first moved to the Chicago area to attend Northwestern University, where she earned a B.A. in History and a Minor in International Studies. She returned to Northwestern for her M.S. in Education and has taught as a middle and high school Social Studies teacher since, mostly focusing on World History and Global Studies courses. Moira lives in the Fulton Market neighborhood of Chicago with her husband. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, golfing in the summer, skiing (poorly!) in the winter, and volunteering at PAWS. A former collegiate cross-country and track athlete, Moira still enjoys running on the lakefront and hopes to run all the World Marathon Majors someday.

Education

Northwestern University - B.A. in History; M.S. in Education

Favorite Quote:

"Do not worry about being the best; worry about being the best at getting better." -Brad Stulberg

Why Roycemore?

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.

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 has served as the Director of Development for Roycemore since April of 2017, however, she has been in the profession since 2000. Philanthropy has always been a part of her life. Beginning in childhood when volunteering for organizations her parents belonged to, she jokes that she has a Ph.D. in envelope stuffing. Sara moved to Chicago from Colorado with her husband, Erik to pursue a career in theatre, specifically as a playwright. Over the years several of her plays have been produced in Chicago, New York, Denver, on a Zuni Reservation in Arizona, and 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 serves as the Service Unit Manager for the Girl Scouts in her area and has led troops since 2011.

Sara is the Alumni Liason for Roycemore School, saying “One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is talking with and getting to know alumni the 40s to the most recent grads. They all say basically the same thing - Roycemore is a life-changing experience. I intend to continue that work with my colleagues.”

Sara also shares the responsibility of the Yearbook with a fellow educator, Charlotte Freccia, and in 2021 reignited Roycemore’s Literary Magazine to showcase creative works. After many years of creating Annual Reports for various organizations, she matches these skills to the yearbook process and helps students understand the power of print, and telling a good story.

“In the end, my work is all about telling stories and ensuring that the foundation for those experiences is secure”

Education

B.A. in Speech Communications, Metropolitan State University

Favorite Quote

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms…" - Henry David Thoreau

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 MA 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

MA 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.