As an artist, educator, and passionate advocate for children and social justice, Lizanne is deeply committed to fostering the growth of the children’s role as collaborators in their education. She has seen children discover their voices through Drama.

She grew up in LaGrange, Illinois, and started drama class at age 9 when her mom put her in LaGrange Children’s Theatre. She went on to work with transformative teachers in high school, then continued her theatre studies while majoring in English Literature at Washington University in St. Louis. She received her MFA in Acting from the University of Minnesota –Twin Cities. She worked as a professional actor for years in both the Twin Cities and Chicago. Favorite roles include Lemon in Aunt Dan and Lemon, Sophie Tucker in Bubblin Brown Sugar, and a tour of the US with the Illusion Theatre, where she worked with playwright and director Steven Dietz. Shortly after finishing graduate school, she was invited to join The Children’s Theatre Company’s Acting Company in Minneapolis where she created many roles and had the treat of working with Tomie dePaola on his two original Strega Nona musicals. It still makes her smile to think about working with the amazing author who called her “My Calabrese Leslie Gore. ” At CTC, she was appointed as Director of the Apprentice Program and a member of the Acting Company. At CTC, Lizanne played featured roles in mainstage productions and redesigned and taught master classes for the Performing Apprentice Program for young adult artists. She also directed Apprentice Company shows including David Mamet’s Writing in Restaurants and A Kurt Weil Musical Revue.

In Chicago, she had the pleasure of working for Miss Ardis Krainik when she appeared as Ida in Die Fledermaus at Lyric Opera of Chicago, conducted by Julius Rudel. In Chicago, her experience includes roles at Drury Lane, New Tuners Theatre, and Footsteps, and collaboratively writing and devising the play A Few Simple Truths, directed by Michael Gellman at the Organic Theatre. For 24 years, she was the Drama Specialist at Baker Demonstration School in Wilmette, Illinois where she developed and taught a comprehensive Drama program. Her experience as a teacher often calls upon her to design drama and arts programs for specific communities of learners.

Collaborating with the Roycemore Humanities and Fine Arts teachers, exploring Moliere's comedy with our advanced French students, and directing the upper school musical provide exciting opportunities to expand and deepen the drama curriculum at Roycemore. Lizanne was honored to be asked to serve on the committee to develop recommendations for the new mission and vision. Social justice is a vital part of her work and she also is part of the Faculty DEI committee.

She enjoys writing and working with teachers to integrate arts into the curriculum. She loves to travel and read and practice Iyengar Yoga. She is the mother of two daughters and is married to theatre planner and theatrical lighting designer, Todd Hensley.

Middle school students are some of her favorite people, and she is delighted to work with the welcoming community of families, students, staff, and faculty at Roycemore School.

Education

MFA in Acting, University of Minnesota

A.B. in English Literature, Washington University

Publications

Wilson, Lizanne, Gokce, Diana and O’Brien, Dana. A Learning Odyssey: Artistic Collaboration Around a Greek Myth. Schools: Studies in Education, October 2012. Journal article.

Wilson, Lizanne and McKenna, Kathleen. Multiple Intelligences: From Theory to Practice. Multiple Intelligences and Shakespeare: Sixth Graders Unlock Romeo and Juliet. International Association of Laboratory and University Affiliated Schools. The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. (2008) Monograph.

Wilson, Lizanne. “A Story Without Words.” The Storytelling Classroom: Applications Across the Curriculum Ed. Norfolk, Sherry, Jane Stenson and Diane Williams. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, 2006. p.102-106. Book.

Wilson, Lizanne (March 2004) Old Friends. Broadcast on Mombo, A radio show syndicated through Pacifica Radio Network. Radio Broadcast.

Wilson, Lizanne (May 2004) Hats. Broadcast on Mombo, A radio show syndicated through Pacifica Radio Network. Radio Broadcast.

Wilson, Lizanne. (February 2002) We Have a Scene to Do Ms. Wilson: Drama in the Classroom. Followspot, Illinois Theatre Association Journal.

Wilson, Lizanne. (November 2000) How to Gather A Story. Followspot, The Illinois Theatre Association Journal.

Wilson, Lizanne. (May 1999) A Year of Movement. Followspot, The Illinois Theatre Association Journal.

Favorite Quote

“The arts, it has been said, cannot change the world, but they may change human beings who might change the world.” - Maxine Greene

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

Children are astonishing and hilarious, and they do amazing work. Theatre is both fun and transformative. Every day is new and full of possibilities when I walk into the classroom to begin our class together.

Why Roycemore?

From the moment I entered the school, I experienced Roycemore’s community spirit. I relish any opportunity to collaborate and innovate within a vibrant learning community. I jumped at the challenge of creating something brand-new for Roycemore middle school. I am excited by the diversity within the Roycemore community and the opportunities for growth: to explore with my middle school drama students and to challenge myself as a teaching artist.

Margarita Stoimenova has been an educator since 2018. She spent two years in Bush Alaska in Yu’pik Eskimo village and two years teaching high school in Columbus Ohio. She has experience teaching every grade from K-12, across multiple different settings.

Margarita is a first-generation American from Bulgaria, making English her second language. She has a passion for exploring and trying new things and truly enjoys things that are different from her norm. She looks forward to getting to know the students and families at Roycemore.

Education

B.A. in K-12 Intervention, Kent State University

Favorite Quote

"No Is You And That Is Your Power" - Dave Grohl

Why Roycemore?

Roycemore is a top pick for me due to the academic approach that the school as a whole takes. Everything is truly thought through a student-first lens, which is shown throughout all the decisions made within the school. The smaller size of Roycemore allows for more individualized instruction not just for a handful of students but for all, each student truly is getting what they need.

Marge has had a career as a business professional in the experimental aircraft field with years of customer service, management, and marketing experience. She has also taught ESL to children and adults while living in Mexico.

Marie Cinquemani Thomas has taught music in the Chicagoland area for over 20 years at both the Middle School and Upper School levels. Her teaching is focused on exposing students to a wide variety of music genres and experiences. She will be working with grades 7-12 both in the classroom and on stage.

Education

B.M. in Jazz Studies, De Paul University

Favorite Quote

“Music can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable.” – Leonard Bernstein

Why Roycemore?

I am excited to join a community that is focused on helping students to grow. This growth mindset is important to me as a teacher and a lifelong learner.

Ms. St Amand is a graduate of John Carroll University with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and History and is a licensed educator in Adolescent Young Adult Integrated Social Studies. She recently graduated with a Master of Education at Loyola University of Chicago, while teaching through the LU CHOICE program. Outside of school, she is passionate about sports and coaching.

Education

M.Ed., Loyola University Chicago

B.A. in Education and History, John Carroll University

Favorite Quote

“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.”

Why Roycemore?

I am so excited to join the Roycemore family because of the culture of caring that is clear in the building. Relationships are at the center of learning. Each student is valued as a human and learner- this is something I value myself and am thrilled to be a part of.

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.

Matt began teaching in 2019, and 2022 is his first year at Roycemore. Previously, he taught sixth-grade science at Drauden Point Middle School in Plainfield, IL. At Drauden, I taught chemistry and physics and was an assistant coach for Cross Country and Track and Field.

Education

B.A. in Middle Level Education, Illinois State University

Favorite Quote

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." - Martin Luther King Jr.

Why Roycemore?

Roycemore's values and philosophies align with mine and are something that I am very passionate about. I aim to teach through inquiry and engagement where students can show their creativity and learn in many ways. Roycemore's partnership with Northwestern is a wonderful opportunity for students to explore the world to bring relevant topics into the classroom.

Mauricio has been running the college counseling program at Roycemore since 2020. Since coming to the school, he has transformed the college counseling process at Roycemore into a more personalized approach through his individual meetings with students of all grade levels. His driving passion is improving college access opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Mauricio promotes post-secondary success by helping students identify how their academic strengths and passions translate into college ambitions. His approach to counseling work is a holistic one, as he employs advising and counseling practices that are both academically sound and empathetic to students’ many different needs.

Mauricio embraces the multifaceted nature of college counseling. He enjoys working with students on a wide variety of topics such as finding good college matches, navigating the complexities of the financial aid process, drafting personal statements, and helping students prepare for interviews. More than anything, Mauricio believes in encouraging students to self-advocate and take ownership of their academic experiences by making choices to pursue genuine personal interests throughout high school.

Education

M.Ed., Harvard University

B.S. in Molecular Biology, Yale University

Favorite Quote

“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.” - Rainer Maria Rilke

Why Roycemore?

College counseling is a field that ideally requires a lot of individualized attention. When I saw the small and intimate environment that Roycemore has and learned about the school’s emphasis on authenticity, I thought I had found the perfect working environment to help nurture students’ personal passions through their college application process.

Growing up in a family of educators and school professionals, Morgan learned the value of education from a young age. As she pursued her own education and discovered her love for communication, a career in school communications became a dream that combined both her passion and skills.

Morgan went on to study Public Relations, while also taking classes in Education and Spanish. She previously served as a Communications Specialist at a school district in Iowa before moving to Chicago.

In her free time, Morgan enjoys staying active on the Lakeshore Trail, exploring local restaurants and events, working on DIY projects, and spending time with friends and family.

It is Morgan’s goal to share the unique and high-quality opportunities that Roycemore has to offer, in order to make a lasting impact on the students we serve.

Education

B.A. in Public Relations with minors in Youth Studies and Spanish, Drake University

Favorite Quote

“Education is the point at which we decide whether we love the world enough to assume responsibility for it and by the same token save it from that ruin which, except for renewal, except for the coming of the new and young, would be inevitable… And education, too, is where we decide whether we love our children enough not to expel them from our world and leave them to their own devices, nor to strike from their hands their chance of undertaking something new, something unforeseen by us, but to prepare them in advance for the task of renewing the common world.” - Hannah Arendt

Nicole comes to Roycemore from Virginia where she was an assistant in the Fairfax County Schools working with Special Education students. Nicole also taught an entrepreneurship class to young children ages, five to nine years of age.

Favorite Quote

“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney

Why do you teach?

To make a difference and help students realize their potential.

Why Roycemore?

Because of its small size and the opportunity it allows to really connect with a student and be able to give them the attention needed

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.