Stefanie Rivera originally hails from Austria but has spent most of her life here in the Chicago area. She has an undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University in Connecticut and a Masters in Teaching from National-Louis University here in Illinois. She has been an educator since 2005 and began her career at Roycemore in 2013. Stefanie spent 10 years as a classroom teacher of English and Performing Arts before stepping into her current role as Upper School Division Head. She still loves her classroom teaching experiences and directing the annual spring performance at Roycemore. Before becoming an educator, Stefanie had a career in theatre and still uses those skills on a daily basis. Stefanie lives with her husband, Dale, her two children, Eva-Rae and Lorenzo, and her adorable Shihtzu, Lucy.

Education

M.A.T., National Louis University

B.A., Wesleyan University

Fun Fact

Stefanie loves llamas, cooking, and camping. “There were a lot of them. They all had different haircuts.”

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

I find it incredibly rewarding to see young people achieve. I hope I am successful in students realizing their self-worth, finding their individual voice, and learning the importance of community, leadership, and resilience.

Why Roycemore?

Roycemore is my second home. I have always felt I can be my true self here.

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

BS: Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology (North Carolina State University) and MS: 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.

Sheila is a mother of three children: two girls and 1 boy, who are twelve, nine, and six. She has 20 years of experience in Early Childhood Education and loves working with young children.

Education

M.A. in Early Childhood Education, 04 License, and Early Childhood Special Education endorsement, University of Illinois at Chicago.

Favorite Quote

"Every child is unique"

Why Roycemore?

Because of its integrity and community.

Beth has worked at Roycemore School since 2006, when she joined the faculty as a Technology Coordinator and math teacher. She has taken on several different roles at Roycemore before arriving at the role of Director of Curriculum and Innovation. Previously, she was a high school math teacher in Chicago. Though her title has changed, her commitment to supporting the school’s innovation efforts, helping teachers be the best they can be, and inspiring lifelong learning for all has remained strong. She loves helping teachers learn new things and frequently presents at local, regional, and national conferences. Recent presentation topics include effective professional development, design thinking, and using Google tools in the classroom. She is a Google for Education Certified Trainer and Educator. She lives in Evanston with her daughter. In her spare time, she loves reading, spending time with her family, playing the clarinet, and baking cookies!

Education

M.Ed in Technology in Education, National Louis University

B.S. in Mathematics, University of Illinois

Publications

My website, including my presentations, can be found here: http://lordshutters.weebly.com/.

Favorite Quote

“Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.” - Shel Silverstein

Why Roycemore?

I did not know much about the independent school world when I was job searching in 2006. I came across Roycemore’s website and saw that they had a job opening for a Technology Coordinator. I had been teaching math, and knew I would miss that, so during my interview we worked out that I could serve as Tech Coordinator as well as teach a math class: a great fit for me. I quickly realized that this is what Roycemore is all about. We are an amazing team that works hard to make sure we are a great fit for all our students. Roycemore has gone through many changes since I began there, and I am very excited about what the future holds.

Originally from New England, where most of her extended family still lives, Ashley’s family moved to Florida when she was a young teen. She is the second oldest out of five kids and they grew up in a household where academics and athletics were very important. She received a full athletic scholarship to the University of Wisconsin, where she earned a degree in Sociology. Upon graduation, she worked for CBS Radio and Clear Channel Communications as a Sales Executive. She quickly learned that selling airtime to local businesses was not something she was passionate about.

She went back to school and received her Early Childhood Teaching License from Kendall College. While in school, she started working at Roycemore as the Pre-K Teaching Assistant. This is where she began to fall in love with teaching and working with little kids. After she received her license, she became the Pre-K teacher at Roycemore. She taught Pre-K for three years and is now the Kindergarten teacher.

She currently lives in Skokie with her husband, daughter, and two four-legged friends – Madison and Mr. Boots. She and her husband Jeff have been married for six years. She enjoys spending time with her family, going on long bike rides, cooking and trying new recipes, online shopping, and binge-watching her favorite TV shows.

Education

B.A. in Sociology, University of Wisconsin

Professional Educator Licensure in Early Childhood Education, Kendall College

Favorite Quote

“Be the reason someone smiles today.”

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

Teaching is a personally rewarding profession. It is a great pleasure and privilege to watch my students' personalities grow day by day and see how they develop in their learning. I get to experience things with them for the first time and see the excitement in their eyes. There is never a dull moment and no day is ever the same. It also doesn’t hurt to have summers off!

Why Roycemore?

When I began my teaching career, it began at Roycemore. I knew from day one that something special was happening here. Almost six years later, it still feels that way!

Tina Southerton has been in the Education field since 2002. She lived and grew up in Norridge, IL and currently resides in Des Plaines, IL with her husband and two children, Billy and Allison. They have many pets (1 dog, 2 hamsters, and 2 cats)!

As a family, they enjoy playing board games, riding bikes, swimming, and going to amusement parks. Tina personally enjoys cooking and spending time with family and friends.

Education

B.A. in Elementary Education & Minor in Psychology, Northeastern Illinois University

ESL Endorsement - American College of Education

Favorite Quote

"I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination." - Jimmy Dean

Why Roycemore?

Roycemore fosters a learning environment that encourages students to be themselves and experience personal success. The small class sizes allow teachers to personalize and differentiate instruction according to an individual's academic, social, and emotional needs. Faculty and staff are welcoming and supportive of one another.

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.

Dr. John Trowbridge is the International Family Liaison and Teacher at Roycemore School. He has previously taught Upper School Chinese and Spanish and was a freshman advisor at Maryknoll School in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. In addition, John has taught courses in Asian, Western, and cross-cultural comparative philosophy, as well as traditional Chinese literature at a variety of colleges including Loyola University Chicago, the City Colleges of Chicago, the University of Hawai‘i – West O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Pacific University, and Kapi‘olani Community College. He has also taught Mandarin Chinese to children in grades K-5 at Haha‘ione Elementary School, as well as privately to adults and children of all ages. He has lived in Taiwan and has worked for an international adoption agency supporting families through international adoptions. In addition to Mandarin Chinese, Classical Chinese, and Spanish, John has an extensive background in Ancient Greek. In his spare time, he enjoys philosophizing, learning the guitar, Kenpo Karate, science fiction, and spending time with his four children.

Education

Ph.D. in Philosophy, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa

M.A. in East Asian Languages and Literatures (Chinese), Ohio State University

M.A. in Philosophy, Ohio State University

A.B. in Asian Studies, Washington University

A.B. in Philosophy, Washington University

Publications

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1540-6253.2006.00351.x

Favorite Quote

子曰：「學而不思則罔，思而不學則殆。」

"The Master said, 'If you learn (xue 學) without reflecting (si 思) on what was learned, you will be lost; if you reflect without learning, you will fall into dangerous circumstances.'" - Analects (Lunyu 論語) 2.15

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

I hope to inspire a life-long love of learning and a deep sense of empathetic imagination in my students.

Why Roycemore?

Roycemore, as a small, private school that prides itself on a personal touch in education where students are known and not just numbers in a large bureaucracy, reminds me a great deal of the school I attended from grades 5-12 and I am eager to give back some of what I received in that context of teaching and learning.

Craig Tutt is Roycemore's Athletic Director and and Dean of Students. He began his career in education in 1999 as a Health and PE Teacher and coach in Virginia. He later migrated to the Seattle area where he continued to teach and coach for the Federal Way School District at Lakota Middle School. He later became the Athletic Director, Assistant Principal, and Principal of Lakota Middle School.

Additionally, Craig has served as Assistant Principal of Ogden International School in Chicago and Principal of Springfield Elementary school in his hometown of Luray, VA. Later experiences led Craig to work under the Superintendent as the Executive Director of Equity, Student, and Family success for the Federal Way School District, one of the nation's most diverse school districts.

Craig was a three-sport athlete in high school and college (Basketball, Tennis, and Track) and has coached Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, and Track. In his spare time, Craig enjoys cooking and baking, playing guitar, and always keeps a puzzle in progress on his dining room table

Education

B.A., Bridgewater College

M.A., Marymount University

Favorite Quote

"Don't let today be your best day" - Erin Jones

Why Roycemore?

I chose Roycemore School because it has the family feel that I have grown accustomed to in educational settings. A place where everyone is free to be who they are, supported in their quest for excellence while being challenged to be better individuals.

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.

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