Amy Acri

JK AM (aide)

Education: Stanford University, B.A. in Human Biology, concentration in Childhood Development; Northwestern University, MBA, major in Marketing

Background: Amy began her love of early childhood education while studying child development and teaching at a preschool on the Stanford campus. After a 13-year career as a consultant at Anderson Consulting and marketing role at Grainger, Amy stayed home to raise her triplet daughters, former Willow Wood students. From 2011-2018, Amy taught First Grade and Kindergarten at Hubbard Woods School. She is thrilled to be at Willow Wood and her perfect day starts with a big cup of Starbucks, walk to Tower Road Beach, completing the NY Times crossword puzzle, cooking dinner and Facetiming with her 3 daughters & granddaughter.

Favorite Part of the Job: I really love reading to the children, individually, or in a small group.

Favorite Children’s Book: Good Night Moon and Madeline

Jennifer Beckmann

3 Day 2’s (aide)

Education: William Woods College, B.A. in Fashion Merchandising

Background: Jennifer started her career in retail after college from 1985-1995 and then was a stay at home mom for the past 23 years to her three kids. She volunteered in her children's preschools and began substituting in 2006 at the Winnetka Community Nursery School when her youngest started 1st grade. A perfect day for Jennifer is a sunny, breezy, warm summer day sitting on her dock in Glen Lake (MI) reading a good mystery novel.

Favorite Part of the Job: Getting to interact with the kids and help them master self-help skills.

Favorite Children’s Book: Any Dr. Seuss Book

Kendra Gallagher

4 Day 3s (aide)

Education: University of Colorado, B.A. in Political Science; Northwestern University School of Law, J.D.

Background: Kendra was an attorney for five years and then stayed at home with her 5 children for the past 26 years.  She was an active volunteer in various schools & sports and continues her commitments to several charitable organizations.

Favorite Part of the Job: Laughing, a lot, every single day. So much joy at Willow Wood.

Favorite Children’s Book: Seven Silly Eaters

Catherine Levy

4 Day 3’s

Education: University of Illinois at Chicago, B.A. English, University of Illinois at Chicago, M.Ed in Elementary Education 

Background: After receiving her masters degree in 1989, Catherine worked in ESL in Skokie and then taught 1st and 2nd grade in Evanston for four years. While staying home with her three children (who now all live in Chicago), she served on the PTA, numerous committees and taught/led the nursery and elementary education program at her congregation.

Favorite Part of the Job: I truly enjoy having one on one conversations with my students. Hugs also rank right up there!

Favorite Children’s Book: Rainbow Fish

Jenny Smith

4 Day 3’s

Education: Colgate University, B.A. in Philosophy & Religion. University of Iowa, Master’s Degree in Social Work

Background: Jenny worked for over a decade in healthcare and social work before beginning to teach preschool in Atlanta where she and her husband had their four children.  She found that she loved teaching young children much more than working in hospitals! Her idea of a perfect day is swimming in the lake, napping on the beach, good coffee, making dinner and watching a movie.

Favorite Part of the Job: Talking with the children - laughing with them and with my co-teachers.

Favorite Children’s Book: Blueberries for Sal and Seven Silly Eaters

Elizabeth Clemmitt

Music

Education: Colorado College, B.A. Degree in Music; Westminster Choir College, Masters of Music in Music Education.

Background: Elizabeth has been the music teacher at Willow Wood for many years, the school where both her grown sons attended. She is also the music teacher at Ronald Knox Montessori (ages 2-6) as well as the primary choir lead for children in first and second grades at Christ Church, Winnetka. Prior to teaching at Willow Wood, she taught general music in the Glenview public schools (K-6). Elizabeth’s perfect day consists of hiking with her husband and two sons in beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.

Favorite Part of the Job: I love seeing the joy and excitement in the children’s faces when we sing a favorite song of theirs or move to a favorite piece of music together.

Favorite Children’s Book: My Favorite Things by Rodgers and Hammerstein

Katie Fitzpatrick

JK AM & PM

Education: Denison University, B.A. In English; Lesley University, M.Ed. In Elementary Education

Background: Katie taught Kindergarten, 1st-4th, and 6th grade in Chicago, Boston and North Carolina before staying home with her three children who all attended Hubbard Woods. She has been a JK Teacher at Willow Wood the past 4 years. Katie’s perfect day includes sleeping in and being in Leland, MI with her family. She enjoys paddleboarding, hiking the dunes and watching the sunset.

Favorite Part of the Job: Always having something to smile about!

Favorite Children’s Book: We are in a Book! - Mo Willems

Laurie Van Dusen

3 Day 3’s, PM 3’s

Education: Albion College, B.A. in English; National Louis University, Masters of Art in Teaching Elementary Education.

Background: Laurie taught elementary school in Chicago before staying home with her four children. She was a teacher at Glencoe PD Preschool from 2017-2019 and this will be her third year teaching at Willow Wood. Her perfect day consists of being on the beach with her family, swimming, playing and watching the sunset over the water.

Favorite Part of the Job: Being with the preschoolers. I can be having a bad day and seeing them makes me happy. I love my job.

Favorite Children’s Book: The Giving Tree and Goodnight Moon

Christina Cripe

2 Day 2’s

Education: University of Minnesota, B.A. in Spanish; DePaul University, M.A. in Education

Background: Christina has extensive experience in child education. She was previously a teacher in Chicago Public Schools where she taught 4th grade, bilingual education support, and kindergarten. She enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, who are 10, 14, 17, and 20 years old. Christina’s idea of a perfect day is exercise in the morning followed by lunch with girlfriends, an afternoon at the beach with her family, and dinner out with her husband.  

Favorite Part of the Job: Connecting with the children and seeing a spark of understanding and recognition when they learn something new!

Favorite Children’s Book: Seven Silly Eaters

Danielle Senko

Parent Tot

Education: Columbia University, MA Elementary Inclusive Education; University of Richmond, BA Leadership Studies

Background: Four years at Willow Wood, nine years teaching elementary in New York City and one year of pre-k in Washington, DC.

Favorite Part of the Job: Watching these little kids try something new. It’s amazing to be a part of these moments!

Favorite Children’s Book: Woolbur by Leslie Helakoski

Emilee Wolfe

3 Day 3’s, Tuesday Lunch Bunch

Sarah Halack

3 Day 2’s, Young 2’s

Education: College of the Holy Cross, B.A. in Psychology; DePaul University, M.A. in Education and Human Services Counseling

Background: Sarah’s teaching experience began after college when she taught first grade at a bilingual school in Honduras. After returning to the states, she worked with pregnant and parenting teenagers at a group home. Sarah’s idea of a perfect day is going to the beach with her husband and five crazy kids, followed by a great book.

Favorite Part of the Job: Laughing with the children and staff!

Favorite Children’s Book: The Giving Tree

Katie Then

2 Day 2’s

Education: Loras College, BA in Early Childhood Education. National Louis University, Master's in ECE

Background:  Katie has a deep history teaching early childhood at:  Winnetka Community Nursery School, Sun Prairie Nursery School, Sacred Heart, Winnetka Public Nursery and is now in her 3rd year at Willow Wood Preschool. Katie resides in Winnetka with her husband and two children, Michael (12) and Madison (11). Her perfect day starts with a good workout, listening to good music and the smiles and laughter from her friends and family. Hearing the laughter of her students and getting all the hugs are Katie's favorite parts of her day at Willow Wood

Favorite Children’s Book: Elmer

Michelle Livaditis

Young 2’s (aide)

Education: Illinois State University, BA in BA in Communications.

Background:  Michelle worked for 10 years as a fundraiser for Lurie Children's Hospital. Michelle has substituted at Wilmette Community Nursery School for the last 3 years. She resides in Wilmette with her husband and twin boys. Michelle's perfect day is waking up at sunrise and going paddle boarding, going for a long walk with a friend and finishing the day having dinner with her family. The best part of her day at Willow Wood is seeing a child learn something new!

Favorite Children’s Book: The Giving Tree

Lynsy Jacobs

3 Day 2’s (aide)

Beth Anaclerio

2 Day 2’s (aide)

Ola Muszynski

3 Day 2’s, Young 2’s

Education: BS in Elementary Education from Miami University and her Early Childhood Education endorsement from National Louis University

Background: She has educational experience teaching elementary students in Seattle, Boston, St. Louis and Chicago. Most recently, Emilee taught for 3 years in a 3 year old classroom at Winnetka Public Nursery School.

Favorite Children’s Book: Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

Carrie Waterston

3 Day 3’s

Education: Lehigh University, graduate degree in Elementary Education from Roosevelt University

Background:  Carrie has taught first grade in LaGrange, was a 1:1 special education associate at Hubbard Woods School and a substitute teacher in Winnetka District 36. Carrie lives in Hubbard Woods with her husband Wes, son Blake, daughter Whitney and Mabel their dog. Carrie's perfect day is to wake up early for yoga and meditation, go for a walk with her family, play tennis and head to the beach for a picnic

Favorite Children’s Book: Giraffes Can't Dance

Susan Schroeder

AM JK, PM JK

Education: Applied Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education certificate, as well as having studied ECE at Roosevelt University

Background:  Susan has 23 years of teaching experience in Early Childhood classrooms! Susan is married to Dennis and together they have 12 year old twins; Danielle and Dennis Jr. Her perfect day would be spent with her family watching Danielle play softball and cheering on Dennis Jr. as he races his junior dragster. Susan's favorite part of the day with her students is singing songs at circle time and creating art!

Favorite Children’s Book: The Soup Opera by Jim Gill or The Napping House by Audrey Wood