WILLOW WOOD STAFF
Our Teachers and Faculty
Our dedicated faculty and teachers have an impressive combination of early childhood experience. In fact, all of our teachers hold a masters degree in an early childhood field. We encourage our teachers and aides to stay on the cutting edge of our field through continuing education. In addition, we retain the services of early childhood experts and consultants for periodic classroom observation. The combined efforts of our faculty and consultants ensure that our unique play-based curriculum is innovative and successful.
Sue Cornelo
Director
Phone: (847)-441-6393
Education: University of Iowa, B.A. in Elementary Education, minor in Early Childhood Education; National Louis University, M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction
Background: Sue started her career as a reading specialist in 1986 in Glenview and then taught 3rd grade for eight years (1987-1995) in Lake County before taking time off to raise her two children, Madeline and Jack. Sue joined the Willow Wood staff in 2002 teaching the PM JK class for 13 years. She has held the positions of Assistant Director, Camp Director and is currently in her 7th year as Director. Sue’s idea of a perfect day includes coffee on her patio, a brisk walk, a happy work day at WW, pickleball and dinner with friends.
Favorite Part of The Job: Getting to interact with every population of WW: Staff, Parents, Board, and of course, the children!
Favorite Children’s Book: Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran
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
2 Day 2s & 3 Day 3s AM (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 AM (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. Her perfect day consists of a long walk on the beach at sunrise, reading and then family dinner outside followed by games.
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 3s AM
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. Her perfect day consists of riding her bike to the beach to sit & read, swim, nap, repeat.
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 3s - AM
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
Sarah Halack
Young 2s & 3 Day 2s
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
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
Lisa Glowski
JK PM - Room 5
Education: National Louis University, B.A. in Early Childhood Education, M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction in Special Education and English Language Learning
Background: Lisa has over 15 years in early childhood working with children ages two to six years. She has experience in facilitating student-centered learning engagements in various classroom settings, including private and public schools. She is passionate about fostering a welcoming and rich environment for a wide range of uniquely diverse learners. Lisa’s idea of a perfect day is spent up at the lake or at the local pickleball courts.
Favorite Part of the Job: Being able to witness the growth and accomplishments of the students while being surrounded by all of the contagious joy, excitement, and wonder they bring!
Favorite Children’s Book: What Do You Do With a Problem by Kobi Yamada
Cora Lassen
JK PM - Room 5 (aide)
Education: University of Iowa, B.A. in Psychology
Background: Cora Lassen is in her second schoolyear as a preschool aide. Previously, she studied psychology at the University of Iowa and worked in a psychiatric inpatient program for children.
Favorite Part of the Job: Watching kids follow their curiosities and helping them spark a lifelong love of learning.
Favorite Children’s Book: The Frog & Toad Series
Laurie Van Dusen
3 Day 3s - AM & PM
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
3s - PM
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: The Seven Silly Eaters
Julie Magnani
3 Day 3s - AM + PM (aide)
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Julie Walzer
2 Day 2s & PM JK
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Emily Beckman
Young 2's, 3 Day 2's, PM JK - Room 6
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Courtney McDonough
AM JK
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Katie Then
2 Day 2s
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Jennifer Forrest
Young 2's, 3 Day 2's (aide)
Education: BS in Elementary Education, M.A. in Education; Curriculum and Instruction
Background: Jennifer has 16 years of teaching experience teaching preschool, 1st and 2nd grades in the northwest and north shore suburbs. She has twin sons who are now both college graduates.
Favorite Part of the Job: Her favorite part of her day at Willow Wood is the laughter and smiles of the children as they play and learn together.
Jennifer loves being part of such a positive staff of teachers!
Favorite Children’s Book: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.
Danielle Senko
Parent Tot
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