Hello Connecting Kids Preschool families. This is my ninth year in the district, but my ninth year as a teacher overall. I received my undergraduate degree in special education with an endorsement in Early Childhood education and English as a Second Language Education at Illinois State University. I also have a Literacy Education Masters from Northern Illinois University. I currently live with my husband and son in Chicago, IL! I am originally from Poland and came to the United States when I was five years old.  My hobbies include crafting (scrapbooking, sewing, knitting, and anything else I can learn), road-biking, listening to books on tape, traveling, and spending time with my family. I enjoy learning about my students including their cultural backgrounds, the languages they speak, their interests, and their hobbies. I believe in using all of this information to create a well- rounded and interest- focused education for my students. I absolutely love teaching students and creating a welcoming and caring environment for my students. I also love building relationships with the families in my classroom. I hope to be a great resource and help to you all during this school year! 

Ms. Nelson is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). The 2022-2023 school year will be her 10th year practicing as a SLP and fifth year in the Lechner Early Education (LEEP) program. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in 2008 from Western Illinois University and her Master of Science Degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 2012 from Saint Ambrose University. In addition, Ms. Nelson has been trained in the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and PROMPT. Her clinical experiences include working with infants, toddlers, children, and adults with a range of communicative and developmental needs within the schools and early intervention settings. Ms. Nelson enjoys spending time with her family, sipping on a warm up of coffee, trying new restaurants, and traveling. She is looking forward to another wonderful school year!

Hi! My name is Kristin Spalo and I am the Physical Therapist in the LEEP preschool program. I am excited to start my 16th year working with Wilmette District 39. I received my undergraduate degree in Athletic Training at the University of Illinois Champaign and my Masters in Physical Therapy from Midwestern University. When I’m not at school I enjoy spending time with my husband, three kids, extended family, and friends. I love going to Cubs games and taking adventures with my family, watching and playing sports, reading, listening to music, and coaching my little guy in baseball.

My name is Rebecca Bennett and I will be one of the Occupational Therapists supporting Romona Elementary School this year.  This is my 8th year working in the Wilmette school district.  Prior to working in Wilmette, I worked in a variety of pediatric settings including outpatient clinics, a therapeutic day school, and in the birth-to-three Early Intervention program in Illinois.  I received a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2006.  In my free time, I enjoy bike-riding, reading in my hammock, visits to the beach, cheering on the Chicago Dogs and spending time with my husband and 8-year-old son.   I am excited to be part of the Romona team this year! 

This is my ninth year working at Romona in the Early Childhood Connecting Kids Program.

I received my Masters degree in Education from Roosevelt University, and a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Loyola University. In addition, I recently added a middle school endorsement to my teaching license.

I have two beautiful daughters Nayia and Demi, and my husband and I own a small restaurant in Chicago.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, traveling , and spending time with my friends and family. However, what I really love most is being a mom to my 2 beautiful girls.