Lisa teaches Honors Sculpture, AP 3D, and Best Buddies Art (Creative Arts Studio). She has been teaching at WY for 27 years. She has a BFA in Sculpture from Syracuse University, an MA from Gallaudet University (the only University for the Deaf in Washington D.C,) in Counseling, and an MA in Interdisciplinary Arts from Columbia College. She has two children, both of whom went to Whitney Young.

Alyssa teaches Honors Sculpture, Graphic Design, and AP 2D Art and Design. This is her fifth year teaching at Whitney Young. Prior to joining the Art Department, she previously taught art at the elementary level for 7 years. Ms. Beech currently holds a BFAAE from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In her spare time, Alyssa can be found taking a long coffee walk with her husband, hanging out with their cat, Huey, or sparking conversation with the nearest person. You can find her personal artwork here.

Florian teaches Honors Film & Video I, II, and III. They attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where they did a little of everything before graduating. Their special skills include  watching and overanalyzing movies, sewing their own clothes, organizing things by color, and making pizza from scratch.

Rayshawn teaches Honors Mixed Media and AP Art History. This is his 9th year teaching at WY. He has a B.A. in History from Valparaiso University and a M.A.T in Teaching from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He has a mean record collection, loves growing plants, gardening, reading, and watching horror movies. He resides in an old house on the south side of Chicago with his wife, son and daughter, and two cats. 

Jia teaches Honors Painting and Drawing, and Fashion I, II & III. She has been teaching at CPS for 8 years and lived in China, Japan and Canada before coming to U.S. She attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and holds an MAT degree where she had a focus on interdisciplinary art and art education. Most of her artwork is related to body and identities. She has exhibited at Woman Made Gallery and performed her work at Queens Museum, NY. You can find her personal artwork here.

Matt teaches Honors Studio Drawing & Painting and AP Drawing Portfolio. In 2020, he returned to his alma mater Whitney Young, after teaching for 12 years at Kenwood Academy HS. He currently holds a BFA in Painting and an MFA in Art Education from Boston University. He loves the natural world, board games, and making music. Matt is supported always by his wife Christine, and his two little ones, Owen and Veda (pronounced like Darth Vader minus the R). You can find his personal artwork here.