New Staff at Central

Meghan is excited to join the second grade team at Central Elementary! She earned bachelor's degrees in Speech Pathology/Audiology and Elementary Education from the University of Iowa and later completed a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an ESL endorsement from Concordia University.

Meghan previously taught in Skokie before serving as an instructional coach and educational consultant, where she partnered with teachers to strengthen instruction and improve student learning. She is excited to bring these experiences back to the classroom.

Meghan lives in the Edgebrook neighborhood of Chicago with her husband and their three children. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, traveling, and coaching volleyball and softball. She looks forward to partnering with Central students and families for a fantastic school year.

Jessica can’t wait to join the kindergarten team at Central Elementary! She earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with an English as a Second Language (ESL) concentration from the University of Nebraska Omaha and later completed a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Social-Emotional Learning from Doane University.

Before joining Central, Jessica taught kindergarten and first grade for eight years in the Papillion-La Vista Community Schools near Omaha, Nebraska. She recently moved to Chicago with her husband and is excited to begin this new chapter.

Outside of school, Jessica enjoys traveling, reading, being creative, and spending time with family and friends. She looks forward to partnering with Central students and families for a wonderful school year.

Sam is excited to begin her teaching journey at Central Elementary this year! She will start by covering a second-grade leave of absence before transitioning into the role of building paraprofessional..

Originally from Northern California, Sam moved to Chicago to attend Loyola University Chicago, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with minors in Teaching Reading and Psychology. She also holds Reading Teacher and ESL endorsements. After teaching second grade in Chicago Public Schools last year, she is excited to bring her passion for learning to the Central community.

Sam lives on the north side of Chicago. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time at the beach, being with friends, and being entertained by her two cats. She looks forward to getting to know Central students, staff, and families throughout the school year.

Katherine is thrilled to join the Central Elementary team as a Registered Nurse! Originally from Los Angeles, California, she moved to the Chicagoland area in 2020 and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a minor in Psychology from Trinity Christian College in 2024.

After graduation, Katherine joined the Resource Float Team at Lurie Children's Hospital, where she cared for pediatric patients across a variety of inpatient and intensive care units. She is excited to bring her clinical experience and compassionate approach to Central, serving as a health advocate for students each day.

Katherine lives in Mount Prospect with her family. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, practicing yoga, and going to the movies. She looks forward to partnering with Central students, staff, and families for a healthy and successful school year.

Bianca is looking forward to becoming part of the Central Elementary community as a fourth grade teacher this year! Originally from Rockton, Illinois, she recently moved to Chicago after teaching fifth grade in her hometown for the past few years.

Bianca earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from the University of Missouri. She is passionate about building strong relationships with her students and creating a supportive, engaging classroom where children develop confidence, independence, and critical thinking skills.

Outside of school, Bianca enjoys trying new restaurants, reading, and spending time with family and friends while exploring Chicago. She looks forward to getting to know the Central community and making it a wonderful year of learning and growth.

Liz is excited to begin her first year as the Student Services Coordinator for Central and Harper Schools. During her 14 years in District 39, she has served as a Learning Behavior Specialist classroom teacher and an Inclusion Specialist in the Lechner Early Education Program. Liz earned a Bachelor of Science in Education with a Special Education emphasis from Central Michigan University and a Master of Arts in School Leadership from Concordia University Chicago.

Liz is originally from Michigan, but has called Chicago home for the past 20 years. She lives in Roscoe Village with her husband, John, their six-year-old son, Johnny, and their sassy Bernedoodle, Frankie Doodle. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family, exploring the outdoors, practicing yoga, and trying new recipes. This October, she will run the Chicago Marathon while raising funds to support Lurie Children's Hospital.

Cat is excited to join the Central Fox family this year! This is her ninth year in District 39, and in addition to working at Central, she will also be working with students at Highcrest Middle School and Wilmette Junior High School.

Cat earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame and her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Before joining District 39, she worked at a private pediatric clinic in Buffalo Grove.

Cat lives in Skokie with her family, including her three boys, who are entering sixth grade, third grade, and kindergarten, as well as their rescue pup, Mister Whiskers. She is looking forward to partnering with Central's students, staff, and families to make it a wonderful school year!

Elizabeth Ryan is excited to continue her journey at Central Elementary as a Special Education teacher. This marks her second year in the district, and after spending last year at Romona, she is thrilled to return and continue building relationships with the wonderful students, families, and staff who make the school community so special.

Elizabeth earned her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from St. Norbert College before completing her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction at National Louis University. She also holds endorsements in both Multilingual Education and Special Education. She is passionate about helping every child recognize their unique strengths and reach their full potential. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in empathy, patience, and personalized instruction that fosters both academic and social growth.

Outside of the classroom, Elizabeth enjoys spending time outdoors, working out, and making memories with family and friends. She is excited to continue partnering with students and families to create a successful, positive, and joyful school year.

Sara Davies is thrilled to join Central as a Learning Behavior Specialist. Originally from New Jersey, she recently relocated to Illinois and is looking forward to getting to know the students, families, and staff.

Sara graduated from Purdue University in 2025 with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Special Education. Before joining Central, she worked as an ABA therapist, where she discovered her passion for supporting students' academic, social, and emotional growth. Sara is committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming classroom where every student feels safe, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential. She believes that strong relationships are the foundation for learning and strives to help each child build confidence while celebrating their unique strengths.

Outside of school, Sara enjoys exploring new restaurants, painting, taking walks, and spending time with family and friends. She is excited to begin this new chapter and looks forward to a wonderful year of learning, growth, and success with the Central Elementary community.

Clare McCabe is excited to join the Central school team as a Social Work Intern. Originally from Glenview, Illinois, she is pursuing her Master of Social Work at Loyola University Chicago, where she also earned her bachelor’s degree in Special Education with a minor in Teaching Artistry in 2023.

Before beginning her MSW, Clare taught and served as a case manager in a K–2 self-contained special education classroom in Highland Park. Through this work she discovered her true passion for supporting students’ social-emotional growth. During her MSW, she also completed an internship at a non-profit providing mental health services to adults with intellectual disabilities.

Outside of school, Clare lives in Lakeview, Chicago, where she loves to be outside, bake, do yoga, read, and spend time with her friends and family! She is excited to continue growing her skills this school year and looks forward to being a part of the Central community!