Ms. Elliott is celebrating her 18th year at Romona and her 23rd year in education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Literature and Communication Studies from the University of Kansas. Driven by a passion for working with children, she changed careers and earned her Master of Science in Education through the Kansas City Teaching Fellows program. In 2012, she achieved National Board Certification. Throughout her career, Ms. Elliott has taught first and fourth grades and served as a reading intervention specialist.

Outside the classroom, Ms. Elliott enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, traveling, attending live music events, and making memories with family and friends. She lives in Glenview with her two children and two dogs. Her daughter will be entering seventh grade this fall, and her son will be a freshman at Purdue University studying engineering.

Mrs. Himes is excited to start her second year at Romona Elementary as a fourth grade teacher! Mrs. Himes earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Northern Illinois University. After starting her family, she decided to go back to school to pursue a Masters of Elementary Education from National Louis University. She has worked as an Advanced Learning Specialist at Westgate Elementary in Arlington Heights.

Outside of school, Mrs. Himes enjoys reading, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with her husband and three children, Greyson, Avery and Quinn. 

Mrs. Leverenz is excited to be back teaching for her third year in 4th grade at Romona!  She grew up in Minnesota and earned her undergraduate degree in Art History from the University of Michigan. GO BLUE!   Mrs. Leverenz received her Master's Degree in Elementary Education from DePaul University and then taught 6th grade at Highcrest Middle School.  

Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Leverenz enjoys playing all racquet sports, golfing, reading and traveling, especially to the US National Parks.  She lives in Northbrook with her husband and has three kids, Kate, a senior at Mizzou, Will, a freshman at the University of South Carolina and Annie, a Junior at Glenbrook North.  She also has a golden retriever named Rosie.  She loves watching her kids play lacrosse, play soccer and dance!  Mrs. Leverenz can't wait to meet her 4th graders!

While this is Ms. Pemberton’s twelfth year teaching at Romona, her Mustang experience began as a student at Romona Elementary in second grade. After graduating from New Trier High School in 2008, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and French Language Studies at Indiana State University in 2013. Soon after she moved to France to teach English in the French public school system for a year. Ms. Pemberton also completed her Master’s Degree in Literacy Education from Northeastern Illinois University in 2020.

Outside of school, Ms. Pemberton enjoys traveling, photography, horseback riding, crafts, and baking. She enjoys living with her cats, Sylvie and Silas, in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Chicago. Ms. Pemberton is truly looking forward to meeting her new fourth graders!