Ms. Katz-Janssen is in her third year at Romona, where she supports young learners in the Lechner Early Education Program. She brings 22 years of experience in education, most recently serving as a school psychologist in North Shore School District 112. Ms. Katz-Janssen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Barnard College, as well as a Master’s in Educational Psychology and an Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology from Loyola University Chicago.

Outside of school, she and her husband, Avi, are the proud parents of two adult children: Lizzie, a dance and movement therapist, and Owen, a computer programmer. Their family also recently grew to welcome their daughter-in-law, Maddie.

In her free time, Ms. Katz-Janssen loves traveling, hiking, running, reading, and tackling word games of all kinds.

Ms. Gershune (a.k.a. Ms. Jill) is excited to be returning for her 15th year as a Social Worker with the LEEP Early Childhood team. She has 27 years of experience in the field of School Social Work and continues to love it each day. When she is not working with students in Wilmette 39, she likes to spend time with family. She also enjoys swimming, traveling, and reading. Always feel free to ask her what she's reading and please share what you are ready-- she's always looking for recommendations! She is looking forward to the start of the 2025-2026 school year. She can't wait to see the kids! 

Mrs. Johnson graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor's degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology and a Master’s degree in Communication Disorders. She is looking forward to her third year in the LEEP program and her seventeenth year in District 39.  

Mrs. Johnson lives in Chicago with her husband, Seth, and dog, Gunner Blue. Outside of school, Mrs. Johnson loves exercising, camping, snowboarding, scrapbooking, jewelry making, and frequent trips to the northwoods of Wisconsin.

Mrs. Harvey is the Assistant Director for Special Education for the district as well as the administrator that oversees our Lechner Early Childhood Education Program. She is a Wilmette native and began her teaching career at Highcrest Middle School. She has served many roles in her time in D39 including special education teacher, behavior specialist, student services coordinator, and assistant principal. 

Ms. Nelson is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). The 2026-2027 school year will be her 14th year practicing as a SLP and her 9th year in LEEP. 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. Ms. Nelson’s 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. She has a passion for supporting and empowering children on their journey to become confident and effective communicators. Outside of school, 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!

MaryKate Sullivan was born and raised in Chicago. She received her teaching degree from The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She has always dreamed of being a teacher, and thinks it is the most rewarding job! She is super excited to meet her students and join the team as an Early Childhood LBS.

Outside of work, she loves to go on long walks, try new restaurants, and spend time with her friends and family!