Ms. Bennett has been teaching for over 20 years. This is her 20th year at Romona. She earned an undergraduate degree in Spanish at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master's in Education at DePaul University.

Ms. Bennett enjoys karaoke, reading, hiking, and dancing. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and her two children, Callie and Joey. She is an experienced traveler, having spent time in 12 countries. Specifically, her travels include Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Spain, Portugal, France, Greece, England, Ireland, Canada, Italy, Mexico, and Tortola, B.V.

Mrs. Kross has worked in D39 for the past fourteen years and is looking forward to her third year at Romona this year.  She received her undergraduate degree in Spanish from Oregon State University and her Master's in Teaching from Marylhurst University in Oregon.  She moved to Chicago after getting married and has lived here for the past fourteen years.  In her free time, Mrs. Kross loves spending time with her husband and three kids (Jackson - 9, Kennedy - 6, and Preston - almost 3, trying new restaurants, traveling, skiing (in winter), and enjoying time with friends.  She is excited for the year!

Mrs. Rosario has been teaching for over  twenty  years. This is her twentieth year at Romona. She earned a B.A. Hons degree at the University of Leeds, England and her Master of Science in Education and Technology at the University of Leeds, England and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Ms. Rosario grew up in England and taught 3rd and 4th grade in London. She participated in The Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program which brought her to Chicago. Previously, she was a Webmaster for the City Colleges of Chicago. Mrs. Rosario enjoys running, playing tennis and spending time with her family and two children.

This is Mr. Schaaf's 21st year in District 39. He taught at McKenzie for three years and will be starting his 18th year at Romona. Time flies! Mr. Schaaf started his college career at Parkland College in Champaign Illinois. He was a pitcher and third baseman for the Parkland baseball team. Mr. Schaaf finished his college career at Indiana University receiving a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a K-12 Physical Education endorsement and a Health and Safety Minor. He went on to complete his Master’s Degree in School Leadership from Concordia University Chicago in 2010.

Mr. Schaaf absolutely loves spending time with his wife and two daughters, they keep him really busy. He is amazed to watch his girls grow, learn, and become independent women. He also has the honor of working side by side with Romona Physical Education Teacher, Mr. Toy. They love working together and in their free time they collect and trade Pokemon cards.

Mr. Schaaf appreciates the challenges a school year brings because of the growth it encourages. He is happy to be in the gym teaching students all of the skills necessary to be a successful person, athlete, and community member. Let's do this! ROMONA ROCKS!

This will be Mrs. Stevenson's 14th year at Romona. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Art and Education at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, as well as her Master's Degree in Art Education.  She has had opportunities to travel, study, and make art with artists in context in New York and Italy. This summer Mrs. Stevenson enjoyed adventures with her 8 year old son Thomas, and celebrated the 11th birthday of her daughter, Abigail. Mrs. Stevenson enjoys using her summer break to make her own art, make art with her children, read, bake and travel. She is looking forward to reconnecting with old and new students in the fall and getting to learn and create with them in the art room! 

Mr. Thompson has been teaching for sixteen years. This will be Mr. Thompson’s third year at Romona. Mr. Thompson earned his Bachelor of Music Education from Ohio University and his Master of Music in Voice Performance from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. While earning his degrees Mr. Thompson spent his summers at New England Music Camp in Sidney, ME. Mr. Thompson is an Orff-Schulwerk and Conversational Solfege certified teacher. 

Mr. Thompson loves spending time with his 4 cats Meownét, Jinkxy, Salem and Sabrina and his Husband of 6 years. He enjoys listening to a variety of music and seeing live arts related performances. He is looking forward to meeting all his new students and starting the new school year at Romona.

Mr. Toy begins his 17th year of teaching in District 39 as the Physical Education (PE) teacher at Romona Elementary. He has taught PE at every school in District 39 except Central Elementary. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Health and Physical Education from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, in 2009. In 2012 he earned his Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Concordia University. 

Mr. Toy enjoys playing baseball/softball, volleyball, pickleball, exercising, ultimate frisbee, pool, bags, ping pong, and many other activities. He has two awesome daughters who keep him on his toes constantly. 

Interesting facts about Mr. Toy: He has traveled to over 13 different countries equating to five different continents, played the tuba and bass-trombone for 10 years, coaches baseball on the varsity at Niles West High School, and this summer he plans on: "enjoying the little things in life", and hanging with his daughters.

This is Mrs. Wiechertʼs 15th year at Romona and her 19th year teaching. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Saint Louis University and completed a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and a Master of Science in Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois. Mrs. Wiechert has a reading endorsement and was previously an elementary and middle school classroom teacher. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, traveling, photography, and decorating cakes.