Ms. Bennett has been teaching for 20 years. This is her 17th 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 at Highcrest for the past twelve years and is joining the Romona community 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 thirteen years.  In her free time, Mrs. Kross loves spending time with her husband and three kids (Jackson - 7, Kennedy - 4, and Preston - 9 months), trying new restaurants, traveling, skiing (in winter), and enjoying time with friends.  She is excited to meet you this year!

Mrs. Rosario has been teaching for twenty-three years. This is her seventeenth 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 at a school 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 19th year in District 39. He taught at McKenzie for three years and will be starting his 16th 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 little people right before his eyes. 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 appreciated the challenges of the last three school years. He watched his students showcase themselves in many amazing ways and for that, he is grateful. 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 12th 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 6 year old son Thomas, and celebrated the 9th 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 fourteen years. This will be Mr. Thompson’s first 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 4 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 15th 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. He enters his 7th year as District 39’s PE/Health Department Chair and his 6th year as the Athletic Director at Highcrest Middle School (HMS) and Wilmette Junior High School (WJHS).

Mr. Toy enjoys playing baseball/softball, volleyball, pickleball, exercising, ultimate frisbee, pool, bags, ping pong, and many other activities. 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 the pitchers on the varsity at Niles North High School, and coaches eighth grade girls basketball at WJHS. This summer he plans on: "enjoying the little things in life", and hanging with his daughter. 

 This is Mrs. Wiechertʼs 13th year at Romona and her 17th 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.