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.

Emilie Knieriemen has taught K-8 general music, modern band, and choir for 4 years at an arts school in Lakeview East (Chicago).  She is excited to be joining the Romona team this year!  She graduated from Millikin University with a Vocal Music Education degree and a Theatre minor, and hopes to empower students through music education.  She lives in Chicago with her fiance and two cats, Taki and Junie.  In her free time, she enjoys running, hiking, rock climbing, going to concerts, musicals and plays, traveling, and singing.  At Romona, she will strive to cultivate a safe environment for her students that values their individuality and allows them to be actively creative.

Mrs. Kross has worked in D39 for the past fifteen years and is looking forward to her fourth 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 sixteen years.  In her free time, Mrs. Kross loves spending time with her husband and three kids (Jackson - 10, Kennedy - 7, and Preston - almost 4, 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 22nd year in District 39. He taught at McKenzie for three years and will be starting his 19th 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 make up fun catch phrases such as 6-7 and Whoomp There It Is.

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 15th year at Romona. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Art and Education at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, as well as a Master's Degree in Art Education from Eastern Illinois University.  She has had opportunities to travel, study, teach, and make art in many diverse settings including New York, and Italy. This summer Mrs. Stevenson enjoyed adventures with her 9 year old son and her 12 year old daughter. Mrs. Stevenson also 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. Toy begins his 18th 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, paddle, 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.

Alicia Wiechert is currently in her 16th year at Romona and her 20th year in education. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Saint Louis University, followed by a Master of

Education in Curriculum and Instruction and a Master of Science in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois.

In addition to her library certification, Mrs. Wiechert holds a reading endorsement and has previous experience teaching in both elementary classrooms and middle school English Language Arts. She is passionate about fostering a love of reading, inquiry, and lifelong learning in all of her students.

Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Wiechert enjoys spending time with her family, reading, traveling, photography, and cake decorating.