Our Faculty

Stella began her work in Early Childhood as an undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she double majored in Human Development & Family Studies and Psychology with a certificate in Disability Rights and Services. She put her classroom knowledge into practice in various roles at the Child Development Lab, a lab school located on the university’s campus, eventually becoming a student assistant teacher across classrooms ranging from 2-5 years old. Outside the classroom setting, Stella has committed herself to working with children with a variety of backgrounds, abilities, and disabilities by taking on roles in a pediatric hospital unit, Down Syndrome Achievement Center,  and most recently, an intensive summer treatment program supporting children with ADHD and related behavior challenges. Stella is passionate about child-centered education based upon best practices to encourage success for children in their earliest school experiences. She is proud and excited to be a part of the Bennett Team this year!

Patricia’s relationship with the Bennett community began as a parent of two upper school students. Last year her relationship grew when she joined the teaching team. Patricia graduated with a BA from Columbia College Chicago where she studied Fine Art. During her last year at Columbia, she took an interest in early childhood education and started taking early childhood classes to complete her BA. After graduating she started teaching at a Head Start Center in a 3-5 year old classroom. She co-taught there for twelve years. While working there she continued her early childhood education at her local community college and with ongoing professional development training.  

Patricia is also trained to tutor children to read using the Orton-Gillingham approach. She utilized the OG multi-sensory approach in her Head Start classroom preparing the children with a foundation in phonological awareness. Patricia is eager to use her art background to inspire and encourage the children to experience the process of creating art. Along with her education and experience, Patricia is bilingual in English/Spanish. She hopes to extend and support the learning of Spanish in the classroom.

Originally from Southern California, Erin moved to Chicago in 2022 to pursue a career in education. She is currently working on a graduate degree from DePaul University in Early Childhood Education. She has always loved children and knew her path would one day lead to teaching. As someone that thrives on creativity and remains passionate about inclusiveness, Erin loves working at Bennett. Outside of school, Erin enjoys exploring the city, hanging out with her family and friends, fashion, and comedy.

Brenna is so excited to join the early childhood team at Bennett Day this school year. She discovered her passion for working with children over the past two years while working at Blue Bird Day School providing therapeutic services to young children with autism and developmental disabilities as a behavior technician. Here she learned to integrate play, sensory regulation, adaptive skills, and a child-centered approach to education. She moved to Chicago in 2015 after completing her BA in Women’s Studies at Cornell College and plans to pursue a graduate degree in social work. She looks forward to learning from her colleagues and expanding her passion for social-emotional and play-based learning alongside her students. Outside of the classroom, Brenna enjoys exploring our beautiful city, reading, and spending time with friends.

Andrea has 10+ years of experience working with children. She graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language-Hearing: Sciences and Disorders. She also received a Master’s degree in Early Intervention in Deaf Education from Fontbonne University. Andrea has been a Special Education teacher primarily working with Early Childhood age students. She is originally from St. Louis, Missouri, and moved to Chicago in 2021. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her dog Oliver, playing pickleball and checking out new restaurants in the city. Andrea is so excited to be teaching at Bennett Day School and looks forward to being a part of the school community!

Peggy began working with children in a remote village outside of Mombasa, Kenya. After graduating with a degree in elementary education from North Central University in Minnesota, she moved to Saipan to teach kindergarten for several years. Upon returning home, she obtained a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with an ESL certification from National Louis University. Peggy spent more than two decades teaching in Evanston, Chicago, and Lombard and recently obtained certification to teach diverse learners. She has also worked for Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development. It was there that she discovered her love for experiential and project-based learning. She is excited to join Bennett this year and explore all the possibilities of progressive education. When she is not teaching, she enjoys cross-country cycling, swing dancing, and spending time with her family.

Myka was born and raised in Chicago and has been working at Bennett for over 3 years. In the Fall of 2019 she began working as an Auxiliary Team Member with students in PreK-2nd Grade, leading different Bennett & Beyonds such as Open Art and Clay Making. Myka’s goal is to create a safe, accommodating, and fun project-based learning environment for students. She approaches each relationship with patience and love which helps her creates strong connections with students. Outside of school she spends a lot of time at the beach, traveling, or creating artwork such as pottery and drawings.

Susan is very excited to be entering her fifth school year at Bennett Day! She began her journey into Reggio Emilia-inspired education with Bennett’s Early Childhood program and had continued on assisting teachers for the Lower School in grades 1st through 3rd. Her previous seventeen years of experience in creative instruction include numerous summer and arts camps for local independent schools and as a member of many children’s theatre companies in and around the Chicagoland area. Originally from Atlanta, GA, she relocated to Chicago to attend Roosevelt University for a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre. Currently, she is enrolled in National Louis University’s Elementary Education degree program for grades K-6.

Amanda is thrilled to enter her third school year teaching and growing alongside Bennett’s Second Grade team. Informed by her professional background in K-12 museum education, Amanda embraces a multidisciplinary approach aligned with Bennett’s Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum. In joining Bennett in 2020, Amanda discovered her passion for working within the classroom environment. Amanda is committed to supporting student growth by fostering an enthusiastic and compassionate community. She finds great joy in encouraging creative problem solving, collaboration, and curiosity across all subjects. Amanda holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She also serves as an Associate Board Member for Teacher Supporting Teachers, a nonprofit which provides mentorship opportunities to Chicago educators.

Kim graduated from National Louis University in 2020 with a Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education. She also holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance as well as a minor in Spanish from the University of Illinois. In 2009, Kim began her career in education by teaching English to students of all ages in New York City. She continued teaching English for three years in Madrid, Spain. Upon returning to the United States, Kim spent three years working at The Mirman School for gifted children in Los Angeles before returning home to Chicago. Kim is excited to begin her sixth year at Bennett Day School. She takes great pride and joy in the invigorating work she gets to participate in with students and faculty and is looking forward to another wonderful year.

Through a strong desire to provide children with a loving and caring environment to learn and play in, Sara joined the Bennett Day School team as an SK Teacher in the fall of 2015. Sara is a graduate of Erikson Institute where she earned her Master’s in Early Childhood Education with specializations in ESL, Special Education and Leadership & Advocacy. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Santa Clara University in Northern California. During her time at Bennett, she taught in SK and First Grade for six years while also taking on various leadership roles and professional development opportunities, such as attending the Reggio Emilia study group in Italy. This has allowed her to continue to learn and grow as an educator and leader. Sara is looking forward to collaborating with her students and families and facilitating experiences that spark her students’ natural curiosities and inspire them to be lifelong learners.

Since pursuing a Master’s in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, Tracy has spent over two decades in both traditional and alternative classrooms. In her early career, she taught High School English for grades sixth through twelfth at Blue Ribbon public schools on the East Coast in Connecticut where she is originally from. After five years as an educator, she transitioned to becoming an entrepreneur where she founded celebrated wellness schools in her hometown and taught meditation and yoga, Eastern philosophy, and mythology as well as directed teacher training for hundreds of people across the country. Tracy has studied with the most progressive voices in education, many of whom have become mentors and have inspired her to parlay her passion for teaching, art, and mindfulness practices into what she is doing to this day. Tracy facilitates virtual and in-person writing courses in fiction and non-fiction and works with all ages and levels of writers to connect to their most authentic and creative voices. With a lifelong passion for writing, and teaching Tracy thrives in the classroom where she holds a space for all students to feel safe and heard. She encourages curiosity and supports an engaged and lively environment where students are free to inquire, examine, and develop their gifts such that they can feel confident to share them with the world around them. She is also a mother of three sons.

Marcella Bonnan comes from a multilingual immigrant family as well as a family of language teachers, both of which greatly shape her as a language educator. After studying literature and French at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Marcella taught English in the south of France, where she discovered that she wanted to teach languages. After a year at three elementary schools in France, she pursued her Master’s degree in Education, specifically for teaching Spanish and French, at Northern Arizona University. Through her studies there, she developed her current inquiry-based approach to language education. Through the use of authentic texts and other cultural products, students make observations about linguistic structures and their uses, as well as about the cultures who speak the target language. Unit and lesson plans are created in relation to student inquiries in relation to their linguistic and cultural studies with the goal of having students participate in everyday and research tasks in the target language, including ordering food in the target language at a restaurant, exploring and explaining the importance of learning the target language in their city and communities, regularly engaging in meaningful conversation, and carrying out tasks for their project learning topics in the target language, amongst other applications.

Marcella Bonnan comes to Bennett Day with fourteen years of language teaching and in the past several years, she has worked with, created field experiences for, and studied at the Art Institute of Chicago as well as the National Museum of Mexican Art. Marcella learned about the Reggio approach to education while participating in Harvard’s Project Zero summer program as well as the summer institute for educators at the National Gallery of Art. Through these programs, Marcella has focused her professional development on learning through observation and using art to teach language and culture. This past school year, Marcella started her Ph.D. at the University of Illinois at Chicago in Literacy, Language, and Culture, where she plans to research the cultivation of student sense of belonging in language education. It is in relation to all of these passions and interests that Marcella is excited to become a part of the Bennett Day community, where student belonging, well-being and curiosity are centered and empowered.

Lauren has been in education for over 10 years. In the formal classroom, she has taught as a 3rd through 5th contained classroom teacher and specialized in 3rd through 7th-grade mathematics and science. Outside the formal classroom, Lauren wrote middle school science curriculum for Washington University in St Louis’ Institute for School Partnership, coached teachers in mathematics, and managed the education program for a city park. 

Lauren’s perspectives on learning changed when she worked in St. Louis at Tower Grove Park as their Community Engagement Coordinator. As she partnered with schools in the surrounding neighborhoods, she began to wonder how to bring “untraditional” topics like environmental education, conservation, and land/resource management into the classroom. It was the design of diverse programs that focused on urban farming, watershed and stormwater management, and native plants and pollinators, which allowed Lauren to fully realize the impact that experiential- and project-based learning provides to learners. It is this shared philosophy at Bennett that brings Lauren so much joy as a teacher. 

Born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, Jessica is excited for another year at Bennett Day School! She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Middle School Education at Saint Louis University and her Master’s degree in Teaching and Learning – Reading Specialist Certified K-12, at Roosevelt University. Clearly, she really loves school because she is currently working on her Doctor of Education in Curriculum, Culture, and Communities at Loyola University. Jessica holds an Illinois teaching license for Middle School (grades 5-8) with endorsements in Mathematics, Language Arts, and Music. Prior to Bennett Day, she was the Founding Middle School Teacher at Intercultural Montessori Language School and spent the past 5 years teaching all content areas. Her love of the arts and connections between various disciplines is what she loves about Bennett Day’s project-based learning. Anytime she can integrate music into her lessons, she will! (Ask her about her song about the Life Cycle of Stars). Jessica is excited to continue to share her love of learning with the students at Bennett Day. When she is not teaching, she loves to take dance classes with DivaDance Chicago and try out new restaurants and baking recipes!

Julia Hodges is excited to be joining the Bennett community as both an Upper School teacher and a parent. As an engineer turned STEM teacher, Julia is passionate about helping young people see themselves in STEM. She is a deep believer in the power of project-based learning to help students learn to problem solve, navigate ambiguity, and harness failure in a productive way. Julia holds a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree in Teaching from Dominican University. She has over a decade of teaching experience in public, independent, and informal settings and most recently worked as a member of the design team and founding faculty at the Mastery School of Hawken in Cleveland, OH. Outside of the classroom you can find Julia hiking with her family, working on projects around her house, or exploring the food and music scene in the city.

Dr. Shannon Hurst has been a science educator for over 20 years. She has taught science from 6th to 12th grade in many educational settings distinguished for their focus on advancement in technology and innovation in science. She is enthusiastic and creative about designing a curriculum that helps foster students’ learning by providing unique real-world experiences that provoke inquiry-based problem solving through engagement. Dr. Hurst is committed to making something in science that may be perceived as uninteresting and ordinary and molding it into something that is extraordinary. 

She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a concentration in nursing. She received a master’s degree in education from Dominican University and earned her doctorate from Lewis University with a concentration in science educational research/leadership.

Dr. Hurst is a recipient of numerous STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) awards. Additionally, she has published chapters on teaching science literacy to second-language learners. Recently, she worked in Chicago Public Schools and St. Louis public schools implementing research that works towards fostering social and environmental justice within marginalized populations. She has attended many conferences across the country and spoke on subcultural research that engages youth activism within science education.

She is excited to bring science and community together; building partnerships that provide a sense of  ”fun through learning” and prepare Bennett’s students with 21st-century problem-solving skills as they pertain to local or global issues. 

Hannah is thrilled to take on the role of Upper School Division Chair building upon her previous title as Upper School Humanities Teacher! Guided by a passion for authentic learning, inquiry, and real-world experiences, she is excited to lead her team and embrace new responsibilities.

As an Upper School Humanities Teacher, she has always believed in empowering students to explore beyond textbooks and classrooms. Encouraging critical thinking and intellectual curiosity has been at the heart of her teaching philosophy. Now, as the Upper School Division Chair, she is eager to inspire her fellow educators and provide invaluable support to Bennett’s Upper School students.

After graduating from Millikin University with a BFA in Stage Management, Hannah went on to get her Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from DePaul University right here in Chicago. In addition to a deep passion for all of the social sciences, Hannah enjoys cooking, baking, boating, jet skiing, playing tennis, and enjoying the city (when it’s warm enough, that is!)

Olenka Bodnarskyj is Bennett Day School’s Visual Arts Teacher for grades 1-8. Olenka is an artist, arts, and museum educator. She received her BFA in Printmaking from the State University of New York at Buffalo and her MFA in Studio Arts at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. For almost twenty years now, she has been teaching art for not-for-profit organizations, museums, and private schools including The Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Spertus Museum, Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School, and Catherine Cook School. She was the Family Coordinator in the Department of Museum Education at the Art Institute of Chicago where she facilitated intergenerational arts experiences for families.

Olenka’s great interest in the Reggio Emilia approach and constructivist educational pedagogy led her to Bennett Day School.

In addition to teaching at independent schools in the states, Ms. Bodnarskyj lived and taught abroad for a few years in Southeast Asia. Olenka’s passion for travel comes from a desire to see, observe, and understand how people around the world live, play, and think and to see what we share in common as global citizens and the differences that make us unique and beautiful. During those travels, she often captures special moments through the lens of her camera. She is excited for another year of creating and learning with her students at Bennett Day!

Renzo was born and raised in Uruguay and then moved to Chicago in 2016, with his wife Sofia. He worked as a Physical Education Teacher for nine years at Santa Elena School (Montevideo, Uruguay). He has fifteen years of coaching experience for both competitive and non-competitive soccer teams. Renzo is the creator of the Soccer College program at Santa Elena School that included a U20 and First Men’s team, which then grew into four soccer teams (Woman’s First team, U20 Men’s Team, Reserve Men’s Team, and First Men’s team), Women’s Handball Team and Men’s Basketball Team. Renzo is excited be part of the fantastic Bennett Day School team as a 10th Grade Advisor and the Middle School and High School Physical Education Teacher, and is committed to the school’s mission of developing of lifelong learners and leaders.

“I like your class, Mr. Thompson.” “Why?” “Because we get to make stuff!”

Zak Thompson is excited to be spending another year at Bennett Day School in the Tinkering and Engineering Sciences Lab (TESLab). After receiving a B.A. in political science from Illinois Wesleyan University and an M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Zak spent 6 years teaching for Chicago Public Schools, both as a fourth and fifth grade teacher as well as running the school’s technology lab. Since 2017, Zak has been in the TESLab, helping students navigate these hands-on experiences as they develop the skills, passions, and mindset to be innovators in school and beyond. In the TESLab, we use modern tools to solve authentic problems because there is nothing more powerful than bringing something new into the world.

Originally from Dallas, TX, Joel has taught general music and choir for both public and private middle school students for over 24 years and has also served as a school Cantor and Liturgical Music Coordinator. Joel graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Music Education with a concentration in Voice in 1998 and completed his Master of Music Education at VanderCook College of Music in 2011. Before moving to Chicago in 2015, Joel performed with the Dallas Symphony Chorus for 5 years and served 2 years as Bass Section Leader. Joel taught 4th – 8th-grade music at Francis Xavier Warde School (FXW) and also served as an Instructional Special Teams Lead, a member of the Steering Committee Accreditation for Fine Arts, and the Equity and Justice Forum. Joel is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership in Higher Education at DePaul University. Joel received the Dallas Work of Heart for Excellence Teaching in Catholic Education Award in 2007 and was inducted into DePaul’s Chapter Golden Key Honour Society in 2018. Joel is looking forward to another year with the Bennett Day community and can’t wait to continue bringing music to our ears!

Kasey has 10+ years of experience working with children. She first became interested in providing therapy for children with Autism and worked as a therapist for a year. After graduating from college, Kasey joined a preschool team and fell in love with early childhood education. She has been a preschool teacher for over 7 years now and it has become a great passion of hers to continue working with kids throughout her career. Kasey graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, where she researched teacher satisfaction in special education classrooms. She has always been interested in working with children and knew she was meant to teach in a classroom setting. She loves to be silly, creative, loving, and patient with all of her students!

Corey graduated with a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Southern California with a focus on Special Education after receiving a BFA in Theatre: Design & Production from the University of Michigan. During his time working with students with learning differences, he has focused on integrating creativity, empathy, and fun!

Corey enjoys building connections with students and partnering with them and their families as they work towards light bulb moments of personal success. As a lifelong learner, he knows that the greatest reward comes from the feeling of accomplishing a goal one is fully invested in and he is always ready for these moments with a celebratory dance!

Jamie is so excited to join the Bennett Day School team this year! Jamie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 2016 (On Wisconsin!). Following graduation from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Jamie worked at Lincoln Park Zoo as an informal educator, in which she created and led science-based curricula for children of all ages in addition to facilitating animal encounters for young children. She led numerous nature-based activities and worked to incorporate nature and the environment into learning; in addition to providing support to participants. Jamie found a passion for helping young children and decided to pursue her Master’s degree at Loyola University – Chicago in Social Work, which she obtained in May 2022. She is currently working towards her clinical social work license. Jamie has worked across various academic settings providing clinical support to children from PreK to 12th grade. Jamie has led numerous groups focused on emotional regulation, coping skills, inclusion, and nature play. She approaches her work with all students from the strengths perspective and hopes to empower all children to identify their own strengths in defining their own level of success. In her free time, Jamie enjoys spending time outside, working out, and going for walks with her husband and dog, Keeley!

Jennifer Newberry brings a wealth of experience that spans over two decades in the Education field as she takes on the role of Upper School Counselor with a fervent passion. As one of the founding members of the Bennett Day Upper School faculty, Jennifer is committed to nurturing the social and emotional development of students throughout their high school journey. Her firm belief in the positive impact of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum and support for every student underscores her dedication. Jennifer wholeheartedly recognizes the pivotal nature of adolescence in shaping aspects like self-identity, purpose, and confidence, and she cherishes the privilege of being there for students during this transformative phase.

Jennifer’s proficiency lies in guiding students to cultivate mindfulness, foster healthy communication, nurture meaningful relationships, and establish purposeful goals. Her deep commitment to their holistic growth was evident as she took on the expanded role of the Upper School College Counselor in the preceding year. This role allowed her the honor of supporting the inaugural graduating class through their college application process. Demonstrating her dedication to student achievement, Jennifer embarked on a journey of exploration, visiting 11 different colleges across the Midwest during the past summer.

Jennifer’s academic background includes a B.A. in Education from Rollins College and an M.A. in Counseling from Chicago State University. Beyond her professional pursuits, she finds fulfillment in travel and leading an active lifestyle. Juggling her professional responsibilities with her role as a parent to three children, she eagerly participates in sports and embraces the vibrant opportunities her city has to offer.

As the new school year approaches, Jennifer Newberry is enthusiastic about the opportunities it holds for both her and the Upper School Students.

Born and raised in Michigan, McKensie is a graduate of Grand Valley State University where she studied Hospitality and Tourism Management. McKensie’s background in Event Management and passion for the city brought her to Chicago in 2017. Beginning her career, McKensie worked on fundraising and development events with the Adler Planetarium. Her time at the Adler showed McKensie the importance of S.T.E.A.M education as well as the difference a valuable educator can have in a child’s life. McKensie came to Bennett as the Front Office Administrator and is moving into her third year at Bennett as the Family Connector. Her diverse expertise, deep understanding of logistics, and ability to thrive in the fast-paced hospitality world bring a smiling face and positive experience to events of all types for teachers, students, and parents alike.

Janessa is excited to be spending another year at Bennett Day School on the Enrollment Team! After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, he followed her passion for equitable education and was accepted to Teach For America. Janessa served in New York City from 2008 to 2010 and taught pre-kindergarten at an elementary school in the Bronx. While in NYC, she received her Master’s of Science of Education in Early Childhood Education from Lehman College. In 2010 she returned to the Midwest and spent six years teaching at several elementary schools in Chicago (public and private). In 2017 Janessa joined the Enrollment Team at Bennett Day School and has loved leveraging her teaching experience in her role as Enrollment Associate. She is also a proud parent to twin girls who are in Senior Kindergarten this year at Bennett Day School.

Abby has been in the medical field for 17 years. Her background is in pediatrics. She was in a clinical setting for nearly 13 years and then made the switch to school nursing. She has always worked with children, since her mother ran a daycare for nearly 35 years. She loves music, dance, and theatre which she studied for many years. She also loves spending time with her 6 nieces and nephews.