8 years at Lloyd
     8 years teaching
     Hobbies: Scrapbooking, photography, drawing, DIY Projects

 

Ed. Philosophy:

Teaching has definitely proven itself to be such a rewarding and fulfilling career, where I feel honored and privileged to participate in the lives of young children.  I firmly believe that every child has the potential to succeed when provided with an environment that is not only conducive to learning, but also takes into consideration individual learning styles and multiple intelligences. 

 

After having taught at the same school for eight years, it is such a pleasure to walk down the halls and have former students eagerly greet you as you pass them by.  It is the only job that I can think of where there are many smiling faces awaiting you in the morning.  This, to me, is the best way to start each day. 

 

Under Construction

My name is Ms. Aguilar and I have had the privilege of working with preschool-age students and families for nine years.  I joined the Lloyd family three years ago, and have expanded my teaching experience due to a great grade-level team.  Working with young children is exhilarating; it keeps me young at heart.  “The National Association for the education of Young Children [NAEYC], the nation’s largest professional association of early childhood educators, believes that high quality, developmentally appropriate programs should be available for all 4- and 5-year-old children.  NAEYC believes that quality is not determined by the length of the program or by the sponsorship” (NAEYC, 1987), and as a member of NAEYC, I am proud to serve the children and families in the Lloyd community as an advocate for early childhood education.

    My  name is Mary Villa, I have been part of the Lloyd family for ten years.   I have taught head start, 3rd and 4th grades.  I am active of the Instructional Leadership Team and the Professional Problems Committee.  I have a passion for teaching and am continuously pursuing professional development opportunities to better serve our students.

 

My name is Esmeralda Otero. I am a Bilingual First Grade teacher at Lloyd for the past three years. In 2000, I completed a bachelor degree in Social Work and a minor in Spanish. Immediately, after graduation I started working with the Department of Family and Children Services (DCFS) as a case worker. During those two years, I have developed a passion of working with children. That is why I decided to change profession from social work to working with children directly and guide them to make a difference in their life. 

 

In 2002, I started to work with Chicago Public School as a bilingual first grade teacher.  Obviously, I won’t deny that my first time being a teacher was very challenging especially coming from a different professional field without any classroom experience.  At the end of my first year of being a teacher I developed a passion and devotion of working with young bilingual children to establish a solid education foundation. In 2006, I completed a Master degree in Early Childhood Special Education; in addition of completing an ESL/ Bilingual Endorsement. 

 

Being an English language learner myself, I can identify with frustrations, anxiety, poor self-esteem and lack of motivation that students who are coming from another country may experience when they are trying in assimilating and adapting into a new culture, language, and beliefs different of their own.  My main goal is to facilitate and differentiate instruction according to my student’s individual needs.  I am a strong parent involved advocator due to its extremely important for educators and parents to collaborate as a team to support and motivate student learning.

My name is Carmen Alcocer, and I am a bilingual kindergarten teacher. I am originally from Lima, Peru, and I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Education from Pontifical Catholic University in Lima. Also, I have a degree in Master of Science in Bilingual Education from Chicago State University. I have been a first grade teacher in Henry Lloyd Elementary School for seventeen years, and I began teaching kindergarten in 2007. My career is very rewarding as I enjoy working with children.

Mrs. Wilson has been teaching for 10 years with CPS.  During the last 7 years I taught first grade and I loved it.  I am currently teaching kindergarten.  My philosophy is that all children can learn.    I personally don’t like the expression “raising the bar for children.”  Raising the bar or setting the bar is limiting what children can do.  Why not take the bar away? Eliminate the limitations so children can achieve anything, and sometimes not what you would expect. I love teaching because it has its rewards.  At the end of the year, I love to see  students’ progress and growth. In my spare time I like going to the movies or watching a movie at home with my family. I also enjoy shopping.  Besides my bachelor’s degree in bilingual education,  I have a masters degree in Education and Administration from Governors State University.  I have been teaching at Lloyd for three years and I love the community at Lloyd.

 

Hello, my name is Soledad Muñoz, and I have been teaching for well over twenty five years plus within CPS.  As a Spanish/English bilingual educator, I have had the opportunity of working mostly within the primary grades.  I am currently a Kindergarten Bilingual teacher at Lloyd Elementary School. 

 

My vision as an educator consists of facilitating a positive environment that engages learners within creative and challenging opportunities.  Providing ongoing assessment leads to effective differentiated instruction that highlights students’ unique learning styles and multiple intelligences.  Using a diverse range of research based teaching strategies must be utilized, in order to assist students in building background knowledge, and establishing higher order thinking skills through the use of technology and authentic learning experiences.  The classroom is organized for optimal learning and the walls provide tools for self managed learning and display authentic student work.  Routines are established, in order that they empower students to take ownership of their learning. 

 

My mission is to increase the percentage of students meeting state standards by employing best teaching practices, such as using thematic units that provide the major components of reading, writing, speaking, and listening.   
In essence, my philosophy seeks to create fully literate individuals and critical thinkers, who are able to analyze, question, and extract meaning from his or her world. 

5th Grade Bilingual Teacher, Room 108 – mlblanco@cps.edu

 

I arrived in the US at age 17 and lived in New York City until the age of 29. I taught there for three years while working towards my Master’s Degree in Education. Soon I moved to the Windy City, Chicago, in the fall of 1999. Here I became an active member of the Lloyd Community both as a classroom teacher and as a coordinator working closely with both the Area 4 Literacy Coach Office and UIC Partnership READ initiative.

 

My more than ten years of experience as an educator has made me realized that although student groups change overtime each and everyone of them come to our school with the conviction to learn regardless of their language and/or culture. As a teacher I feel we just need to provide a safe and supportive learning environment where each student carves his/her own path to success.

Hello, I’m Ms. Barriera and I enjoy working in this community.  I have been teaching in Lloyd for about nine years and it has been very rewarding.  I believe that every child can learn and be successful when parents and teachers work cooperatively.

This is my 5th years as a teacher. Before going into the teaching profession, I worked in the private sector as a chemist doing various environmental testing of hazardous materials. I became concerned by the lack of good quality educators after sitting in on my nephew conference. I left the conference thinking does she care and is she giving her all to help my Nephew succeed? I also wondered about her teaching philosophy and her impression on how urban kids learn best. Thinking to myself, if this is the state of teaching as a profession, the future of our students is in serious trouble. So, now, I am on a mission to be their teacher each day of their lives as they come to class year after year.

 

coming soon...

My name is Sheela Karsten and I currently teach in the Head Start Classroom room 121.  I am a graduate from North Eastern University with a BA in Early Childhood Education and a MA in Reading.  I have taught at Lloyd for nine years in various capacities.    I taught first grade for a year, was a Lead Literacy Coach for 3 years and taught Head Start for six years

 

I believe that the goal of education is to do your utmost to reach all students, provide them with the skills they will need to function and guide them in using these skills so that they can make a positive difference in the world.  As an educator I believe we must set high standards for ourselves, as well as our students so they may achieve their maximum potential.  I am a firm believer in Early Childhood Education as the experiences and nurturing children receive during their early years shapes their views and perceptions of the world and their place in it.   Young children need positive reinforcement and a welcoming environment to motive them to learn and reach their full potential.

 

For me the best philosophy in the world doesn't mean anything if you don't practice that philosophy every day in your classroom.  To my understanding teaching is all about your actions and how the children perceive your actions in the classroom. Children need to feel your enthusiasm to become motivated to learn.  Children need to be challenged to grow and learn and at the same time feel accepted and appreciated for their attempts even though they might not always succeed at first.   Children need to feel respected as individuals and know that their ideas and concerns are important and have value. 
Finally, I think that students should be inspired by what they learn in school.  By the time they leave my classroom, they should not only feel confident enough to know how to use the new skills they have acquired but also want to build on those skills as they move forward.  In whatever future they have before them, they should all know that their lives will touch many others in some way, and that they have the skills, power and the ability to make positive choices that will influence those around them.  We have all heard stories or maybe know someone who remembers a teacher who has inspired them and I want to be such a teacher who has a lasting impact on the lives of my students past and present.

 

When I am not teaching I enjoy my role as a wife and mother.  I have a 2year old daughter and my 2nd child is due in November.  I have interest in reading and researching new ideas to continually update  my teaching skills.

Coming soon...

 “It is wonderful to be able to imagine that I could be in front of scientists, doctors, and perhaps the president of the United States. Teaching is extraordinary work and it is very unique. In addition, the power to teach new generations will give us a better place to live and to coexist. Just think, if only one child can change our world we could have a better place to live in harmony and happiness. Therefore, giving opportunities where children learn and laugh every day can be one of our goals as teacher” Mr. Pinto

He is a first grade bilingual teacher at Lloyd School. This is his second  year teaching  at Llody . He has taught second and third grade students as well as after school .  He received his B.A degree in economics from Mayor Saint Andres University  and Master’s degree in  Elementary Education from National-Louis University

 

Teacher can make a difference in this world. Education is the main key that will helps us solve the problems in our society.  As a teacher, we can help our society by providing knowledge, dedications, and cooperation. I chose to be a teacher because through my educational collaborations with immigrants I found that there was a need for bilingual teachers and also I wanted to be able to make a positive difference in their lives.

 

When I came here from Bolivia, I saw many immigrants who were suffering discrimination because they could not understand English. In severe cases, they even had problems reading and writing in their own primary language, which is Spanish. As a result, I chose to help these people in a small community center named, “Centro Romero”. I worked there as a volunteer teaching English literacy; however, during my classes there, I found children also had problems in their bilingual programs.  I realized that these problems were creating disadvantages in their education. Moreover, without a special service that had bilingual- education support, they were suffering as a consequence and their problems inside their classrooms were unresolved. As a result of these facts, and my previous experiences as a teacher in Bolivia, I chose to be a teacher in the U.S. because I believe that every single child including immigrant students in the U.S. can achieve their personal dreams because there are vast technologies and vast resources that are available for them.

 

In final consideration, I chose to be a teacher because it is a wonderful tool that allows us to change our society because it provides knowledge and changes our student’s minds. In addition, immigrant student needs to have the same opportunities in this country to be a successful person, but in order to do so, they must understand that it is only through education and higher learning that their dreams can be obtain.

Under Construction

Hi! My name is Mary Flanagan and I am new to Lloyd School this year. I can’t believe that this will be my fifth year as a teacher! Time flies when you’re having fun! I am also pursuing a master’s degree in reading through Concordia University’s cohort program. I believe that a child’s ability to read is directly related to their future successes in school, as well as later in life. As a teacher I work every day to shape my students into lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and people of character. I am so excited to be at Lloyd School and I look forward to an awesome year!

 

You can email me at meflanagan@cps.edu or write me a note.  You can also leave a phone message for me when you call the main office and I will do my best to contact you after school the same day, or earlier if possible.
If you need to meet in person just call and we will set up a time to sit down and talk!

My name is Elizabeth Lopez.  I am a kindergarten teacher at Lloyd School.  I have teaching for the past 20 years. I have been at Lloyd School for the past 5 years. I enjoy working with the primary grades.  I have taught 1st, 2nd, and kindergarten.  It gives me great joy and satisfaction to know I have helped shape and mold the lives of the children I teach. I enjoy reading children’s literature and being with my grandchildren. 

My name is Mrs. Gorostieta.  This is my 5th year teaching at Lloyd School.  I taught 4 years of Kindergarten and this is my first year teaching 1st grade.  It is a great experience to see how both grades connect with each other.  I feel more rewarded to experience the needs for a Kindergartner and first grader.

 

I love planting as a hobby.  When I plant, it reminds me of my students of how I must plant a seed of knowledge, then care for it to keep growing.  That is what I do as a teacher and has been my mission:  care for my student’s knowledge and help them grow as readers.

Hello, my name is Rosa Asqui.  I have been teaching at Lloyd since 2000.  For the first three years, I was teaching Kindergarten, and now I teach second grade. I enjoy teaching the younger children because their enthusiasm for learning new things is very contagious.  My vision for my classroom is that my students will become independent learners and caring individuals.  When I look around the classroom and listen to students excitedly discussing a book in a small group, I know I have done my job. I have a passion for reading and hope to pass it on to my students.  I love to read a variety of genres, but my favorite is historic-fiction.  Some of my hobbies are reading, hiking, and karaoke.

 

Recommended websites:
www.colorincolorado.org
www.funbrain.com
Contact information:
rlasqui@cps.edu.
rasqui6@yahoo.com

My name is Erin Payant.  I teach 2nd grade in room 324.  This is my first year to teach in Chicago, and I am thrilled to partner with the learning community at Lloyd!  In August, I moved from Tennessee to teach in Chicago Public Schools.  My favorite subject is reading, because I love to read!  I am eager to work with my students to create meaningful reading and writing opportunities.  I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and my Master’s in Theory and Practice in Teacher education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.  I enjoy spending my time with my family and friends, reading, exploring the city, and spending time outside.  Please feel free to contact me at eepayant@cps.k12.il.us.

Hello parents, students, and staff

 

It is a pleasure to be working at Lloyd school for the last 6 years and learning along with my students and colleagues about education. I have previously worked with students from grade 4th-8th in another CPS school and have earned a B.S in Psychology, a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from UIC, and I am currently obtaining another Masters in School Administration to obtain my Type 75.

 

My hobbies include reading, exercising, dancing, cooking, scrapbooking, and currently digital photography. I love spending time with friends and family and being outdoors.

 

I believe that all students can learn and reach their full potential when they try their best, work their hardest, and have the instruction, support, and encouragement of highly enthusiastic and knowledgeable teachers. I welcome you to visit our wonderful 2nd graders in room 323 or send me a note at KARudle@cps.edu.

 

“Who dares to teach must never cease to learn."
-- John Cotton Dana

I am currently teaching second grade bilingual and have been teaching for 15 years. I enjoy cooking, spending time with my family, and traveling during my summer vacations.

 

I have earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. My goal is to instill a passion for learning within students and provide an environment that is encouraging and positive.  I strongly believe that helping students discover their areas of strengths and interests, sets the foundation for student’s success.

 

My message to parents is: “Students are excited and look forward to moving on to the next step in their educational life. Parents, your help and cooperation are deeply appreciated. Please keep in touch with me for the betterment and progress of your child. Together with guidance and help, we can make the life of every child, a better one. It is a pleasure to be a part of your child’s life”. Some educational websites I recommend are; http://www.funbrain.com/, http://thekidzpage.com/, and http://www.starfall.com/.

I’m a second grade bilingual teacher.  I have been teaching for six years, five of which have been here at Lloyd.  My hobbies are reading and going for walks with my family.

 

Room 319 Email:  rmartinez17@cps.edu

 WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!  My name is Justyna Rewilak and I am excited and honored to be working again as part of the Lloyd School family.

 

First grade is exciting as students embark upon new adventures in learning.  Daily activities are child-centered and are consistently focused on the concept of creating the enjoyment of learning.  Children learn in different ways and my approach to guiding learners is based on the needs of the individual.  I challenge my students on a daily basis.  When students are not challenged, they are not learning which may be uncomfortable at times.  This is all completed in a classroom structure so that children feel as ease making mistakes, learning from those mistakes, and understanding our school’s expectations.

I strongly believe that a teacher is a guide and a source of knowledge and information; not necessarily being the sole source.  An education must have a love of learning that is filtered through the desire to teach.  An atmosphere of trust and mutual respect is created in which each child is valued and encouraged to participate.

 

As a teacher, I look for ways of accommodating students’ learning styles.  A variety of teaching techniques utilized such as visual aids, cooperative learning groups, guided reading, role playing, and writer’s workshop.  Since I came to Lloyd, I have been helping my students with individualized morning or afternoon tutoring.

 

Professional growth is continual and I attend Northeastern Illinois University to receive the Bilingual Endorsement and a Masters in Multicultural Education.  Two years later, I decided to get a Masters in Latin American Literature and Cultures.

 

My experience at Lloyd School is full of what any teacher is willing to receive and give from his/her students:  to accomplish the goal to provide students with necessary tools to achieve their maximum potential as students and members of society.

 

coming soon...

Ms. R. Reyes is a second grade bilingual teacher at Lloyd School.

 

This is her second year teaching second grade. She has taught fourth and third grade students as well as after school.  She received her B.A degree in Psychology from UIC and Master’s degree in Elementary Education from NIU.

My name is Josefa Velez  and I was born and raise in Cuenca-Ecuador. I came to United States in 1992. My career in education started in Ecuador as an Acounting teacher in a High School. I am happily married to my husband Jorge and I have two wonderful children Tania Estefania (19) and George Michael (17).

 

I graduated from Northeaster Illinois University on 2005 with a Type 04 certificate. On 2005 had graduated in the same university with a Masters Degree in Bilingual Bicultural Education. Currently I am working on my Masters on Reading and Instruction at NEIU.

I have been working at Lloyd since 2005 as a Bilingual teacher from grades first to fifth and making a difference in each of one of my students’ lives. Now I am currently teaching third grade Bilingual. My goal is to help my students become independent learners. I believe that all students can learn and reach their full potential when parents work as a team with teachers. Parents feel free to come any time if you need help.

 

Hello!  I’m Mrs. Alvarado.  I have been teaching third grade bilingual for six years at Lloyd school.  I’m very fortunate to be teaching at a school that is in the community I grew up in.  I feel I can connect with my student’s in different ways. 

 

I love to spend time with my family.  I specially love to read to my children.
Education is very important to me and I like to transmit that to my students and parents.

 

3rd Grade 203
e-mail: salvarado1@cps.edu 

My name is Ruth Ruiz. I was born and raised on the Island of Puerto Rico. I went to grammar school there as well. In my early teens, I moved to Chicago. I attended Harrison High School on the South Side of Chicago. Years later, I went on to college to Northeastern Illinois University where I graduated and earned a bachelor’s degree in Education.

 

I chose to be an educator because I love working with children. I enjoy seeing their faces light up whenever they learn something new. I always say that children are like sponges because they absorb every little thing you expose them to.

 

I believe every child has the ability to learn if given the opportunity to do so. They all are very unique and they must be taught according to their needs. When I was in fourth grade my math teacher, Mr. Concepcion, encouraged me to reach the stars because the sky had no limits. I did just that! Part of who I am today is because he took the time to help me become a successful person. I also thank my parents for always being there for me and supporting me.

 

Parents, I encourage you to please take the time to be involved in your child’s education by being supportive. It will be rewarding someday. Don’t give up on your child but help him/ her reach the sky because there are no limits. Rruiz1@cps.edu

My name is Sonia Turcios. I was born in El Salvador. I came to the United States at the age of fifteen. Most of my family lives here in Chicago.  I have twins, they are twelve years old.  Gemini and Genesis are my life.

 

I went to Schurz High School.  After I graduated, I worked as an assistant teacher at the YMCA. While working there, I thought of becoming a teacher.  I believe it was already in my genes.  My uncle is a principal in one of the schools in El Salvador and three of my other uncles are teachers.

 

I graduated from Northeastern Illinois University in 2000. with a bachelor in Psychology. Four years later I graduated with a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education.  I am currently working on my second Master’s in Reading.  After I finish this second masters. My goal is to get a PhD in Criminal Justice.   One of my goals is to work in court.

 

I have been teaching at Lloyd for five years.  My philosophy of education is that I believe all children regardless of race, ethnicity, socio economic status, religious background and/or any other classification are deserving of holistic education.  This holistic approach would include, and education that will allow them to fully discover themselves, their strengths and weaknesses, and benefit from necessary real world/real life instruction.  Furthermore, this type of approach would expose students’ futures and experiences that they otherwise would not have the opportunity to encounter.

 

In addition to my philosophy include love, patience, kindness and time. Children at the elementary age in my belief have many needs and attention being primary.  From my experience, I recognize that many of the results that educators look for, take tremendous amount of time to come to fruition.  However, I recognize that the four attributes named above with the catalyst of consistency and parent involvement will assure a majority success rate with my students.

 

My mission at Lloyd School is to not only be an advocate for my students but also the student’s achievements. This requires a direct correlation between the developmental needs of the student and the experiential learning that goes on in the classroom. I need the full support of the parent in order to reach this goal.

mailto:Sicruz@cps.edu   tel: 535-3070

Websites for parents and students:

http://www.swartzcreek.org/links.htm
http://www.sitesforparents.com
http://math-and-reading-help-for-kids.org/index.html

I am currently teaching a great group of 3rd grade students who enjoy learning. This is my 3rd year teaching at Lloyd school and my 6th year as a qualified Bilingual/ESL teacher. I am a firm believer that every child can learn and succeed in life; I believe that we can’t change everyone but we can change someone.

 

I was born in Chicago, but had the opportunity to study in Mexico for a couple of years. I currently have a Masters Degree in Bilingual education and a Masters Degree in School Administration. I enjoy being evolved in different committees at school and feel that parents are our strongest allies. Parents feel free to send me an e-mail Lsalgado@cps.edu

My name is Amy Moy and I am currently in my eighth year of teaching at Henry D. Lloyd School.  I have taught second grade for five years and right now, I am on my third year teaching third grade.

 

My goal for the 2009-2010 school year is to have each and every one of my students improve their reading, writing, math and science skills throughout the entire school year.  I am also teaching and showing my students how to be productive citizens in my classroom.  I truly believe that the better behaved the students are in school, the more students can learn throughout the school day.

 

 

A quote about Understanding Assessment that I really like is …

I have a dream that assessment…

…will be accepted as a means to help teachers plan instruction rather than as a contrivance to force teachers to jump through hoops;
…will be based on trust in teachers’ judgment as much as numbers on a page are trusted;
…will become a helpful means to guide children to identify their own literacy strengths rather than a means to conveniently label them;
…will support each child in becoming the best he or she can be rather than a means to sort children into groups of the best and the worst;
And I have a dream that assessment will be put to use to honor what children can do rather than destroying them for what they can’t do.
If we all work together we can make such dreams become a reality as we work to help each child grow. 

My name is Anna Troup. This is my second year teaching at Lloyd, and I am excited to see familiar faces as well as meet new people this year! I recently got married to my husband, Matt, and we live in downtown Chicago. I grew up in Michigan and love to visit my family and friends who still live there. When I have free time, I enjoy running, going to the beach, eating ice cream, watching cooking shows on TV, and talking with friends. I am super excited about lots of new books that were purchased for my classroom this summer through a grant, and can't wait to share them with my students!

My name is Micaela Kucinski and I am apart of the Chicago Teaching Fellows, Chicago Public School's in-house alternative certification program since 2006, which trains teachers to teach in high-needs urban schools with the ultimate goal of closing the achievement gap.  I am also pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching - English as a Second Language and Bilingual  Elementary Education at Dominican University School of Education.  This is my first year teaching at Lloyd Elementary School and I am very excited to be a member of such a positive supportive hard-working community.  I am looking forward to all the adventures we will have this year in 4th grade!

I have a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Minnesota with two majors in Psychology and Italian Studies and two minors in Art and Intercultural Communications.  I studied abroad in Italy for 18 months and  taught English in Argentina for 6 months.  I am originally from Minnesota and just recently moved to Chicago.  Education has granted me access to so many incredible opportunities and I truly love to learn; I am a life long learner and strive to instill this kind of passion for learning in others.  I am social justice oriented and believe everyone has the right to a great education, and I find meaning, purpose, and passion in dedicating my life to this mission.

 I enjoy traveling, being a kid, learning languages, meeting people, going to museums, having good conversations, and laughing.

Thank you so much in your interest in our School!
Ms. Kucinski
Room 301
4th Grade Teacher
micaela.kucinski@gmail.com

Mrs. Martin is a first year teacher. She is from Michigan and is excited to be living in Chicago, where there are fabulous concerts, plays, libraries, museums, and parks to explore. She also enjoys kayaking, hiking, and camping during the summer months. Ms. Martin’s educational philosophy is that with hard work and great instruction, all students can become curious, joyful, lifelong learners.

Hello!

My name is Erika Morales and I have been teaching at Lloyd for six years. My first two years I taught third grade and after that I have been teaching fourth grade. One of the reasons I decided to become a teacher is my belief in the right to a good education. I have a philosophy that every child deserves the right to an education regardless of his or her background, culture, or economic status. Therefore, it is my responsibility to provide my students with the essential tools so they can have a very productive time at school. In my classroom I always like to create an environment where my students feel welcome, safe, and always willing to do the best they can every single day. My goal is to help my students succeed during the school year. Eventually, this will not be possible without the involvement of the parents. I believe that when parents, administrators, teachers, and students work cooperatively positive things can happen.  When I am not working at school I spend my time with my family. We enjoy watching movies, visiting museums or just going out to the different festivals in the city.

Email: emorales4@cps.edu
4th Grade - Room 303

One of my favorite quotes:
"La educación es fundamental para la felicidad social; es el principio en el que descansan la libertad y el engrandecimiento de los pueblos".
Benito Juárez

---

Hello!  

My name is Elliott Hyman.  I am a new 4th grade teacher at Lloyd.  I am very excited to be a part of such a dynamic community of learners and educators!

 

I spend a lot of time reading and my favorite topics to read about are politics, technology, and education.  I love to learn so I believe that school should be a fun and welcoming environment.

 

That said, my classroom will not be all fun and games--we will get down to business!  I expect all of my students to give 100% in the classroom and then give more!  I will support them every step of the way. Together, we will achieve academically and have a blast doing it.

My name is Frances Torres-Vera and I have been teaching at Lloyd for the past 8 years. I absolutely love my job and look forward to coming to work everyday.  What has kept me at Lloyd for so long is the warmth and compassion that each student brings into the classroom. I continuously challenge my students, and encourage them to ask questions and take risk in their learning. I truly enjoy working closely with parents. I also believe that the school, and home must work together to help our children grow.  

Hello everyone!
My name is Max Allison, and this is my first year teaching at Lloyd Elementary.  I'm so excited to work with the rest of the Lloyd community and dive headfirst into the fourth grade this year.  I come into education through Teach For America's alternative certification program, and bring with me a real passion for working (and learning) with students and their families.  I'm eager to challenge and excite my students, and prepare them for success in everything they put their hands to.

I was born and raised in Elmhurst, a western suburb of Chicago, and I earned a bachelor's degree in Creative Writing with a minor in Spanish from Northwestern University. Along with  teaching, I love to play guitar and piano, write creative nonfiction, and spend time in Chicago's amazing museums.

I look forward to meeting you all this year! Please feel free to email me any time:
maxwell.d.allison@gmail.com

Hi, my name is Aura Catalan.  I have been part of Lloyd community for 9 years.  I love teaching in Lloyd school because I feel connected to the students and to their parents.

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Under Construction

I am honored to be joining Lloyd’s rich community of students, educators, and families.   Prior to becoming the Math Coach at Lloyd, I worked as middle school teacher for 7 years and developed a passion for teaching Mathematics.   Other passions of mine include reading a great book, knitting, and solving Sudoku puzzles.

 

In addition to becoming avid, proficient readers, our students need to become true Mathematicians who have a strong number sense and ability to problem solve.   To get there, our students need to experience math through hands-on activities that allow them to put mathematical concepts into real-life contexts. 

"It is impossible to be a mathematician without being a poet in soul."

 

Priya Shah
Math Coach
Pjshah@cps.edu

I’ve taught at Lloyd my whole career (8 years)

 My Hobbies

Spending time with my family
Working on the house
Traveling by car to different cities to watch the Cubs
Cooking for family and friends

 

Educational Philosophy

On a daily basis, every teacher shall motivate their students to learn by explicitly telling every student why they are smart.

coming soon...

coming soon...

My name is Carmen M. Reyes and I am the librarian at Lloyd School.  I have been a teacher here at Lloyd for over ten years.  My love of books and children has geard be towards the library position.  I love my job mostly when I read to children and I see the excitement on their faces and when they get involved in the reading through questions and answers and making connections.  My goal  is to have all the students feel welcome and choose books that they will enjoy reading.  And also involve the parents to come in to our library and choose books to read to their children.  I will very soon be sending websites about our new SOAR program which will give the students an opportunity to see what books we have in the library from home and also be able to reserve books from home and many other new features.  I am so excited about this new system coming real soon. 

 

Here is one of my favorite quotes.
" I like being around books.  It makes me feel civilized.  The only way to do all the things you'd like to do is to read."
Tom Clancy

 

Pick up a goog book and read!

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My name is Antonio Valdez, i am one of the Physical Education teachers at Lloyd. This is my 3rd year at Lloyd. My philosophy for education is kids don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care. Growing up in public education I had many teachers who cared. I love spending time with my family and watching my kids play sports and running an occasional half marathon. Following the White Sox and Bears are my favorite passtimes.

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My name is Frank Lucas and I have been teaching music at Lloyd School since 1992.
I attended Gordon Tech High School and DePaul University.  I have a Bachelors degree in Music Education and a Masters degree in Educational Administration with a IL Type 75 Certificate.  Currently, I teach music in the Lloyd auditorium, room 105, grades K-5.
Parents may contact me at FJLucas@cps.edu

To me, music is important to the human condition. To create, perform, and respond to music emotionally and intellectually has an important humanizing influence, increasing higher order/critical thinking skills, focus, creativity, self-discipline, self-expression, and self-esteem which extends beyond just music. The skills and knowledge gained through music will enrich students' lives. Students will be more apt to be culturally diverse and ready to build positive personal relationships with others.

Together, along with the families and members of the Lloyd School community, it is the mission of the Lloyd Music Department to instill, in each student, the inspiration for a lifelong participation in music.

 I graduated from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  I have taught at Lloyd school since 2003. I love to travel.

Kiltae was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina; a place he affectionately calls “home.” Although he and the family loved living there, Kiltae and his parents immigrated to the US in 1991. Kiltae attended Rutgers University where he majored in political science, history and minored in world religions.

 

Kiltae’s career in education started when he left corporate America to serve children as a 4th grade teacher in Harlem, NYC. Under the leadership of Dr. Brown, he and his colleagues helped turn around one of the lowest-performing schools in all of NY into a model school within 3 years. The relationships and lessons learned there became invaluable as he later took a district position as an administrator, in Cicero, IL, to support the academic and social development of over 6,000 English Language Learners. From there, Kiltae moved on to mentor new teachers in hard-to-staff schools as an instructional coach for the Academy for Urban School Leadership before joining New Leaders for New Schools. Since 2005, his joy of teaching and learning extends outside of schools while he serves as a part-time, adjunct professor for NIU’s graduate programs of education. Currently, through a gracious doctoral scholarship from NLU, Kiltae is learning much about reading and language in order to better support the learning community at Lloyd.

K

iltae is happily married to his wife Tokhui who has been his strongest supporter and encouragement from the very beginning of his educational journey. They both enjoy seeing their precious daughter Inés grow. The family enjoys traveling, enjoying the outdoors, eating with friends, thinking globally, and investing their time and resources in various Christian ministry opportunities locally and abroad.

MS in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin Madison, LAURA TITLEY is thrilled to join the Lloyd family. Laura is bilingual in Spanish and English, and loves Latin dancing and music from around the world. Before returning to the Midwestern United States, she lived and worked in central Mexico and on the US/Mexico border where she began developing a deeper dedication to building connections that cross cultures and languages. She is thankful for all that she has learned from her teacher colleagues, and from facilitating development experiences for educators.

 

Laura focuses her energies through a lens of equity and works for social justice for all students, including students who have been historically marginalized. She believes that 100% of Lloyd students, including students with IEPs and students in bilingual and monolingual classrooms, can read at or above grade level with the right focus and healthy push from their teachers. She is dedicated to collaborating with teachers and students to build teaching and learning capacity to its fullest promise.

 

Laura loves literature, is inspired by smiling faces, and the brilliant green trees that surround Lloyd School.  Most importantly, Laura sees great power and potential in every being and makes wishes for people’s ongoing development.  Laura is honored to be part of the exceptional learning community of Lloyd.

Ms. Duffy is excited to join and be a part of a thriving learning community here at Lloyd.  In her work as an educator, she values community, diversity, compassion and high achievement.  These values have been a part of who she is as a person,teacher and leader.  She began her commitment to children and their success as a 2nd grade and 4th grade teacher in Charlotte, North Carolina, serving predominantly a Latino community.  Following her years in the classroom, she supported and lead district-wide strategies related to overall school improvement in Chicago Public Schools, this included analyzing what components make up good instruction and how to support all students in achieving at high levels.

 

She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education and Child Psychology from Boston College; a Master’s Degree in Educational Policy and Management from Harvard Graduate School of Education; and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from National Louis University. 

 

Ms. Duffy is passionate about learning of all kinds, learning with students, families and teachers.  Personally, she comes from a large family, mostly from the Chicago area, that enjoys spending their time together playing games.  For fun, she likesevenings with her book club, taking Zumba classes and checking out new restaurants around the city.

 

Ms. Duffy is thankful for the opportunity to be a part of a positive community that believes all students can achieve at high levels.  In addition to the high quality staff at Lloyd, she looks forward to building relationships with families and the community.  She continues to learn more about how to maximize the impact for student learning and her commitment is shown through her energy, effort and enthusiasm.

 

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Taína has been fortunate to work with families, students and staff as a School Counselor in the Chicago Public Schools since the 2002-2003 school year. She was born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico and although she and her family moved to Chicago at an early age she has been able to visit her Isla Del Encanto regularly. Prior to becoming a School Counselor Taína earned a B.A in Elementary Education from Millikin Univeristy, an M.Ed. in School Counseling from Loyola University Chicago and is currently pursuing her Ed.D. in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University. She worked as Coordinator of Multicultural Recruitment for Millikin University, as a kindergarten and 3rd grade teacher as well as teaching psychology to 6-12th grade students in the Dominican Republic. She enjoys identifying and supporting students with their learning and needs through the various roles she plays in the school. Taína joined the Lloyd community in January, 2010 and when not serving the community enjoys spending time with her extended as well as immediate family of 3 boys Victor, Felipe, and Jonathan she is blessed to raise with her husband Joel.

 

Feel free to contact her to set up an appointment to discuss concerns of questions you may have at rodriguez-encar@cps.edu.