Jasmine Bowman (Long term sub for Renita Banks - 1st Trimester):
Hello everyone! My name is Jasmine Bowman, and I am excited to fill in for Renita Banks at the beginning of the school year. I grew up a little less than two hours southwest of Oak Park around the Ottawa/Streator area. I graduated from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA, in May of 2022 with a B.A. in Elementary Education. After graduation, I taught third grade in Davenport before recently moving to Chicago. I'm looking forward to becoming part of the Beye community! Outside of school, I love being active outdoors, spending time with family and friends, and reading. I can't wait for the school year to begin!
Caroline Carbray (5th grade co-taught teacher with Ms. Fogg):
Hello, Beye! My name is Caroline Carbray and I am very excited to start a new school year with you all. I previously taught in the district as a Resource Teacher at Mann for three years. Prior to being with Oak Park 97, I taught in Darien in Center Cass 66 for four years. During my time here I was a resource teacher and had the opportunity to pilot the district's first co-taught classroom. I am thrilled to return to the co-taught setting at Beye and look forward to this new adventure! I received my undergraduate degree at Illinois State University as a Learning and Behavior Specialist. I received my masters degree from Northern Illinois University in Instructional Technology. I currently live in Chicago (Bucktown neighborhood) with my boyfriend and our pet cat (Logan) and chocolate lab (Reece). Outside of teaching, I enjoy traveling, reading and spending time with friends and family. I look forward to meeting you all soon!
Alma Cruz (Permanent Substitute):
Hello everyone! My name is Alma Cruz, and I will be joining the Beye school community as a permanent substitute teacher. I am extremely happy and grateful to join this upcoming school year and work alongside great educators. I graduated from the College of Wooster with a major in Psychology and an Education minor. Over the last two years, I have worked primarily in early childhood education around the Oakbrook area. I love working with kids, and I believe in the power of education and the impact it has in the life of children and the future of our communities. Aside from teaching, I am heavily involved in the BODYARMOR Sports Series and Buddy's Helpers, which engage thousands of young student athletes in order to educate them through sports and empower them to become the best versions of themselves. I look forward to meeting and working with the students, families, and staff at Beye!!!
Alana Dion (Psychologist; part time at Holmes as well):
Hi everybody! My name is Alana Dion and I’m excited to be joining you all as a school psychologist. I grew up nearby in Glen Ellyn and received a B.S. in interior design from Indiana University. After working in that industry for a few years, I decided to return to graduate school to study school psychology and graduated from Loyola University Chicago in May. During grad school, I completed an internship at OPRF, a practicum at Whittier, and a rotation at Brooks. I’m thrilled to be returning to the district and to be a Bobcat! In my spare time I enjoy exploring flea markets, hiking, reading, and spending time with my friends and family. I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone at Beye!
Nicole Hester-Francis (Permanent Substitute):
Hello, everyone! I am thrilled to be joining Beye Elementary as one of the permanent substitute teachers for this school year. While I took a short break from subbing in Illinois last year to help out with my first grandchild in Arizona, my passion for education has always been a driving force in my life. As a parent volunteer throughout the years my daughter and son were in elementary and high school, I witnessed firsthand the impact that dedicated educators can have on students' lives. Although my undergraduate degree is in Marketing Communications, my heart has always gravitated towards education. That's why I made the decision to pursue my Master's in Education(EPOL/Learning and Design), which I started in August '22 and I'm scheduled to complete my studies this December(YAY!!). I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Beye Elementary community and look forward to building meaningful relationships with students, staff, and parents.
Thank you for welcoming me as one of the permanent substitute teachers at Beye Elementary. I am excited to embark on this journey with all of you.
Jackie Houren (5th Grade Co-Taught with Ms. Hosler):
Hello Bobcats! My name is Jackie Houren (pronounced How-ren) and I am so excited to join Beye school as a 5th grade teacher! I grew up in Oak Park (Mann, Julian, OPRF) and I am very excited to be an Oak Park teacher. I have an undergraduate degree from Illinois State and received my masters degree from University of Illinois at Chicago. For the last 9 years, I have been teaching 5th or 6th grade at CICS West Belden in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood of Chicago. During my years teaching at West Belden I co-taught multiple classes with either a special education or CLD teacher. Additionally, I coached cheerleading and was involved in many clubs and activities.
I currently live in Oak Park with my dog, Penny. I am so excited to meet everyone soon!
Meagan Luhrs (Social Worker; part time at Holmes as well):
Hello! My name is Meagan Luhrs (pronounced Loo-ers) and my pronouns are she/her/hers. I have worked in the field of social work for 10+ years in a variety of settings, including hospital case management, child welfare, domestic violence, and trauma-informed counseling. I have an undergraduate degree in art history & studio art and an MSW in Clinical Mental Health. In Fall 2020, I made the switch to school social work and completed my PEL hours at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School. I began working as a school social worker at Longfellow Elementary in Fall 2021 and will be transitioning to a split position at Beye and Holmes this year. Outside of school, I enjoy sewing, gardening, snuggling with my dog Carl, and biking around town with my husband and kids (4th grader at Irving and 6th grader at Julian).
Christine Wetzel (Universal Design for Learning Coordinator):
Hello Bobcats! My name is Christine Wetzel. I am excited to be at Beye and Longfellow schools this year in a new role as coordinator. I am an Oak Park native (Whittier, Emerson/Brooks and OPRF) alumni! I have worked in D97 for 10 years as a special education teacher at Beye and Lincoln! I have an undergraduate degree from Augustana College and a Masters degree in Special Education and Educational Leadership from Dominican University and Concordia College. I have worked around the community while teaching. I used to coach gymnastics at Tri-Star gymnastics for many years. I am so excited to be re-joining the Beye Community!
Not new but new name! One of our fabulous first grade teachers recently got married. Ms. Helm is now Mrs. Stewart! Congratulations!
