I have been a Special Education Teacher for 7 years. I spent my first 6 years teaching in Houston with one of the largest Special Education populations in the state. I am certified in Special Education, ESL, and Social Studies. I moved to Illinois with my wife and 2 children because we wanted to be closer to family. Wallace Academy has been a great school to work for because it allows me to help students that wouldn't get the time and attention they need in large school settings.

I’ve been a special education teacher since I earned my baccalaureate from Winona State University in 2005, with about 10 years I took off to be a stay-at-home mom to my four kids. I chose Special Education as a career after growing up with my sister Alicia, who has Down Syndrome. After observing how my very happy and loving sister could be undervalued in certain environments, my heart is for students never to be or feel undervalued or overlooked. I believe every person has value, a story, and something to offer. I love being a student of my students, giving kids the gift of maintaining a sense of positivity and curiosity about who they are, so that I can help them reach their fullest potential.

Over the past few years, I have taught life skills to special education students at a public high school. My past experience is primarily with students who have autism and intellectual disabilities. I am confident in my ability to connect with students across diverse educational settings. I hold a degree in Special Education from the University of Illinois and am currently pursuing a Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University. My approach centers on creating meaningful connections with my students and doing everything in my power to support their success. I firmly believe that with the right tools and support, every individual has the potential to learn, grow, and achieve their goals. I am committed to creating a positive and inclusive learning environment where each student feels valued and empowered. I am thrilled about the opportunity to bring my skills and passion for teaching to the students at Wallace Academy!

From cracking math problems to cracking jokes in the classroom, I began my teaching escapade 15 years ago with a love for numbers and a knack for connecting with students. A decade back, a detour led me into the heart of special education, where every day became a lesson in empathy, patience, and the boundless capacity of the human spirit. Along the way, I've worn many hats – from co-teaching to case management, summer school stints to resource room rendezvous. I've witnessed students achieve monumental successes, defying odds and graduating when it once seemed an insurmountable challenge. And now? I find myself in the Windy City, proudly part of the illustrious Wallace Academy. Here, surrounded by an administration as esteemed as our syllabus and colleagues who redefine 'elite,' I'm more invigorated than ever. Let's tackle math, dreams, and everything in between!

I began my career in education as a teacher’s aide in a Transition classroom while I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Upon graduation, I taught for two years in a private therapeutic day school for students with autism and language disorders. Through my experience, I have learned the value of building relationships with students and families, and fostering a supportive learning environment for my students. I am passionate about collaborating with families and finding new and meaningful ways to engage students in their learning. I am thrilled to join the Wallace Academy team!

I’m currently in my second year of teaching, having started my career in Chicago Public Schools. My journey began in a dynamic environment where I had the privilege of working closely with students who needed more than just academic support; they required both guidance and support to navigate their educational and personal challenges. This experience has deeply shaped my approach to teaching, as I strive to create an inclusive and supportive classroom where every student feels valued and understood. My goal is not only to help students succeed academically, but also to empower them with the skills and confidence they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

As a dedicated special education teacher and case manager with over 14 years of experience, my passion lies in creating a nurturing and motivating environment where every student feels valued and understood. I firmly believe in the potential of every child to excel, and that belief drives my work every day. Most recently, I obtained my Slant System Certification, becoming a Structured Literacy Dyslexia Interventionist, which allows me to provide specialized support to students with Dyslexia. My journey in education began with a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Illinois State University, followed by a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction, and another in School Leadership from Olivet Nazarene University. These experiences have shaped my approach to teaching, always putting students' social and emotional needs at the forefront. After taking a decade to focus on raising my three children, I'm thrilled to be back in the classroom, bringing fresh perspectives and a renewed sense of purpose. I’m committed to making a positive impact on my students' lives, helping them discover their strengths and achieve their full potential. Thank you for allowing me to share my passion for teaching and my commitment to making a difference.

After maintaining my career in the private sector, I decided to make a major life change. This meant shifting gears and becoming an educator. My journey began in 2003 as a Generalist in Fort Bend ISD, (FBISD) a school district in Sugar Land, TX. I remained in that position until 2008 when I transitioned to Houston ISD (HISD) as a fourth grade teacher. Fourth grade was a lot of fun, and my students excelled in all academic areas. After four years, I moved overseas to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where I taught second and fourth grade students for four years. What an amazing adventure! While in the UAE, I pursued my Master of Science in Special Education. This move positioned me to become a Special Ed teacher in 2017. I landed a job in FBISD as a Special Education teacher where I supported elementary students in grades 3-5. Eventually, I had a desire to return to Illinois. I was fortunate enough to run across a job posting as a Case Manager at Wallace Academy. Luckily, I was selected for the position and couldn’t be happier. I’m confident that I have found a new home. I’m extremely excited to be at Wallace Academy as I can tell it’s an amazing place in which to continue my career. 

I am embarking on my 34th year as a special education teacher and truly excited about having the opportunity to join Wallace Academy. Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of teaching a wide range of students with behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and learning disabilities. One consistent hallmark of my teaching approach has been my ability to develop and maintain strong and meaningful connections with my students. I've worked with students facing many challenges. At the heart of my teaching lies a passion to work with students who need the most help. I look forward to this new chapter and am eager to share my wealth of experience and dedication into the Wallace Academy Community. “It’s Amazing What Can Be Accomplished When No One Cares Who Gets The Credit”

Ms. Cranmer is a substitute teacher at Wallace Academy. She brings a wealth of experience, and a true passion for working with students that struggle to attend school. She provides a high level of support to students on both an academic and a social emotional level to propel them forward at school and in life. 

I have been working in the mental health field for over 10 years. I hold a Master’s degree in Psychology, and have obtained my LCPC. I have experience in working with children, adolescents, and families from a diverse population in different treatment settings such as community mental health, outpatient services, and therapeutic day schools. I have always had a passion for helping others succeed. I believe that it is very important to create a safe, comfortable, and empathetic environment to help students achieve their goals. I aspire to provide our students with the right instruments, support, and education to help them conquer the many different barriers they may experience throughout their life. I’m very compassionate about my job, and consider it a privilege to help one grow and achieve happiness.

I graduated from Adler University with a Master's in Art Therapy and Counseling. My inspiration to pursue Art Therapy stems from my deep desire to help others while nurturing my own creativity. Approximately six years ago, I commenced my career as an art therapist in a therapeutic day school setting. I enjoy building a community atmosphere through murals and projects that involve the entire school community. I think it is important for everyone to have multiple ways to express themselves and to have a creative outlet. I am enthusiastic about continuing to inspire creativity in young individuals at Wallace Academy and helping them express themselves through the use of art.

My greatest joy in life has been assisting adolescents and families with transitioning into adulthood and consciously creating future plans. My past clinical experience has consisted of working with youth and adolescents in the private practice setting. I have always had a strong desire to help others which led me into the social work field. I completed a Masters degree in Social Work from Aurora University and am a Licensed Social Worker. I am passionate about helping others find their own path, moving forward in life with confidence and trust in their decisions. 

What drives me the most in the work I do is seeing the children and adolescents I work with begin to build a solid foundation that will allow them to thrive, heal, and be successful in their lives. I completed a Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Valparaiso University. I have experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with diverse backgrounds and clinical needs. I have worked in community mental health, private practice, and residential settings. As a therapist, I believe it is important to build a safe and trusting relationship with students in order to help them grow. Additionally, it is important to approach all students through an empathic, person-centered, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed lens. My ultimate goal in the work I do is to help create meaningful change and empower students to be the best version of themselves.  

One of my greatest joys in life is watching students finally realize their worth and drive for life. This does not always come naturally and can take time to work towards, but I know that each student can get there on their own timeline! I place an emphasis on rapport building and developing trust with each student during our time together. I want each student to feel safe, supported, and empowered during our time together. I received my master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago and have specialized in individuals with disabilities and high school students. Prior to that, I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Taylor University.

Imagine climbing a mountain with every obstacle coming your way whether it's falling rocks or inclement weather. This is something we can call “life.” We endure every obstacle that comes our way whether we face it head on, fall down, leap over or move around. Everyday is different and I want my students to know that I will be supportive, non-judgemental, and meet them wherever they are on their mountain. My greatest priority is getting to know my students and building a meaningful, collaborative relationship. I use a person centered, cognitive behavioral approach.  My previous clinical experience has been within community mental health and private practices. I graduated with my masters in counseling and rehabilitation education and have obtained my LPC. I have experience with working with children, adolescents, adults and couples. I’m so excited to be a part of the Wallace Academy team and look forward to accompanying my students on this climb because they are worth it!

I started out teaching Middle school language arts after graduating from the University of IL Urbana-Champaign, but took a detour from education for several years. Later, in an unexpected turn of events, I took a position at a therapeutic day school and set out on a new journey in special education and never looked back. I strive to build strong, trusting bonds with students because I believe that with the right support every student can learn. I am excited to join Wallace academy because I believe we implement the right values to create the best opportunities for student empowerment and success. There is nothing more fulfilling than helping a student reach their potential.

I am a graduate of Judson University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Resource Management.  My professional background includes working in administration with the City of Chicago. I also hold both a Paraprofessional and Substitute Teacher License. I am professionally trained in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) and Crisis Prevention (CPI). I have worked in special education for many years, including working with students diagnosed with ADHD and on the Autism Spectrum. I joined Wallace Academy as a Program Assistant in November 2023. I enjoy being a part of the Wallace team, where I have the pleasure of building relationships with my co-workers as together we support students and their families in meeting their educational needs. I pray that my contribution will help our students grow and succeed in their lives.

Every student's journey is unique, and I am dedicated to accompanying them on their path, supporting and encouraging their progress each step of the way. Holding a substitute teaching license and a Bachelor's degree from Northern Illinois University, I bring hands-on experience from U-46 as a paraeducator and from Camelot, where I served as both a substitute teacher and paraeducator. These roles have deepened my commitment to creating learning environments where students feel seen, valued, and capable of overcoming any challenge. My approach is centered on building authentic, collaborative relationships with each student and providing individualized support that meets them where they are. I'm excited to be part of Wallace Academy and look forward to contributing to a place where students feel empowered to reach their potential.

I have worked in a school setting for 6 years. In my role, I have learned to wear many hats to be able to help out as best as I can. I value having the ability to build relationships with students, families, and staff. I take great joy being in a position where I am able to advocate for families or students. I also serve as a bilingual translator, and I ensure that all communications between the school and families are effective and accurate to help ease language barriers. Throughout the years, I have learned the importance of being organized, reliable, and trustworthy to be able to serve as a team player for the building to continue to grow and strive. I love to be able to help others and I am a strong believer that you do your best when you do something you love.

I started out my career in special education as a program assistant in a therapeutic day school. While working as a program assistant, I was able to earn my master’s degree in special education from Northeastern Illinois University. During my career, I have primarily worked with students with a variety emotional disabilities. Most recently, I worked with middle and high school students struggling with school refusal and anxiety. Throughout my years in the field, I have enjoyed helping teachers and therapists craft quality Individualized Education Plans in order to better assist students to reach their full potential. I believe that all students should be valued and treated with dignity. Having a solid IEP in place allows the student to grow to their fullest potential socially, emotionally, and academically.  

I am a graduate of Harper College with an Associates in Arts. I plan on continuing my educational career as a special education teacher. I have been in the special education field for 4 years as a paraprofessional. I am excited to start my journey at Wallace Academy, due to their wonderful beliefs and approach to education. My goal is to help guide all students in the right direction and help them believe in themselves! 

I’ve been working in special education for 27 years as a paraprofessional. I grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana, and moved to the Chicago area in 2000. Working with students and families to help them achieve their academic and behavioral goals has been an incredible experience of a lifetime. Wallace Academy is unlike any other school I’ve ever worked at. The culture here is a caring and loving environment that’s rare and unique for students and staff. I’m incredibly proud and honored to be a part of the Wallace Academy family!