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Specialty Teachers
Erica Spangler - Art
Though she comes from a family of teachers, it was a college class that instilled in Erica a desire to share her love of art with children. Inspired by the passionate professor of the mandatory course at Concordia University, Erica found her calling.
For more than ten years, Erica has taught art at schools in Minneapolis, Long Island and St. Louis. She also has developed and implemented community art programs, from a high-level visual arts camp to a “Mommy and Me” class for preschoolers.
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Keylah West - Foreign Language
Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Keylah adored her English classes growing up. She enjoyed being able to communicate with American children when they visited Puerto Rico and when she traveled to the U.S. for vacations and summer camps.
Keylah moved to the U.S. to attend St. Louis University, arriving in St. Louis just in time for the Cardinals’ ninth World Series win and one of the biggest snowfalls in the city’s history. She graduated with degrees in political science, finance and Spanish. She then began teaching, a dream inspired at an early age by her grandfather, the principal of a school in San Juan.
Keylah loves having the opportunity to teach Spanish to students in every grade at Rossman. “It is amazing to see their improvement year after year and to watch them grow into remarkable young men and women,” she says.
A mother of four, Keylah enjoys tennis, volleyball, biking and jogging. She also dedicates time to volunteering with Crisis Nursery St. Charles, an emergency children’s shelter, and La Casa de Salud, a health center for low-income immigrants.
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Marie Unanue - Library
Pursuit of a career in publishing led Marie unexpectedly to her true calling as an educator. “I have always loved children’s literature, and I was convinced I would have a career in the world of publishing,” she says.
While endeavoring to bolster her literary credentials with a masters in education, she discovered that she loved being in a classroom with children who were always learning, questioning, making meaning and excited to discover more about the world around them. She never gave publishing another thought!
Marie brings more than 30 years of diverse education experience to Rossman including positions as a classroom teacher, librarian and administrative coordinator. “Working in a school library seems to be the perfect marriage of all things I love,” she says.
In addition to reading, Marie’s favorite hobbies include taking long walks with her dog, gardening, trying new recipes and spending time with family. She has a house full of pets that include a dog, a cat, a tortoise and four chickens — many of which have literary-inspired names.
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Amira Fuller - Music
A proud Rossman School graduate herself, Amira brings a unique perspective, in addition to extensive training and experience, to the Rossman faculty. Once a sixth grade soloist in the Rossman School Holiday Program, she now directs the school’s musical presentations with extraordinary skill and heart. As a music educator, she also strives to give a new generation of Rossman students the opportunity to form relationships, believe in their abilities and discover how to push themselves to success.
“I believe that through music, you can build relationships, community, confidence and self-motivation in students of all ages,” says Amira, who holds a masters in teaching from Westminster Choir College.
An avid traveler for most of her life, Amira’s teaching philosophy is also deeply rooted in a commitment to experience world music. “I have traveled the world with my parents, and I have found that there is so much beauty to be found,” she says. “While I know that not every child has the opportunity to travel, I believe it is important to enable my students to experience different cultures through their music and connect it to their lives.”
In addition to international travel (she’s visited more than two dozen different countries), Amira enjoys competitive horseback riding and is fascinated by medieval history and archeology. She plays violin and guitar and has had the opportunity to be part of numerous choirs, which have performed in exceptional venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kimmel Center, Oxford University and Canterbury Cathedral.
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Jenna Lucas - P.E.
A passionate teacher and gifted athlete, Jenna strives to impart her love for sports and physical activity onto her students and equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.
Jenna was recognized in 2014, along with co-teacher Larry Huusko, by the American Heart Association for her support of the AHA’s Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart fundraising events. Her efforts have helped raise thousands of dollars and increase awareness for heart research and health education.
Holding a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology from Indiana University at Bloomington, Jenna played defense on the Hoosiers’ women’s soccer team. Her many athletic accomplishments also earned her a place in her high school’s hall of fame.
A lover of the outdoors, Jenna enjoys hiking, reading and barbecuing with friends and family. She is a youth leader and a co-leader for women’s discipleship at her church as well as a member of the AAHPERD (American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance).
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Larry Huusko - P.E.
Larry has been sharing his love for physical activity and play with Rossman School students since 1988. In the process, he has led the development of a dynamic P.E. program enjoyed by more than 200 students every day.
A military veteran, husband and father of two, Larry’s passion for physical education is evident. He was awarded the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award in 1999, and in 2014 was recognized, along with co-teacher Jenna Lucas, by the American Heart Association for his more than two decades of support of the AHA’s Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart fundraising events.
Continually seeking to grow as an educator, Larry is a member of the AAHPERD and MOHPERD (American and Missouri Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance) and the ICHPERD.SD (International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport, and Dance). He has attended conferences around the world in order to discover the latest advances in the field of physical education.
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Jess Baker - Science & Social Studies
A creative and nurturing educator, Jess’s core belief about children is encapsulated in the B. West quote: “Wisdom does not always come with age. Some of the wisest words have come out of the mouths of children.”
Jess has dedicated her career to working with and helping families raise young children, as both a professional nanny and a teacher at several independent elementary schools in St. Louis. She believes children bring much to the classroom including rich and unique experiences that have taught them about the world. She strives to create a child-centered learning environment where their voices are heard and valued.
Jess relishes watching the “spark” happen — when children are empowered in their learning and realize, “I can do it!” In Rossman’s collaborative Lower School science classroom, her students are encouraged to become independent, confident and curious learners as they begin to hone their critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Outside of the classroom, Jess enjoys practicing her creativity with interior design, being active, gardening and baking for family and friends. She and her husband are both St. Louis natives with a passion for the city.
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Julie LaConte - Science
With a mother who was a teacher and father who was a school administrator, Julie will tell you she grew up certain that she would not have a career in education. As a young girl, she was excited by science and its infinite possibilities. In middle school she dreamed of being an astronaut and even won a scholarship to Space Camp. High school courses further solidified her interest in science. Then in college, she realized the significant role her teachers had played in igniting her passion for the subject.
For more than ten years, Julie has been sharing this passion with her own students. She loves teaching upper elementary and middle school students because they have an emerging ability to understand and wrestle with more abstract science concepts but still possess an uninhibited enthusiasm for questioning, experimenting and discovering.
Holding a Master of Education degree and Advanced Certificate in Science Education, Julie believes science should be inquiry-based and include lots of hands-on discoveries, which make the learning experience authentic and meaningful. A member of the National Science Teachers Association, Julie has published several articles in the organization’s Science Scope journal. During the summers, she works for McDonald Publishing Company designing and writing products for teachers, some of which you can see in her classroom.
A mother of three, Julie’s hobbies include cooking, crafting, exercising and coaching her children’s sports teams.
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Erin Moore - Social Studies
Erin feels privileged to be part of children’s journey to reach their full potential. “If I play even a small part in a child’s growth, there is nothing better,” she says.
A St. Louis native, Erin knew at a very early age that she wanted to teach. While pursuing a Bachelors degree in elementary education from DePaul University, she volunteered as a classroom aid at underprivileged schools in Chicago. She then taught third grade for three years and second grade for two years before moving back to St. Louis to obtain her Masters in early childhood education from Webster University.
An enthusiastic and compassionate teacher, Erin is committed to maximizing individual student performance, inspiring children’s interest in technology and instilling a sense of self-worth among all her students. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time with family and her dog. She also is an avid traveler whose favorite destinations include Istanbul, Croatia, Santorini and Paris.
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José Holliday - Permanent Substitute
A St. Louis native and father of one, José is passionate about guiding children’s development and enjoys seeing how his students discover and experience new things. His goal as an educator is not only to help children succeed academically, but to help them become respectful, confident and contributing members of society.
Holding a Bachelors degree from Mizzou, José also received his 3-6 year old Montessori Certification from the Missouri Montessori Teacher Education Program. Prior to Rossman, he taught P.E. at The Fulton School at St. Albans and pre-k at Chesterfield Day School and City Academy.
A lover of sports and fitness, José’s favorite activities include lifting weights, running and indoor soccer. He also spends his free time volunteering in the children’s ministry at his church. Above all else, José loves spending time with his family.
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Heather Blome - Learning Consultant
Born and raised in St. Louis, Heather is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist through the National Association of School Psychologists. Holding a Bachelors in psychology and an Education Specialist degree in school psychology, Heather’s education career began with teaching positions at the Webster Early Childhood Education Center and as a special education paraprofessional for Special School District in Parkway. She also has served as a school psychologist for St. Louis Public Schools conducting Early Childhood Special Education evaluations.
More recently, Heather conducted psychological evaluations at Miriam Learning Center for children with mental health issues in their daycare centers, and at Jewish Family & Children’s Services, where she still works, for children ages 3-19 with learning, social-emotional, and/or behavioral concerns.
Heather is passionate about her work as Rossman’s learning consultant. “I make it my personal mission to find ways children can be successful in school,” she says. “I enjoy watching them learn and grow as young people and figuring out what motivates each of them in life.”
In her free time, Heather enjoys spending time with her husband, son and daughter. “As a parent, my joy is rediscovering the world through the eyes of my children,” she says.
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