Ms. Shawna- Non-Profit Director

Shawna has been with Mulberry School since 2016. In February 2021, she stepped into the role of the Non-Profit Director. Prior to fulfilling the Director role, Shawna worked as Administrative Assistant and Bookkeeper for Mulberry School.

In her free time, Shawna volunteers for the McLean County CASA program. She is a avid Dallas Cowboys and Illini basketball fan! Her hobbies include spending time with her husband; David and three children; Nathan, Tycee & Sabree, traveling, shopping, and playing with their rescue animals.

 

Ms. Colette- Academic Coordinator & Morning Preschool Teacher

Colette has been with Mulberry School since 2000. She teaches the part-time preschool class and is also our Academic Coordinator. She is a graduate of Illinois State University and earned her bachelor of science degree in early childhood education. After school and during the summer, Colette works at Dr. Burgess’s dental office. She is a big sports fan, loving the Green Bay Packers, the St. Louis Blues, and the St. Louis Cardinals.

In her spare time, Colette enjoys spending time with her parents, husband Brian and daughter Brianna. They have two dogs: Gidget, a Bavarian mountain hound, and Myla, a spunky Boston terrier. Colette also loves to travel. 

 

Ms. Zarina- Multi-Age (Grades 1-3) Teacher

Zarina has been with Mulberry School since 2015. In addition to her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, she has B.A. degrees in both biology and English, and a Master of Arts in Literature and Creative Writing. Zarina loves helping her students learn about and explore the natural world, including caring for the plants and wildlife in our school gardens. Conservation education, mindfulness, creative problem-solving, and multiculturalism are all a big part of life in the Multi-Age class.

Outside of the classroom, Zarina enjoys spending time with her family (husband Jim, son Kevin, daughter Kelsey, and two rescue dogs). She loves Disney, traveling, cooking, reading, photography, and art activities.

 

Ms. Kristen- Junior Kindergarten/Kindergarten Teacher

Kristen has been a part of the Mulberry family since 2020. She teaches the JK/Kindergarten class and is dedicated to creating a nurturing classroom environment that fosters creativity, problem solving, imagination and a love for learning. Kristen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Kinesiology (Minor in Nutrition), and a Master of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Outside of school, Kristen enjoys spending time with her family (husband Barry, daughters Hannah and Lillian and their mini bernedoodle, Elsie. She enjoys reading, taking fun weekend trips with her family, hiking, biking and cheering for her daughters during all of their sporting/dance events!

 

Ms. Sharon- 3 Full Day Preschool Teacher

 

Sharon has been with Mulberry School since 2017. She teaches the full-day PreK class. Sharon has a degree in Elementary Education from Illinois Benedictine University. 

She enjoys spending time with her family (husband, Brian and 2 children, Austin and Emma). In her free time she enjoys being outdoors, hiking, gardening, and hanging out with family and friends. Sharon loves to travel and is a life long Cubs fan!

 

Ms. Sarah- 5 Full Day Preschool Teacher

Sarah joined Mulberry School in fall of 2021 as the 5 full-day Preschool Teacher. Sarah graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a degree in Family Services. Outside of Mulberry School she enjoys spending time with her husband Jason and daughters Elle and Emme. She also keeps busy by coaching the competitive tumbling team at Gymnastics Etc.

Sarah is a big Chicago sports fan (Bears, Cubs and Bulls). She loves being active, anything involving music, going on trips with her family and hanging out with friends.

 

 

 To Be Announced – 5 Full Day Preschool Teacher

 

 

Ms. Kathy – Before Care Teacher, Teaching Assistant & Substitute

Ms. Kathy joined Mulberry in the fall of 2021. She is a teacher assistant, before care teacher, and a substitute. She earned her degree in Early Childhood Education at Elms College in Chicopee, MA.

In her free time, she likes to walk and read. She loves to cheer on the New England sports teams. Most of all, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Paul, and their 2 daughters, Makayla and Teresa.

 

 

Ms. Nicole- Art Teacher

Nicole has worked with Mulberry school since 2021 as our photographer for special events. In 2023 she joined us as our Art teacher.

Outside of Mulberry, Nicole enjoys spending time taking photographs and creating art.  She and her husband, Elliot, are kept busy by their three sons; Camden, Brayden & Emerson, 3 dogs; Buddy, Remi, & Harper and 2 cats; Milo and Pumpkin.  

 

Ms. Hannah- Aftercare Teacher & Teaching Assistant

Hannah joined Mulberry School in June 2023 as a Summer Camp Counselor. She was hired for a Teacher Assistant position and the Aftercare Supervisor position for the 2023-2024 academic year. Hannah started her college experience at the University of Nebraska Lincoln in 2020, then transferred to Illinois State University for the 2022-2023 academic school year. Hannah is currently attending Illinois State University majoring in Elementary Education. She is set to graduate from Illinois State University in the Fall of 2024. 

Outside of school, Hannah loves to cheer for Husker football, dance with her college dance group, and Facetime her family in Texas. Hannah also loves to play and train with her one-year-old puppy Lily. 

Ms. Tycee – Administrative Assistant/ Summer Camp Director

Tycee joined the Mulberry family in 2023 as the Summer Camp Director. She has been volunteering with Mulberry School since 2016, and she was hired into the Administrative Assistant position for the 2023-2024 academic school year. Tycee is a recent Bloomington High School and Hairmasters Institute of Cosmetology graduate.

Outside of school, Tycee enjoys spending time with her girlfriend, Ameera. She also enjoys reading, traveling with family and spending time with her 2 dogs; Harmonee & Lillee and 4 cats; Spud, Paislee, Popsee, Kittee.

 

 

Ms. Amy – Music & Mini Meerkats

Amy joined the Mulberry team in 2022. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Music and a master’s degree in Reading, both from Illinois State. Amy taught in public schools for ten years before spending time home with her kids. 

Outside of Mulberry, Amy enjoys spending time at the library — as a patron and as a trustee on the Normal Public Library Board. She and her husband, Scott, can often be found at soccer games, softball games, band concerts and piano recitals cheering on their three daughters. 

Ms. Iryna – Spanish

Ms. Iryna comes from Ukraine. She immigrated to the United States in her mid 20s, and has received a master’s degree in teacher education from the University of Arizona, and a master’s degree in Spanish Linguistics from ISU.

Iryna is married with three children and two dogs. She loves teaching languages (Russian, Spanish, French) and trying new foods from different parts of the world.