Allie Frei has been a part of Trinity for one and a half years now, where she has been an assistant teacher in RTG, 3 AM, 4 PM and KE. She graduated from Georgetown University with a major in Justice and Peace Studies and minors in education and psychology. After graduation, she taught Kindergarten English for a year in Thailand, followed by working as an AmeriCorps NCCC member. Allie has also worked as s camp counselor and tutor, which helped her develop her passion for education and working with children. Allie is currently working towards her masters in education at DePaul University.
Sue Gaertner is thrilled to say that she is in her twenty-second year as director of TCNS! She is also the lead teacher in the 3-year-old morning class. Sue earned her teaching degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Prior to joining TCNS, Sue was the preschool coordinator at Skokie Park District. She also taught first and second grade, but her true love is preschool!
Sue’s high-energy style of leadership is noticed in all that she does. She is constantly striving to improve the school and incorporate the latest in educational practice. Her warmth and support motivate the staff to strive for excellence.
Sue’s three children are products of Wilmette School District 39, where she was an active volunteer. She is on the executive board of a non-profit dedicated to helping families facing the tragedy of a child with cancer. Sue is devoted to TCNS and loves giving tours of the school! Contact her at sue@trinitywilmette.org to request one.
Nikki Kim is thrilled to start her third year with team Trinity as the lead teacher in the 4-year-old afternoon class and an assistant teacher in Ready Two Grow and the 3-year-old morning class. Nikki found her passion working with children while she was a nanny for a wonderful family in Wilmette. Although she does not have children of her own, she is the proud mom of two large and energetic dogs, AJ and Piper! Nikki holds a degree in Kinesiology Studies and a masters in Early Childhood Education from National Louis University.
Kath Lyman lives nearby with her husband, four children and two dogs. She has a BA from the University of Notre Dame and later went on to obtain another BA and Teaching Certification at Concordia University in River Forest, IL. For five years, Ms. Kath taught at All Things Bright and Beautiful in Kenilworth. She took a break when her family adopted her two youngest boys from Haiti in 2013. This is Ms. Kath’s fourth year teaching at TCNS and she loves teaching the 3 year olds. In her free time, Ms. Kath loves walking her dogs, reading, knitting and working in her garden.
Becca Lyman is so excited to join the Trinity team for her first year as an assistant in both the Monday Ready Two Grow and KE programs. Becca has lived in Wilmette her whole life and, along with her husband, raised their three children here. A proud New Trier alum, Becca brings years of experience in both early childhood and corporate settings, including Salt Fitness and HiLove Travel bags. She started at Baker Demonstration School with ages three to four, while doing coursework at National Louis University. Most recently Becca worked for District 28 as an after-school Kidcare Coordinator, where she was responsible for 70 children ranging in ages five to 10-years-old, directing them in after-school activities and homework assignments,
Erin Sullivan
Erin Sullivan is excited to be back for her third year as Trinity’s Parent-Tot instructor! Erin previously worked as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher for 13 years. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from University of Illinois and a Masters in Education from National Louis University. Erin is also the proud mom of three amazing children (one Trinity alum and two current students.) In her free time, Erin enjoys reading and spending time at the beach and pool with her kids!
Kate White
Kate White is entering her third year at Trinity (Second as staff). While Kate’s school background is in criminal justice and documentary film, she has transitioned to working at North Shore Plant Club, Wagner Farm, and Trinity while raising her three kids. She grew up in Wilmette and is passionate about the town as well as the education of children. In her free time, you can find her gardening, reading, playing paddle/tennis, and planning her next trip to either Disney World or Scotland. She looks forward to teaching and learning from your children!
Samantha Lower
Before becoming a stay-at-home mom to her two children, now in high school, Samantha taught Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten at Joseph Sears School in Kenilworth. In the fall of last year, she returned to the classroom to cover a maternity leave, teaching Kindergarten at Harper School in Wilmette. She then transitioned to a teacher’s assistant role in another Kindergarten classroom for the remainder of the school year. Samantha is excited to continue her teaching career at Trinity in the 4s program and looks forward to meeting the students.
Sophia Robinson
Sophia Robinson is a Trinity mom with two alumi and one current student. She has a background in elementary education and spent 8 years teaching before staying home with her kids. She absolutely loves the Trinity community and is very much looking forward to working with students again as the Movement and Mindfulness instructor!
Jennifer Braun
Bio coming soon!
Colleen Shean
Colleen Shean is delighted to be embarking on her tenth year at Trinity as the lead teacher in Monday Ready Two Grow. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Portland. Colleen has extensive experience in education, having taught 3rd, 5th, and 6th grades and having worked as an educational consultant, creating and teaching leadership workshops for both students and educators. At TCNS, Colleen discovered her path in preschool education. She is passionate about fostering a joyful, peaceful, and developmentally nurturing environment where young learners can grow socially and emotionally.
Colleen lives in Wilmette with her husband Jonathan, their four children—Grace, Owen, Patrick, and Catherine—and two English Cream Golden Retrievers
Jen Morcos
Kelsey Davies
Kelsey is teaching her third year as an assistant in Ready Two Grow. As her three Trinity Alums get older, she loves getting to be with young kids and watching them grow and learn. She graduated from The University of Texas with a degree in History and a minor in Economics. She loves to walk her dog, be with her family, and travel.
Krissy Heitner
Krissy Heitner is excited to start her first year with Trinity as an assistant in the four-year-old PM classroom. Before becoming a stay-at-home mom with boy-girl twins (now rising juniors at New Trier), she spent five years as a high school counselor and four years as a teacher in the Chicago Public School system. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education both from Depaul University. She looks forward to being back in the classroom and meeting the students.
Kelly Burk
Bio coming soon!