Elizabeth Stone, Director
Elizabeth has been at Rose Hall since 2008, coming first as an Assistant and quickly moving into the position of Lead Preschool Teacher. Elizabeth was a Lead Preschool Teacher for 12 years, was the Lead Kindergarten Enrichment Teacher for 2 years, and continues to be our Little Explorer teacher. Elizabeth has a Master’s of Child Development, Administration and Early Childhood Special Education, from Erikson Institute.

She has two young children and loves watching them grow! In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys reading, baking, and taking walks in the woods.

Caroline Baxter, Office Manager and Lead Lunch Bunch Teacher
Caroline has been at Rose Hall since 2010, joining the team in the office and eventually taking over the Lunch Bunch program. Caroline graduated with a degree in advertising and spent several years working for Northern Trust. Caroline brings a sense of fun, creativity, organization, and joy to everything she does!

She spends her free time enjoying her three children and friends, traveling, and walking along the beach.

Kristen Baron, Assistant Afternoon Preschool Teacher
Kristen joined the Rose Hall team in 2019 as an Assistant in the morning preschool classroom. Kristen has a master’s degree in education and spent several years teaching elementary in the traditional setting before having children of her own. After being a Rose Hall parent for many years, she has joined our team and brings a sense of wonder, joy, and love to the classroom.

When Kristen is not busy with her three children, she loves reading, baking, and exercising.

Alexis Hubbard, Assistant Morning Preschool Teacher

Alexis joined Rose Hall in the summer of 2023 as an Assistant in the morning preschool program. Alexis has a degree in neuroscience and spent many years in research, veterinary medicine, and medical publishing. As a former Rose Hall parent, she has a firm understanding of the Montessori philosophy and loves to work with children.

Alexis enjoys spending her free time with her family walking on the beach, canoeing on the lagoon, and growing vegetables in her garden. Her dedication to her children has given her a unique insight into child development, and she brings the same level of dedication and passion to the classroom.

Faith Kanatzidis, French Teacher
Faith joined the Rose Hall team in 2008 as an Assistant teacher in the afternoon and has been keeping us organized ever since. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in French and delights our children weekly with her French lessons. Faith has spent much of her career in education, teaching high school French, working in Montessori Toddler classrooms, and being at Rose Hall.

Faith raised three children in Wilmette and now enjoys spending her free time reading, traveling, and knitting.

Sarah Kost, Assistant Morning Preschool Teacher
Sarah has spent many years as a teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing across all grade levels in a traditional educational setting. She is working on her AMS teacher training and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom.

In her spare time, Sarah enjoys exploring the outdoors with her son and spending time with her family and friends. She loves learning new crafts and is an avid board game player.

Michelle Kothmann, Lead Morning Preschool Teacher
Michelle joined Rose Hall in 2015 as a Lead teacher bringing her Southern charm, sense of peace, and overwhelming joy to our classrooms.

Prior to teaching at Rose Hall, Michelle taught at a Montessori school in Texas, moved to Illinois, and spent many years raising three children. She enjoys spending her free time with her family, watching baseball, and being active outside.

Aly Marti, Assistant Morning Preschool Teacher
Aly joined Rose Hall in 2022 as an assistant in the preschool classroom. She lives in Ravenswood with her partner and their cat and dog, Bug, and Bird. Aly spent many years working as a graphic designer and copy editor before making the switch to education.

When she’s not at Rose Hall, Aly can be found repotting one of her many houseplants or reading a crime novel in the sunshine. 

Ann Mazza, Lead Morning Preschool Teacher
Ann has been at Rose Hall since 2009, beginning as an Assistant and transitioning into the Lead role shortly after joining the team. She has taught in the Early Childhood field for most of her career, teaching in the traditional setting before raising her own children and then coming to Rose Hall.

When not at school, Ann enjoys spending time with her family, doing yoga, finding new art projects, reading, and traveling.

Chris Peterson, Assistant Afternoon Preschool Teacher
Chris has been at Rose Hall since 2019 after being a Rose Hall parent. Chris spent the first part of her career in advertising before becoming a parent. Chris has enthusiasm, joy, and compassion for every child every day.

Chris enjoys spending time with her family and her dogs, and in her spare time attending live music and taking long walks on the beach.

Sam Wallace, Lead Afternoon Preschool Teacher
Sam has been at Rose Hall since 2016 in both the morning preschool and kindergarten enrichment programs. She is an AMS trained teacher and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. Prior to moving to the United States and having children, Sam spent many years as an Elementary teacher in her native Australia.

In her spare time Sam enjoys spending time with her two children, coaching youth triathlons, personal training, and spending time outdoors with family and friends.

Debbie Whalen, Lead Toddler Teacher
Debbie has been a teacher at Rose Hall since 2014, joining the team first as the Little Explorers teacher and then transitioning to being the Lead Toddler teacher. Prior to teaching at Rose Hall, Debbie taught in a Montessori Lower Elementary classroom, was a Rose Hall parent of 4 children, served on the Parent Association, and on the Board of Directors.

When Debbie is not working or enjoying her family, she can be found outside in the mountains or reading a good book.