Faculty and Staff

• M.A. Classical Languages, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• M.S. Information Science, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• American School of Classical Studies, Athens
• B.A. Biology and Classical Languages, Monmouth College

Stacy has been an educator for over 30 years, working in both K—12 and post-secondary schools. Throughout his extensive career, he has served as a teacher, curriculum coordinator, and administrator. However, most of his career has been focused on leading and shaping high-performing public, private, independent, and charter K—12 college preparatory schools. His expertise is in teaching, learning, and college readiness. Stacy collaborates with teachers, students, and parents to create the best academic outcomes and provide opportunities that lead to success in life. These pathways of success are crucial in developing future ready students, who can take ownership of their education, adapt to new environments, persevere through adversity, and embrace their individual excellence. His goal is to always be inclusive and increase the collective efficacy of students, teachers, and staff. 

Stacy is an avid sports enthusiast, Sci-Fi fan, and SCUBA diver. He shares his life experiences with his spouse of 25 years, Dawn, and their two adult children Sydney and Sam. Stacy is a teacher, learner, and leader, who strives to make Willowwind School the best place for teachers to teach and students to learn.

• B.A. in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Reading, University of Iowa

Lisa joined the Willowwind community in 2018.  Prior to serving as Curriculum Coordinator, and now, Assistant Head of School, Lisa taught first through third grades at Willowwind.  Lisa graduated from the University of Iowa in 2015.  After graduating, she spent time teaching in New Zealand and traveling.  Before coming to Willowwind, she taught third grade at a nearby school.  Lisa enjoys cooking, hiking, traveling, and exploring with family; her husband, Keegan, and two daughters.  She hopes that she can instill in all Willowwind students a lifelong curiosity about the world and the confidence to take risks.  Lisa is passionate about inquiry-based learning, STEAM education and exploring relevant topics through children's literature. 

Anne is our finance guru. After her time at Stanford and Northwestern, and having worked for a small, local biotech firm, Anne set her sights on Willowwind. Outside of work she loves to spend time with her family, enjoys checking out local events, and traveling. If people watching were an Olympic sport, Anne would probably have a good chance of winning a medal; she hones her skills on weekend mornings at Deluxe, her favorite neighborhood bakery.

• B.A. in French and Secondary Education, Beloit College
• M.Ed. in TESOL, Seattle University

Rachel works at the front desk at Willowwind and also coordinates the admissions process.  She can be found patching up scraped knees, coordinating upcoming events, and touring prospective families- all in one day!  Before working at Willowwind, Rachel was a classroom teacher at the high school and college levels, where she taught English language classes for international students, immigrants, and refugees. Rachel finds working with young children to be "new and entirely delightful!  Only at Willowwind have I had a student greet me by saying 'You look like a beautiful butterfly!'" 

• B.A. in Graphic Design, Mount Mercy University

Emily joined the Willowwind team in 2022 as the Assistant Office Manager. During her undergrad education, Emily participated in extracurriculars such as Student Ambassadors, Mount Mercy Activities Planning Board,  and Dance Marathon where she was Co-president of Marketing. She brings with her a unique skillset and a variety of experiences, such as Montessori education, event planning, and social media management. Emily and her family are avid football, hockey, and baseball fans cheering for the Hawkeyes, the Blackhawks, and the Braves.

• B.A. in Cultural Anthropology and Certificate in Human Rights, University of Iowa

Early Childhood Montessori certified, North American Montessori Center Kaye moved to Iowa City in 2008, her work with the community and caring for others started at a young age with childcare and her first job at a nursing home in her hometown of Rock Island, IL. Since then, she has acquired an eclectic work history developing skills in restaurants, as a private chef, on organic farms and being a full-time private nanny. Her passions are gardening, cooking, spending time with family; her husband Nicholas, her dog Grover, and cat Levon.  She also enjoys being active outside by camping, hiking, and kayaking. 

Aneesa moved to Iowa City in 2022 to attend the University of Iowa and joined Willowind as an assistant teacher in 2023. Aneesa found her passion working with children as a family nanny in the Kansas City area where she grew up. She loves watching children grow through exploration and independence. As a perpetual learner, Aneesa is excited to continue to learn and grow through her time at Willowind and explore the field of child development and education. While attending the University of Iowa Aneesa was actively involved in the theatre department. She enjoys listening and creating music, reading, spending time outdoors, and cooking meals for others.

• B.A. in Cultural Anthropology and Museum Studies, University of Iowa
• Studied Elementary Education with a focus in special education and instruction, University of Wisconsin-Superior

With a passion for early childhood education, special education and inclusion, Veronica delved into many facets of early childhood education prior to coming to Willowwind in 2023. Veronica has a varied background in non-profit administration, special education, community development, preschool education and childcare administration. Her favorite things about working in early childhood education include collaborating with fellow educators, providing a safe and welcoming place for students and cultivating a community-enriched program. When away from the classroom, Veronica spends her free time working in local non-profit organizations, reading, playing board games and crafting. She also enjoys spending time with her partner, Randy, along with their child, Gabby, and two dogs.

• A.A.S in Early Childhood Education, Kirkwood Community College
• A.A in Liberal Arts with a focus in photography and digital arts, Kirkwood Community College

Paige brings a wealth of experience to our team, having dedicated nine years to the field of childcare. In her most recent role as a Lead Teacher, she excelled for three years, demonstrating her commitment to fostering a nurturing and supportive learning environment. Paige possesses valuable expertise in working with special education students and English language learners, allowing her to connect with a diverse range of children and meet their unique needs.

Her passion for creating an inclusive and inviting atmosphere is at the heart of her teaching philosophy. Paige’s ultimate goal is to instill a lifelong love of learning in her students, empowering them to explore their interests and reach their full potential.

When she’s not inspiring young minds, Paige enjoys embracing the great outdoors through camping and hiking. She also finds joy in reading, continually seeking new knowledge and stories to share with her students. With her experience and enthusiasm, Paige is an invaluable asset to our team and the children under her care.

Ms. Hwida has been part of the Willowwind community since 2015. She began as a BASP teacher. With a deep passion for children, her desire to take on a bigger role was made clear, and she became an assistant teacher in the preschool program. Ms Hwida is loved and supported by her husband, Hassan Mohamed and her three children, Mohamed, Fatima, and Feda.

• B.S. Elementary Education, Western Illinois University

Madelyn is a recent transplant to Iowa City, having moved from the Quad Cities after graduating from college. Over the past few years, Madelyn has gained valuable experience in the field of education. From tutoring and working as an aide in Life Skills to teaching 1st Grade English Language, she has learned a great deal about the art of teaching through great mentors and personal experience. Through these experiences, she has developed a teaching philosophy that emphasizes creating a safe and positive learning environment where children can grow cognitively, emotionally, socially, and mentally. Additionally, she believes in providing meaningful experiences for kids that give them the opportunity to discover the world around them. When she is not teaching, Madelyn can be found practicing yoga, playing with her dog, or exploring Iowa City. She is beyond excited to become part of the wonderful community at Willowwind.

Jordan is a passionate advocate for childhood development with six years of experience working with kids. Her dedication to fostering a nurturing and engaging environment reflects a deep commitment to making a positive impact on young lives, and Jordan hopes to continue this rewarding journey for a lifetime. Outside of work, she enjoys immersing herself in stories—whether through reading or watching her favorite show, Gilmore Girls. A lover of the arts, Jordan finds joy in musicals and cherishes the adventures that travel brings, constantly seeking new experiences to inspire and enrich her work with children.

• B.A. in Elementary Education, University of Iowa

Madison graduated from the University of Iowa in 2023 after completing her student teaching experience in the Fox classroom right here at Willowwind School. While attending the university, Madison gained experience working with children through babysitting, working at summer camps and after-school programs, and helping out in various classrooms. Her excitement for one day having a classroom of her own continued to grow during her student teaching experience as she quickly fell in love with the closeness of the Willowwind community.    

• B.A. in Elementary Education with Reading and Language Arts endorsements, University of Iowa
• Specialization, Minor in Spanish, University of Iowa

Christine has been a member of the Willowwind community since 2011. She received her bachelor’s in elementary education from the University of Iowa, with a focus in reading and writing and a minor in Spanish. She has a wealth of experience with outdoor education and has guided kids in outdoor inquiries and adventures for the past 7 years with the University of Iowa Wildlife Camps. Her passion for the environment helped her facilitate a student-lead prairie planting at Willowwind in 2011. Christine taught fourth grade at DelCampo International School in Tegucigalpa, Honduras in addition to teaching for the Iowa City Community School District. Christine’s passions outside of school include camping, cycling, and playing outside with her family. 

• B.A. in Psychology, Minor Communications, Truman State University
• K-6 Teaching Licensure, endorsements in Language Arts, Reading, and Social Studies, University of Iowa

Ann is from Muscatine, Iowa and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Truman State University in 2007.  After graduating, Ann worked in retail management before moving to Istanbul, Turkey where she lived for nearly six years.  While in Turkey, she taught first and second grade English at a private school.  The experience inspired her to seek her teaching licensure through coursework at the University of Iowa.  Ann loves children’s literature and the unique conversations that evolve in a classroom as students explore text. Outside the classroom, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and building Legos with her son, Will.

• B.A. in Elementary Education, University of Iowa

Alec hails from the Quad Cities but quickly settled into Iowa City while attending the University of Iowa. Before joining the Willowwind preschool team, Alec was a substitute teacher, and was heavily involved in the After School Program at a local elementary school.

A sports fan, Alec enjoys spending time with his family, cheering on the Hawkeyes, and going to Mickey’s Irish Pub for their awesome grilled cheese. He also loves playing basketball and golf, and thinks that if Wii Sport had a place in the Olympics he would have a good chance of winning a medal.

Alec brings humor, patience and so much fun to the preschool program and hopes that the students will come away having grown; physically, emotionally, and socially.

• Studied Art Therapy & Art Education, University of Iowa

Megan is an Iowa City artist, award-winning muralist, and art instructor. She studied under the guidance of Hani Elkadi, learning the importance of community and how it can be strengthened through art. Engaging in public art, such as the city’s Co-Sign and Benchmarks programs, and serving as a board member on the Artifactory, a local non-profit focused on art and community, solidified this passion for Megan. She has taught at the Muscatine Art Center where she hosted free art classes to cancer survivors and their families, and has been an art instructor at Oaknoll Lifecare Community for the past ten years. Megan believes that everyone can create art, that it is beneficial to society, and is a universal language that should be shared.