Our Team
We pride ourselves on having an experienced and dedicated team that understands how to pair academic excellence with social-emotional support.We maintain a staff-to-student ratio of 1:3. In addition to our core teachers, we have a range of aides and specialized staff who support students and maintain regular communication with parents and caregivers. Our close-knit team allows us to collaborate and stay current about our students' life changes—both in and outside the classroom—to inform how we support each student’s well-being and learning.
You get out what you put in—and we pride ourselves in staffing the very best. Every Metro team member comes to us with a multi-disciplinary education background and a passion for working with neurodiverse learners.
Sarah Brady
Instructor and Director of Programming
Sarah has been at Metro for several years and has experience teaching Brown, Red and Orange lines. In addition to teaching social studies and science, Sarah serves as our Director of Program. In this role, she organizes and coordinates all of the special events including but not limited to field trips, after school family events, overnight educational student trips, and the big school trip at the end of the school year. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Speech/Communication, and has an Illinois Teaching Certificate with endorsements in science, social science, English, and speech.
In Sarah’s spare time, she likes to attend local country shows and concerts with friends. Sarah has a son and daughter in college.
Ruben Echevarria, PhD
Instructor
Ruben is the Accreditation Specialist and teaches Orange and Green Line English. With a deep passion for teaching and learning, Ruben holds a BA in mathematics, a PhD in Learning Sciences from Northwestern University, and has over 13 years of teaching experience. He is committed to creating learning experiences that foster critical thinking and collaboration by leveraging his research-based knowledge and hands-on experience.
When he’s not in the classroom, Ruben spends his time with his family, friends, dog, and lizard. He also collaborates with youth-centered organizations, such as the YMCA. He believes these personal connections help him build strong relationships with students and foster their academic and personal growth.
Kate Hendrickson
Instructor
As a teaching artist working with students and adults for over 20 years, Kate specializes in creative arts, theatre and literacy. At Metro she teaches visual art, dramatic literature and movement. Additionally Kate is part of the collaborative team at Metro that designs and implements our in-school immersive learning experiences. Kate is currently pursuing her expressive arts therapy certification through the Maine College of Art and Design. Prior to Metro, Kate has done Urban Gateways artist residencies in Chicago Public Schools citywide. She also taught at Decatur Classical School, Chicago Dramatists and Summerdale Workshop, among others. In tandem with teaching, Kate has a long and ongoing career as a theatre artist and is a resident director at Trap Door Theatre. In her free time Kate likes to spend time with her family, garden, and read.
Claire Jaeger
Instructor
Claire is the Director of Curriculum and teaches Brown and Red Line at Metro. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Education with an endorsement in English from Eastern Illinois University. Claire has previously worked as an afterschool program director, a kindergarten assistant, a special education paraeducator, and has taught third, fourth and fifth grade. Additionally, Claire has coached a variety of sports including middle school basketball, soccer, cheerleading, and dance.
Claire enjoys exercising and being outside in her free time, especially taking walks on the lakefront or to local coffee shops. She’s a big sports fan and loves cheering on our Chicago home teams, especially the Cubs and the Bulls. She loves making Metro magic with her students and colleagues!
Jennifer Kelly, PhD
Executive Director
As a child, I spent my free time walking the halls of Hines VA Hospital, smiling to brighten the day of those I encountered. It was at this young age I realized the impact that one person can have on the life of another.
My grandfather, Chester A. Olszewski, is the inspiration for Metropolitan Schoolhouse. He is the person who introduced me to volunteering and opened my eyes to the beauty and complexity of the world around us. Through volunteering with my grandpa, I learned the value of hard work, patience and most importantly- to have an open mind. He instilled within me the idea that education is based on our experiences and interactions with one another.
Cindy Kelly
Office Manager
Bio coming soon!
Claire O'Keeffe
Instructor
Claire teaches Blue, Brown, and Red lines. She has over 5 years of experience teaching grades 1–4 in both private and public schools. After finding her love for teaching, she returned to earn her master’s in teaching from American University. Claire enjoys having student-led lessons and discussions, incorporating what students love and finding ways for all learners to meet the curriculum.
As a new resident of Chicago, Claire enjoys spending time with friends, reading, watching movies, and exploring Chicago! She can either be found doing yoga or down by Lake Michigan.
Ruth Raz-Russo
Librarian and Instructor
Bio coming soon!
Vanessa Hartley
Instructor
Bio coming soon!
