Jill Billingsley

Preschool Director and Teacher

 

Welcome to preschool! I have worked at St Matthew for the past six years. My first 3 years were as the Extended Care Director and then I spent a year teaching the afternoon preschool class, PE for grades 3-8, and technology for grades 6-8 before becoming the full time preschool teacher. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to be in the preschool classroom full time now! I have degrees in special education and elementary education along with a master’s degree in teacher leadership. In addition to teaching at St Matthew, I also teach courses for the University of Illinois (I'm currently in my 10th year of teaching at the university) in their Masters of Teacher Leadership program. 

 

In the past, I have taught early childhood special education (multi-categorical classroom of 3-5 year olds), kindergarten, and elementary special education in the public school system. This is my fifteenth year of teaching! I am thrilled to now be able to teach in a Christian environment where I not only get to foster the academic growth of the little ones, but I also have a  hand in shaping their spiritual growth by teaching them all about Christ’s unconditional and unending love.

 

I live in Hawthorn Woods with husband, Troy, and our three children (Xander, Lexie, and Kenxie) and our dog (a Boxer, Riggins). My girls are in 1st grade and 3rd grade and my son is in 5th grade. My two oldest are involved in soccer and gymnastics so the majority of my afternoons are spent running them to and from practices. As a family, we love to be outdoors. We spend a lot of time swimming, hiking, and camping in the summer. 

 

I’m looking forward to a wonderful school year and all the unforgettable memories that will be made.

 

"Every student can learn, just not on the same day, or in the same way."