Support Staff Bios
Jennie Abella, After-School Fun
Ms. Jennie Abella received her bachelors degree in Kinesiology majoring in Community Physical Education in 2003 and received my Masters in Education, with a focus on Urban Youth Development in 2005 @ the University of Illinois-Chicago. I have been working at Ray School as an after school program coordinator and lunch/recess supervisor for over 9 years. I have a deep passion working with kids and a great desire to help them reach their fullest potential so they can become successful in whatever they do.
Ms. Jennie Abella received her bachelors degree in Kinesiology majoring in Community Physical Education in 2003 and received my Masters in Education, with a focus on Urban Youth Development in 2005 @ the University of Illinois-Chicago. I have been working at Ray School as an after school program coordinator and lunch/recess supervisor for over 9 years. I have a deep passion working with kids and a great desire to help them reach their fullest potential so they can become successful in whatever they do.
Rokeya Begum
Rokeya Begum was born in Bangladesh. She received her bachelor’s degree from National University of Bangladesh. She has been at Ray since 2014 and in education since 2008. She loves working with elementary school age children, especially diverse learners. She also enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and sewing.
Rokeya Begum was born in Bangladesh. She received her bachelor’s degree from National University of Bangladesh. She has been at Ray since 2014 and in education since 2008. She loves working with elementary school age children, especially diverse learners. She also enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and sewing.
Karen Bynum
Ms. Bynum has been at Ray since 2014. She loves children and will be teaching sewing after school this fall. She loves sewing, cooking, and dancing.
Ms. Bynum has been at Ray since 2014. She loves children and will be teaching sewing after school this fall. She loves sewing, cooking, and dancing.
Stacy Dawson
Stacy Dawson has been at Ray since 2014. She has been with CPS since 2012. She has her Bachelors in Business Management. She is a Special Education Classroom Assistant and she enjoys working with Ray's diverse learners. When she's not working she loves to travel and spend time with her family.
Stacy Dawson has been at Ray since 2014. She has been with CPS since 2012. She has her Bachelors in Business Management. She is a Special Education Classroom Assistant and she enjoys working with Ray's diverse learners. When she's not working she loves to travel and spend time with her family.
Viarnette Harrell
Ms. Viarnette Harrell has two sons and five grandchildren. She has been a SECA – Paraprofessional at Ray Elementary School since 2016 and children have always been her first priority by working with them, this allows her to help target and meet their educational needs. To work in a diverse learning environment is a pleasure to endure.
In her spare time she volunteers and supervises the Food Pantry at Pacific Garden Mission by greeting and preparing meals for people who are hungry.
Ms. Viarnette Harrell has two sons and five grandchildren. She has been a SECA – Paraprofessional at Ray Elementary School since 2016 and children have always been her first priority by working with them, this allows her to help target and meet their educational needs. To work in a diverse learning environment is a pleasure to endure.
In her spare time she volunteers and supervises the Food Pantry at Pacific Garden Mission by greeting and preparing meals for people who are hungry.
Vista Hood
Ms Hood started her career in education as an CWA (Child Welfare Assistant) in 2004. She assisted students with disabilities to and from school on the school bus, as well as assisted them in their everyday curriculum at school. Ms Hood position discontinued so she decided to continue to support our youth and became a SECA (Special Education Classroom Assistant) and DCFS provider so she may assist if needed in the homes in 2006. Ms Hood as been a valuable employee at Ray Elementary since 2006 working with K-8 grade levels. Ms Hood in her spare time love to dance and make people laugh.
Ms Hood started her career in education as an CWA (Child Welfare Assistant) in 2004. She assisted students with disabilities to and from school on the school bus, as well as assisted them in their everyday curriculum at school. Ms Hood position discontinued so she decided to continue to support our youth and became a SECA (Special Education Classroom Assistant) and DCFS provider so she may assist if needed in the homes in 2006. Ms Hood as been a valuable employee at Ray Elementary since 2006 working with K-8 grade levels. Ms Hood in her spare time love to dance and make people laugh.
Jadranka Hrvojevic
Jadranka Hrvojevic hasbeen working at Ray Elementary since 2000, after her two daughters started school there. She loves to work with kids. When she's not working, she enjoys dancing and spending time with her daughters, son and husband. She loves to travel and enjoy going to beaches, but in the end, she loves coming back home and getting back into work at school.
Jadranka Hrvojevic hasbeen working at Ray Elementary since 2000, after her two daughters started school there. She loves to work with kids. When she's not working, she enjoys dancing and spending time with her daughters, son and husband. She loves to travel and enjoy going to beaches, but in the end, she loves coming back home and getting back into work at school.
Samantha Nieto, School Counselor
Ms. Nieto is Ray Elementary's new school counselor. Ms. Nieto attended the University of South Florida where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Secondary English Education. She taught 6th grade Reading and Language Arts for a short time in Tampa, Florida, and then made the big move to Chicago in 2015! She then went on to go to Loyola University Chicago and earned her Master's in School & Community Counseling. When she is not at Ray, she loves to play with shelter dogs, go to the movies, and practice yoga
Ms. Nieto is Ray Elementary's new school counselor. Ms. Nieto attended the University of South Florida where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Secondary English Education. She taught 6th grade Reading and Language Arts for a short time in Tampa, Florida, and then made the big move to Chicago in 2015! She then went on to go to Loyola University Chicago and earned her Master's in School & Community Counseling. When she is not at Ray, she loves to play with shelter dogs, go to the movies, and practice yoga
Sheila Tines
Ms. Tines has been in education since 2011. She enjoys working with children of all ages especially elementary school age children. Working with diverse learners always put a smile on her face when they have exceeded in all areas of learning. When away from work she enjoys her family, friends and stepping. She says it is wonderful to be a part of Ray Elementary. Go Warriors!!
Ms. Tines has been in education since 2011. She enjoys working with children of all ages especially elementary school age children. Working with diverse learners always put a smile on her face when they have exceeded in all areas of learning. When away from work she enjoys her family, friends and stepping. She says it is wonderful to be a part of Ray Elementary. Go Warriors!!
Sonia Vergara, Office Clerk
Brenda Walker
Ms. Brenda Walker, has been working for CPS and Charter Schools for eight years. She has a passion for children of all ages and willing to go the extra miles to ensure that children educational needs are supported and met.
Brenda is also a State and NCLB - Paraprofessional Educator and has earned her Business degree in Associates of Arts and Bachelors of Science Human Resource Management from the University of Phoenix. Brenda is grateful to be a staff member at William H. Ray Elementary School.
Ms. Brenda Walker, has been working for CPS and Charter Schools for eight years. She has a passion for children of all ages and willing to go the extra miles to ensure that children educational needs are supported and met.
Brenda is also a State and NCLB - Paraprofessional Educator and has earned her Business degree in Associates of Arts and Bachelors of Science Human Resource Management from the University of Phoenix. Brenda is grateful to be a staff member at William H. Ray Elementary School.
