Baker Parent Organization Bios
Sarah Thurber
Sarah Thurber has been a Baker parent for seven years. Her girls Isabel (4th), and Rebecca Miller (2nd) love it - thus, Sarah loves it. After graduating from Williams College, Sarah started her career as a freelance writer, editor and graphic designer in Chicago. Now she runs a small online publishing company that specializes in tools for improving team effectiveness, communication and creativity. You can check out her business at www.foursightonline.com, or you can email her. Look for her in the carpool line. She's the one with the bike helmet.
Kimeri Swanson-Beck
Kimeri Swanson-Beck has been involved with Baker for over twenty years: first as an undergraduate student and swim instructor; then as spouse of PE teacher Tom Beck; as the parent of Carmin (grade 11 and alum), Theo (grade 6) and Chester (grade 4); as a teacher of 2/3rd grade and later as a Middle School math/science teacher and advisor. She also served on the Baker Founding Board of Directors until this June. Kimeri's current position as a literacy coach in the Winnetka Public Schools promotes literacy learning for all. Lots of her time is spent balancing the needs and joys of family while pursuing a degree in educational leadership. Look for her at Baker events, especially the 4th-8th grade sports!
Sue Connaughton
This is Sue Connaughton's 3rd year as a Baker parent. Sue's daughter Caitlin is in the 4th grade and she is thriving at Baker. Currently, Sue is a stay at home mom. Prior to leaving the work force, Sue practiced as a psychologist, specializing in child and adolescent services. She has also worked in the psychology department of a maximum-security prison. Prior to becoming a psychologist, Sue was a rheumatology nurse practitioner at a Chicago medical center.
Jackie Verrilli
Jackie Verrilli has two children at Baker- Leo is four years old and in Pre-K and Lucas is in the third grade. This is Jackie’s second year as a Baker parent and she has enjoyed every minute watching her sons blossom here. Jackie is a graduate of the University of Illinois (’89) and the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business (’96) where she concentrated in marketing and finance. Jackie, who has experience in development, brokerage and consulting currently runs a small commercial real estate business in her spare time.
Jen Donati
Jen Donati is the proud mom of Gioia (Joy ah) a second grader at Baker this year. The Swiss/American Donati family moved here from Zurich, Switzerland in February 2007. Jen’s daughter Gemma will start kindergarten at Lincolnwood elementary this year. Jen owned and operated her own Zurich based boutique communications firm specializing in business English instruction and corporate presentation skills. While in Zurich, Jen founded an English language magazine and she consulted, pro bono, for a non-profit bilingual private school association. Jen speaks German, some French and enough Italian to order a great meal.