From teachers to front office staff to administrators, the roles vary, but the mission is the same. To recognize our team members, we will begin a Staff Spotlight Series! Every week, we will be spotlighting a staff member at each Intergenerational School!

Meet Mrs. Neary

As we continue our Staff Spotlight Series, we are recognizing Viava Neary! Mrs. Neary has been at Lakeshore for 6 years after teaching at TIS-East for 6 years! Mrs. Neary is a Primary Cluster Science Teacher as well as a Title 1 Teacher!

What drew you to working education?

I love guiding students in their academic, social and emotional growth and building meaningful relationships with them!

What makes our school special?

Our school is a wonderful learning community where everyone works together beautifully and is so supportive of each other!

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

I speak two languages: English and Lithuanian.

Meet Ms. Ferguson

We want to a recognize a familiar face within the Near West Community, Laura Ferguson! Ms. Ferguson has been teaching for 13 years, making this school year her 10th year at Near West. Ms. Ferguson is an Intervention Specialist!

What drew you to working in education?

I have always wanted to become a teacher since 3rd grade. I knew I wanted to be a teacher because I was inspired by my favorite book character, Laura Ingalls Wilder.

What makes our school special?

I love the close relationships we build as a school community. I cherish my students and their families. I am glad that our relationships have grown to a level that families feel comfortable reaching out to me for help or just to say hello.

What is something we may not know about you?

I have been teaching at Near West since the first day the school opened in the basement of Garrett Morgan. When I first started teaching here, I was not only the Intervention Specialist, but I was the PE teacher, too! PE is way more difficult than you'd think!

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

I would love to live on a cattle ranch in Montana someday!

Meet Mrs. Lowery

We are excited to recognize Allison Lowery! Mrs. Lowery has been teaching for 6 years in total, making this her 3rd year at The Intergenerational School teaching Art!

What drew you to working in education?

Children are the most creative people I've ever met, and I wanted to help foster that creativity.

What makes our school special?

I love Intergens' unique education model and the importance of intergenerational learning!

What is something we may not know about you?

I'm married to Mr. Lowery at Near West Intergenerational School! We love the Intergens!

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

I studied Photography in college and was a Fashion Photographer before I became a teacher.