BLOOM LEADERSHIP
The Bloom Community School Board of Directors grew out of a founding core leadership team including Dr. Laura Kalmes, Karin McDowell, Rachel Lapp Whitt, and Grace Sheese, and has grown into a group bringing diverse vocational, organizational, and parenting experiences. This team is committed to creating an independent, progressive school serving the Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, area with a uniquely innovative mission: To cultivate joyful, independent learners in an educational environment that nurtures individual development by integrating high academic standards and community engagement. This mission is served by the learners, teachers, parents, and collaborators of Bloom who are interconnected with our community and its diverse, vibrant organizations, businesses, and institutions.
Board President
Gary Weilbacher
Gary Weilbacher’s educational career began in Wales, Wisconsin, at Ethan Alan School for Boys during the mid-1980s. He taught students with special needs while working in a program for juvenile sex offenders for four years. He then moved to Madison and spent the next nine years serving with the Madison Metropolitan School District as a special (Marquette Middle School) and regular education (Sherman Middle School) teacher.
Gary’s work and continuing post-graduate program in education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison changed his life, as most of those years were spent working with Barbara Brodhagen and James Beane using an integrative curriculum. Upon receiving a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University, Gary and his family moved to Bloomington, where Gary began his work at Illinois State University, where he currently serves as an Associate Professor in the College of Education in Teaching and Learning. For the past 20 years he has worked with “pre-service” teachers – people who want to become middle school teachers. He has published research, perspectives, and other articles in a range of educational journals and magazines.
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Gary’s interest in Bloom Community School stems from his work in Madison, as the integrative curriculum is a democratic, student-led approach to learning that takes seriously the needs, questions, and concerns of students. He spent his most recent semester-long academic sabbatical with Bloom Community School, focusing on the Blossoms Class and also spending time with the Sprouts and Pods classrooms.
Board Vice President
Rachel Lapp Whitt
Rachel Lapp Whitt works as a writer/editor, graphic designer, and strategist. A founder of Bloom Community School, she brings a dedication to inspiring, equitable environments that nurture children as creative, able learners. She began career life in public radio and print journalism, then moved into public relations and teaching, and now works as a designer and contributor at Art Class Curator, whose mission is to support art educators in providing meaningful art engagement experiences for students of all ages. In 20+ years of freelancing, Rachel has focused on supporting artists, nonprofits, schools, and small businesses.
Rachel earned a master’s degree in Multicultural Communication at DePaul University during the same year she and her co-author and mother, Anita Stalter, published an all-ages book on Indiana women in history. Her writing and editorial work has also been featured in publications and online journals as well as on public radio.
For nearly 7 years, Rachel directed the public relations department at Goshen College in wide-ranging strategic relations, print, online, video, advertising, event support, and media relations efforts. She has also worked for several boutique marketing and design firms in the Midwest. Rachel then joined the faculty of GC’s Communication Department, teaching courses in public speaking, intercultural communication, PR, mass media, comm research, expository and feature writing, film, and women in media representation. She and a colleague led Peace and Justice Journalism trips with small groups of students to to study issues of global significance like HIV/AIDS, economic markets, and migration.
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At the heart of her contributions to founding and sustaining Bloom is her relationship with her child, whose imagination is a constant reminder to Rachel and her spouse of the opportunity to nurture creativity and possibility. They live in Bloomington and are advocates for childhood cancer research.
Board Secretary
Julie Fraser-Lindsey
Julie Fraser-Lindsey discovered Bloom Community School as a result of her increasing desire to teach and learn in a progressive, compassionate, and intentional environment. She has a master’s degree in English Studies from Illinois State University and has taught composition and children’s literature at Heartland Community College for over 20 years. During that time she has sought out opportunities to teach writing to younger kids through ISU’s Writing Project and Heartland’s Youth Enrichment Program.
Julie became Capstone Coordinator in Fall of 2020 and joined the board shortly thereafter.
Board Member
Ashley Dowd
Ashley has called Bloomington-Normal home for the past 20 years, where she has built a fulfilling life alongside her husband of 15 years and their two children, who are actively involved in Bloom Community School. With a passion for early education, Ashley works at Heartland Community College’s Child Development Lab while also providing invaluable Early Intervention services as a Developmental Therapist for children under three years old.
Ashley received her bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education at Illinois State University and is currently pursuing her master’s at the American College of Education. In addition to her professional endeavors, she is devoted to fostering community connections. For the past six years, she has taken the initiative to build a local Girl Scout troop, empowering young girls and instilling a sense of leadership and community involvement. Through her multifaceted roles, Ashley remains steadfast in her mission to make a positive impact on the lives of children and families in Bloomington-Normal.
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Her dedication to education at Bloom is driven by a commitment to research-based practices that effectively meet the needs of our diverse learners.
Board Member
Jack Abraham
Jack Abraham brings a blend of public service and community activism to the Bloom Community School board. With a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Illinois State University, Jack has distinguished himself academically and in his commitment to local affairs. His experience spans from serving on the McLean County Board to co-founding Citizens for Equitable Food Access, demonstrating his passion for enhancing community welfare.
At Bloom Community School, Jack dedicates his expertise to strategy and policy development, aiming to elevate educational standards and foster an inclusive environment for student growth. His professional roles, including his term on the McLean County Board, have centered on addressing and resolving critical community issues, showcasing his dedication to creating meaningful change.
In addition to his political and activist work, Jack's military background as a United States Army National Guard veteran brings a unique perspective to the board, enriching his approach to leadership and community engagement. His experiences have instilled a deep commitment to justice and equality, which he actively applies in his roles to benefit the school and its wider community.
Board Member
Ana Lisa Eberline
Ana Lisa Eberline is a Program Support Specialist at Illinois State University, where she supports the success of underrepresented students in higher education. She also serves as an adjunct instructor, continuing her commitment to teaching and mentoring.
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Ana Lisa recently earned her Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Illinois, with research focusing on racial rhetoric and the language of belonging and place. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Food and Hospitality from Ball State University and spent over a decade in the food industry as a caterer, barista, cheese specialist, and dining manager before transitioning to academia.
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Passionate about equitable education, Ana Lisa is dedicated to creating inclusive and supportive environments where students can thrive