Educators at Illuminare:

My name is Beth Jordan, and I have been an educator for more than 20 years.  I have been blessed with a wide range of educational experiences, which include teaching for 7 years in Chicago Public Schools (CPS), participating in the Fullbright Teacher Exchange program in India, designing and teaching summer camps at the Shedd Aquarium, supervising and evaluating student teachers in the Masters of Education programs at Northwestern University and National-Louis University, and serving as an Instructional Coach to middle and high school teachers at Christian Liberty Academy.  I have been committed to finding innovative and effective ways of engaging both teachers and students in pursuing knowledge while thinking critically.  

My name is Julie Roper, and I helped launch Illuminare Academy because I believe education should do more than prepare students for tests — it should prepare them for life.

As a mother of five and educator for the last 27 years, I’ve seen how many students feel disconnected from their learning, rushed through material, or shaped by systems that leave little room for wonder, depth, or true character formation. I wanted something different for my own children and for the families I serve — a place where students are known, challenged, and deeply cared for.

My background is rooted in both homeschooling and Christian education. I homeschooled my five children from kindergarten through high school, giving me a deep, personal understanding of what it means to educate the whole child. I have also taught and served in leadership at Classical Consortium Academy in Barrington, a hybrid program supporting homeschool families, and taught at Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights. Throughout my career, I have developed and implemented curriculum and partnered with hundreds of students and families, helping them pursue an education that is both academically rigorous and deeply aligned with their values.

Illuminare Academy grew out of a love for classical learning, the Charlotte Mason philosophy, and a deep commitment to Christ-centered education. I believe children are whole persons — with minds to be trained, hearts to be shaped, and souls to be nurtured. When students are given rich books, meaningful discussion, beauty, and truth, they don’t just learn — they come alive.