2025-2027 EAC Spotlight: Annaliese Newmeyer
This fall, Advance Illinois welcomed the 2025-2027 Educator Advisory Council (EAC) cohort, bringing together educators across early childhood to postsecondary, representing the diversity across Illinois. In the next two years, they will deepen their policy knowledge, explore the root causes of the disparities we see in education, and take action together through advocacy efforts including legislative testimony, writing op-eds, and organizing their peers. As part of the 2025-2027 EAC Cohort Spotlight series, we look forward to introducing each member and highlighting their journeys as educators and the experiences they bring to this space.
Introducing: Annaliese Newmeyer, Education Coordinator/ Educare Chicago
Tell us a little about your teaching journey — what subjects, grades, or communities have you served?
I have been in the Early Childhood Education field for 20 years and have worked in all parts of Chicago. I was lucky to earn my alternative teaching license through UIC in 2013. I went on to obtain my Master's in ECE and my Learning Behavior Specialist certification at UIC as well. I discovered my second home at Educare, on the Southside of Chicago, 13 years ago as a Headstart Lead Teacher, working with 3–5-year-olds. I eventually began mentoring other teachers and then moved out of the classroom to supervise, coach, and mentor in 2023, as an Education Coordinator. Now I get to support birth through 5-year-olds!
What are some challenges or opportunities you see in education today that motivate your work?
A big challenge is the mental health of children, families, and teachers. The world is difficult right now, everyone is tired, burnt out, etc. We have the opportunity to create community and to think about how we can support each other at our schools and in our communities. I don't have an answer on how to solve this issue, but I know that teachers can only take so many "how to deal with challenging behaviors" trainings. We need real change in how we care for each other, having a living wage and supports for our most vulnerable communities.
How does being part of the EAC connect to your goals or passions as an educator?
My goal as an educator is to always be learning. The EAC provides me the opportunity to connect with other educators, learn from them, and take what I have learned back to my community. It also provides me an outlet to share my experiences and the real-life issues my fellow coworkers and families face and to make real change.
Can you share an example of a time you advocated for your students, school, or community?
As an Early Childhood Educator, a lot of the advocacy work I do is help parents navigate supports like Early Intervention and CPS for their children with Special Needs. Not only can it be overwhelming for families to come to terms with their child's development, but the system, especially CPS, can be intimidating and confusing. And because my school is located on the Southside of Chicago in a neighborhood that has been disinvested in for years, especially the schools, parents are wary of CPS. I had a family who was just plain scared of sending their child on a bus, having them meet and get along with a new teacher and new kids, so I went to the school with her. We took pictures of the school, the teacher, and the classroom. I made a social story book with all the pictures and made one about riding a bus. It made the experience less stressful for the family. Years later, she enrolled her youngest son into our program because she knew she could trust us, and we would handle her and her son with care. .
What advice would you give students to help them stay inspired?
Stay a lifelong learner. Learning should never end, even if school does. Find inspiration from the world around and research what interests you! Once I realized this for myself, I became a better teacher and parent and was excited about sharing my interests and knowledge with everyone around me.
Learn more about the Educator Advisory Council here.