Lower Elementary

Sarah Knill, an experienced educator with a passion for teaching elementary students, joins Beverly Hills Academy's lower elementary teaching team. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from Oakland University and a Master of Arts in Education from Michigan State University. Sarah's versatile background includes after-school tutoring, summer school coordination, athletics coaching, and substitute teaching. Committed to her profession, she possesses a Professional Education Certificate in Michigan and is pursuing a Montessori

certificate for ages 6 to 9. Sarah's expertise and dedication make her a valuable asset to the academy.

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Lori Hayen is a committed and passionate educator joining the Lower Elementary teaching team at Beverly Hills Academy. She is a dedicated Montessori teacher with 30 years of experience in teaching and inspiring a variety of students.

She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Southern Illinois University and has obtained both the Montessori Primary, 3-6 certificate as well as the Montessori Lower Elementary, 6-9 certificate. In addition, she recently gained a certificate for the Orton-Gillingham Phonics First program.

Over the past 30 years, Ms. Hayen has dedicated herself to nurturing young minds in various educational settings. She has been responsible for developing and implementing curriculum for first, second, and third grade students, creating stimulating classroom environments, and tailoring instructional techniques to meet the needs of her students. Her commitment to fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment aligns perfectly with our school’s mission and values.

Lori lives in Rochester Hills and in her free time she enjoys hiking, dancing, baking, and spending time with her friends and her two adult children.

Julia Binelli earned a BA in psychology from Michigan State University and shortly after graduation obtained a position working as a clinical care specialist at a local psychiatric hospital. It was there that she discovered her love for teaching. She taught various skills such as coping mechanisms, and general psychiatric education to the inpatient populations. From there, Julia went on to receive a teaching certificate from Wayne State University, and further obtained a masters degree in teaching. She has taught a variety of subjects, including science, at a local independent school in the Birmingham area for 12 years . She's excited to be part of the Lower Elementary team and hopes to impart her love for learning to the students at Beverly Hills Academy. In her free time, Julia enjoys cooking, spending time with family, and traveling. She looks forward to this new chapter and is excited to help students love science!

Mrs. Fauzia Humayun is a dedicated educator at Beverly Hills Academy (BHA), currently working in the Sunflower Room. Now in her second year at BHA, she spent her first year at the school teaching in the Lower Elementary (LEL) classroom.

Mrs. Fauzia brings a wealth of specialized education and extensive experience to her students. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Pakistan and holds multiple teaching credentials. She obtained her Pre-Primary Montessori certification 15 years ago and has also successfully completed her Lower Elementary Montessori certification. Prior to joining the BHA community, she spent 16 years working as a Pre-Primary Montessori teacher, cultivating a deep understanding of foundational student development.

Mrs. Fauzia is incredibly excited to welcome her new students, build meaningful relationships with them, and lead them through an amazing year of growth and learning. Her connection to BHA is also personal, as she is a mother of four and a proud grandmother to two grandchildren who attend the school's infant and primary programs.

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