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 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.
President
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.
Vice President
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 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.
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Treasurer
Andrew Eberline
Andrew Eberline is a professor in Physical Education Teacher Education at Illinois State University. There, he helps prepare future educators and conducts research on innovative teaching practices, educational technology, and school-community partnerships. A former elementary physical educator, he earned his Ph.D. from Purdue University and currently serves as Graduate Sequence Coordinator for the M.S. in Physical Education Pedagogy program.
Andrew was drawn to Bloom Community School's commitment to experiential learning, collaboration, and community engagement, and believes that meaningful learning occurs when schools and communities work together. As a board member, he is dedicated to supporting the school's mission and helping position Bloom for continued success in serving students and families throughout the Bloomington-Normal 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