Meet Our Staff

Sarah Lanham

Director

Ms. Sarah graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in Elementary Education. She began her career teaching 5th grade and Gifted Language Arts at Woodland Intermediate, where she worked for four years before choosing to stay home to raise her family.

During that time, Sarah pursued her passion for education by earning a Master’s degree in Gifted Education from Northeastern Illinois University. In 2006, she joined Precious Lambs as a teacher while her youngest daughter attended the school. Two years later, she stepped into the role of Director and has felt truly blessed to serve the Precious Lambs community ever since.

Sarah and her husband, Steven—originally from Auckland, New Zealand—have two daughters, Madeline and Grace. Madeline lives in Milwaukee and works as a project manager for a marketing firm in Pewaukee, WI, while Grace teaches English at Grayslake North High School. Sarah is also the proud “cat mom” of Leo and Louie.

In her free time, Sarah enjoys reading, traveling, and visiting family—especially trips “home” to New Zealand.

Jill Calvert

Teacher

Miss Jill is a graduate of Illinois State University.  She graduated with a degree in math education and began working at Lake Zurich High School after graduation.  Shortly after getting married her husband was transferred to Denver, CO where she began teaching middle school math.  After the birth of her son, Zach, she and her husband moved back to Illinois and settled in Grayslake.  Two years later their daughter, Cory, was born.

Miss Jill stayed home with her children until they were in school full time.  She was then lucky enough to begin working at PLP in 2005. After having taught at both the high school and middle school levels Miss Jill has found the perfect place to be- with preschoolers J.  They have such joy and enthusiasm for life!

Zach currently lives and works in Bloomington-Normal while Cory is beginning her career in Chicago in Occupational Therapy.  Miss Jill loves to spend time with her family- playing games and watching movies, and with her animals.  She currently has 2 cats and 1 dog (but you never know who may join us next).

Ms Tiffany

Teacher

Miss Tiffany graduated from the University of WI-Whitewater with a degree in Special Education. She moved to Illinois and began teaching in Grayslake with SEDOL. She taught for three years, got married to Brady and switched to a special education assistant position for two years. After having their daughter, Madi she became a stay at home mom.

While staying home Liv, AJ and Lily joined the family. In 2021 their family welcomed a rescue puppy, Rowdy, who certainly lives up to his name.

After being a PLP parent while Liv and AJ were students, she was lucky enough to join the teaching team in the Fall of 2022 while Lily also was a student.

When she isn’t at preschool Miss Tiffany enjoys gardening, sewing and swimming on a masters swim team. She is also lead driver, taking all four of her kids to various activities, practices and games.

Ms Deedee

Substitute Teacher

Deedee Harger is a stay-at-home mother to her two sons, Callum (age 13) and Graham (age 9). She and her husband, Justin, have been married for 19 years and have lived in the Round Lake/Grayslake area for 16 years. Callum and Graham each attended Precious Lambs for two years and Deedee was on the PLP Advisory Board for 6 years, 3 of which she served as President. Prior to staying home with her children, Deedee worked for 5 years as an elementary school teacher. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana and her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Illinois. Deedee has loved her experience at Precious Lambs and wanted to stay involved after her boys graduated. This will be her fourth year working as a substitute teacher at PLP and she can’t wait to get to know the students and their families this year.

Ms Lauren

Substitute Teacher

Lauren Strang had 2 of her children attend PLP. Lauren lives in Grayslake with her husband Gavin and their 4 kids Ava (14), Daniel(12), Harry(7) and Benjamin(6). As a family they enjoy working and being active in their church. 4 out of the 6 Strang family members were born in South Africa and during the 10 years they have lived in the US 2 Americans were born into the family! Before becoming a stay-at-home mom, Lauren studied a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and worked in the ARV/HIV department in 2 rural hospitals. When she isn’t busy entertaining and running around her children – she loves to read, watch movies, go to the gym and play outside with her family and their pet chickens and bunnies (They are wanting to eventually go back to South Africa to continue developing their Macadamia farm and have an animal farm). This is Lauren’s third year serving as a substitute at Precious Lambs.

Ms Christina

Substitute Teacher

Ms. Christina is a mom of two daughters, Adelina (7) and Isabella (4).  Isabella is going into her second school year at PLP and is very excited!  Christina and her husband John have lived in Grayslake for almost 8 years after moving from Northern California to be closer to family.  Christina has enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom and volunteering at the girls’ schools.  Christina previously earned a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Iowa, and a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Saint Louis University.  She worked as an OT for 6 years in special education, working with preschool through high school aged children.  Christina enjoys reading, gardening and hiking/being outdoors when she can but keeps busy with her daughters’ active schedules!  Christina has loved spending time volunteering at PLP and is excited for her first year serving as a substitute teacher.