Meet Our Teachers
Our passionate, expert teachers and staff make City Elementary an exceptional place to learn.
Christopher Flint
Head of School
Christopher began his career as special education teacher specializing in autism spectrum disorders 25 years ago. After leaving the classroom, Christopher ran after-school social skills programs for autistic students before developing and leading training for over 12,000 parents and professionals in best practice autism strategies. He started a non-profit in 2006 and has traveled the globe to provide autism training to developing countries. Christopher also founded a tech company that develops apps for individuals with autism that have reached over 500,000 users. At City, Christopher uses his experience and passion to support teachers and students in meeting their fullest potential. In his free time he loves to cook, especially with his sous-chef, his 11 year old son.
Jessica Uzoh
Lead Teacher/Curriculum Coordinator
Jessica received her BA in Special Education-Learning Disabilities and MA in Curriculum + Instruction from Michigan State University. She’s served as a Learning and Behavior Specialist for 13 years in Chicago and has worked with students of all grade levels in classrooms and in one-on-one settings. Jessica is also a certified Reading Specialist and has been trained in Orton-Gillingham methodology, strategic literacy teaching, and discrete trial teaching as part of Applied Behavior Analysis methodology.
She presents workshops to teachers across the city on topics around systematic reading instruction, Social-Emotional Learning, and evidence based best practices for Diverse Learners.
She wears a passion for literacy on her sleeve and loves to engage with students’ multiple learning modalities to make learning fun for students. Ask her what book she’s currently reading as she loves to spend time at her home in Hyde Park with her family.
Luella Adan
Lead Teacher
Luella Adan received her BA in Art History from the University of Chicago and a Masters of Science in Education at Bank Street College of Education in New York City. She taught at Brooklyn Friends School before taking time off from teaching to raise her son, Samuel (16), who has Down Syndrome. She moved with her family to Hyde Park in 2014. This is Luella’s 6th year at City Elementary where she has been creating dynamic learning experiences for all kinds of learners.
Ariana Cuellar
Co-Teacher
Ariana is originally from San Antonio, Texas but moved to Chicago in 2025 in order to join the City Elementary Community. Having wanted to follow in her mom’s footsteps and become a teacher, she jumped right into the special education setting after graduating with her BA in Creative Writing from Mills College in 2009. From her start as a one-on-one classroom aide to becoming the head teacher in a self-contained special education room, she’s been passionate about implementing neurodiverse affirming education in every classroom she’s been in, and this opportunity to be a part of City’s mission is truly a dream. In her free time, Ariana enjoys reading, writing, long walks with her dog, and volunteering with Special Olympics.
Anne Gomes
Co-Teacher
Anne Gomes received her BA in Human Relations from Trinity University in Washington DC, and her Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. She has been working with children for more than 25 years in the Archdiocese of Washington and Montgomery county public school systems in Maryland before moving to City Elementary School. She loves cooking, gardening, and reading in her free time! She also enjoys traveling around town and visiting different places with her two wonderful children.
Ches Primo
Co-Teacher
Ches divides his life between Music Creation and Special Education as he received his BA in Music Production from Berklee College of Music, and is now pursuing his Master’s in Special Education. At City, Ches supports students by encouraging emotional regulation and teaching self-help skills. As a sibling to people with learning disabilities, diverse learners will always have a place in his heart. When he isn’t working with students, managing recording sessions, or DJing popular venues, he spends his free time fishing. He enjoys exploring Lake Michigan and ponds in Northern Illinois all year; even in the winter!
Cami Marlin
Co-teacher
Cameron Marlin is originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, but moved to Chicago in January of 2021 after graduating from the University of New Mexico with a BA in American Studies (Summa Cum Laude). She has been working at City Elementary as a Teaching Assistant since 2021, and is currently co-teaching in the middle school classroom. Prior to City, she has worked with K-12 students as a long-term substitute teacher for Albuquerque Public Schools and as a summer camp counselor for an international youth program called CISV. She is very happy to call City her home and is eager to continue working with City’s incredible neurodiverse students, as well as the amazing staff and community!
Ama Merrell
Co-teacher
Ama has been teaching neurodivergent kids in community and school spaces since 2014. She studied Family & Child Developmental Science at Purdue University before getting her Masters in Public Health at Columbia University. Ama has worked at the intersection of health education and special education throughout her teaching journey. Some highlights include teaching consent and healthy relationships to diverse learner classrooms across CPS schools, as well as teaching in recreation and nature programs for people with disabilities. Ama is a published public health researcher and enjoys bringing her experience into Science and Life Skills classes. As an autistic person, Ama is glad to be in a space that centers the experiences and needs of the neurodiverse community. In her free time, Ama is a doula, street medic, artist, and photographer.
Get in touch!
