LOOP LEARNING CENTER - Key Persons
Carolyn Jones Walker currently serves our school as one of our Program Administrators. She joined the Loop Learning Center, Inc. in 2003 as a teacher's aide and worked in the classroom for a couple of years before becoming the Parent Coordinator. In this capacity she partnered with families to guide them through the enrollment process, created and implemented various family programs and events and was a liaison between families, staff and administration. Her fierce desire to make Loop Learning Center a quality program inspired her to provide administrative support to the Executive Team
Carolyn has been instrumental through her leadership role in guiding the program in its attainment of both national accreditation and local certification for recognition of high quality care and education in early childhood. She has assisted with writing grants to expand the program's outreach and services offered to the families we serve.
Carolyn earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University. To further expand her knowledge in early childhood she has taken many college courses in Early Childhood Development at both Harold Washington and Kendall College. She has also completed graduate level courses in Early Childhood Administration at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is currently pursuing credentials in Illinois Early Childhood Education and Director's Credential.
Carolyn believes all children are to be respected, loved and educated in an environment that sparks exploration, creativity and a love for learning.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director
- Assistant Director and Infant Toddler Specialist
Deatrice is now the Assistant Director and Infant Toddler Specialist at Loop Learning Center. She accepted the opportunity to take her passion beyond the classroom and to increase her impact by working with the teachers to ensure that all children at Loop Learning Center receive quality care and education. Deatrice continues to build her knowledge in this field and is currently training to be certified on the Program for Infant & Toddler Care (PITC). With such a wide range of knowledge and credentials, Deatrice is free to exercise her passion with students, teachers and families.
Dwight Culbreath, Jr., began his entrepreneurial passion selling jewelry at the age of 16. He was born in Chicago, Illinois and has worked in the family business over 31 years. He serves as the business manager of Loop Learning Center. Dwight has been instrumental in overseeing all aspects of operation's management. He meets with various contractors to remodel, expand or upgrade the program environment to ensure that the City codes are maintained, and the children are in a healthy, safe, learning environment.
Dwight is an entrepreneur and enjoys making clients happy through great customer service. He is President of Gold Elite Jewelers and Loan company located in Broadview, Illinois and is also owner of Surf's Up restaurant located in Maywood, Illinois. He studied at the College of Dupage in Glenn Ellyn, Illinois where he majored in Business Management.
Dwight is married and enjoys reading and golfing. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling with his wife, Jenaya.
Job Titles:
- Family Support Specialist
Jenaya Culbreath joined Loop Learning Center approximately two years ago and she currently works as a Family Support Specialist. She is an experienced social worker providing support to children and families. Jenaya has over 15 years of experience in different sectors of the social work field giving her a rich and comprehensive understanding of the issues that impact children and their families in today's world.
Jenaya received her Bachelor's degree at Illinois State University and her Masters in Social Work from the University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration. Jenaya is currently working towards obtaining her clinical social work licensure.
Jenaya believes change happens when children and families are given the holistic guidance they need to optimally develop and draw on their own strengths. Jenaya is committed to providing an environment of compassion and support to help children and their families overcome obstacles, obtain their goals and thrive.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- President
- President / Executive Director of the Loop Learning Center, Inc
Matilda Ann Walker is the President/Executive Director of the Loop Learning Center, Inc. Early Childhood program. Over the past 34 years, Matilda has opened a couple of child care programs in the near South Loop area and has served thousands of families with children from birth to 12 years of age. She believes passionately that children learn best through play in a supportive, loving and relational environment guided by qualified, educated Early Childhood professionals. Her goal is to continue to "Ignite a Sparkle in the eyes, hearts and minds of children that will inspire them to grow into life-long learners." The Loop Learning Center staff and leadership currently provides high-quality early learning to over 150 families.
Matilda oversees the organization's operations, curriculum and staff development. Matilda has led her team of 30 to achieve the National Association of Education of Young Children Accreditation (NAEYC) and ExceleRate Gold Accreditation through the State of Illinois. She is currently participating in a Lead Learn Excel-Leadership for Excellence cohort through the Ounce of Prevention Fund and also serves on the Connect4 Tots Education Subcommittee in Chicago.
Matilda has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois and has done graduate work at Kendall College and the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a certified Pre-K CLASS observer and has received her Illinois Director's Credential, Early Childhood Education Credential Level 4 and Infant Toddler Credential Level 3.
Matilda is a Christian woman who serves as a Missionary to Broadview Missionary Baptist Church. She and her husband Robert lead teams of people to various places around the world in mission's work. Matilda and Robert are also the co-owners of Gold Elite Jewelers located in Broadview, Illinois. In her spare time, Matilda enjoys golf and spending time with the family.
Robert Charles Walker began his career in the corporate world in 1965-1967 where he worked at International Harvester, Chicago. He received the call to serve in the United States Army and was sent to Vietnam where he served from 1967 to 1969 and received an honorable discharge. Upon returning to America, he continued working in the corporate world. Robert decided to explore other opportunities, so he and his brother Gerald decided to open a preschool in Chicago. Robert was very passionate about having his own business and ensuring it was successful, he asked his wife to join him in operating the Loop Learning Center, Inc.
Robert is a bi-vocational pastor, business man and entrepreneur. He is the Vice President of the Loop Learning Center Early Childhood Center, Inc. and co-owner of Gold Elite Jewelers in Broadview, Illinois. Robert finds joy in working with new church plants and spreading the gospel to all nations.
He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and did Master's work in Finance at Illinois Institute of Technology. He loves golf and is an avid reader who has read many books on leadership and missions. Robert shares his life with his wife, Matilda. They enjoy the pleasure of their three adult children and four wonderful grandchildren.