LPP - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director, LPP Germania
I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and after graduating from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Journalism, I moved to Chicago in 2013. I worked as a marketing and graphic design consultant for a local swim school and soon realized that the bright spots of my days were interacting with the families and children who came through the facility each day. When given the opportunity to work at LPP as the permanent substitute teacher in 2016, I jumped at the chance to explore my passion for kids more deeply. I loved helping and learning from each LPP classroom and child, and I was inspired to pursue my Masters degree in Early Childhood Education from DePaul University! In 2018, I joined the Kindergarten classroom as the assistant teacher where I gained invaluable experience and guidance. After graduating from my program at DePaul in 2019, I'm excited to transition to the Three's Room and join their amazing team! In my free time you can find me reading with an iced chai latte in hand, or listening to a podcast, doing yoga, or exploring Chicago's many wonderful restaurants with my fiancé, Steve, and dog, Penny!
Job Titles:
- Community Resource Director, LPP Germania Director
I am originally from Painesville, Ohio. After graduating, I took a job in Bowling Green, Ohio as a preschool teacher at a small, chartered school that served children ages 3-Kindergarten. Soon, I was promoted to Assistant Director. After moving to Chicago in 2010, I accepted a position with LPP. I worked at the Germania location for three years prior to taking time off to be with my son Cohen. In 2014, I accepted a position in the Pre-K Classroom LPP Webster and in January 2015 I started my adventure as the Education Director. In 2018, I transitioned into the Community Resource Director role and in 2020 I moved into the Director Role at LPP Germania. I am happy to be working in such a fun and inspiring environment!
Job Titles:
- Education Director
- Education Director, LPP Webster
I am originally from Wisconsin. Along with receiving my degree, I met my husband in college and together we love exploring our great city of Chicago with our son and enjoying the rich culture that it provides. I began my LPP story at our Germania school in 2011. Since then I have had the pleasure of wearing many hats in the LPP world. I have taught in Germania's Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms and in 2014 I moved over to our Belden location to serve as their education director until 2018. I now call LPP Webster my home, serving as their education director. My favorite part of this role is witnessing the magic that happens in every classroom. I am inspired by our talented teachers and warmed by our enthusiastic students. I look forward to living the next chapters of my LPP story.
Job Titles:
- Twos Assistant Teacher
- Twos Lead Teacher
Hi everyone! My name is Anna. I have been working closely with children for the entirety of my college career. While at UW Madison, I spent most of my time nannying and working as a student teacher at the Waisman Early Childhood Program in their toddler and 2-year-old room. This fall, I will be pursuing my master's degree in Early Childhood Education at DePaul University. When I am not studying or working, you can find me at a local coffee shop, the farmers market, or relaxing with my friends and family. I am so excited to join the LPP community!
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director, LPP Belden
I grew up in Wisconsin, where I attended UW-Madison (Go Badgers!) and studied elementary education and Spanish. When I moved to Chicago I began teaching at a preschool and fell in love with early childhood education. Through hands-on working experiences, I began to see how quickly children at this age develop and how important their early experiences are. I knew I wanted to continue learning and growing alongside my students, while providing them engaging lessons and opportunities to explore in a nurturing environment. I was thrilled to join LPP Germania in 2016. I was welcomed with open arms and kindness by children, families, and staff, and I knew I would be calling LPP my home! Teaching at LPP has been an extremely fulfilling experience. I was thrilled to transition to the Education Director role in September of 2018 at LPP Belden, and 2 years later I became Belden's Director. I am honored to take on this new role, and grateful for all of the opportunities I have to work with inspirational teachers, wonderful families, and extraordinary children. I look forward to many more joyful days at LPP!
Job Titles:
- Childhood Education, Bowling Green State University
- Childhood Education, Rasmussen College
- Childhood Education, Universidad Federada De Costa Rica
- Childhood Education, Western Michigan University
Job Titles:
- Toddler Assistant ( Full - Time )
- Toddler Assistant Teacher / Associate in Early Childhood Education, Oakton College ( in Progress )
Hello! I'm Ms.Brenda! I was born and raised in Chicago. In my free time, I love to explore, whether it's traveling, hiking, trying new restaurants, or learning new hobbies! I started my LPP journey as a substitute teacher, and I'm so excited to officially join the Belden Todds team! I'm currently working on completing my degree at Oakton Community College. Growing up, I always had an interest in teaching, but while working as a substitute teacher, I truly became passionate about early childhood education. I can't wait to meet all my new toddler friends and learn all about them!
Hello, my name is Carrie. Originally from Cortland, Ohio, I moved to Chicago to attend college and never looked back. I developed a passion for teaching more than a decade ago when I was asked to teach the Kindergarten class at Temple Sholom of Chicago's Religious School program. While most of my experience is with toddlers and twos, I have been in classrooms ranging from infant to second grade. I am so excited to be at LPP and in the toddler room. I believe deeply in experiential learning and that most of all school should be fun. When I'm not in the classroom, I enjoy cooking, baking, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
My name is Cynthia, but most people call me Cindy. I am so excited to form part of the 3s & 4s room! Upon graduation, I've had the pleasure of working in preschool classrooms and as a newborn hearing screener in the childcare unit of a hospital. It was through these experiences that I've found my passion to educate and care for children. I am currently working towards returning to grad school to obtain my MEd in early childhood education with a concentration in special education. In my free time, I enjoy activities such as aerial yoga, rock climbing, taking trapeze classes and creating art!
I am originally from a northwest suburb of Chicago, Wauconda IL, but Chicago has been my home for 2 years now. My passion for working with children started young, ever since high school I have been working with children of all ages and abilities in various settings, from summer camps to classrooms. Most recently, I have taught in a toddler classroom, 2s classroom and a kindergarten classroom. In my free time I enjoy reading books, baking and enjoying all the wonderful food this city has to offer! I am thrilled to continue my passion of teaching young children at LPP, and looking forward to all the of the learning, laughing, and growing this year has to offer!
My name is Emily Slider, and in the past school year I was the music teacher at all three locations of Lincoln Park Preschools and previously a classroom assistant for the 3's and 4's at the Germania location. I graduated from Capital University in 2014 with a degree in vocal performance, and I pivoted almost immediately after graduation to childcare. I worked as a live-in nanny in Seattle and then moved on to Green Tree Early Childhood center as an assistant teacher. I moved to Chicago in 2021, and landed LPP shortly after. Nothing brings me more joy than working with children and expanding their worlds just a little. My strengths are language and music and I love engaging in play and read aloud time. I'm excited to be part of the Webster crew this school year!
Growing up in Old Town and actually attending LPP as a young girl has not only been a driving force of my passion for teaching, but also for being around children. The way in which I combine my natural magnetism for teaching and my love for helping others has afforded me great opportunities such as being a personal tutor and English teacher for K-8 students in Thailand. Since then, I have also worked at a Garden School in Colorado as an environmental educator, and worked at another private school in Chicago in the Pre-K room. Outside of LPP and the world of teaching, I love to be outdoors and explore. You can find me playing the viola, spending quality time with my family or going on long bike rides! I cannot wait to show these children what I loved so much about LPP when I went here!:)
Job Titles:
- Toddler Assistant Teacher
I am thrilled to be part of the LPP family as an enthusiastic educator. Originally from Brazil, I worked as a Pediatric Dentist before moving to the United States in 2019. With a Master's degree in Child and Adolescent Health and a Specialization in Child Nutrition, I am passionate about promoting the well-being of children. As a dedicated childcare worker, I have a vision for nurturing and educating children of all ages. In my free time, I enjoy exploring new places with my daughter and husband and going out for bike rides. However, the highlight of my day is stepping into a classroom and seeing all the children's smiling faces. I am excited to bring my expertise and love for education to the LPP team!
Job Titles:
- Toddler Assistant Teacher
Hello! My name is Haley Campbell, and I'm so excited to be a part of the LPP team!
Job Titles:
- Education Director
- Education Director, LPP Belden
I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, and I wouldn't want to live in any other city! I attended SIU in Carbondale, Illinois, and studied Social Work. During my time there, I worked at an elementary school and at the Boys and Girls Club, which solidified my love for education and fascination with the minds of young children. Once I graduated, I moved back to Chicago to pursue a Masters degree at DePaul University while teaching at LPP Germania. When I first visited LPP, I was blown away by the magic that happened within its walls. I knew LPP was the standard in early childhood education, and it was truly a privilege to teach alongside incredibly talented teachers. After teaching for almost four years, I was honored to transition to the Education Director role at LPP Belden. I feel lucky to work alongside Belden families, teachers, and students- there is no place like LPP.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director, LPP Webster
Working with young children has always been a passion of mine. After graduating from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, I made the journey to the big city of Chicago! I have been fortunate to work with children in wonderful environments along the way. In 2002 I had the incredible opportunity to begin my career at LPP as a 2's & 3's Lead teacher. I knew instantly I had found my dream work place. Lincoln Park Preschool & Kindergarten is a magical school where young children are nurtured and encouraged to explore the world around them through appropriate practice and wonderful teacher facilitation. In 2004 I was promoted to the Belden Director role. Belden was my home away from home for 12 magnificent years. I am now honored to be the Director at LPP Webster. It is a privilege to be part of a school that always has the best interest for the children and families within its walls. It is also incredibly fulfilling to be a part of an organization that is constantly working to provide and support outside organizations within the city and around the world with quality education and resources. Lincoln Park Preschool & Kindergarten is a precious gift for children, parents and the community. I could not imagine being anywhere else!
I grew up in the Chicago suburb of Northbrook, and graduated with my B.A. in elementary education from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2006. My first teaching position was in CPS teaching 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades on the North Side of Chicago for 6 years. After my time in CPS, I decided to become certified through the American Montessori Society in early childhood Montessori teaching and philosophy. I was an intern and assistant for a year at a Montessori school in Evanston and became a lead directress the following school year in a (3-6 year old) classroom at the Montessori Academy from 2015 to 2017. In 2017, I moved to Northern California and became a Museum educator and Outreach Coordinator at a local Children museum in Sacramento. In the summer of 2018, I transitioned back to Chicago and was fortunate to continue my work in museum education for the Nature Museum in Lincoln Park as an Education Programs Coordinator. These experiences over the last 10+ years have shaped my passion for education and experiential learning. In my free time I love traveling, cooking from scratch, creating pastel art, listening to records, and practicing mindfulness through meditation and yoga. I am very excited to grow with the team and be a part of the LPP family!
Originally from Costa Rica, I taught English as a Second Language to adults. I moved to Chicago in 2015 and discovered how much I love working with young children. I am very excited to share my beautiful language and culture with the LPP community. I have always loved to teach through games and music and Spanish class is the perfect scenario to learn while having fun. In my spare time, I like to travel, snuggle with my two chihuahuas, try new food, play video games, and follow professional women's basketball.
Job Titles:
- Education Director
- Education Director, LPP Germania
I grew up in Minnesota but have lived in Chicago and worked at LPP since 2006. I started as an assistant in the Pre-K classroom and then was a lead teacher in the 3s & 4s classroom as well as the Pre-K classroom before becoming the Education Director here at Germania. My wife Mandolyn and I have 3 children and we love spending time outdoors. We regularly ride bikes, go camping, and spend time by the lake. Even in the coldest weather, we usually bundle up and go on an adventure in our neighborhood. I love working at LPP and have a blast getting to play, create, and explore with all of the students and teachers here. It is truly a magical place to be and I am grateful I get to spend my days at this school!
Hello! My name is Rachel Flaig! I am from Exton, Pennsylvania. I graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2019 with a Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood and Special Education. After college, I was a substitute teacher for several districts, taught an extended school year program for elementary students with autism, and was a Lead Teacher in a Pre-K classroom. My passion for teaching came from the amazing teachers I had growing up; I look forward to being that role model in my students' lives! In my free time I am very active. I love running, hiking, and traveling! I am beyond excited to begin my new journey at LPP Belden in Chicago and meet all of the new students and families!
Job Titles:
- Toddler Assistant Teacher
- Twos Assistant Teacher
Hi everyone! My name is Rachel Wade, and I am excited to be a part of the LPP community! I am originally from Des Moines, Iowa but recently moved to Chicago from Iowa City, where I received my B.A. in Theatre Arts at the University of Iowa. While in Iowa City, I also tutored in the writing center, was involved in many plays, directed two of my own, and interned in the education department of Des Moines Performing Arts. I have worked with kids from a young age, starting at my grandmother's at-home daycare, where I grew up. I am passionate about bringing art and theatre to young people and encouraging kids to find joy in being themselves. Outside of work, you can find me going to auditions, reading, trying new recipes, or spending time with my friends, family, and dog Mabel.
Job Titles:
- Founder & Owner, LPP Belden, Germania & Webster
I believe that we are to be students of our children. When I was young, my mom would tell me I had a gift with children and how they responded to me, this sent me on a trajectory of wanting to be a teacher. While in school at BGSU I was fascinated by the development of a child's brain and what happens before the age of 6. I loved what I was learning in my ECE classes and remember thinking that based on this research and knowledge of the development of a child's brain, why do we start our children's formal education at the age of 5? The vision was clear to me; I knew we were missing a profound opportunity to provide children with access to high quality early education in their early years, before the age of 5. After graduating, I taught for 8 years and then became Director of a preschool. Through some very God ordained circumstances, I knew I was being called to start my own school where I could impart my vision of how preschool education can further provide a foundation of character, curiosity and learning for children, teachers and families. LPP Belden was opened in 1994, LPP Germania in 1997 and LPP Webster in 2014. As an educator, I strongly believe that all early learning environments should be Nationally Accredited, which is a rigorous process in achieving the highest standards in early childhood education. LPP earned accreditation with the National Association for the Education of Young Children in 1999, and maintains that standing today. The impact of LPP is deep and wide reaching and I am humbled to be a part of the story. We believe that no matter the zip code you are born into, all children deserve access to high quality early education. We work hard to share the gifts, talents and resources of LPP and to work with organizations in underserved areas of Chicago and beyond our city, both globally and locally. I like to tell new young teachers in our schools that they stand on the backs of some powerful and innovative teachers and leaders who have added to the foundation and vision that you see and feel today in these schools. I am so grateful for every teacher and leader who has called LPP their home. They have all had an impact on our culture and have helped to write the story of LPP.
Hi I'm Sydney Johnson! I graduated from Illinois State University with my Bachelor's Degree in Human Development & Family Science. I grew up in the Quad Cities, Illinois and moved to Chicago following graduation. During my time at ISU, I found my passion for teaching early childhood while being a clinical student in the ISU Child Care Center. My love for education flourished while interning alongside the education director at The Goddard School for Early Childhood Development in Saint Charles, Illinois. I have been a teacher for ages twos and threes for several years now and am excited to be a part of the team at Lincoln Park Preschool. I love bringing storytime to life and teaching through music. My positive mindset and bubbly energy are my ways of making a classroom warm and welcoming. In my free time, I enjoy reading a good book, my gym routine, and rock climbing. Whether it's a bike ride along the lakefront, hiking, or a picnic in the park I spend most weekends soaking up the outdoors. I am ecstatic to make connections with my new classroom and families!
Job Titles:
- Toddler Assistant Teacher ( Full - Time )