Our Caring and Highly Skilled Team Is Here for You and Your Child
- Highly qualified
- 60% of the teaching staff have a graduate degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE)
- Average tenure of staff: 8 years
- Commitment to professional development
A Letter From Dr. Catherine Eason, Executive Director:
The field of Early Childhood Education profession chose me. It was not my goal to become a teacher or an executive director.
I started college with the intent to become an emergency room pediatric nurse. However, as I was taking the prerequisite courses required to be accepted into the College of Nursing, I had to take human development courses. I had an instructor who saw my talent for becoming a teacher, and when she suggested that I think about becoming a teacher, I laughed. Needless to say, I became a teacher. My first teaching job was The Salvation Army Temple Head Start Program. And the rest is history.
Working with young children and their families has been a rewarding opportunity, and I am happy to take it on. There is no greater pleasure than hearing a parent say thank you for all you do.
It is incredibly rewarding to hear a staff member tell me that they continued their college education because of my support. I have had several staff members who believed that they could not go to college because they had not completed high school or did not think they were “smart enough” to go to college. It’s worth noting that they have since completed high school and college and achieved many great things. One former parent, who was also a staff member for me, was hired by The Salvation Army as a Para-Professional and went on to achieve great things. This individual even wrote a published book that is available in many local libraries and is sold on Amazon and Walmart online sites.
As a leader of The Day Nursery, I am thrilled to see and learn from the families who entrust us with their children. I am here to make everyone feel a part of a community that is here to help you become better or accomplish your goals for yourself and your child.
As a leader, I believe in helping people realize their potential. No one was born with all the answers, and yes, it can appear scary or daunting to venture out to do something you have never done before. I am here to tell you I have been there and did it all fearfully. So can you!
Our Staff
Patrice Booth, Operation Support, Joined The Day Nursery in 2016
Aimeé Bushbe, Teacher
Aimeé Bushbe joined The Day Nursery in 2024. She has been teaching preschool for nearly three years and really loves every minute of it. She is currently completing her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Her teaching goal is to prepare, grow, and learn alongside the children, helping them feel safe, loved, cherished and important. Aimeé’s favorite colors are blue and green, her favorite food is dark chocolate, and her hobbies are crafting and reading. She looks forward to making learning fun and sharing new adventures with the children.
Carolyn Carter, Teacher
Carolyn joined The Day Nursery in 2022. Carolyn attended Malcolm X College and obtained a Bachelor’s of Liberal Arts degree. Carolyn has been in early childcare for over twenty-plus years. Carolyn has worked with infants, toddlers, and three-to-five-year-old children. Carolyn’s favorite group of children to work with are the three-to-five-year-olds. Carolyn has one son. She enjoys reading. Two of her favorite childhood books are Brown Bear and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Carolyn’s hobbies include walking, reading a good book, and doing crossword puzzles.
Daniela Cruz, Housekeeper, Joined The Day Nursery in 2023
Dr. Catherine L Eason, Executive Director
Victoria Gregor, Program Director
Victoria Gregor joined The Day Nursery staff in 2015 and has worked in the field of education for over 30 years. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Spanish from Elmhurst University and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Erikson Institute/Loyola University Chicago. She has taught every age from toddlers through adults, including teaching English as a Foreign Language as a Peace Corps volunteer in Mozambique, Africa as well as teaching ECE courses as an adjunct faculty member at Kendall College. She has spent more than 53 years working as a Program Director in both Head Start and State Pre-K programs. At The Day Nursery, she finds it rewarding to have the opportunity to work with the entire family as she believes that family support is important in fostering school success in young children. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, traveling to new places both near and far, listening to music, and playing the piano.
Linda Jennings, Floater
Linda joined The Day Nursery in May 2016. With 30 years experience, Linda uses her position as a floater to develop the children’s social-emotional skills and manners as well as start their journey into language, math, science, literacy, and art. Linda loves to see their eyes “light up” when they discover that they can do something all by themselves for the first time or create something as unique as they are themselves!
Latrice Jones, Teacher
Latrice joined The Day Nursery in January 2016. Latrice has been working with children for fourteen years. She believes that teaching allows us to help shape children’s dreams and that children learn best from a teacher who is also willing to learn from them. Teaching helps Latrice become a better parent/teacher to her own children.
Lekeshia McAllister, Operation Manager, Joined The Day Nursery in 2007
Tiffany McHarland, Parent Coordinator
Tiffany McHarland joined The Day Nursery staff in 2001. She has a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. When Tiffany started at The Day Nursery, all she knew was she wanted to work with children. During her years at The Day Nursery, she obtained an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degree, all in Early Childhood Education. Tiffany who has a daughter, now 11, attended The Day Nursery and now Tiffany is preparing for her 5-month-old son to get his feet in the door in a few years. One reason why Tiffany has been here so long is because of the diversity and wanting her daughter to meet all kinds of children, which she did. Tiffany is thankful for her position as Parent Coordinator because she works hand in hand with families and their children. Tiffany’s favorite authors are James Dean, Aaron Blabey, Eric Carle, Robert Munsch, and Dr. Seuss.
Elijah Panico, Floater, Joined The Day Nursery in 2022
Susan Panico, Teacher
Susan joined The Day Nursery in December 2016. Susan brings 20 years of experience working with young children from the ages of two to five, to her role as lead preschool teacher in the Rainbow classroom. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from DePaul University and now holds her Master’s Degree in Special Education. To her, the most rewarding aspect of working with young children is watching them grow and develop, and foster learning experiences that promote wonder and excitement.
Charletha (Rene) Richardson, Floater
Rene joined The Day Nursery in November 2014. With 30 years of experience, Rene uses her position as a floater to ensure that each child receives the best care possible, in a loving environment, as all children deserve. She is a true believer in lifelong learning and believes there is nothing more beautiful than a child’s smile and the sound of their laughter. She enjoys every aspect of teaching and has realized in her years of teaching that children teach us as much as we teach them.
Jonathan Scheffel, Teacher
Jonathan joined The Day Nursery in 2024. He has a Bachelor’s degress in Human Development and Learning and will be attending graduate school this fall for a Master’s in Early Childhood Education. Jonathan has a strong interest for community collaboration and is a vocal advocate for early childhood development and learning. He views children as capable, curious, and excited to learn and contribute to their families and communities. With a background in science and music, Jonathan brings a variety of life experiences to The Day Nursery team and sees his role as a guide to the children navigating their new worlds. He strives to reflect daily on his teaching practices to support building initiative in each individual.
Kira Smith, Teacher
Kira Smith joined The Day Nursery staff in November 2010. She graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 2009. At fourteen she was volunteering at the children’s church at Mars Hill Baptist Church, assisting teachers with activities and routines. While volunteering, she became interested in how children learn and their development. Kira learned from the children as they learned from her. Through this learning process, she knew she wanted to become a teacher in the preschool room. Her first professional job was the lead teacher in a preschool classroom. While working at the childcare center, Kira developed more knowledge of classroom management and listening to children, finding out what they are trying to say. In her role as Education Liaison, Kira’s goal is to make sure the learning experience for children is beneficial and exciting!
Darnesha Thomas, Teacher
Darnesha joined The Day Nursery in 2024. She has been working in the Early Childhood Education field for over 27 years. Darnesha is the mother of two children, Leatrice and Malik. And the proud grandmother of two, Jaden and Jace. Darnesha also has two dogs, Lola and Loski, that are loved and cherished.
Angelica Vazquez, Teacher
Angelica joined The Day Nursery in August 2023. She has been an Early Childhood Educator for twenty-three years working with children from 6 weeks to 13 years old. She studied Early Childhood Education at Triton College and holds a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) for Preschool from the CDA National Credentialing Program. Teaching is Angelica’s passion. Her teaching goals are to promote a loving, safe, and educational environment and to build a strong teacher/student bond. She was born and raised in Chicago and has a 23 year old son, who attended The Day Nursery. Angelica’s favorite book is "Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch. Her favorite color is black, she likes to dance and exercise. She loves pizza, the movies and visiting the wonderful sites of downtown Chicago.
Merry Vercillo, Teacher
Merry joined The Day Nursery in July 2018. She brings over 30 years of experience working with 2 and 3-year-olds and believes in strong parent/teacher communication. With her daughter Amanda grown and married, Merry fills her home in the southwest suburbs of Chicago with animal companions. Her home-turned sanctuary currently includes two dogs, several cats, and a parrot. Her passion for animals has led her to become an advocate, as she rescues and fosters kittens, cats, and dogs. When Merry isn’t teaching or spending time with animals, she enjoys nature, gardening, movies, and music.
LaDawn Voss, Lead Cook
LaDawn joined The Day Nursery staff in 2022. She is responsible for all that is nutrition for the children. She prepares breakfast, lunch and snacks. She prepares the menus and orders all the food, kitchen supplies, and works with vendors to ensure the children receive a variety of meals to enjoy family style either in the main dining room or their classroom. She holds a sanitation certification. LaDawn has been cooking for many years and really enjoys it. LaDawn’s main objective is to be able to cook and satisfy.
HELP BY DONATING TODAY
Your support is essential to keep quality early childhood education at The Day Nursery affordable and accessible for all families.
