Our Staff

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

Our Staff

Patrice Booth, Operation Support

Carolyn Carter, Teacher

Carolyn attended Malcolm X College and obtained a Liberal Arts degree. She has one son. 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 is three-year-olds. Carolyn enjoys reading. Two of her favorite childhood books are Brown Bear and The Hungry Caterpillar. Carolyn’s hobbies include walking, reading a good book, and doing crossword puzzles.

Daniella Chavez, Teacher

Daniella is originally from California. Daniella began working with children when she was a teenager. Daniella has worked with various age groups. Daniella is currently a teacher assistant for the 2-year-old class. Daniella enjoys arts and crafts, sports, and being outdoors.

Daniela Cruz, Housekeeper

Dr. Catherine L Eason, Executive Director 

Victoria Gregor, Program Director

Linda Jennings, Teacher

Linda joined The Day Nursery in May 2016. For thirty years, Linda has enjoyed helping young children develop social-emotional skills and manners as well as start their journey into language, math, science, literacy, and art. She 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!

Laneta Johnson, Teacher

Latrice Jones, Teacher

Latrice joined The Day Nursery in January 2016. Latrice is an assistant teacher and has twelve years of experience working with children. 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 has helped Latrice become a better parent/teacher to her children.

Lekeshia McAllister, Operation Manager

Tiffany McHarland, Parent Coordinator

Tiffany joined The Day Nursery in April 2021.  She has a master's degree in Early Childhood Education and currently works as the parent coordinator at the school.  Tiffany’s daughter is the love of her life. A few of my favorite children's authors are James Dean, Aaron Blabey, Eric Carle, Robert Munsch, and Dr. Seuss. Being at The Day Nursery has allowed her passion for teaching young children to grow and flourish over the years, what a wonderful place for children to grow and develop at their own pace.

Elijah Panico, Classroom Support

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 Room. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Depaul University and is currently working towards a master's degree in Special Education. To her, the most rewarding aspect of working with young children is watching them grow and develop and being able to foster learning experiences that promote wonder and excitement.

Charletha (Rene) Richardson, Teacher

Rene joined The Day Nursery in November, 2014.  With 30 years of experience, Rene uses her position as a floating teacher 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 just as much as we teach them.

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 began 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. She learned from the children as they learned from her. Through this learning process, she knew she wanted to become a teacher! Her professional teaching career began at Building blocks childcare center, where she was the lead teacher in the preschool room. While working at the childcare center she developed more knowledge of classroom management and listening to children, finding out what they are trying to say. As a teacher, Ms. Kira wants to make sure the learning experience for children is beneficial and exciting!

Darnesha Thomas, Teacher

Angelica Vazquez, Teacher

Angelica has been an Early Childhood Educator for 22 years working with children from 6
weeks to 12 years. Teaching is her passion. She studied Early Childhood Education at Triton College and holds a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) for Preschool from the CDA National Credentialing Program. Her favorite book is "Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch.
She is very excited to be working at The Day Nursery in the Garden Room with Ms. Christina.
Her goal is to create a warm, safe, and loving learning environment for your children.

Merry Vercillo, Teacher

Merry joined The Day Nursery in July 2018. She brings 20 years of experience working with two-year-olds to her role as a teacher in the Honey Bear room 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 is the chef at The Day Nursery. LaDawn has been cooking for many years and really enjoys it. LaDawn’s main objective is to be able to cook and satisfy.

 

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Your support is essential to keep quality early childhood education at The Day Nursery affordable and accessible for all families.​