Jasmin is thrilled to be part of the UCECP team, and work alongside the Mother Toddler program. After being a stay-at-home mom for 8 years she has come to realize the importance of early childhood education. From personal experience Jasmin is hoping she can help mothers through the process and make the transition as easy as possible. 

“While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.”
– Angela Schwindt

Gayle has been with the UCECP since 1995. She has a Child Care Associate’s degree from Morianne Valley. Ms. Bueser has spent several years working with toddlers at the UCECP and her knowledge in the phases of development help support her work with toddlers.

“It is amazing to watch the children grow and develop from room to room. There are also some wonderful friendships built here for the children as well as the families.”

Cyndi joined the UCECP staff in 2016 as a part-time 4’s teacher. Cyndi also taught in the Early Learning Lab, 2’s, 3’s, Mother-Toddler and Mother-Child programs. She is a former UCECP parent herself and has volunteered in her own children’s elementary school classrooms in a variety of capacities.

Cyndi’s other volunteer school activities include fulfilling the roles of PTA President and Vice President at Prospect Elementary School in district 181. Cyndi is a member of UCH and has taught both Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and served on the Worship Committee in recent years.

“Working at UCECP brings such joy to my life seeing the smiles on the children’ faces every day. I love watching them learn and discover things.”

Kat joined the UCECP in 2018, during that time she has worked with every age group. In 2021 she took the role as teacher in our Mother Toddler and Mother Child program. She has a degree in Communications from DePaul University During the fifteen years as a mom raising her two children, she found her passion of working with children.

“There is no greater reward than being a part of a child's first school experience. Seeing their journey towards the different developmental milestones and witnessing the growth that occurs in just one school year.“

Monica joined the UCECP program in the fall of 2016. She has 13 years of experience working with children. She loves being a part of an early childhood education program that helps spark a love for learning. This year she will be returning as a 3’s teacher.

“My goal when teaching the children is to inspire them to be involved, ask questions, and grow a deep passion for learning.”

Margie joined UCECP in 2022. She brings extensive childcare and education experience to UCECP that spans from teaching to being a Regional Director of a Child Care Center. More recently Margie was employed as a School Business Manager at a parochial grammar school. Her excitement returning to the classroom brings additional energy balanced with a never ending love for the children. While not working Margie enjoys spending time with her family and vacationing in Mexico.

Paula has been in the field of early childhood education since 1994. Ms. O’Neil has a degree from College of DuPage and is grateful every day for being able to enrich children’s lives.

“My favorite aspect of teaching is seeing children grow and develop through hands-on learning.”

Mandy is excited to be a part of the 2’s program at UCECP. She has a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communications from North Central College. Prior to being a stay-at-home mom to her four children, Mandy was a therapeutic riding instructor for children with disabilities at the Hanson Center in Burr Ridge. She also helped run summer camps at the YMCA in Downers Grove.

”I’m looking forward to a fun year of exploring and learning.”

Ms. Gurrola joined UCECP in 2014. She has nearly thirty years of experience raising her own children, providing daycare from home as well as being an active parent with many school programs.

“Working my various positions at UCECP comes with different rewards everyday —whether it’s with our amazing teachers, the parents, or the wonderful inquisitive children — they make my heart smile!”

Libby is so excited to be working at the UCECP. She loves teaching and was hired as a float teacher. She is now in the 2’s and Early Learning Lab/Infant Toddler Room. She also spent three years as a 4’s and 5’s teacher. Libby has a CDA credential and previously was a swim instructor for six years. One fun fact about her is that Libby did competitive swimming for many years. 

 "I love working at UCECP, seeing the kids everyday interact with their classmates and other teachers makes me so happy."

Laura has a master’s degree in education with an Early Childhood endorsement. She has previously taught in the 2's, 3's, and 4's classrooms, and is so excited to be teaching the 4's again this year!

"I love watching children explore the world around them, and it is amazing to see how much they grow from the beginning to the end of the year."

Jen has been at the UCECP since 2003. She holds a degree in Recreation and several years of experience with elementary school-aged children. Ms. Hickerson has been an important part of many different programs at the UCECP and most recently has taught the 3’s and Kinderboost programs.

Mary has been with ECP on and off since 2005. When she is not in the classroom with the children, she is taking care of her three middle-school and elementary-school aged grandchildren.

“I am so excited to be back teaching the 4’s and looking forward to getting them ready for kindergarten.” 

Carissa joined the UCECP as facilitator in 2017, and as a parent in 2005. She has a degree in communications and political science from Miami University and a professional background in group moderating and consumer insight in the marketing and advertising industry.

As a parent, she is busy raising three children, volunteering in their schools, coaching their teams, running their carpools and hosting their play dates. She also writes on the topic of parenthood, perinatal loss, food allergies, kids and travel, social activism and mindfulness for a number of publications, both online and in print. Her most favorite thing to do is to experience a place or experience through the eyes of her children and feel the wonder and newness of it all over again.

“They may forget what you said – but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
– Maya Angelou

Sarah has a master’s degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Literacy from Michigan State University. She is a parent at the UCECP and teaches in the Mother Child classroom. Previously, Sarah taught for nine years in Chicago, New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut.

Ann is thrilled to be a part of the UCECP team and working with the 2’s. She has worked at St Gerald Catholic School as an Instructional Aide for several years and was a nanny for twelve years with the same wonderful family in Hinsdale. Ann loves working with children and watching them grow. She grew up in Ireland in a family of seven children and is also a mom of seven boys, ranging in age from young adult to tween.

Ms. Koudelka joined in the UCECP in 2012. Previously she had worked at the UCECP as a substitute teacher. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and has been working with children for 9 years.

“I love to see when a child makes a first connection with a concept and the way their face lights up is so rewarding.”

Chef Pam has been an important part of the UCECP since 2021.  She works in the kitchen preparing lunch and snacks.   Pam has a 14 year old daughter and a wonderful husband plus all of their fur babies, 2 dogs and 2 cats.  She loves being a part of such an amazing school and Church. 

Ms. McBrien has been in the field of early childhood education since 1999. She has a degree from Northeastern Illinois University and enjoys every second of working with young children.

“I enjoy watching the smiles on the children’s faces as they gain a sense of accomplishment.”

Rae Mugnolo built a community of friends at UCECP by participating in both the Mother Toddler and Mother Child Programs. She is thrilled to join the incredible Mother Child teachers at UCECP as a facilitator in 2022. She holds a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from DePaul University, a Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunications with a minor in Business from Indiana University Bloomington, and CILS (Certification of Italian as a Foreign Language Certification) from the University of Siena for Foreigners.

Previously, Rae worked in the Education Technology industry which took her to over 45 US States and across the globe advocating for effective use of technology in US classrooms and training teachers how to incorporate technology into the classroom. Her favorite part of that role was connecting people whom would have never met otherwise…something she looks forward to carrying on in the Mother Child program. Rae has also taught in the Chicago Archdiocese and the Chicago Public Schools.

Her life revolves around her large Italian family and her most challenging, yet favorite role - mother of three.

"Listening is where love begins: listening to ourselves and then to our neighbors."

Gabby’s passion has always been in Early Childhood Education. She strongly believes a child’s early years are the foundation of their development which will have an impact and be an essential piece of their future. She is a Preschool Teacher at UCECP, part of the Pop-Up Preschool Team, and the Community Liaison of Summit for UCECI committee. Together we are working to give the families of Summit a foundation, that will help each child grow and see the world through their eyes.

Raquel has been teaching preschool since she took dual credit childcare classes in high school. She attended Eastern Illinois University and minored in family and consumer sciences. When she left Eastern she was offered a job teaching pre-k 3&4 with Stickney Township.

She stayed with the township for a few years before she and her husband decided to have another baby; after she had her son Raquel realized she couldn’t stay away from teaching preschool. She found this amazing new preschool at UCECP to call ‘home’! She is so excited to be starting this year with a new group of little ones to teach in the 3’s class!

Ms. Shabez graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University with a bachelor's in elementary education and an ESL certification. She is currently in my fifth year of teaching. Her hobbies include hiking, crafting, camping, and cooking.  What she enjoys most about working with students is seeing and experiencing how kids think, hearing their ideas and seeing their creativity and uniqueness shine. She loves seeing their little lightbulbs go on and watching a breakthrough in their thinking.

“Every child is a different kind of flower, and all together make this world a beautiful garden.”
-Giacomo Leopardi

Tania joined the UCECP program during the summer 2021 as a substitute. She has been working with children since 2018 and is so excited to be part of this program. Tania has her CDA Credential. Also, she continues to take courses to provide the best education for children because learning never stops until you set a limit to yourself, and you decide to give up.

“I like to teach because teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions and to teach is to touch eternity.”

Laurel has been with UCECP since 2016. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Family and Child Studies with an emphasis on Family and Individual Development and a Master’s Degree in the Higher Education with an emphasis in Student Affairs from Northern Illinois University. She has extensive experience working with young children. Her favorite part about working with this young age is seeing their eyes light up when they discover something new. She has two wonderful and silly boys of her own, who are both graduates of the program. She loves spending time with her family and friends, exploring the world, photography, everything fitness- running and Peloton and a huge lover of animals. Fun fact: She ran the Disney World Marathon in 2010. 

“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.”
-Mr. Rodgers

Catalina is proud of call UCECP her work home. She has been teaching for more that 10 years working in the city as an early childhood educator with children ages, three months to four years. She also has experience working at a Montessori School with 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds as assistant and Spanish teacher.  Catalina has an associate degree in child development and an Infant Toddler Credential. She plans to keep preparing herself for new challenges. Catalina wants to create a classroom community where your child feels welcome, safe and has fun learning.

Amy is new to the UCECP 2s Program this year but she is very familiar with the program as her 3 children attended the Union Church’s ECP programs over 20 year ago. Raised by two parents who were both educators, Amy understands that child centered programs and activities are important at a young age. For over 2 decades, she volunteered in her own children’s classrooms in d181 and d86 and for their various travel and competitive sports teams. Amy loves gardening, walking with her dogs, travel ,and spending time with family and friends.

“I look forward to spending the mornings with the 2s children as they experience all the exciting new “firsts” associated with attending preschool.”

Tiana is thrilled to be teaching the 4’s class. The 4's program is her favorite age group to work with because they absorb so much information and find joy in learning new things. It is exciting to watch them grow and become and more independent.