Jennifer joined the UCECP in 2004.  Prior to her position at the UCECP, her journey included being a first grade teacher, an Assistant Principal and Preschool Program Director.

Ms. Nunamaker has been in the field of early childhood education since 1992.  Sue was the only early childhood education major in 2004 that received the Thaskala Award from Elmhurst College.

Gayle is a certified teacher with a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with an endorsement in Early Childhood Special Education and joined UCECP in 2004.

Beth joined the ECP in 2002 and has taught in the Mother Toddler, Mother Child and Three’s Preschool programs and currently serves the UCECP as the Mother Child Facilitator. 

Cyndi joined the UCECP staff in 2016 as a part-time 4’s teacher. Cyndi also periodically substitutes 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.

Mrs. Brockob joined the UCECP in 2015. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s Degree in Education and an English as a Second Language Endorsement. She began teaching first grade in Fremont, California for five years and then second grade in Glenview, Illinois for eight years. 

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

Monica joined the UCECP program in the fall of 2016 as a substitute. 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 is greatly excited to be in the Mother Child Program.

Ms. Cook joined the UCECP team in 2009. Allie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Western Michigan University with endorsements in Science and English. She worked in the public school system as a K-5 substitute and para-educator, prior to joining the UCECP in the 3’s and 4’s programs.

Ms. Gordon joined the UCECP staff in 2015. She holds dual degrees in Elementary and Special Education from Vanderbilt University. Ms. Gordon has taught Early Childhood Special Ed in both Texas and Illinois. 

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. 

Kathryn Heine has a masters degree in Elementary and Special Education from Long Island University (CW Post). During the course of her ten-year teaching career, Kathryn has worked in a variety of educational settings including an all girls private school and a school for students, learning disabilities and private tutoring.

Mrs. Heins joined the UCECP in 2016. She has a Masters in Education from Houston Baptist University. Prior to joining the UCECP, she substitute taught at the elementary school level and taught a variety of early childhood programs at the Fox Valley Park District.

Jen has been with the ECP for over 15 years. 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. 

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. 

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. 

Mrs. Murphy joined UCECP as a teacher in 2013 after being in the Mother/Toddler class with her youngest daughter. She has a Master’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Curriculum and Instruction and an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood with an endorsement in Early Childhood Special Education.

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. 

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. 

Selene is an infant teacher, serving her second year at UCECP. She has 15 years of experience in child care. She enjoys being part of children’s lives and watching them grow.

Ms. Parenti has been with the UCECP since 2007. She brings her years of preschool teaching experience and an Associate’s Degree and an education from the College of DuPage to the UCECP learning environment. 

Beth has worked with children/families since 1997. She is a certified teacher and has a Master’s Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences. Before joining the UCECP in 2011, Ms. Sauders taught child development courses for four years at the high school level. 

Ms. Schaefer holds a degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in middle school Language Arts. She joined the Union Early Childhood Education Program excited to use her degree and passion to improve children’s lives. 

Ms. Szafarczyk is thrilled to join the Mother/Toddler team after participating in the program with all three of her children. She has a Bachelors Degree from Loyola University Chicago and brings with her years of childcare and volunteer experiences with many schools and local organizations.

Ms. Laurel joined UCECP in 2016. This will be her second year as the Toddler teacher in the Early Learning Lab. 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.

Ms. Wegner has been a member of the UCECP team since 2007. She brings a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood from Illinois State University.