Staff
Administration
Chrissy Cornell
Director
Chrissy is a child development specialist with more than 15 years of experience in the field of early childhood education. In her role as Director, Chrissy fosters Professional Learning opportunities for the staff, helps coordinate curriculum initiatives, supports the Inclusion Program for children with special needs, sets policies and maintains quality programming at SLC.
Before becoming the Director, Chrissy was a Graduate Student Intern, an Inclusive Education Assistant, a classroom teacher and the Associate Director at SLC. She has served on the SLC Governing Board since 2005. Chrissy received her Illinois Director’s Credential in 2002 and participates in numerous professional development activities, including the Evanston Early Childhood Director’s Council. She holds a M.Ed through the Erikson Institute and a BA in Interpersonal Communication. Chrissy is the proud parent of two growing children, one of whom has a disability, both alums of SLC.
Kiki Demopolous
Business Manager
Kiki graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a B.A. in Art History. After college, reality set in and she became queen of the business office at a fine arts auction house located in River North. Kiki has been with SLC since 2007 when the youngest of her 3 children started kindergarten.
Katie Kelly
Associate Director
Katie is an early childhood educator with 15 years of experience working with children and families. She has a long history with SLC, joining the staff full time in 2008 as a PreK teacher in the Blue Room. Katie’s other positions at SLC have included Orange Room PreK teacher, 3/4’s teacher, as well as Monday Fun Day and Beach Camp teacher.
Before joining SLC, Katie taught first grade for six years. She holds a M.Ed in Early Childhood Education from the Erikson Institute and a BA from the University of Dayton. Katie is a proud alum of SLC as are her two sons, Quinn and Jack.
Celeste Stolz
Administrative Assistant
Celeste has worked “behind the scenes” in the education field for over 20 years, having worked for an education video producer/distributor company and a major communications corporation. From managing a health curriculum warehouse to designing catalogs, she has done it all. She began her SLC career in 2007 and has had the pleasure of watching two grandchildren journey through SLC.
Jon Hoffheimer
SLC Greeter (since 2010)
Jon is School for Little Children’s morning greeter and office assistant. A lifelong Evanstonian, he also volunteers at the YMCA and works for the City of Evanston Special Recreation Department at Robert Crown. In his free time, Jon loves to spend time with his siblings and exercise at the YMCA.
Classroom Teachers
Anne Pike
Teacher, 3s (since 1995)
Anne is a classroom teacher and serves as the Fun in the Sun Beach Camp Director during the summer months. In addition to over 20 years of teaching experience, Anne holds a master’s degree in Social Work from Washington University-a background that she puts to good use in the classroom setting. Anne is fluent in Italian, loves to cook, read, walk and enjoys playing cards and Words with Friends.
Christina O'Connor
Aide, 4s (since 2017)
Christina has 17 years of experience working in Early Childhood Education in a variety of settings including preschool and daycare. In her spare time Christina loves to read, spend time with husband and their 3 kids, and 3 rescue dogs! One thing you may not know about Christina is that she has been a vegetarian since she was 12 and no one else in her family is.
Dawn Borchardt
Assistant, 2s (since 2015)
Dawn has over 15 years of experience teaching, and is proud of having taught students of all ages from infants to adults. She has a B.A. in Political Science/History from the University of Arizona, and a Teaching Credential/ESL Certificate from San Diego State University. In high school, Dawn lettered in the “sport” of Academic Decathlon and in her free time enjoys reading and travel.
Isabelle Nieves
Teacher, 3s (since 2001)
Isabelle has worked as both a classroom teacher and as a member of SLC’s administrative team. Isabelle has a Bachelor Degree in Applied Behavior Science from National Louis University, and a M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Phoenix. Isabelle is a proud grandparent, enjoys cake decorating and biking and is a Star Wars geek!
Kathy Tribble-Strong
Teacher, Pre-K (since 1991)
Kathy has a diverse educational background, as she holds a B.A. in Sociology/Psychology with a minor in Spanish from Augusta College as well as a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Illinois. Kathy used to run track…zoom…play flute and loves to go on road trips!
Megan Vinson
Assistant, Pre-K (since 2012)
Meghan’s educational background is in Social Work, earning a B.A. from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. In addition, Megan was also a Special Education Teaching Assistant in District 65 for four years. One thing you may not know about Meghan is that she is the proud mother of three, two of whom are SLC alumni!
Sharon Moriarty
Teacher, 3s (since 2013)
Sharon brings over 12 years of teaching experience to the classroom, eight of which were in her own home day care business. Sharon has a B.S. of Education-Special Ed. from Illinois State University and a M.S.W. from Loyola University Chicago. Sharon is the proud mother of three children, is learning how to speak Spanish & Chinese, enjoys to garden, bake, bike ride and read in her spare time.
Amy Ng
Assistant, 3s (since 2014)
Amy’s educational background is in Biology, a B.S. from Wheaton College, and she has a M.A. in Elementary Education from National-Louis University. Amy enjoys spending time with her family and is an excellent baker.
Debby Weidman
Teacher, Pre-K (since 1991)
Debby holds a B.A. in Education from the Goddard College in Vermont, and has deep roots at SLC with over 25 years of teaching experience. She has also taught theater to young children. Debby has two cats, enjoys taking long walks and loves to spend time with her granddaughter.
Fran Ex
Assistant 2s (since 2016)
Fran holds a B. A. in English from the University of Wisconsin and a M. Ed from University of Illinois at Chicago. Fran has been a Fun in the Sun teacher and a Toddler Time teacher at SLC. She is a proud mother of two children who also happen to be SLC alums. Fran enjoys taking her dog Annie to the dog beach, reading novels, and bike riding with her family. One thing you may not know about Fran is that she taught high school English
Janet Gregori
Teacher, 3s (since 2002)
Janet is the proud mother of three grown daughters, and has over 10 years of classroom experience. She studied Early Childhood Education and Applied Social Sciences at Kendall College. When Janet isn’t teaching, she enjoys cooking authentic Greek food and spending time with family. One thing you may not know about Janet is that she can hula hoop!
Kathy Smith
Teacher, Pre-K (since 2007)
Kathy has a background in Special Education, earning a B.A. in Special Ed. from Northeastern IL University, and over 12 years of experience in an educational setting. One thing you may not know about Kathy is that she knows sign language, and when she’s not teaching she likes to be outdoors with her family-biking, running, kayaking and camping.
Rebecca Dunn
Assistant, 3s (since 2017)
Rebecca holds a B.A. in History from the University of Colorado and has taken Education courses at National-Louis University. Rebecca has 16 years of experience working with young children in different settings. In Rebecca’s spare time she loves spending time with her family. She also loves to do yoga, travel and bake. One thing you may not know about Rebecca is that both her children are SLC alums.
Bethany Goodman
Assistant, Pre-K (since 2013)
Bethany has a B.A. in Psychology from Loras College in Dubuque, and studied Early Childhood Education at Oakton Community College. One thing you may not know about Bethany is that she is a certified Massage Therapist.
Donna Bell
Teacher, Pre-K (since 2001)
Donna has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loras College in Iowa. Donna majored in Social Work, with a minor in Sociology, and uses her educational background in the classroom on a daily basis. When Donna isn’t teaching, she is a crossword puzzle and Scrabble fanatic! Donna enjoys teaching at the same school as her sister Kathryn Swarczewski.
Hilary Green
Teacher, 2s & 3s (since 2001)
Hilary has worked in a variety of child care settings, was a volunteer AYSO soccer coach and has over 15 years of teaching experience. Hilary, who holds a B.A. in Public Administration from Miami University, is originally from Colorado and loves the mountains. Her claim to fame is climbing Longs Peak, one of Colorado’s 14,000 ft mountains.
Jamie Chrobak
Teacher, Pre-K (since 2008)
Jamie has many years of experience working with young children in a variety of capacities; as Assistant Director of a summer camp, preschool teacher, girls’ basketball and volleyball coach, and a 1st grade associate teacher. Jamie has a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from DePaul and a Masters in Administration and Supervision from National Louis University.
Kathy Swarczewski
Teacher, 2s & 3s (since 2001)
Kathryn and has been a teacher at School for Little Children since 2001. In addition to over 10 years of teaching experience, Kathy’s educational background includes a B.S. in Elementary and Special Education from Northern Illinois University. Kathy enjoys teaching at the same school as her sister Donna Bell.
Sue Monson
Teacher, 2s/Assistant 3s (since 2003)
Sue brings over 10 years of teaching experience to the classroom. In addition to studying visual communications at Northern Illinois University, she has taken many Early Childhood Education classes at Oakton College. Sue is very adventurous and loves hiking, camping and rollercoasters. She also loves dogs!
Vicky Mertz
Teacher, 2s (since 2015)
Vicky began working at SLC after studying Early Childhood Education at Oakton. She also holds a B.A. in Religious Studies from DePaul University. Something you may not know about Vicky is that she was SLC’s Governing Board President before joining the staff.