About Us
OUR ROOTS
Founded in 1942 by a community of parents and educators, GJK is a nonprofit, premier preschool serving children ages 1-5 and known for exceeding early childhood education standards.
For over 80 years, we have prepared children for kindergarten—and the world beyond—through a dynamic, child-centered and play-based approach.
Many of our current students have deep-rooted connections to GJK, with parents and grandparents who once walked these same halls—creating a cherished tradition that spans generations. If you are an GJK alumni, we’d love to hear from you! Drop us a line via the contact page to say hello.
OUR CORE VALUES
At the heart of everything…
Glencoe Junior Kindergarten is a truly special place built on a strong sense of community, the deep commitment of our educators, and the close partnership between teachers and families.
Community
GJK feels like a home away from home, where children are nurtured, supported, and encouraged to grow through play-based learning. In addition to providing quality education, GJK fosters a strong culture of community – a place where families feel they truly belong.
Commitment
Our dedicated teachers bring experience, passion, and care to every classroom, ensuring that each child feels confident, safe, and excited to learn.
Connection
The involvement and warmth of our parents create a collaborative environment where students thrive. As one teacher beautifully put it, “There is love in these walls.”
OUR EDUCATORS
Our dedicated educators are the heart of GJK.
They are warm, creative, enthusiastic, passionate, and committed to the growth and development of every child in their care. By embracing each child’s curiosity, they guide classroom activities based on their questions and interests. Our teachers are lifelong learners, committed to expanding their expertise through ongoing professional development in early child education, health, and educational best practices. Each year, they complete a minimum of 15 hours of required continuing education.
OUR PARENT BOARD
The Executive Board partners with GJK’s Director to guide our school.
GJK’s volunteer, parent-run board is elected annually and plays a vital role in shaping the school’s operations and policies alongside our Director. Together, they oversee budgets, coordinate fundraising efforts, plan educational and social events, and ensure new families feel welcomed into the GJK community. The General Board, which includes room parents and key committees, supports and enriches the school experience. Applications for the following school year are typically sent out in February or March.
Learn More About Our Educators
Miss Laura
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Position: Director
Education: Michigan State University, B.A. in Communication; North Park University, Early Childhood Teaching Certificate; and Northeastern Illinois University, Masters in Reading
Background: Before joining GJK, I spent 18 years at a private preschool-8th grade school in Chicago, where I taught Kindergarten and 3rd grade. I also designed and led their preschool programs, bringing my passion for early childhood learning to life!
Years in Education: 25 yearsYears at GJK: 5 years
Hobby/Interest Related to Teaching: Reading
Personal Interest/Fun Fact: Traveling, time with my teenager, and my dog.
Miss Amy
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Position: 3s Lead Teacher
Education: Northeastern University, B.A. in Elementary Education with Middle School Social Science and Biological Science endorsements; 18 hours of Graduate Study in Reading; Children's Yoga Certification
Years in Education: 21 years
Years at GJK: 3 years
Hobby/Interest Related to Teaching: Gardening and crafting.
Personal Interest/Fun Fact: I am also a Disney travel planner (I love Disney!). Fun fact--I got married in a hot air balloon in California.
Miss Andrea
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Position: 2s Lead Teacher MWF
3s Assistant Teacher T/THEducation: Eastern Michigan University, B.S. Early Childhood Education
Years in Education: 25 years
Years at GJK: 11 years
Hobby/Interest Related to Teaching: Reading
Personal Interest/Fun Fact: Will have 2 kids in two different Big 10 schools next year!
Mrs. C
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Position: 2s MWF & T/TH Lead Teacher
Education: B.A. Child Development/Psychology; M. Ed Early Childhood Education
Years in Education: 41 years
Years at GJK: 21 years
Hobby/Interest Related to Teaching: Reading, research, and attending conferences.
Miss Diane
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Position: 3s Lead Teacher & 4s LeadTeacher
Education: Harper College, Early Childhood Education;
CLC specialty Early Childhood Classes
CDAYears in Education: 20 years
Years at GJK: 16 years
Hobby/Interest Related to Teaching: Art! I have a passion for all things art. I love to scaffold the children as they create their own art. Children immerse themselves in art that makes them feel good, and expresses their thoughts and creativity. I love guiding them and giving them opportunities to take artistic risks, feel confident and love the process.
Personal Interest/Fun Fact: Gardening is another passion that I adore. I grow everything from flowers to vegetables. I’m proud to say I am a certified Master Gardener, and previous to coming to GJK I volunteered in the children’s garden at The Chicago Botanic Garden. I have worked seasonally for a small local greenhouse for over 25 years, it is truly a labor of love!
Mrs. Goodman
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Position: 4s Lead Teacher
Education: B.A. in Speech Education
Years in Education: 29 years
Years at GJK: 24 years
Hobby/Interest Related to Teaching: Taking care of Tiger, our pet frog for 24 years. She started out as an embryo in our classroom and is now living out her retirement at home with me.
Personal Interest/Fun Fact: I love to cook, bake, and entertain. My favorite pastime is being with my 4 grandchildren--soon to be 5!
Miss Hannah
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Position: 3s Lead Teacher & Food Manager
Education: Elmhurst University, Bachelors in Psychology; Erikson University, Masters in Child Development (specializing in 0-3)
Years in Education: 13 years
Years at GJK: 4 years
Hobby/Interest Related to Teaching: I love reading.
Personal Interest/Fun Fact: I like to sew.
Miss Jaclyn
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Position: 4s Lead Teacher
4s Enrichment TeacherEducation: Bachelors in Early Childhood Education with a Special Education Endorsement
Years in Education: 4 years
Years at GJK: 2 years
Hobby/Interest Related to Teaching: Reading and writing.
Personal Interest/Fun Fact: I love spending time with my family and dog. I love the outdoors, painting, and reading.
Miss Kathy
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Position: 2s Lead Teacher
3s Assistant Teacher
3s Enrichments
4s Music & MovementEducation: Loyola University Chicago, B.S. in Applied Psychology; University of Illinois Chicago, M.Ed. Instructional Leadership; and Early Childhood Education Certification with Endorsements in Early Childhood Special Education and English Language Learning.
Background: I spent six years as a blended and inclusion Pre-K teacher with Lincolnwood SD 74. Before that, while attending graduate school, I worked as an assistant in a self-contained special needs Pre-K classroom for two years.
Years in Education: 14 yearsYears at GJK: 1.5 years
Hobby/Interest Related to Teaching: Arts and crafts
Personal Interest/Fun Fact: Time with family (especially my new granddaughter due in May), reading, time outdoors, yoga and weight training, walks and coffee with friends.
Miss Kim
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Position: 2s Lead Teacher
Education: University of Illinois, Human Development and Families Studies; Loyola University Chicago, Masters in Special Education
Years in Education: 25 years
Years at GJK: 12 years
Hobby/Interest Related to Teaching: Special education
Personal Interest/Fun Fact: I have twins that are graduating high school in 2025 and going to college :(
Miss Margaret
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Position: 3s Lead Teacher
Enrichment Support
Administration AssistantEducation: Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education
Years in Education: 25 years
Years at GJK: 22 years
Hobby/Interest Related to Teaching: Taking early childhood educational classes online and professional development hours at school.
I have three grandchildren, and we have a lot of fun reading together, playing games, and doing fun science activities together or just playing together.Personal Interest/Fun Fact: I love walking, taking care of my family, and being with my grandchildren.
Miss Michele
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Position: 2s assistant
Education: BS in Speech and Hearing Science; MA in Audiology
Years in Education: 1.5 years
Years at GJK: 1.5 years
Hobby/Interest Related to Teaching: Reading
Personal Interest/Fun Fact: I have 4 kids ages 16-22. I’m an animal lover, love reading, watching tv and jigsaw puzzles
Mrs. Pierce
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Position: 2s Lead Teacher
Education: Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education; Purdue, Bachelor’s degree in Developmental Psychology; Erikson Institute, Masters in Child Development
Years in Education: 40 years
Years at GJK: 25 years
Hobby/Interest Related to Teaching: Research, reading, and conferences.
Personal Interest/Fun Fact: Walking, traveling, and playing with my grandson.
Miss Susan
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Position: 3s Assistant Teacher
4s Assistant TeacherEducation: Oakton College, Associate of Arts Degree
Years in Education: 5 years
Years at GJK: 3 years
Hobby/Interest Related to Teaching: I love to read in my spare time. I always enjoyed reading to children too!
Personal Interest/Fun Fact: I enjoy music and I love to go to concerts. I also love being with my family,--any time I can get time with them is a joy!
Miss Tara
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Position: Playtime Partners Teacher
Education: University of Central Florida, B.S. in Early Childhood Education; National Louis University, M.Ed in Early Childhood Administration
Years in Education: 28 yeas
Years at GJK: 4 years
Hobby/Interest Related to Teaching: Reading, listening to podcasts
Personal Interest/Fun Fact: I’m happily boring :) I live in Chicago with my husband, two kids and a dog.
Miss Tricia
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Position: Playtime Partners Teacher
2s Lead TeacherEducation: University of Illinois, B.S. in Early Childhood Education with a Special Education Endorsement
Years in Education: 11 years
Years at GJK: 4 years
Hobby/Interest Related to Teaching: I love to read…on my day off I volunteer at my kid’s school.
Personal Interest/Fun Fact: I have been married for 15 years and have 3 boys. I love to hang out with my family the most, but also love yoga, running, and barre.
Miss Tyler
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Position: 4s Assistant Teacher and 4s Enrichments
Education: American University, B.A. in International Studies and Minor in Spanish language
Years in Education: 1 year
Years at GJK: 1 year
Hobby/Interest Related to Teaching: Reading, spending time with animals, and gardening. My previous careers included designing bespoke domestic and international travel programs for art museums and alumni associations; and working as a pastry sous chef for Frontera Grill in Chicago. I love food, I love to travel, and I love to sing and dance (Wicked included). I have spent much of my time as a parent immersed in literature and engaging in conversations about diverse learners and ways that curriculum, teachers and families can facilitate these learning opportunities for all children.
Personal Interest/Fun Fact: I have three children, currently ages 15, 12, and 7. When my oldest children were in preschool, I served on the board of Unity Preschool, from fundraising and benefit planning to ultimately serving as President of the Board. During my time on the Executive Board, we oversaw the hiring of a new Preschool Director and rewrote the Bylaws of the preschool.
Mrs. Walzer
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Position: 4s Lead Teacher
Education: Indiana University, B.S. in Elementary Education
Years in Education: 25 years
Years at GJK: 2 years
Hobby/Interest Related to Teaching: Collecting childrens books
Personal Interest/Fun Fact: I love my time in the classroom, but when I'm not teaching I love to walk at the Botanic Garden. I enjoy going to Ravinia Festival in the summer and spending time at the beach. I live in Highland Park with my husband. I have three adult children and two of them are also teachers. A fun fact... my first job working with children was for the Glencoe Park District as a high school summer camp counselor, in the same building that I still work in today.