 Peggy Farrell, Director The environment created by this new facility and the enthusiasm of the teachers makes Zion Lutheran ECEC a wonderful place to be. I have a loving husband and three adult children. My family is a source of joy in my life. I started my career as a Medical Technologist, but after years of volunteering in my children’s school activities, I pursued a Master Degree in Teaching Early Childhood at Concordia University. My experiences are in public and private education settings along with private school administrative positions. My passions are creating places for young children to grow and develop, and working with others in building a positive educational community. |
 Christine Justema, Administrative Assistant After holding many volunteer positions at Zion Lutheran Church and School, I was pleased to be a Teacher Assistant. Now I’m excited to be working in the ECEC office. My husband, Paul and I grew up in Hinsdale and attended Hinsdale Central High School. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from Eastern Illinois University. We are currently raising our five children in Golfview Hills. Each day I look forward to working with all the Zion ECEC families. |
 Sharon Zabransky, Teacher In 1988 , I took the love I have for children and began my teaching career. The experience of raising three sons filled my life with joy. Just when I thought the children were grown and on their own, along came the most wonderful gifts in a lifetime, two grandsons. Sam is the light of my life! God also blessed us with another grandson, Jacob. He holds a special place in our hearts too. In the fall, of 2007, I received my naturalist certification at the Morton Arboretum. The children’s natural curiosity about their world gives me the opportunity to teach my students about God’s wonderful creation. |
 Cathy Kupisch, Teacher I live in Downers Grove and have two children. Our daughter, Megan is attending graduate school and our son, Andrew is a junior at Augustana College. My husband has also made education his career and is a guidance counselor at Downers Grove North High School. I hold a degree in Elementary Education with an area of concentration in Child Care and Development from Northern Illinois University. I am a former first grade teacher in the public school setting and have been teaching preschool for many years. I enjoy spending time with my family and being a part of your child's preschool
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 Nicole Fegan, Teacher I have been teaching at Zion since 2005. I graduated from Concordia University Chicago with a major in Early Childhood Education. I feel blessed to come to work every day to a job where I see smiling faces and I hear laughter all day long. Children bring something special to our lives and you can’t help but smile right along with them. During this early childhood time of their lives they are growing each and every day. I feel privileged to observe and assist this growth. Sharing the love of Jesus with these little ones makes each day special to me. My husband and I reside in Lombard where we enjoy spending time traveling to see our family and playing with our Golden Retriever, Chloe.
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 Beth Giammarino, Teacher I have been teaching at Zion since 2003. My work experiences include teaching first and second grade as well as Kindergarten and Preschool. I graduated from Concordia University with a specialty in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. My husband and I have three daughters and we enjoy spending time together. I love working with children and feel very fortunate to have a job that keeps me smiling all day!
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 Rebecca Pahnke, Teacher My name is Becca Pahnke. I come from a large extended family and I’m the second born child of four. My siblings and I have been very blessed with two wonderful parents who brought us into the Lutheran Church and Faith by providing us with Christ-centered education, which helped us become Christian participants in our home, church, school, and community. Having been raised a Lutheran my entire life, I look forward to giving back to the Lutheran Church in my career teaching here at Zion.
I graduated from Concordia University Chicago in 2007 with a major in Early Childhood Education. As part of my early childhood education major, I was placed in a preschool and first grade classroom at Saint Peter Lutheran School in Schaumburg for my professional semester of student teaching. After graduation I was a full time substitute teacher at the Christopher Center at Concordia University. During the summer months for the past several years, I worked as a camp counselor for my village’s park district.
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 Karen DeMaio, Teacher I have had a love for children my whole life. When I was young I couldn’t wait to babysit and I would beg my mom to let me begin. She did and I had plenty of opportunities within my own family with my many nieces and nephews. I then had the great joy of having my own children. I have three daughters, my oldest one and her twin sisters. They were home schooled both by me and by friends in my church. My oldest daughter is now married and is attending college to become a nurse. The twins are also in college and working. Since I have such a love for children I eagerly pursued my education in Early Childhood Education. I have had various experiences working with children. I volunteered for many years working with the preschoolers in the children’s ministry at my church. Professionally, I have been an administrator as well as directly working with children in the classroom. I lenjoy teaching at Zion Lutheran ECEC to both cultivate a love for Jesus and an excitement for learning.
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 Yvonne Evans, Teacher I am a graduate of DePaul University with a major in Early Childhood Education. After graduating, I taught three and four year old children and then was a supervisor in a state pre-kindergarten program. I am now, blessed to be a stay at home mom to three beautiful children as well as being a teacher at Zion.
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 Shari Yff- Teacher I was born and raised in a household where Christian education was emphasized. I attended Timothy Christian High School in Elmhurst, and Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights. I graduated with a degree in elementary education. I taught Kindergarten and Second grade before the birth of my two sons. I decided to make life a little more interesting and accepted an offer to begin Faith Christian Preschool in Tinley Park. Both of my boys attended with me, and I served as a teacher and director for 5 years. For the past 8 years, I was a realtor with Coldwell Banker and also taught 2 home buying classes at Trinity Christian College. I am currently a member of the referral network. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family. Our favorite places to vacation are Jenson Beach, Florida, St. Germain, Wisconsin, and Anchorage, Alaska. We enjoy boating, fishing, skiing, hiking and mountain climbing. Going to Wrigley Field to see the Cubs play is also a favorite trip. I am excited to be a part of such a wonderful Christian early childhood environment here at Zion. |
 Victoria Poelman, Teacher Assistant I grew up in the Dominican Republic and then moved to the United States when I was 24 years old. I am married with two children, a boy and a girl. I have been an assistant teacher at Zion Lutheran since 2001 and enjoy each and every child. |
 Tracey Wolf, Teacher Assistant I'm Tracey Wolf. I live with my husband and two children in LaGrange Highlands. We are a creative family. My husband is a carpenter and I have a candy business. My children love to play. I've always been involved in my children's activities and school. This has given me a desire to work with children and I'm glad to be here with the children at Zion. The qualities I bring into the classroom, besides love, are energy and creativity. |
 Noemi G. Apostol, Teacher Assistant How awesome God is! He leads me wherever I go, serving and working. I am very thankful for the Lord, for His warm embrace and love as I started a new chapter in my life at Zion Lutheran ECEC. I came from Manila City, Philippines. I have a degree of Bachelor of Science, in Kindergarten, at Harris Memorial College and worked as a preschool teacher for 18 years. With my avocation, my desire is to share and impact knowledge which comes from Him, the author and finisher of our faith.
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 Susie Shea, Teacher Assistant I am so thrilled to be here at Zion. I have a Bachelor of Business Administration from Loyola University. My husband Terry and I grew up in Hinsdale and were blessed with two wonderful daughters. One daughter attends Indiana University. My other daughter is at Hinsdale Central and is busy playing soccer, diving and involved in Student Council. After many years of volunteering in my children’s activities I am so happy to be back with smiling preschool children, every day with them is a joy! |
 Dorothy Chodl, Teacher Assistant I am married to a great husband with whom I have shared countless experiences and adventures throughout the years. We were owners in the Variety Store business for 20 years, during which we brought four children into the world, two daughters and two sons, of whom we are very proud. We also had other children living with us from time to time. We currently have seven grandchildren, with another on the way, and eight great-grandchildren ranging in age from 2 to 32 years.
I have also worked as a civilian for the Dept. of the Army Overseas Affairs Division; as a Social and Outreach Worker for the elderly; and finally, as the Director of a Senior Nutrition Center for many years.
I thoroughly enjoy my association with the little ones with whom I come in contact each day. I feel they are all so special and different and only on loan to us from God. My only hope is to assist them, in some small way, to grow mentally, socially and spiritually. I feel privileged to be on staff at Zion.
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 Judy Clouston, Teacher Assistant I live in Downers Grove with my husband Don and two adult children. I started at Zion ECEC in 2008. Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to work with your special children. Our classroom is warm and beautiful and I feel so welcomed by all. I have always loved being with children. I was a Sunday School Teacher, Girl Scout and Boy Scout leader for my daughter and son. I had many enjoyable years in scouting. I have been a Teacher Assistant and Teacher in early childhood for 15 years and have enjoyed it tremendously! I love to make a difference in the children’s day and I enjoy creating fun learning experiences. My favorite time with them is singing and dancing. They always tickle my heart and put a smile on my face. What a fun job! I also worked for many years helping seniors in their homes. This was a very special and rewarding time for me as well. |
 Mary Ellen Dopp, Teacher Assistant I am a teacher aide for the pre-school children. I reside in Elmhurst with my husband and our two daughters. Before having my girls I was an elementary school teacher. Now that my children are a bit older it is a delight to be back in the classroom. The children are a delight. I enjoy working with the wonderful staff at Zion. |
 Linda Swenson, Administrative Aide I am the Administrative Aide at Zion Lutheran Early Childhood Education Center. Some of my responsibilities include coordinating and distributing student lunches and snacks, helping with office duties and supervising laundry and some rest time periods. These support activities are important to the ministry of the ECEC as they allow the classroom teachers to concentrate on educating the children. I hold degrees in Psychology and Sociology and my previous employment experience includes government service and various positions in retail accounting and sales. I greatly enjoy working at the ECEC as it is a challenging and rewarding experience to assist in the nurture and education of God's children.
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