Danielle Banks received her BA in liberal arts and sciences from Northern Illinois University in 2013. She has been an early childhood teacher since 2017.  Danielle believes Smart Love’s emphasis on nurturing children’s social and emotional development should be the focus for children in all early childhood education settings.  She is also excited to join the Smart Love teaching team and take part in our ongoing teacher mentorship and continuing education. 

​

​

Kaylee Belletynee received her B.A. in elementary education from Illinois State University. After finishing her undergraduate studies in England and substitute teaching at home, she grew a love for early childhood education. She is eager and thrilled to learn from such a wonderful team at Smart Love. Kaylee is inspired by teaching the value of being a lifelong learner and she feels grateful to be in a field where this goal is practiced daily.

​

​

Emma Church has been in the early childhood field since 2018 and attended DePaul University with a focus on early childhood education. She takes pride in being a nurturing caregiver for children as they explore their world through play, arts, and positive relationships. She is so happy to be a part of the Smart Love team and a community that is so supportive of children and their social/emotional well being.

​

​

Lizzy Griffin received her B.A. from Oberlin College, majoring in psychology and dance with a Spanish minor and an education concentration. She has worked in the education field for years, teaching in summer camps, classrooms, arts education spaces, and more. Lizzy is beyond excited to join the Smart Love team, bringing her love of the arts and outdoors into her work in early childhood education. She believes in intentional play-based learning, and the power of adapting to meet each child's needs, making Smart Love a great match.

Karen Hermach received her M.A. in early childhood education from Concordia University Chicago after she earned her BA in Business Administration from Aurora University and she is also director qualified. She has a passion for teaching young children and has been working with children since 2014. Throughout her graduate coursework, she was particularly interested in studying social, emotional and play based learning. With that focus, she is very excited to be a part of the Smart love team. 

Caren Jurina has been a play-based preschool teacher since 2015, she has an associate’s degree from the American Academy of Art and a bachelor’s degree from Kendall College in early childhood education. Caren is excited to share her artistic talents as well as her experience in early childhood education.  She sought Smart Love out as she felt it was a match for her teaching ideals to foster creativity and exploration while supporting a relationship-based approach in an early childhood setting.

​

Ella Mattingly received their BA from Oberlin College of Arts and Science. They believe that quality education can help children achieve a life of connection, wonder, presence, agency, emotional embrace, and a lifelong love of learning. Ella is passionate about creating an environment where space and guidance is provided for children to navigate their emotions and dive into their curiosities. Their favorite types of activities to facilitate for children involve exploring natural environments.

​

Madelyn Perez received her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in early childhood education from Southern New Hampshire University. Madelyn has been with Smart Love Preschool since 2017 and is director qualified. Madelyn’s passion for young children and Smart Love felt like a perfect match. She feels it’s a privilege to work with the children and their families and is so happy to be a part of the Smart Love teaching team.  

​

​

​