Libertyville Cooperative Nursery School

Adrienne has been in early childhood education for over 20 years. She has a degree in Elementary Education from DePauw University and a masters degree in Early Childhood Leadership and Advocacy from National Louis University. After 9 years teaching in District 70, she turned her focus to preschool. LCNS holds a special place in her heart, as she is a graduate, former LCNS parent and board member, teacher and now our director. She is proud to be part of an early childhood program that fosters exploring and learning through play. Adrienne comes from a whole family of educators and currently has two children that attend school in District 128. 

Lisa Sefton has been the Treasurer for over 10 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Monmouth College in Monmouth, IL. Both of her children attended LCNS and she served on the Board. In her free time she enjoys crafts and looks forward to her family vacations along the beach. 

Brooke Adams is our MWF 4s teacher. She grew up in Libertyville from the age of 8 and attended Butterfield, Highland, and LHS. Brooke attended Eastern Illinois University where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. After college, she was a second grade teacher for five years at Woodland Elementary School and she was the poms coach at Libertyville High School for 6 years. Her favorite thing about teaching: the kids! She now lives with her husband and twin son and daughter in Libertyville. 

Jackie Axelson is one of  our Intro to Kaleidoscope  teachers. She has an Elementary Education degree from the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana and a Masters in Reading from Benedictine University. Jackie has 2 sons and a daughter that attend school in District 70. In addition to spending time with her family, she loves to travel and read. 

Maggie Barrett is our lead teacher in the MWF 2s class. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign and her Master of Arts degree in Teaching and Leadership from St. Xavier University. She taught for 10 years at Butterfield School in District 70, where she taught both third grade and kindergarten. Maggie is a firm believer that learning should be fun and hands-on. She loves seeing her students learn through the power of play. Maggie lives in Libertyville with her husband, 2 sons and daughter. All three of her children attended LCNS and are now students in District 70. Outside of school, Maggie loves to spend time with family and friends, read and travel. 

Sandy has been a teacher at LCNS for over 40 years! She has an art education degree from Southern Illinois University and an early childhood degree from CLC. Sandy teacher the MWF 4s program. She believes children learn best by the "hands on" method. Both of her sons attended LCNS and she loves spending time with her grandchildren and riding her bike. 

Jori Gebert enjoys teaching the MWF 4s Extended Day program at LCNS. She has a BA in Elementary Education from National Louis University, and previously taught elementary school. Her teaching approach includes learning through movement and play, and educating the whole child. Jori lives in Libertyville with her husband and two sons. She loves to spend time with her family at their cabin in northern Wisconsin and can be seen around town walking her dogs. 

Courtney is our new MWF 3s teacher. She graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign with a degree in Speech and Hearing Science. She also has a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education from Dominican University. She previously worked in special education and with at-risk programs. She has three children in District 70 and has been an LCNS student, parent, and board member. In her free time, she enjoys running, reading, and being outdoors with her family. 

Becky Lester is thrilled to be joining the staff at LCNS as the teacher for the Tu/Th 2s and the aide in the MWF 2s classes. Becky is no stranger to the halls of LCNS; all four of her children attended and flourished there. Her kids range from an LHS junior down to a kindergartner at Adler. Becky graduated from Winona State with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She was an elementary teacher for 7 years before having children and staying home until they were all in school. Now she is ready to get back into the classroom. Becky loves kids and is looking forward to watching them grow and learn through play and socialization. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and experiencing new places. 

Dana Mihajlovic is one of our lead teachers in the MWF 3s class. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign, her Master of Arts as a Reading Specialist from Concordia University, and her Master of Arts degree in Instructional Leadership from Roosevelt University. 

She taught first grade dual language at The School of Dual Language in Hawthorn School District 73 and then moved up to the high school level where she taught Spanish at Stevenson High School. Later, she became a pediatric sleep consultant where she helped over 800 families get their children the rest they needed and deserved.  

Dana believes that learning takes place when students are active, engaged, and interactive participants. LCNS’s play-based model ensures that preschoolers flourish doing what they love best: PLAYING!   

Dana lives in Libertyville with her husband, son, and daughter. Both of her children attend/attended LCNS and her son is now a student in the dual language program in District 73 and her daughter is a students in the 4s classroom at LCNS.

 Outside of school, Dana loves to spend time with family. Whether attending her son’s basketball games or Ultimate Ninja competitions, or her daughter’s ballet and tap recitals, she and her husband are always eager cheerleaders on the sidelines. Dana also loves to work out bright and early before preschool begins for the day.

Becky Brown is excited to join the LCNS staff this year as an aide for the M/W/F 3s class. She grew up in Ohio and graduated from Miami University with an early childhood education degree. Becky taught kindergarten and first grade for 15 years before taking time off to stay home with her daughter, who attended LCNS. Becky is thrilled to remain a part of the LCNS community and return to the classroom!

Paula is an aide in the TTh 2s classroom. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Indiana University. Paula worked for several years as an academic advisor before staying home full time to raise her two children. She loved volunteering frequently at Copeland when her daughter and son were in elementary school, and is very excited to now be working with the students at LCNS. Paula lives in Libertyville with her husband and children. She enjoys traveling, reading and trying new restaurants with her friends and family. 

We are excited to welcome Tiffany to our staff this fall. Stay tuned for her bio!

Molly Kalsch is coming to LCNS as an Aide in the MWF 4s program. She has been a preschool teacher in Vernon Hills for the past 15 years and has a BA in Marketing/Communications from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Molly says, the energy and enthusiasm of the children is why she loves to teach! In her free time she enjoys golfing, sporting events and traveling with her husband and four children. 

Jan O'Brien is happy to return to LCNS as a staff member, assisting in our Extended 4s program. Two of her daughters attended the preschool and she previously served on the Board of Directors. After providing nanny services, home daycare, and raising her three girls, Jan couldn't wait to get back to working with young children. She enjoys traveling with her husband Jim and showing her daughters the world! Jan also loves to spend time entertaining family and friends at their lake house in Wisconsin. 

Emily Savino is an aide in our 3s Kaleidoscope classes. She has a Bachelor of Arts in History from Northwestern University and a law degree from Emory University.  Prior to staying home with her three children, Emily worked for 10 years as an attorney in Chicago. All three of Emily's children attended LCNS and working as an aide brings back fond memories of her family's time at our school.  When she is not at preschool, Emily works as a freelance attorney and enjoys cheering her kids on at their games and matches. 

Nicole Sesi is a teacher aide in the TTh 2's classroom. She has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Wayne State University. Nicole worked as a nurse in Michigan for 13 years before moving to Libertyville with her family in 2010. Both of her children attended LCNS. Nicole has previously served as a board member substitute classroom aide and aide in both the 3s and 4s programs at LCNS. Outside of LCNS, Nicole loves spending time with her family, traveling, reading and baking. 

Amy is returning as an aide in the MWF 3s classroom. She has a B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and worked as a pharmacist for over ten years before taking time off to raise a family. She relocated to Libertyville in 2013 with her husband and four children. She was a previous LCNS parent, as her youngest son attended when she first moved here. Having taught several years of religious education, Amy is excited to be back in the classroom.