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 in college.

Lisa Sefton has been a member of the LCNS Staff for over 15 years.  She received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education  from Monmouth College, in Monmouth, Illinois.  Both of her children attended LCNS and she served on the Board.  In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, golf, crafting, and traveling to new places! 

Becky Brown is the LCNS 2s teacher. 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 stepping away from the classroom to be home with her daughter, Amelia,
who attended LCNS. When Amelia started kindergarten, Becky was thrilled to remain a part of
the LCNS community and loves teaching preschool! She also enjoys being outdoors with her
family, baking, and reading.

Courtney teaches MWF 3s and Nature Navigators for 3s. 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. 

Kristen is a lead teacher in our MWF 3s Program. She graduated with a degree in Art History from Lake Forest College before gaining her Masters in Elementary Education from National Louis University. Kristen went on to complete further training to become a Wilson Certified Dyslexia Practitioner and has worked as a private reading tutor for over a decade. Kristen lives in Libertyville with her three children, all of whom attended LCNS. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outside, walking her dog and crafting. 

Jori Gebert enjoys teaching the MWF 4s Extended Day program at LCNS as well as the Right Brain Kaleidoscope and STEAM classes. 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. 

Brooke Adams is our MWF 4s teacher and Left Brain Kaleidoscope. 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. 

Karen Griffin teaches our Intro to Kaleidoscope for 3s and is also an aide in Nature Navigators class.  She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from the University of Dayton and received her Masters in Education from DePaul University.  She taught elementary school for several years before staying home with her 3 children.  Karen grew up in Libertyville and attended LCNS when she was a child and has been an LCNS parent for several years, as well as a previous Board member and substitute teacher.  She lives in Libertyville with her husband and children and enjoys spending time cheering them on in their various activities. 

Nicole Sesi is our Aide in the MWF 2s class and has been a part of the LCNS family for over 15 years.  She has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Wayne State University and worked as a nurse in Michigan for almost 15 years before relocating to Libertyville with her family.  Both of her children attended LCNS and she was a board member and substitute before joining the staff in 2019. Previously working in both the 3s and 4s classes, Nicole has loved working with our 2s for the last several years.  In her free time she loves to bake, read and travel with her family.

Anna Liska is the LCNS T/Th 2s aide. She graduated from Miami University with a degree in Exercise Science and then proceeded to get her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Northwestern University. She worked for 10 years as a physical therapist, including time spent in pediatrics and Early Intervention, before stepping away to be home with her two sons, both of whom attended LCNS. She has been an LCNS parent and Board member. When her youngest started kindergarten, Anna was thrilled to remain a part of the LCNS community, which has been an incredible source of support, friendship, and direction. In her free time, you’ll likely find Anna reading, coaching her kids’ soccer teams, and  DIYing/decorating her home.

Paula Dobrin lives in Libertyville with her husband. She has a daughter and a son, both in their 20s. Paula graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology. She loves traveling and reading. Paula has worked as an aide with all ages at LCNS and loves getting to know the students and their families. 

After sending her two daughters to LCNS, Karen is now a teacher assistant in the 3's program. Before being a stay at home mom for a few years,  she spent 7 years working in early childhood after getting her teacher's license from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN. Karen was also an environmental educator for a number of years after getting her B.A. in Biology from Augustana College. Karen loves reading and going for walks and runs.  She's also a Girl Scout leader for both her daughters' troops. 

Julie Groth is an aide in the MWF 3s program. She attended New Trier High School and Western Michigan University. Julie was a PE teacher at a K-8 school in Norridge and coached many sports teams.  After 12 years of teaching, Julie became a stay at home mom for her 2 girls, who both attended LCNS. Julie loves spending time with her family and visiting family in Door County, Wisconsin.  In her free time she loves to do puzzles, crafts and bake with her girls. 

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. 

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.