Our Philosophy

Children are curious by nature. Everything is a wonder. At Children’s Creative Center, teachers intentionally prompt questions that encourage children to explore not only their world, but themselves. Our carefully curated programs engage students in art, play, and academia to establish confidence, a deep sense of wonder, and a strong foundation for intellectual curiosity.

Beyond our classroom walls, we emphasize the importance of community values by interacting with everything the Lakeview neighborhood has to offer. Our children and families engage with local businesses, libraries, parks, and family events to develop a sense of belonging and connection to their community. 

CCC is committed to investing our time and resources into creating mutual respect, trust, and a true partnership with every family that walks through our door. We are curious. We are committed. We are a community.


Teachers

  • I am a proud Purdue Grad from Indiana, Boiler up! My education is essential to me as a center director for children, and as a Master’s candidate at Depaul University, I am always looking to learn new ways to be a stronger leader and educator.

    Educating young children is my passion, and knowing what high quality care and academics does for their development makes me all the more proud to be a committed member of Children’s Creative Center community.

    Outside work, I love running, reading, and playing with my two dogs, Milo and Tyson.

  • I come from the beautiful city of Caracas, in Venezuela. Before moving to Chicago in 2016, I worked with children from 2-12 years old in my home country and Germany.

    Since I joined the CCC in 2018, my determination led me from lead teacher to assistant director, and now director of our pre-kindergarten program. I enjoy growing with the children year after year, believing I can learn as much from them as they can from me. I celebrate each of my students’ individuality and provide a safe, loving environment for them to feel confident, happy and free to explore.

    Alfie Kohn said it best: “If children feel safe, they can take risks, ask questions, make mistakes, learn to trust, share their feelings, and grow.”

  • I was born and raised here in the beautiful city of Chicago, where I built my career as a teacher and life as a mother to three wonderful children. This is what sparked my passion for children and my passion for teaching young children.

    My passion for teaching was sparked while raising my children, and at CCC I am proud to say that I make an impact on children’s lives everyday. After working with this organization, I am confident in my ability to create traditions, adventures, and memorable learning experiences with our wonderful teachers for many more years to come!

    I stand by the idea that “It takes a BIG heart to shape these little minds!”, and I pour as much heart as I can into my classroom every day!

  • Teaching is never dull. It's why I love working with children so much, you never know what you might learn. Making the kids laugh while learning is my favorite part of the day.

    I've lived in Chicago most of my life with my big family of ten. I have seven brothers, so there’s nothing I can’t handle. I love spending my free time with my loved ones, especially with my kids, from special picnic days to having a simple movie night at home.

    "Teaching is never boring. Some days you instill life lessons in the generation that will one day run this nation. Other days you have to remind them not to lick the walls."

  • I have been in the teaching field for more than five wonderful years and every day is always a new experience! I love being able to be of service not only to the children in our community but even to their families and friends. Whether it be a class of 2s, 3s or 4s—you can count on me in giving them the best care they need!

    When I finished my bachelor’s degree in Family Life and Child Development in the Philippines, I immediately knew that I wanted to be a teacher in a progressive and play-based institution, which is why I believe in CCC’s core and values. I love learning new things about myself and the world through the children I care for. I make sure my class is full of learning, discovery and most importantly love!

    The idea “Kindness goes a long way—Be Kind” is what I live by! This reminds me of how a small gesture can light up someone’s life in a heartbeat. I keep this in mind as well whenever I am with the children in my class, to take a deep breath when things get tough and that life will always be wonderful with kindness!

  • Chicago is my home. I grew up here with my family, where I began my experience with children by helping care for my ten nieces and nephews. I followed my passion for caring for children as a nanny for multiple families over ten years. Three years ago, I began my career as an educator with CCC, and I couldn't be happier following my dream of seeing children learn and the excitement it brings them.

    Outside of children, I value the time I spend with my family, the walks with my dog, Indi, and traveling; road trips are my favorite!

    I live by Maya Angelou's words, "Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud." I always try to bring out the best in everyone through laughter.

  • I was born and raised in our nation’s capital, Washington D.C.. After graduating from Butler University, I moved to Chicago in 2023 to join the Master’s program at Northwestern University. As an educator and a student, it is a priority of mine to learn something new every day. I aim to be a lifelong lover of learning. Whether one learns how to tie their shoe, how to communicate their needs, what their classmate’s favorite color is, how a routine works, or adding and subtracting, learning is happening all the time and it is truly invigorating. It is my role as an educator to facilitate that drive for learning and love of it. Facilitating learning is recognizing that I, as the teacher, am learning alongside my students daily.

    Since I moved to Chicago, I immediately found my home at CCC. My priorities of relationship building, inquiry, and passion were mirrored by the Children’s Creative Center pillars of commitment, community, and curiosity.

    Educational philosophist Jean Piaget says, “Each time we teach a child something, we keep them from inventing it themself. On the other hand, that which we allow them to discover for themselves will remain visible for the rest of their life.” Children are inherently curious, and my job as an educator is to nourish that potential for inquiry. Each discovery is a celebration and a ripple in their river that will flow forever. While some things we learn or discover seem to fade as time goes on, our discoveries are always present and are a building block in your child’s foundation.