Our Staff

Hi, my name is Ms. Thomas and I have owned and operated Diana’s Playpen of Little Geniuses for 15 years. I have over 22 years’ experience as an Early Childhood Educator. I have a passion for working with young children, exploring, learning, and watching them grow.

I have a master’s degree in Early Childhood and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. I am board-certified to teach birth to 3rd grade. I look forward to this partnership with you and your children. I have an open-door policy; please feel free to contact me via email, phone, or text. I can’t wait to spend the next year learning and growing with you.

Hi all! I am so excited to be your Food Service Manager! I’ve been cooking professionally for 24 years. I look forward to meeting everyone. I started working for Diana’s Playpen Daycare in January 2023, and It has been a great year so far. I love to cook as it is my passion. I love to help others and share my smile with everyone. Staying positive is how I like to start my day!

First of all, I want to say that I am so HAPPY to be your child’s teacher! I have been looking forward to meeting you all summer. This will be my seventh year teaching in daycare. But my first year teaching at “Diana’s Playpen of Little Geniuses”, and I’m so excited I get to do it with you.

I attended “Excel Academy of South Shore”. After I graduated high school I started working in childcare. In 2018 I got my CDA to be a certified teacher. I know that I am new and unfamiliar right now, but please don’t worry, we are going to have an AWESOME year in the “Baby Bear Room” together!

Hi, my name is Kristina and I am the head start teacher .My summer jobs and volunteerism as a teen and young adult always involved working with children in places such as the Ark of St.Sabina.

I received my bachelor’s degree in Child Development from Northern Illinois University in 2019. I am a first-year teacher and am excited to learn and grow with your children.

Dear families,

My name is Ms. Marissa (Ms. Rissa), and I am so excited to learn from and teach your little ones each day. I love seeing the smiles and hearing the giggles as we learn something or do something new. I hope to implement my experience of working with other children, including my own children to help your children to have fun, learn and develop.

My name is Ms. Monique. I’m super excited to meet you all! I am the toddler teacher for the Butterfly room! All summer, I waited for you. I’m super excited to take you into this amazing school year we’re going to have & if you were already with me, I am super excited you’re still here for another amazing school year with me! I’m so excited for all of us to learn, grow, and play together! I have been a toddler teacher for 5 years and an infant teacher for 4 years. So yes I love the children and love teaching them so much! Now, Here’s To An Amazing Year!

Hi everyone, my name is Ms. Ashley and I’m new to the team! I’m the new Baby Bear Teacher Assistant and I’m very eager to get to know everybody and build a relationship with the children. I’m so excited to watch the little ones grow and blossom. I’m enthusiastic, and fun, and I love being around children. I graduated from Moraine Valley College and I’m continuing my education in early childhood development.

My name is Mrs. JahKaya (Mrs. Kaya) and I am the assistant teacher in the butterfly classroom. This is my second year teaching in childcare and I may be new to childcare but I love and care for each student like they’re my own child!

I attended the University of Chicago Charter School and graduated high school in 2020. After high school, I started working in childcare as a preschool photographer. In January 2023, I made the decision to start teaching in childcare and go back to school to pursue my early childhood education degree.

With a passion for early childhood development, our staff creates a nurturing environment where young minds can thrive.