Our Team
Administration
Laura Dillon, Director
Laura earned her B.A. in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education from the University of Iowa. She also earned her M.Ed. from National Louis University. Prior to becoming the Director, Laura was the Assistant Director for 3 years. She also developed and taught the On My Own Program, taught on the Senior team, as well as the Just 2’s class and Kinderquest. Prior to teaching at GCCNS, Laura taught for 14 years in Kenilworth. She and her husband live in Glenview. They have three children, all of whom are alumni of GCCNS! In her spare time Laura enjoys playing golf, scrapbooking, reading, spending time with family, and taking walks with her dog, Wilson. Laura has been with GCCNS since 2006.
Julie Evans, Administrator of Operations
Julie earned her B.A. in Spanish from the University of Iowa and also attended the Universidad de San Sebastián while living in Spain. During her time abroad, Julie became fluent in the language and immersed herself in the culture. After that, she became the Director of International Sales for a manufacturing company. She lives in Glenview with her husband and two children, where she tutors children in Spanish and Math. Julie has been with GCCNS since 2011.
Teachers
Andrea Beach, Senior Team & Friday Friends Team
Andrea earned her B.S. in Early Childhood Education form the University of Delaware. Andrea has taught in public schools in Long Island, New York and San Antonio, Texas, as well as in preschool in Washington State while her husband served in the Army. Andrea also taught at GCCNS for a year in 2004 before having her second child. In her spare time, she enjoys running, hiking, reading, and baking. Andrea lives in Glenview with her husband and three children, two who are alumni of GCCNS! Andrea has been with GCCNS since 2013.
Debbie Berg, Music Specialist
Debbie earned her B.S. and M.S. from the University of Illinois in Speech and Hearing Science. She was on staff at Lake Forest Hospital as a speech and language therapist for over twenty-five years. She began her music teacher role at Creative Kids Corner in Evanston. Debbie has a teaching certificate as a Learning Behavior Specialist. She teaches music in our GCCNS classrooms, as well as an enrichment. Debbie and her husband live in Glenview with their three children – two who are alumni of GCCNS! In her spare time Debbie enjoys playing tennis, golf, yoga, and volunteering. Debbie has been with GCCNS since 2003.
Nicole Carlson, Junior Team
Nicole received her BSN in Nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and her MSN in Nursing from Saint Louis University. She has over 20 years of pediatric nursing experience. Nicole has also taught first year nursing students for 12 years at North Park University and has been a substitute teacher in District 34 schools, as well as GCCNS! She lives in Glenview with her husband and four children, who all attended GCCNS! In her spare time, Nicole enjoys traveling, walking, reading, and spending time with her family. Nicole has been with GCCNS since 2021.
Meredith Estes, On My Own Team
Meredith earned her B.A. in English and French from Lake Forest College and her M.S. in Nonprofit Public Administration (NPA) from DePaul University. Prior to teaching at GCCNS, Meredith managed nonprofit organizations for more than a decade before deciding to stay at home with her three girls. As a stay-at-home mom, she has been involved in several area nonprofits, including GCCNS as a board member and substitute teacher. Meredith has led Girl Scout Troops for 5 years. Meredith and her husband have lived in Glenview since 2011 and all three of their children are alumni of GCCNS. Meredith enjoys her vegetable garden, spending time outdoors with her dog and family and reading. Meredith has been with GCCNS since 2022.
Susie Friedman, Senior Team
Susie Friedman received her B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Iowa and an M.A. in Teaching and Leadership from Saint Xavier University. She taught for 7 years in Wilmette and 3 years in Des Plaines as a classroom teacher. She lives in Glenview with her husband and two boys, both who attended GCCNS! Susie continues to tutor children ranging in age from elementary school to high school. In her spare time, Susie enjoys traveling, hiking, running, and spending time with her family. Susie has been with GCCNS since 2019.
Sally Hinz, Senior Team & Friday Friends Team
Sally received her B.A. degree in Family Development from the University of Iowa. She has over 35 years of Early Childhood Education experience including 11 years at Lutheran General Children’s Daycare. Prior to being a classroom teacher, Sally began her tenure at GCCNS as a substitute teacher and school office assistant. Sally and her husband have three grown children and are proud grandparents to their grandson and granddaughter. Their daughter is an alumna of GCCNS. In her spare time, Sally enjoys gardening and reading. Sally has been with GCCNS since 1997.
Katie Hoskins, On My Own Team
Katie received her B.A. in Speech Communication from Augustana College. Prior to joining GCCNS, Katie worked in corporate real estate for more than a decade, before deciding to become a full-time stay-at-home parent. During this time, Katie has served on her children’s PTA and preschool boards (including GCCNS), and currently volunteers with Kohl Children’s Museum and Glenview Public Library. Katie lives in Glenview with her husband, son and daughter (both of whom are GCCNS alumni). In her spare time Katie enjoys reading, gardening, exercising, traveling (when possible), and spending time with family and friends. This is Katie’s first year at GCCNS.
Ann Jankey, On My Own Team
Ann earned her B.S. in Human Ecology from The Ohio State University. Prior to being a full time mom, Ann was a merchandise coordinator for Tommy Hilfiger & Perry Ellis. Ann lives in Glenview with her husband and three sons. All three of her boys started in the On My Own class and two are GCCNS alumni. In her spare time, Ann enjoys watching her boys play hockey, walking her dog, reading, and being with her family. This is Ann's first year at GCCNS.
Nora Kennedy, Junior Junction Team
Nora Kennedy received her B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Indiana Bloomington and an M.A. in Literacy Instruction from Northeastern Illinois University. She is also certified in ESL instruction. Previously, Nora taught first grade for 8 years in West Rogers Park. She lives in Glenview with her husband and two children. Her son is a GCCNS alumni and her daughter currently attends! In her spare time, Nora enjoys singing, reading, baking, traveling, and spending time with her family. This is Nora’s first year at GCCNS.
Stephanie Marsh, Junior Team
Stephanie earned her B.A. in English from the University of Illinois and her M.Ed. in Elementary Education from National-Louis University. She taught 4 th grade in Skokie for 17 years, and she taught Pre-K in both Skokie and Wilmette. In her spare time, Stephanie loves reading, doing puzzles, and taking her puppy to the dog park. She lives in Glenview with her husband and two children. Stephanie has been with GCCNS since 2022.
Courtney Marten, On My Own Team
Courtney earned her B.A. in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and her M.A.T. in Early Childhood Education from National Louis University. Prior to teaching at GCCNS, Courtney taught Kindergarten in West Northfield for 10 years. She took time off to be a full-time mom to her three kids who are all GCCNS alumni. Courtney lives in Glenview with her husband, three kids, cat, and rabbit. In her free time, Courtney loves doing yoga, watching Netflix, puzzling (pandemic hobby), catching up with friends, and fun family outings. Courtney has been with GCCNS since 2022.
Molly Montes, Junior Team
Molly received her M.A. in Elementary Education from Northwestern University in 2012. Her masters project was written on the importance of play for the social and emotional development of children. Prior to coming to GCCNS, Molly taught in 3rd and 1st grade classrooms in Northbrook, IL. Molly also taught the Parent's Day Out program at GCCNS during the 2019-2020 school year. Molly's older son is an alumni of GCCNS and her younger son currently attends! In her spare time, Molly enjoys working out, reading, spending time with friends, traveling (when she can!) and being with her family. Molly has been with GCCNS since 2021.
Sarah O’Connell, Junior Team
Sarah received her B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Dayton and her M.A in Reading Instruction from Concordia University. She taught for 15 years in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades in Grayslake, IL and Fairfield, OH. Sarah also worked as an instructional coach in Grayslake for 5 years. She lives in Glenview with her husband and two daughters. Both of her daughters are alumni of GCCNS. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys reading, playing tennis, and spending time with her family. Molly has been with GCCNS since 2021.
Libby Peschke, On My Own Team
Libby received her B.S.W. from the University of Kansas in 2008. As a social worker, she gained knowledge and experience working with families within the military community, aging adult care, and early childhood education. She took time off to be a stay-at-home-mom and all three of her children (and her husband!) are GCCNS alumni. In her spare time, Libby enjoys traveling, hiking, camping and pickleball! This is Libby’s first year teaching at GCCNS.
Julie Selner, Junior Junction Team
Julie earned her BS in Marketing from Indiana University and her MS in Elementary Education from Depaul University. She worked for 10 years in District 34 as a 2nd and 3rd grade teacher at Henking and Hoffman Schools. Julie moved to Hong Kong with her family in 2016 and returned in 2022. She lives in Glenview with her husband and two children. In her spare time, Julie enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends. This is Julie’s first year at GCCNS.
Kiley White, Senior Team
Kiley received her B.A. in Political Science from Texas Christian University and her M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from Roosevelt University. Kiley came to GCCNS with 4 years of teaching experience. In 2018-19, Kiley was the teacher in the GCCNS Parent’s Day Out program. Kiley and her husband live in Glenview with their two children and their family dog. Kiley’s daughter is an alumna of GCCNS and her son currently attends GCCNS. In her spare time, Kiley enjoys vacationing in Wisconsin, boxing, downhill skiing, and spending time with her family. Kiley has been with GCCNS since 2019.
Board
The GCCNS School Board supports the Director and Staff with the day-to-day operations of the school and its multitude of activities. In addition to working together for the benefit of our children, we also enjoy meeting new friends and having FUN!
Click here to view the current 2023-2024 Board Members and take a look to see where you can get involved. We look forward to working together!