Jeanette Hollingsworth is starting her third year Administrative Assistant in the morning and inclusion aide in the 4 Afternoon Multi-age Orange Room.  She has been involved with Cherry Preschool since 2003.  She and her husband, Rich, have three daughters who are all Cherry graduates and attend the TWI program at Washington School: Nancy is in fifth grade; Sydney is in third grade; and Lily is in second grade.   During the years her children attended Cherry, Jeanette was a frequent volunteer and served two years on the Board.  She has been a substitute teacher for the past three years.   Jeanette has served as PTA Co-President at Washington School and also teaches American Red Cross classes and coaches swimming at the YMCA.

Kristen Lidstrom is returning to Cherry Preschool for her fourth year as the inclusion aide for the 3 Morning 3’s, Young 3’s, & 4 Afternoon Multi-age classes in the Orange Room, while also working on her degree in Special Education at Kendall College.  Previously, Kristen taught in the Yellow Room Young 3’s and PM 3’s and worked as an aide in that room and the Orange Room.  Additionally, Kristen is a certified yoga instructor for children with and without special needs.  She leads yoga programs for children in a Lincolnwood after school program.

Amy May teaches the 3 Morning 3’s, Young 3’s, & 4 Afternoon Multi-age classes in the Orange Room.  Prior to this, Amy worked in the Blue Room.  This will be her twentieth year teaching preschool.  Prior to joining the Cherry staff, Amy worked as a permanent substitute preschool teacher for a year and subbed extensively at several Evanston nursery schools. Amy also worked at Kendall College Day Care for five years, serving as lead teacher for part of her tenure there.  The parent of two grown daughters, Amy has been an active volunteer in the Evanston community and schools.  Amy has served a record three terms as a Teacher Representative on the Cherry Preschool Board!  Amy was part of the original staff of the preschool and served on the 2008-09 Strategic Planning committee.

Julie Rapisarda rejoined the Cherry staff last year as Amy May’s co-teacher in the 3 Morning 3’s and 4 Aternoon Multi-age Orange Room classes.  Julie started at Cherry as a parent during our founding year (1992) and has a degree in special education.  She taught in the Transition and Parent/Child classes for nine years, leaving in 2003 to focus on her role as PTA President at Haven Middle School.  Julie served on the Cherry Board as Secretary and as a Teacher Representative.  She is serving once again as Teacher Representative on the Board this year.

Shellee Reinisch, who rejoined the Cherry staff last year as an inclusion aide, is working in the  Young 3’s Orange and the 2 Afternoon Multi-age Green rooms.  Last year, Shellee worked in the T/Th Transition and PM Young 3’s Green Room classes.  Prior to that, she worked as a permanent sub in the Young 3’s Orange Room.  In the past, Shellee was Debbie Boileve’s co-teacher in the Yellow Room.  Shellee also taught in the Orange Room for two years and did her teaching practicum in the Blue Room. Shellee is the parent of two boys, one in college and the other a recent college graduate.

Daniela Val is starting her second year on the Cherry staff as Amy May’s co-teacher in Young 3’s Orange Room class.  Daniela has a Master’s Degree in early childhood development from the Erikson Institute and was a child development specialist and state pre-K teacher.  Daniela has worked as a substitute in many of our classes, and most recently worked on Monday and Friday in the Orange Room as permanent sub.  Daniela has served on the Cherry Board for the past two years as Volunteers Chair.  She is the parent of Cherry graduates Zoe and Mia.