847.864.7100 director@totalchild.org 516 Church Street, Evanston, IL 60201-4515

Meet Our Staff

Lisa Kampwirth

Lisa Kampwirth

Director

Hello, I’m Lisa Kampwirth! I’ve dedicated over 30 years to Early Childhood Education and have found a true home here at Total Child. This community of parents, children, and educators is close to my heart because we are committed to play-based learning that nurtures every aspect of a child. I’m so proud to lead our passionate team, who all bring incredible energy to supporting child-led learning and developmentally appropriate practices. I hold a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the Erikson Institute. I’m also a proud mom of two – one in college in Switzerland and the other living in Los Angeles – perfect destinations for family vacations! My husband, Mark, our dog Shadow, and I live in Wilmette, where I enjoy swimming, neighborhood walks, and making art.

Jessica de l’Annee

Jessica de l’Annee

Family Coordinator

Hi! I’m Jessica de l’Annee. Working at Total Child feels magical because children are truly at the heart of everything we do. I’m so grateful to be part of a community that values play-based education and builds meaningful connections between families and staff. Since joining Total Child in 2013, I’ve taught 3s, 4s, and kindergarten. I am proud to bring over 20 years of diverse educational experience, including work as a middle school teacher and an ABA therapist. I have a B.A. in Elementary Education from Elmhurst College and an Early Childhood Education endorsement from National Louis University. My husband Maurice and I live with our cat Liefje and chinchilla Munchkin. In my free time, I enjoy reading, traveling, biking, hiking, and playing board games.

Maddie Prokop

Maddie Prokop

Teacher, Room 23 (2’s) - “The Discoverers”

Hello! I’m Maddie Prokop, and I’m thrilled to teach the two-year-olds at Total Child. I’ve been passionate about play-based teaching for six years, ever since volunteering in a Reggio Emilia-inspired classroom sparked my love for early education. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Illinois. Outside of teaching, I enjoy spending time by the lake, reading, playing tennis, and playing with my dog Charlie.

Jenna Stern

Jenna Stern

Assistant Teacher, Room 23 (2’s) - “The Discoverers”

Hi there! I’m Jenna Stern, and I love being part of the wonderful team here at Total Child. With a background in Political Science from Lake Forest College, I’ve spent many years working with children. Growing up in Connecticut, I found joy in both child care and pet care, like dog walking. Now, I live in Evanston with my roommates and our two cats. In my free time, I enjoy art, skateboarding, and getting to know the city.

Philip Crawford

Philip Crawford

Assistant Teacher, Room 23 (2’s) - “The Discoverers”

Hello, I’m Philip Crawford. Working at Total Child is a joy because I love helping children grow through play-based learning in their unique ways. I have five years of experience in child care, from coaching T-ball to youth choir and now preschool teaching. Originally from Nebraska, I live in Andersonville with my fluffy cat Tobie, and I have a passion for the arts and theater.

Marina Martin

Marina Martin

Teacher, Room 22 (3’s) - “The Explorers”

Hi! I’m Marina, or Mari for short. I love working at Total Child, where play-based learning is celebrated! Since earning my master’s in Early Childhood Education from DePaul, I’ve taught in both Reggio and Montessori settings. I also hold a fine arts degree from Loyola, and I enjoy bringing creativity and my love of art into the classroom. I live in Rogers Park, where I spend my free time drawing, reading, and learning to play the violin.

Miyoung Lee

Miyoung Lee

Assistant Teacher, Room 22 (3’s) - “The Explorers”

Hello! I’m Miyoung Lee and I’m thrilled to be part of Total Child’s warm, welcoming community. I have 17 years of teaching experience, with 13 years in Early Childhood Education, and I love creating play-based curricula that inspire curiosity. With degrees in Creative Writing and Teaching Korean, I now live in Morton Grove with my husband and mother-in-law. I love exploring new cultures and am currently learning Japanese.

Ian Jeanette

Ian Jeanette

Assistant Teacher, Room 22 (3’s) - “The Explorers”

Hi, I’m Ian Jeanette and one of the best parts of Total Child is getting to know each child and parent! My background in Early Head Start education from Holland, Michigan, fuels my passion for inspiring a love of learning through play. I love exploring the city of Chicago, especially its beaches. At home, I enjoy relaxing with my two cats and a good book or art project.

Barbara Becker-Gold

Barbara Becker-Gold

Teacher, Room 25 (4’s) - “The Investigators”

Welcome! I’m Barbara Becker-Gold, and I love being part of the Total Child community. For 20 years, I’ve focused on supporting children through play-based learning and working together with families. I hold a bachelor’s in literature and psychology from Loyola University and have taken several early childhood education classes. As a mother of three, two of whom have also worked at Total Child, I enjoy reading detective novels, making jewelry, and taking long walks.

Robin Feltman

Robin Feltman

Assistant Teacher, Room 25 (4’s) - “The Investigators”

Hello! I’m Robin Feltman, and it’s such a joy to be part of the Total Child community, where curiosity thrives through play. With a background in Theatre Arts, I’ve spent five years working with children as a nanny. I now live in Chicago with my husband and our two cats, where I enjoy sewing, singing, and lakeside walks.

Isabel Cieplinksi

Isabel Cieplinksi

Assistant Director and Teacher, Room 26 (4’s) - “The Adventurers”

Hello, I’m Isabel Cieplinski. Originally from Colombia, I’ve been at Total Child since 2002, sharing my love for teaching and the Spanish language. With a B.A. in Elementary Education, I bring my passion for learning and play-based education to every child. In my free time, I love being on the water, watching movies, and reading.

Jailine Hernandez

Jailine Hernandez

Assistant Teacher, Room 26 (4’s) - “The Adventurers”

Hi, I’m Jailine Hernandez, and I’m grateful to be at Total Child, surrounded by inspiring teachers and wonderful children. I earned a BFA in Acting from UIC and found my passion for working with kids while exploring acting. My family means the world to me, and on weekends, I enjoy cooking with my mom and spending time with my cat, Cleo.

Elizabeth Roche

Elizabeth Roche

Teacher, Room 21 (Kindergarten) - "The Imagineers"

Hello! I’m Elizabeth Roche, and I’m thrilled to be part of Total Child’s loving community, where children and teachers explore learning together. With over 20 years in Early Childhood Education and a master’s from National Louis University, I bring a deep love for poetry and children’s literature to my classroom. I live with my two cats, Zinnia and Truman, who inspire many stories for the children.

Kassidy Muller

Kassidy Muller

Assistant Teacher, Room 21 (Kindergarten) - "The Imagineers"

Hello, I’m Kassidy Muller, and I love fostering creativity and curiosity at Total Child. With a bachelor’s in Psychology and a Studio Art minor, I have nearly 10 years of experience working with children. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy painting, writing, dancing, and spending time with my five younger siblings.

Shannon Netemeyer

Shannon Netemeyer

Floating Assistant Teacher

Hi, I’m Shannon Netemeyer, and I’m delighted to be part of Total Child’s vibrant community. With a Bachelor’s in Music and four years of experience teaching young children about music, I enjoy every creative opportunity. I’m originally from St. Louis and now live in Chicago, where I love learning new art forms, reading in parks, and visiting family.

Aela Morris

Aela Morris

Floating Assistant Teacher

Hello! I’m Aela Morris, and I love working at Total Child because the school values Reggio and play-based education. With over ten years in child care, I hold a B.A. in English from Macalester College. Outside of school, I’m likely at the library, exploring Chicago, or singing show tunes with friends.

Cory Schantz

Cory Schantz

Floating Assistant Teacher

Hi, I’m Cory Schantz. I love exploring the outdoors with children, and Total Child’s connection to nature is a dream come true. I hold a degree in Statistics and have worked with children for eight years. I live in Chicago with my girlfriend, where we enjoy discovering new restaurants and exploring neighborhoods.