We have made it through the first few weeks! It has been so fun getting to know the children. They are still adjusting to separating from parents and learning to trust the teachers and student workers. All of the children adjust at their own pace and there is no timeline for this, although it seems that the adjusting is happening quickly. The children are washing hands, sitting at the table, exploring the material in the room and taking naps. Everyday we see little victories with each child and we celebrate them! Thank you for trusting us with your child and taking the time to help us understand them and their needs. This is a true partnership between Home and School!
Toddler-2 staff introductions
Pam Yockey, Child Development Supervisor
I have been at NIU for 11 years. I have many years experience in all age groups from Infants to Preschool at CDFC, years of preschool teaching and raising my own family. My Husband, Chris, and I have three daughters, three son-in-laws and eight grandchildren. We have lived in Sycamore for 26 years. We love to camp, kayak, play Pickleball and spend time with our family especially the grandchildren. It is a busy life, even more so in the toddler room. I look forward to building a relationship with you and your child. Our year will be busy as we foster independence, encourage social growth and emotional development that will be the foundation for learning. Watch Us Grow!!!
Eisa Garcia, Child Development Supervisor
My name is Eisa Garcia. I am so excited to be your child’s teacher and being in a classroom this fall! I was previously a Child Development Supervisor floater in all classrooms at the CDFC. I have been an infant teacher, as well as a toddler teacher in the practicum classrooms. I was previously a practicum student in the Infant Room here at the CDFC in the summer of 2018. I graduated from the N.I.U. child development program. I was hired right after I graduated, and this is my third-year teaching at the CDFC. I absolutely love my job! I grew up in Kirkland, IL. I am also a mom to two awesome kids, a 2-year-old boy named Emiliano and a 1-year-old boy named Lionel. I am looking forward to this fall and learning about each one of you!
Extended toddlers staff include our student workers and our Grad Student Giana LaGiola and extra help, Karla Kieto, Both graduated from NIU.
Giana graduated with her undergrad in December 2020 and is currently in the Applied HDFS program at NIU. Giana plans on graduating in May 2022 and hopes to become a child Social Worker in a hospital setting. We are lucky to have Giana in our classroom.
Karla Kieta graduated in May of 2021 and is extra help for our room for the semester. Karla has been involved at CDFC as a student worker for 3 years, and was an intern for Dahlia last spring. We are also very lucky to have her a part of our team too!
Student workers, Bliss, Sam, Jeanette and Jaquelyn complete our team!
The month of September will go fast, look for the sign up sheet by the welcome board for intake meetings. These meetings can take place in person or via TEAMS. Also, the book fair will be coming at the end of the month, and we will send out more information later. A few reminders as we come into the fall weather, cooler mornings may require a sweatshirt or light coat but afternoons can heat up so no coat will be needed. Feel free to leave a coat or sweatshirt in your child’s cubby.
The hardest part is behind us and now we will settle in for laughing, learning and loving the children in Toddler-2!
Your Toddler-2 Team,
Eisa, Pam, Karla, Giana, and our amazing student workers!
