Acorn Team (ages 0 -20 months)

Maribel joined OPFS in the fall of 2016. She has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Maribel has been working with children from 3 months up to 12 years old for 12 years. She loves working with infants, and toddlers. She loves making crafts with the children, and playing with sensory activities! Maribel is an animal lover, she has two dogs, five birds, and a cat. Maribel believes that play is the highest form of research, and it gives children a chance to practice what they are learning!

Ursula joined OPFS in the Spring of 2021. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and has been working in early childhood education since 2018, with children from six weeks to five years old. Ursula plans to work in the field of prevention-based mental health care with children in the future. In her free time, she enjoys creating art and spending time in nature. Ursula is very excited to continue working with the infants and toddlers here at OPFS!

I was born and raised in Chicago, but have called Oak Park home for the last 13 years. I am a mom of three children who keep me busy with their active schedules of extra curricular activities. Prior to having kids, I worked in Early Childhood for over 10 years, mostly with toddlers and 2 year olds. Having had the pleasure of being home with my kids for the last 11 years, I am looking forward to returning to the field. I graduated from Denison University where I obtained a BA in Psychology. I have a passion for the outdoors and always love a good adventure.  You will always find me, and my kids; playing baseball, hiking the dunes of Indiana, traveling to National Parks, swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking or biking. When it comes to being a mother and a teacher I agree that, “Learning is their journey. Let them navigate. Push them to explore. Watch them discover. Encourage their questions. Allow them to struggle. Support their thinking. Let them Fly.”

My name is Kashonte Woods but I go by Kash. I am a recent college graduate. I studied Law Enforcement and Justice Administration with a minor in Sociology and Psychology. I have a passion to become a police officer, a juvenile detention officer, and also a DCFS Child Welfare Specialist. I love hanging with my nephews who are three and four years old. I enjoy going out on adventures, even if it is just to the museum. 

Ellen joined OPFS in fall of 2021. An Illinoisian for 20 years, Wisconsin is her original home. As a child she was in the 4H club and her proudest moment was having both a grand champion rooster and rabbit in the local fair. She is an extreme animal lover! This passion later led her to become a dog trainer. She has an awesome, loving family which includes her 6-year old daughter Aniyah, her son Caelen who is in the Acorn Room, a crazy dog and 2 cats.. Ellen adores children and is excited to work with the Seedling Room and their families.

Marisol has been part of OPFS since the beginning. She has many years of experience working with all ages. She likes to help her own 4 year old daughter, Alicia, and other children explore their environment in fun and messy ways.  She is a big animal lover and always teaches the children about respecting all living creatures big and small. She is excited to be a part of each child’s journey and loves to see them grow. She and Alicia moved into the Cicero area in early 2020. 

Naomi has been working with children since 2019. and loves that she can watch them learn and grow every single day. She is the oldest and has a younger sister and when she's not at work, Naomi enjoys taking pictures, going on new adventures and creating new memories with her family and boyfriend, She loves  to draw, fashion, and anything art related! Naomi prides herself in staying positive no matter the situation!

 Inci is "the teacher with the wacky hair colors and crazy ideas!" IShe was born in Toluca, Mexico and is first generation, She recently found out she is indigenous and comes from the Otimi Tribe. She is very proud of her roots. Inci is currently in school to become an Occipital Therapist specializing in young children. She has been working with young children for 5 years and can't wait to continue growing that number! Inci currently lives in Berwyn IL with her partner and his three kids and a cute Shiba Inu puppy name Seppy! Other fun facts about Inci are her love oddities, cute paintings, of forest animals, especially rats and bats!