Birch Team (Ages 3 -4years)

Jessica – Jessica has been a part of OPFS since November 2021. She was born and raised in the Chicagoland area. Recently engaged, Jessica is a newlywed, married in November 2022. She attended Triton College and Northern Illinois University, studying business and accounting. She has been taking early childhood courses since high school and has worked with children just as long in gyms, summer camps, a Montessori school, a daycare for 8 years, a beloved nanny family for 4 and now at OPFS! She is excited to expand her education and work with your kiddos.

Crystal is currently attending school to obtain her Associates in Early Childhood
Education. Crystal’s experience with children includes volunteering as a tutor for 6–10-year-old
children, she also worked with toddlers at a Montessori school as an assistant. Crystal has been at OPFS since January 2021 and is loving her time here so far. Crystal loves doing arts and crafts with the children and reading books. In her free time Crystal likes gardening, reading and learning about different cultures and languages.

Hi everyone! I recently moved to Oak Park from Champaign where I attended the University of Illinois and earned my bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies. During my time in school, I learned so much about child development and I even had the opportunity to work as a student assistant in a preschool classroom which is where my passion for early childhood education blossomed. Now, I couldn’t see myself doing anything else! In my free time, I like to go on nature walks, watch movies, and spend time with my friends and family. I am so excited to start my adventure here at OPFS and so excited to get to know the kiddos (and all of you)! 

Lauren has been working with OPFS since they were in Ms. Talley and Ms. Chloe’s house. She is going on her 8th year working with the Friends Community. Ms. Lauren has been working with kids since the age of 11 and has worked with young infants to young teens. She studied Education and Psychology at the Evergreen State College, and she loves the outdoors, art, music, dancing, and having fun!!!

Allison has been with OPFS as a lead teacher in the Blue Room since July 2015. She has been in childcare for over 12 years and has a college background in early childhood education. She has two beautiful boys at home (Patrick and Mando) and loves spending her extra time with them. Her philosophy for the kids in the classroom is the same as the philosophy she has for her sons. She strives to help the children be independent and confident in everything they do. She believes in open communication so please feel free to stop in and chat with her whenever you need.

Chris joined the OPFS team in the summer of 2015 as a part of the Orange Room team, and he is very excited to work with your children this year! After seeing how his own two children were being cared for at OPFS, Chris decided to teach here because of OPFS’s play-based approach and community atmosphere. He comes from a background in music, performance, and composition. His hobbies are playing and listening to music and reading.