Our teachers are the cornerstone of our program.  They are warm, creative, enthusiastic and love children.  Most of our teachers have their Master’s Degrees in education or a related field.  Their qualifications exceed the standards set by NAEYC, and GJK is dedicated to continuing their professional development.  Each of our teachers completes a minimum of 15 hours of continuing education a year on topics such as brain research, health and safety, special needs, and developmentally appropriate practices.

Our Director, Debra Gaetano has a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from the Erikson Institute.  She has served as adjunct faculty for the School of Education at Kendall College and was one of the first directors in Illinois to receive her state credentials.    She was also chosen to participate in Taking Charge of Change, a program at National Louis University, that highlights leaders in the field of Education.

“Our goal should not be to protect them from the world, but to teach them about it”