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Meet the Teachers

Karen Maxwell

Karen holds a BA in Education and Psychology with a K-9 certification and endorsements in Language Arts and Science. Her experience in Early Childhood begin in 1988 and continued over the next 30 years until joining Bartlett Park District as the Preschool Coordinator in December 2018. Karen takes great pride in educating the children as well as serving as a mentor and resource for preschool staff and parents.

Sherri Culloton

Sherri holds a BA in Media Communication from St. Norbert College and has completed courses at Elgin Community College in Early Childhood Education. She became a Bartlett Park District Assistant Preschool Teacher in August 2014 at and a Lead Teacher in 2020. Her children attended the BPD Preschool program and are now both college graduates. She has also worked many years with the Girl Scouts.

PHoto of Victoria Hernandez Victoria Hernandez

Victoria attended the College of DuPage for Elementary Education and is bilingual in English and Spanish. She has been with Bartlett Park District since 2020 as an Assistant Teacher and became a Lead Teacher in 2023. Victoria is also one of our Enrichment Class teachers.

Photo of Christy Mazza Christy Mazza

Christy holds a BA in English with 6-12 certification as well as a Master of Science in Education. She has been with the district since August 2015 as a substitute and became the Pre-K Lead teacher in 2021. Previous to her employment with the district she served as a 6th -8th grade English Language Arts and girl’s track and field coach. Christy has been a Bartlett resident for over 10 years. Her three children are graduates of the BPD Preschool program.

Photo of Gunjan Patel Gunjan Patel

Gunjan holds a BA in Psychology and a Certification in Children & Family Studies from Roosevelt University. She has been at Bartlett Park District since August 2019. She has worked in the Early Childhood Education field for over 20 years as a Lead Teacher as well as a Director. Gunjan is one of our Enrichment Class teachers. She is an advocate for supporting young children’s growth which makes teaching a passion of hers.

Photo of Kristin Pellegrini Kristin Pellegrini

Kristin holds a BA from Dominican University in Early Childhood Education and PEL in ECE with as Special Education Approval. She has been a Lead Teacher since August 2014. Her children are graduates of the BPD Preschool program. She is one of our Enrichment Class teachers and helped start the Intro to Preschool program as well.

Photo of Jen Powell Jen Powell

Jen attended Harper College and spent 12 years in Pediatric Healthcare. She is currently working on completing her CDA in Early Childhood Education. She has worked at the district in Preschool 3-year-old and Young 3’s program since September 2022. Jen has five children, three of which graduated from the BPD Preschool program. She is one of our Enrichment Class teachers and helped start the Intro to Preschool program as well.

Photo of Nicky Schur Nicky Schur

Nicky attended Elgin Community College and has been at district since August 2014 primarily as an assistant teacher in the Pre-K classrooms. Her three daughters were students in our preschool program and stay connects as volunteers and employees of the district. She has lived in the Bartlett community since 1998.

Photo of Kathy Stanko Kathy Stanko

Kathy attended Elgin Community College where she studied Early Childhood Education. She earned her CDA credential through Rasmussen University. She has experience working with students in various capacities including after school tutoring, first grade religious education, and as a lead food service director at U-46 school district for 12 years.

Photo of Danielle Shahwan Danielle Shahwan

Danielle received her Bachelor in ECE from National Louis University as well as an Associate in Early Childhood Education and Care from College of DuPage. She has been a Lead Teacher at Bartlett Park District since August 2020 and has been assisting in Pre-K. Her children are graduates of our program. Danielle is an advocate for supporting young children’s growth which makes teaching her passion.

Lizeth photo Lizeth Tomac 

Liz attended International University in her hometown of Cuernavaca, Mexico and worked as a preschool assistant teacher at Precious Tots Preschool. Liz is excited to join the Bartlett Park District preschool team, where she will focus on creating a nurturing and inclusive environment that fosters the unique growth and development of each child. She is a 13 year resident of Bartlett and enjoys volunteering at her children’s school, St. John the Evangelist.

Photo of Stacey Ventrella Stacey Ventrella

Stacey attended the College of DuPage and is a licensed cosmetologist. She became an Assistant Teacher in August 2018. Her twin girls attended the Preschool program and her family have lived in Bartlett since 2019. She and husband coach a team for the girls’ softball league at the District.

Photo of Michelle Perham Michelle Perham

Michelle earned her Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education from National Louis University. She began her career in Early Childhood in 2007 and started with the district as a substitute in August 2023. She is one of the Intro to Preschool program teachers. Previously she was a Lead teacher in multiple age group settings from infants through Pre-K at day care facilities as well as Assistant Director at two nearby schools. Her daughters attended our program. She is one of our Enrichment Class teachers and works with the Lunch Bunch.

Photo of Maia Resurrection Maia Resurrection

Maia began her Early Childhood career with Northwest Special Recreation Association as an aide for several students in the Bartlett Park District program. Beginning in 2023 she began working as a substitute teacher. Currently she is a teacher in the Intro to Preschool and teaches Enrichment programs. Additionally, she works as an after-school care counselor with the District. Maia enjoys creating a fun atmosphere for children allowing them to explore their environment.