Sheree Feldman – Owner/Director
Sheree Feldman, a long-time resident of Northbrook, holds a master’s degree in speech and language development with an emphasis in Early Childhood. She has been an Early Childhood Director/Educator since 1987 and has been director/owner of Little Ones since December 2000. Before coming to Little Ones, Sheree served as an Early Childhood Director for eight years for the JCC’s of Chicago. She was responsible for preschool, daycare, summer camp, after-school programs, enrichment classes and family programs.
With three children of her own, Sheree knows the struggles, challenges and joys of raising young children hoping they grow into caring individuals with a strong self identity and a love of learning. She promises to continue the nurturing, developmental preschool program established in 1966 by Mrs. Peifer and Mrs. Robertson, the founders of Little Ones.
The Little Ones Staff
All of the Little Ones’ staff are experienced preschool teachers who participate in conferences, workshops and in-service training to remain informed of current trends and research in the field of Early Childhood Education. Every lead teacher has a four-year degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field. At Little Ones the teachers have an average of at least 12 years of experience educating young children and are mothers themselves.
All of the classrooms are taught by co-teachers, two qualified lead teachers. All of the teachers are caring individuals who establish close relationships with the children in their classrooms and with their parents. The preschool staff also works together to ensure smooth transitions for the children from classroom to classroom and from program to program.
Meet the Teachers
Randy Barr has been a teacher at Little Ones since September 1992. Before coming to Little Ones, she was a teacher at Temple Beth El and Glencoe Children’s Center. Randy has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois, as well as a Master’s of Arts Degree in Special Education from Northeastern Illinois University. Since she has been at Little Ones, Randy has worked with a variety of ages from 2 ½ through 5. Randy is currently teaching in our morning 4-year old pre-kindergarten program, as well as planning and coordinating the Monday Alphabet Soup Lunch Enrichment Program. Additionally she also serves as Assistant Director. Randy also has three children of her own, all of which are alumni of Little Ones.
Lynn Benson has been a teacher at Little Ones since September 2010. Before coming to Little Ones, she had seven years of experience working with young children in a child care center. Lynn has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and is currently substituting and assisting in our Friday afternoon math and science class. She also has two children of her own, one of which is a graduate of Little Ones.
Melanie Doppelt has been a teacher at Little Ones since January 2002. Before coming to Little Ones, she worked at Lutheran Social Service of Illinois Day Care Centers as a teacher and later as an Assistant Director/Parent Coordinator. She also assisted the Director of Decoma Day Camp for two summers. Melanie has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Home Economics from Illinois State University, with specialization in Early Childhood. Since she has been at Little Ones, Melanie has worked with the 2 1/2 and 3 year olds and has also substituted in all ages from 2 ½ through 5. Melanie is currently filling in as a substitute and assisting the Director. She also has two children of her own.
Karen Edelstein has been a teacher at Little Ones since January 2003. Before coming to Little Ones, she had 3 years of experience working as a speech pathologist with preschool through junior high school kids. Karen has a Master’s of Arts Degree in Speech and Language Development from New York University, as well as a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin. Since she has been at Little Ones, Karen has worked with a variety of ages from 2 ½ through 5. Karen is currently teaching in the 2 ½ and 3-year old programs, as well as assisting in the lunch enrichment programs. She also has two children of her own.
Sue Gottlieb has been a teacher at Little Ones since September 2010. She has been teaching at Deerfield Community Nursery School since September 1990, where she still currently teaches. Sue has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Bradley University, which includes many hours in Early Childhood Education. She is currently substituting at Little Ones this year. Sue also has two children of her own.
Dayle Lash has been a teacher at Little Ones since October 1998. Before coming to Little Ones, she was an elementary school teacher in the public schools. Dayle has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois, which includes many hours in Early Childhood Education. Since she has been at Little Ones, Dayle has taught in classes of all ages from 2 1/2 through 5. Dayle is currently teaching in our 2 ½ year old program, as well as assisting in our Friday lunch enrichment program and Friday afternoon math and science class. She also has four children of her own, two of which are alumni of Little Ones.
Marsha Lyons has been a teacher at Little Ones since October 2001. Before coming to Little Ones, she taught Adult/Child classes at the Mayer Kaplan JCC for 17 years. Marsha has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from the University of Illinois. Since she has been at Little Ones, Marsha has taught all of our adult/child classes, as her true love is seeing the toddlers grow and learn. Marsha also has two children of her own.
Joanne Newman has been a teacher at Little Ones since September 2004. Before coming to Little Ones, she had 5 years of experience working with children of all ages as a speech pathologist. Joanne has a Master’s of Arts Degree in Speech and Language Development from Northwestern University, which includes many hours in Early Childhood Education. Since she has been at Little Ones, Joanne has taught 2 ½ and 3-year-olds. Joanne is currently teaching in the 2 ½ and 3-year old programs, as well as assisting in the Monday lunch enrichment program. She also has two children of her own.
Sally Norlie has been a teacher at Little Ones since April 2003. Before coming to Little Ones, she taught children of preschool age for ten years. Sally has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Psychology from Elmhurst College, which includes many hours in Early Childhood Education. Since she has been at Little Ones, Sally has taught children from 2 ½ through 5 years of age. Sally is currently teaching in our afternoon 4-year old pre-kindergarten program, as well as assisting in the am 4-year old class and lunch enrichment programs. She also has two children of her own, who are both alumni of Little Ones.
Ellyn Nudelman has been a teacher at Little Ones since September 1995. Before coming to Little Ones, she worked with children from 1st through 6th grade. Ellyn has a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Northeastern Illinois University, with a state teaching certificate for Kindergarten through 9th grade. Since she has been at Little Ones, Ellyn has worked with a variety of ages from 2 ½ though 5. Ellyn is currently teaching in our morning 4-year old pre-kindergarten program, as well as assisting in the Monday lunch enrichment program. She also has three children of her own.
Amy Oberholtzer has been a teacher at Little Ones since September 2006. She has a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Psychology, with hours in Child Development. Since she has been at Little Ones, Amy has taught children 2 ½ and 3 years of age. Amy is currently substituting at Little Ones. She also has two children of her own, who are both alumni of Little Ones.
Kate Patterson has been a Lunch Enrichment teacher at Little Ones since September 2002. Before coming to Little Ones, she taught dance at Dance Ed in Northbrook for 3 years, where she still currently teaches. Kate has a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Dance from Columbia College in Chicago. Since she has been at Little One she has taught our Friday Music and Movement Lunch Enrichment class for children 3 to 5 year of age.
Therese Rizzo has been a teacher at Little Ones since February 1999. Since she has been at Little Ones, she has assisted in classes of all ages from 2 ½ through 5 years of age. Therese is currently substituting and assisting in our Wednesday lunch enrichment program. She also has two children of her own.
Melany Shaftal has been a substitute teacher at Little Ones since September 2009. She has a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Sociology from Tulane University, and came to us with previous preschool experience substituting at Glencoe Junior Kindergarten. Melany is currently substituting again for the upcoming school year. She also has two children of her own.
Sheri Smason has been a teacher at Little Ones since September 2006. Before coming to Little Ones, she worked for 6 years as a preschool teacher at the JCC. Sheri has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Education from Drake University. Since she has been at Little Ones, Sheri has taught children in both the 3 and 4-year-old programs. Sheri is currently teaching in the 3-year old morning program, as well as assisting in the lunch enrichment classes. She also has two children of her own.
Carolyn Smith has been a teacher at Little Ones since September 2009. Before coming to Little Ones, she taught in the Elementary School system and as a private tutor for twelve years. Carolyn has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Elementary Education from National-Louis University, which includes many hours in Early Childhood Education, as well as a state of Illinois teaching certificate. Since she has been at Little Ones, Carolyn has worked with the 4-year-olds. Carolyn is currently teaching in our afternoon 4-year old pre-kindergarten program and in our Friday afternoon math and science class. She also has three children of her own, who are all alumni of Little Ones.
Jen Werman will be a new addition to the Little Ones staff September 2011. Although she is new to the teaching staff, she is not new to Little Ones. Jen has three children who are alumni of Little Ones and she previously served as the coordinator of the Little Ones Parent Group. Jen has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Education from Northern Illinois University, as well as a Master’s Degree in Teaching and Leadership from St. Xavier University. She is currently teaching in our 2 1/2 year old program.
Lindley Wisnewski has been a lunch enrichment teacher at Little Ones since September 2009. She came to us with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree and 7 years of experience teaching gym classes to young children. Lindley is currently teaching our Wednesday lunch enrichment class for 3-5 year olds. She also has one child of her own.
Jill Young will be a new addition to the Little Ones staff September 2011. Although she is new to Little Ones, she is not new to teaching. Jill comes to us with ten years experience teaching children preschool through kindergarten age. She has a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Education from University of Arizona, as well as a Master’s of Arts Degree in Reading from Northeastern Illinois University. Jill is currently teaching in our 3 year old program. She also has three children of her own.
