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MEET OUR
TEACHERS
KINDERHAVEN PRESCHOOL ACADEMY
The KINDERHAVEN DIRECTOR, Dr. Penny Robbins, is responsible for the day to
day operations of the school, maintaining licensing and
accreditation standards and supervision of staff. The
director also serves as an educational advisor, trainer and
support for the teaching staff.
The FACULTY AND DIRECTOR have degrees in Early Childhood
Education, Child Development, and/or related fields.
Classroom assistants have some early childhood education
and/or experience working with young children. Volunteers
and student teachers may augment the teaching staff.
The staff to child ratio is 3 to a maximum of 20 children
in the oldest group (3 to 16 for the youngest). The teaching
staff and director alike support Early Childhood Education
and its relationship to the greater community. All faculty
participates in on-going training and education, including
research and trends in child development and teaching
methods, as well as CPR and safety procedures.
DR. PENNY ROBBINS: Dr. Robbins holds a BA in
English, Education, and Physical Education from Eureka
College, a M.Div. in Feminist Theology and Divinity from
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and Northwestern
University, and a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from the
Adler School of Professional Psychology. She has worked with
children in a variety of capacities, including as a director
of Specialized Foster Care and Independent Living, a
director of HIV/AIDS services, a lecturer and workshop
leader, a pastor and a tutor, life coach and mentor. Dr.
Robbins has been a part of Kinderhaven for 10 years as the
teacher of the Red Class, and this is her fifth year as the
director. She is also the President of Achievement through
Creative Education, Inc., an academic tutoring and life
coaching company. She knows that this school year will be a
wonderful and exciting year for everyone!
MS. KELLY SINDT: Ms. Sindt is returning for her
fifth year at Kinderhaven Preschool Academy. She will be
teaching the Red Class and will be fulfilling the role as
the director of art education for the entire school. She
holds her certificate in Early Childhood Education, has
worked in various preschools, and was employed as a
professional nanny for 15 years. Ms. Sindt is currently
pursuing a degree in education and art history. She has
extensive art experience and has her own online art store
called “Funky Egg Art.” She excited about the art projects
that each class will be pursuing this year!
MRS. JANICE PRICE: Mrs. Price is returning for
year number fourteen, and we are so happy to continue to have her
experience, kindness, and enthusiasm! After having served in
a variety of roles over her 13 years, Mrs. Price will be the
Blue Class assistant this year. Mrs. Price holds a BA in
Education and Special Education from Bradley University. She
is a life-long resident of the Lake Forest area, and has
raised three children. Mrs. Price is a “priceless” addition
to our teaching team!
MRS. VICKI HALL: Mrs. Hall is starting her fourth
year at Kinderhaven, and she is moving from a small role to
a much bigger one! She is returning to the Red Class again
and will be with the class all four days. Mrs. Hall has four
children, all of whom live in the Lake Bluff/Lake Forest
area, and she is the proud grandmother of 6! We welcome her
gentle spirit and generous heart!
Mrs. Allison
McMahon: Mrs. McMahon grew up in East
Lansing, Michigan. She moved to Chicago in the summer of
2001 and Mrs. McMahon has taught at a private preschool
downtown for the last 9 years. She graduated from Central
Michigan University with a Bachelor's Degree in Child
Development and Psychology. Later, she went on to receive an
Associates Degree in Montessori Education. Two years ago she
and her husband, Ryan, relocated to Lake Bluff, IL. They are
having a great time getting settled and exploring their new
neighborhood. During her free time she enjoys reading,
traveling, running and spending time with her family and
friends. Mrs. McMahon loves working with children. They are
full of curiosity and are always ready for a new discovery!
She certainly looks forward to an amazing second year with the
children!
Mrs. Amy
Struck: Mrs. Struck is the mom of three
children, one is entering the world of preschool this year.
This is her second year with Kinderhaven, she has been working
with children and families for nearly 20 years. She has a
master's in psychology from the Adler School of Professional
Psychology. In her free time (what's that?!), she enjoys
crafting, reading, and spending time with friends. Mrs.
Struck looks forward to partnering with you, the parent, in
helping to make this year an exciting and enriching
educational experience.
Mrs. Zarah
McGuire: Mrs. McGuire is very excited to be
back with you at Kinderhaven for her second year! She has worked with young
children since she was 12, babysitting and camp counseling.
She earned a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education
and has been teaching preschool and nannying for the past 6
years. Her newest endeavor is her one-year-old son, Rowan.
He is the light of her life. She enjoys web-surfing,
cross-stitching, and playing wii. Her goal is to adopt a
family dog, so our entire family will be up and moving more!
Mrs. Lisa
Orsini: Mrs. Orsini currently lives in
Libertyville with her husband, Andy, and three children. She
grew up in Highland Park. She was a stay-at-home mom, but
she did some work at her children's elementary school. As
her children got older, she began working at Crocodile Pie,
a children's bookstore in Libertyville. After the bookstore
closed, she started working at the Lake Forest Fitness
Center's Kids Cottage. Mrs. Orsini has a great deal of
experience working with children, and thoroughly enjoys it.
She is looking forward to being an aide for her second year at Kinderhaven!
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