Welcome to
Staff Introductions
Director - Nicole Plowick
Growing up I always knew that I was destined to work with children. I was the one who loved to take care of her baby dolls, play house, and “teach” school. I guess you could say in some ways not a lot has changed. Only now my baby doll is real, I don’t get to choose when to “play” house, and for three years I was an Elementary school teacher. Over the past fourteen years, I have worked with children in many different aspects. I have been a nanny, childcare teacher, birthday party coordinator, Elementary school teacher, babysitter, and most recently a mother of a beautiful baby boy. Since my almost two year old son, Ethan, was born I have also been subbing at many different schools within Champaign County. I enjoy playing outside with my family, camping, traveling, photography, watching movies, and I am an avid reader. I think as you get to know me you will realize that I am enthusiastic about life and I give 120% toward any task that I am given. Please remember that I am available any time you have questions, comments, or if you just want to stop by and say “Hello”. I am looking forward to getting to know everyone!
Hi,
my name is Patsy Conatser, I am the Assistant Director. I have been with Kids 1st
for almost 12 years. I have had the privilege of working in all of the
classrooms over the years. I have an Associates Degree in Child Development
from Parkland College. I am married to Richard and have a daughter, Kayla. I
live in Bement but I grew up in Monticello. My family and I enjoy camping. I
enjoy relaxing with a good book or sewing. I also enjoy various activities with
my extended family such as bowling and playing games.
Hi! My name is April Porter. I will be 28 in October. I live in Monticello with my parents Mike and Vicki Simmons. I also have two sisters and two nephews. I graduated from Monticello High School in 1998 and I am working on getting my Associates Degree in Child Development from Parkland College. I have been working in childcare since August of 1998. I also teach a Wednesday night class at my church in Monticello. I have baby sat for several younger cousins since I was 14. I am a member of VFW Auxiliary Post 5520 in Champaign. I enjoy playing Putt-Putt, Bowling, scrap booking, stampin’ up, and camping. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my sisters and their families. I enjoy spoiling my nephews. I also enjoy getting together with my cousin Patsy and her family. I enjoy spending the evening sitting around the fire in her yard.
My name is Bonnie Stock, and I am a student at Parkland College . I just started working at Kid’s 1st about six weeks ago, and you can usually find me in the two’s room during the afternoons. I have two brothers and two sisters: Mindy, Andy, Jennifer, and Bradley, and I am the second oldest. My parents’ names are Tom and Karol Stock. In my free time, I like to bake, hang out with friends and boyfriend, and read. My favorite part of my job at Kid’s 1st is watching the kids explore their creativity by coloring, painting, or doing some other artistic activity, and developing a relationship with them as individuals.
Hi!
My name is Kashinda Michelle Pitman. I am a senior attending the University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I am a Community Health major with an emphasis in
Health Education and Promotion. My post-graduate plans are to attend Nursing
School in Chicago where I can concentrate on the intense curriculum as well as
be near my family. I enjoy spending time with my 20 month old daughter
Kamora and relaxing. Between being a full time student, a mom, and a part-time
employee at Kids 1st, anytime that I have to relax is genuinely cherished.
I have been employed at Kids 1st since December of 2007. It has been my pleasure
to work with a host of AMAZING children, wonderful staff, and outstanding
parents!!!
My name is Fawnanne
Heleine. I moved to Illinois in November 2007 from California. In August of
this year I got married. I have worked at Kids 1st since the
end of January 2008. I work in the toddler room (15 mo.-2 yrs.). I really enjoy
helping the children learn and I love watching them grasp new concepts. My
hobbies are cross-stitch, reading, and spending with my new husband and his son.
My name is Donna
Verdin and I am 21 years old. I am currently attending Parkland College. My
major is Child Development and I will have my CDA Preparation Certificate after
this year. I have been working at Kids 1st since April 2008. I work
in the toddler room in the morning and the 2’s in the afternoon. My favorite
part of my job is being with the kids. I love watching them learn new things. I
grew up in Onarga and I enjoy going back home to see my family and friends. I
have lived in Champaign for about 3 years. My hobbies are playing volleyball,
going out with my friends, shopping and boating.
Hi my name is Leah
Ristow and I am 19 years old. I currently attend Parkland with a major in
Social Work and I plan on one day working with and helping foster kids. I have
worked at Kids 1st since February of 2008, I work mostly in the
toddler room. I truly love my job. The best part is getting to have a
relationship with the children and bonding with each of them. My hobbies include
going out with my friends, avoiding homework, and going home to my hometown of
Cissna Park to be with my family. I love to laugh and have a good time.
Hi, my name is
Carmen Reed. I have been teaching here at Kids 1st for eight years.
You can normally fine me working in the two’s room but I also love to spend some
time with the infants. I have two wonderful parent’s named Dale and Yvonne and
one younger sister named Mindy. Some of my hobbies are scrap booking, traveling,
and hiking with my boyfriend. My favorite part of my job is doing group time
with the children and participating in art and craft activities.
Hi,
my name is Melody Nunez and I am a graduate of Illinois State. I am 27 and my
birthday is April 12. I graduated with my bachelors in Sociology and a minor in
Psychology. During my time at ISU, I was working on my degree in Elementary
Education. I plan to finish my degree in the future. I am currently living in
Champaign with my boyfriend Mike, my dog Precious, and my cats Elroy and
Mattie. When I am not at Kids First, I coach cheerleading at Cenntenial High
School. I have been there for 4 years. In my spare time you can find me
enjoying football, baseball, or scrap booking with my closest friends. I am
currently working in the 2s room as head teacher. So stop by and say hello!
Don’t forget to stop by and catch my cousin Jenny in the afterschool room.
My name is Polly Hoewing. I have worked at Kids 1st since August of 2004. I am currently the full time 3’s teacher, but I have done the summer camp and afterschool. I enjoy working with all ages. I’ve been married to my husband Phil for 5 years and I have a son, Caleb, who will turn 2 in November. I received my Associate’s Degree from Parkland in May of 2002 and worked at a couple different centers and nannied a little before finding my home here at Kids 1st in 2004. My favorite thing about 3’s is watching them mature from young 3’s, into strong and independent 4’s. I love working with families to help their children mature.
My name is Kathy Schnebly. I am happily married and we have two wonderful children. My son’s name is David and he is 4 years old. Our daughter Elise is 12 years old. I have worked at Kids 1st for the past six years. I have enjoyed being a part of every family here at the center. In my spare time I help with girl scouts and I am a cheerleading coach. I love spending time with my family, hiking, biking, and boating. We spend a lot of time in Arkansas where my parents and brother live. While visiting my family we enjoy going boating and David loves to fish with his grandpa.
Hello! My name is
Debra O’Brien but I am better known as Ms. Debbie. I have worked at Kids 1st
for the last six and a half years. I have one daughter named Kayleigh who is a
freshman in high school. I currently live in Mahomet but I was born in Clinton,
IL. My hobbies include singing, reading, watching movies, enjoying time
outdoors, and spending time with my family. My favorite part of working at Kids
1st is reading and singing with the children, art activities, and
decorating the room.
My name is Jennifer Garecht, but I am called sister, daughter, mother, and teacher. I am 28 and my birthday is April 6. I grew up in Onarga Illinois, where I was raised with my two sisters, Lynnette and Sabrina. I joined the National Guard after my junior year of high school. I graduated from Iroquois West in 1998. I joined the work force and began my career as a manager at the local Burger King. Shortly after, I took my next step in life and I had a son Tyler. Even though life was great, I felt something was missing. I wanted to follow my dream of being a teacher. So I moved to Urbana and I enrolled at Parkland. After a few years in Elementary Education, I changed my major to Child Development. I was ecstatic about the change. I was able to have more of a hands on approach with the children. During this time I was working at the Bakers Square in town. It closed down and it gave me the opportunity to actually start my career as a teacher. I started working at Kids First on April 8, 2008. I have worked in all of the rooms in the center since then. My main job is working with the after school kids. I am having a blast working with them. It gives me the greatest joy to see the spark in their eyes when they are learning and growing as a person. My journey here has only started, but I am ready for the roller coaster of life to take me for the ride. When I am not working at Kids First, I enjoy spending time with my son Tyler and boyfriend Greg. Some of my hobbies are camping, reading, and watching UFC! So stop by and say HI. Make sure to stop by the 2s and visit my cousin Melody.
Teachers that work in various classrooms
Name: Tara Miller
Classrooms: Toddlers and 3's
How long at Kid's 1st: One month
Bio info: Tara is a Choral Music Education student at the University of Illinois. She will be student teaching at Normal Community High School in the Spring and will be graduating in May. Her hometown is Robinson, IL, a small town in South-Eastern Illinois. Tara would like to work with high school students when she is through with school. She enjoys singing, playing Sudoku, spending time on Facebook, cooking, and spending time at home with her friends, family, and boyfriend. Tara's favorite part of working at Kids 1st is naptime!
Hi!
My name is Julie Feldman and I am 21 years old. I am a senior at the University
of Illinois, but I am originally from the suburbs of Chicago. I am studying
Psychology and Spanish and will be entering a Social Work Masters program in the
Fall of 2009. I began working at Kids 1st in August and it has been
an absolute pleasure. In my free time I enjoy running, yoga, reading, and
spending time with my family and friends.
Beth Bicksler-
I’ve been working at Kids 1st since the end of August. I normally work in the 4’s and 5’s classroom in the afternoon. I grew up in Mokena, IL and my parents still live there. I have 3 sisters, 2 brothers, 2 sister-in-laws, 1 brother-in-law, and 1 nephew. I’m a senior at the University of Illinois majoring in advertising. When I’m not studying, I enjoy hanging out with my friends, shopping, and watching movies. I love to travel, and I’m hoping to travel to Europe next summer.
Hi, my
name is Edith Hall. My family and I moved a lot when I was young because my dad
was in the Air Force. I met my husband in Austin, TX when my dad was stationed
there. It took another 5 years before we noticed each other. We have known each
other for over 40 years and we will celebrate our 37th anniversary this
December. Our daughter Patsy is the Assistant Director here at Kids 1st. She and
her husband Rich have blessed us with a beautiful granddaughter, Kayla. I also
have a neice that works here at Kids 1st in the infant room. I have been taking
Child Development classes at Parkland College. I have worked at Parkland College
in the Child Development Center in the mornings as a cook since 1996.
My name is
Marcie Stout. I’m 29 and I live in Urbana, I am currently 5 mo. pregnant and
excited about a little girl joining my family. Last year, I worked for Rural
Champaign County Special Education Cooperative. I was a teacher’s assistant for
preschool students with special needs. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and I
am thrilled to be here at Kids 1st. I am currently finished an Earth Science
degree at UIUC with a minor in Spanish. I love kids and I love the outdoors. I
horseback ride whenever I can and I am looking forward to becoming a better
rider after my baby is born.
Hi
my name is Kailin LeCrone. I just received my Associate's degree in Child
Development from Parkland College. I have been working at Kid's First since
December of 2008 in the Two's room in the afternoon. I am also the head Two's
teacher at Peter Pan Too Learning Center. I love to watch children excel at new
things and I also love to be of assistance in helping them learn about the world
around them. My hobbies are watching movies, do yoga, read, and hang out with my
boyfriend, cat , and hamster.