Our Team

Leaders & Staff

Board of Directors

Partners

Meet Our Dedicated Leadership Team

​​Our commitment to fostering a nurturing and enriching educational environment is made possible by the dedicated individuals who form the heart and soul of our school. We offer ongoing professional learning opportunities for our teachers and family engagement staff to develop and enhance their skills.

Our exceptional staff, visionary Board of Directors, and valued partners are the driving forces behind the realization of our mission. With unwavering passion and expertise, they play pivotal roles in shaping the educational landscape at Educare West DuPage. Together, they embody the spirit of excellence and innovation, ensuring that every student receives the finest education possible.

Leadership Team

Executive director of Educare Marcela Sweeney

Marcela G. Sweeney

Executive Director

READ BIO

Marcela has a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with Early Childhood licensure and a Bilingual Education endorsement, along with an Infant Specialist Certificate. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Spanish. Marcela is a UCLA Head Start Management Fellow and an Erikson Institute International Fellow. She began working at Educare West DuPage in May of 2012 before the school opened as a Master Teacher, and quickly moved into the School Director position, and then into the Executive Director role in May of 2020.

Marcela is also a trainer for CLASS, Brazelton Touchpoints and Data Utilization. Before coming to Educare, she had worked with the Office of Head Start’s training and technical assistance center for the state of Illinois supporting Head Start and Early Head Start programs around school readiness, family engagement and professional development. She also has had experience as a Literacy Coach for a federal Early Reading First grant where she coached and supported teachers in best practices around literacy and language development.

Monique Lopez

Monique Lopez

Director of School Operations​

READ BIO

Monique has a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Administration from National Louis University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services – Child, Adolescents and Family Services from Loyola University Chicago. She began working at Educare West DuPage in October 2011 as the Teen Parent Coordinator, moved into the Family Engagement Supervisor in 2012, and then into the Assistant School Director in 2018. She has been the Director of School Operations since May 2020.

Before coming to Educare, she had worked with SGA Youth & Family Services as a Family Support Specialist and ERSEA/Disability coordinator for an Early Head Start Home based program. During her time at Educare West DuPage, she has also completed two Fellowship programs, Erickson Institute International Fellowship and University of California Los Angeles Head Start Management Fellows. She is a trainer for Brazelton Touchpoints, Data Utilization and Intensive Family Engagement in Early Childhood Programs.

Justin McGrath

Justin McGrath

Director of Finance and Administration

READ BIO

Justin joined the EWD team in June 2019. Justin received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Northern Illinois University and began his career working in the commercial insurance industry. Justin came to EWD with years of experience in preparing corporate budgets and financial analysis. As Director of Finance and Administration, Justin has become involved in many areas of the organization, with roles ranging from finance and accounting to facility maintenance, and on a larger scale, helping the organization work toward a more diversified funding model.

Management Team

Jennifer Prodoehl

Diane Gaitan

​Executive Assistant / Human Resources ​Coordinator

Alana Ferry

Alana Ferry

Glen Arbor Site Director / Mentor Teacher

Isabella Sosa

Isabella Sosa

Mentor Teacher

Jennifer Prodoehl

Jennifer Prodoehl

Mentor Teacher

Ruby Rodriguez

Ruby Rodriguez

Family Engagement Supervisor
(3-5)

Perla Sanchez

Family Engagement Supervisor
(0-3)

Program Team

Board of Directors

Steve Rasher

Steve Rasher

Board Chair

Michael Burke

Michael Burke

Vice Chair

Saharay Terrazas

Saharay Terrazas

Secretary

Brian Beerman

Brian Beerman

Treasurer

Norma Gallegos

Norma Gallegos

Parent Member

Barb Abromitis

Barb Abromitis

Member

Joie Frankovich

Joie Frankovich

Member

Sarah Norton

Sarah Norton

Member

David Sabathne

Crystal Taylor

Member

Joie Frankovich

David Sabathne

Member

Partners

We also partner with community organizations to offer even more opportunities for our children and families to thrive. Our partners are a network of community stakeholders and visionary leaders collaborating to support healthy development for children. These partners are committed to our mission.

We value all of our partners. The list included is a representation of some of our collaborative partnerships.

If you would like to partner with us, please fill out the form below and someone will be in contact with you shortly.