our team

creating a center of excellence for early childhood professionals

At Stepping Stones we believe that a child’s caregiving staff should be inclusive, and representative of the community at large.  School is a place where children learn to value the similarities and differences between themselves and their peers and caregivers, and each member of the school community brings a part of their family culture into the whole.  By embracing a staff diverse in background, beliefs, sexual orientation, talents, heritage, and life experience, we send a message of inclusivity to all.

Victoria Hilton

Our Founder

Originally from England, Victoria is a certified primary school teacher with over 20 years teaching experience in the private and public sector. She has been described as an ‘innovative and enthusiastic teacher’ with proven results. [read more]

Lucy Lunsford

Executive Director

Lucy believes children are in a constant state of imagination and wonder. As an educator, she is a co-learner and observer. She trusts that through the exploration of play, children can create a bright space to ask questions, experiment, and problem-solve.  [read more]

Daniella Rolon

Education Director Logan Square

Daniella is a huge advocate for inclusivity and the importance of play. She strongly believes that all children learn at their own pace and that it’s our responsibility to meet them there. [read more]

Theresa Caballero

Education Director Lincoln Square

Theresa believes that she can be the voice and advocate for children to have a childhood filled with discovery, play, and an excitement for the world. She loves bringing her creativity into the classroom by making replicas of real-life elements, like building a huge bird’s nest for the kids out of a small children’s pool.[read more]

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Susan Bernstein

Education Director Portage Park

Susan has provided care and supportive education to Chicago’s little ones (newborn through preschool-age children) and their families for the last 20 years. She is passionate about nature-based and eco-conscious childcare and early education and focuses her time with young children and families around respectful, responsive, reciprocal, research-based practices. [read more]

Amanda Von-Ebers

Assistant Director Logan Square

Amanda’s love for nature and empowering children to be confident and courageous aligns perfectly with the SSNS philosophy. [read more]

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Brenda Quizhpi

Assistant Director Portage Park

As both a Lead Teacher and Assistant Director, Brenda is in awe every day of the growth she has experienced since working with Stepping Stones colleagues, families, and students. [read more]

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Jasmine Lusk

Assistant Director Lincoln Square

Jasmine’s goal is to take the knowledge and experience gained from the classroom into inspiring and guiding an entire school community while empowering educators to achieve their goals.[read more]

careers

Are you passionate about play based learning? Frustrated with the top down pressure of academics on early childhood education? Whether you’re an established caregiver, a director looking for a new challenge, or simply a lover of the outdoors looking to share this with our youngest citizens, we may have just the right role for you!

In return we can offer:

  • A human focused team
  • Competitive rates of pay
  • Annual bonus
  • Substantial contribution to employee health insurance
  • Company 401K
  • Tuition discount for employee’s children
  • An early childhood center that is truly developmentally appropriate
  • A woman owned business that is mission driven

Please visit our careers page to learn more.