NCNS has a highly qualified and dedicated staff of teachers all with over five years of experience teaching at NCNS. Many have taught at the school for over 15 years. The staff attends a variety of seminars and workshops throughout the year to remain current with early childhood education trends and practices. All teachers are certified in CPR and First Aid.

  Ilene Alpert

Ilene Alpert joined the NCNS staff in November of 2000 to teach Early Threes and provide inclusion assistance and support in a 3-year-old classroom. She has 19 years of experience with all ages and developmental levels. She also has experience teaching children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Ilene graduated from the University of Illinois in Chicago with a B.A. in Elementary Education and Special Education, with a concentration in EMH and TMH. Ilene has completed 20 additional hours in Early Childhood Education. Previous to teaching at NCNS, Ilene taught Mom and Tot classes and a 3-year-old program in Glencoe, Illinois.

Since she has been with NCNS, Ilene has taught in all of our classes. Presently she teaches both Early Threes and Four Day Fours.

  Julie Crowe

Julie Crowe started teaching at NCNS in 1995. She is currently teaching a 4 day 4-year-old class and has previously taught the 3-year-old classes. Before becoming a classroom teacher, Julie was the Lunch Bunch instructor and a substitute teacher at NCNS.

Julie holds a B.S. degree in Psychology from Western Illinois University. She has two children who are both NCNS alums.

  Mindy Koehler

Mindy Koehler joined NCNS in 1995 as a teacher in our Lunch Bunch program. During the past four years, she has taught both the three and four-year-old classes. This year, Mindy is teaching the four day threes and Kindergarten Enrichment program.

Mindy holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Northeastern University, with a minor in Hospital Play Therapy. Both of her children are graduates of Northbrook Community Nursery School.

  Linda Peters

Linda Peters came to NCNS in 1997 as a practicum student from the Early Childhood Education program at Oakton Community College. She did her practicum in the 3 day 3-year-old class and worked as an assistant teacher in the Early Threes program. After graduating with a degree in Early Childhood Education in 1999, Linda began co-teaching the 3 day Threes. She is teaching two Early 3’s classes this year.

  Alison Poklop

Alison Poklop has been an active member of NCNS for several years. While her children attended the school, she served on the Board of Directors first as Administrative Assistant, then as Enrollment Chair, and finally as President.

Alison has been teaching at NCNS for five years. She started as the Lunch Bunch instructor for and is now in her second year of teaching the 4-year-old class. Alison has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and eighteen hours in Early Childhood Education. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in teaching.

  Cynthia Pollak

Cynthia Pollak has been working at NCNS since 1994 and has taught Parent-Tot, Lunch Bunch, and 3-year-old and 4-year-old classes. This year, she is teaching 4 day 4-year-olds.

Cynthia has an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Before joining NCNS, she was a Sunday school teacher for children with Down Syndrome and a Sunday School Superintendent. Cynthia has also created a successful neighborhood summer program in Evanston and volunteered in a safe house for mothers and children.

  Helen Rivkin

This is Helen Rivkin’s 17th year teaching at NCNS and she currently teaches the 4 day 3-year-olds. She has previously taught 4-year-olds and 3-year-olds in a mixed age group.

Helen has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois in Elementary Education with some hours towards a Master’s degree. Before joining NCNS, she taught 2nd and 3rd grades as an educational aide at Greeley School in Winnetka where she participated in the Reggio Emilio approach to Early Childhood Education. Additionally, Helen has taken several early childhood classes in the past few years at a local college.

  Carolyn Rosenthal

Carolyn Rosenthal has been a teacher at NCNS for ten years where she has worked with a variety of age groups, including the Early Threes, 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds, and the Parent-Tot class. She is currently teaching the 5 day 4-year-old class.

Carolyn graduated from Drake University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She has an additional 6 hours in Early Childhood, post graduate. Carolyn is actively involved in the Northbrook community and served on the NCNS Board before becoming an NCNS teacher. Her three children are all NCNS alums.

  Helaine Schreiber

This is Helaine Schreiber’s 11th year at NCNS. She is currently teaching a 4 day 4-year-old class and an Early 3-year-old class. Before coming to NCNS, Helaine taught preschool in Evanston for 4 years. During her teaching career, she has taught all age groups, including a Moms and Tots program and a mixed age group class.

Helaine graduated from Hofstra University with a B.A. in English and a minor in Education. Recently, she completed a program of 21 credit hours that culminated with a degree in Early Childhood Education: Administration.