Veronica Arriaga - Kindergarten Lead Teacher in the LIU Room (Long Island University Room)

Veronica Arriaga completed her Master of Science in Early Childhood Education at the Erikson Institute in Chicago.  She received her undergraduate degree of Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Studies from Northern Illinois University, NIU in DeKalb, Illinois.  Ms. Arriaga has teacher certifications in early elementary education (Type 04) and a transitional bilingual certification (Type 29).   

Jessica Buleje - Second Grade Lead Teacher in the NEIU Room (Northeastern Illinois University Room)

Prior to coming to Erie Charter, Jessica Buleje had been involved in youth organizing for seven years.  She has worked with youth ages 7 through 18 in different communities throughout Chicago. She has a Bachelor in Elementary Education from Northeastern Illinois University. She has worked with different elementary schools incorporating family and art projects into the school curriculum. She believes that “teachers are important keys to the decisions and actions children take-- not only in school but in their social lives and we need to be prepared with many resources.” Jessica became a Founding teacher assistant last year.   

Carmen Capotosto - First Grade Lead Teacher in the UIC Room (University of Illinois at Chicago Room)

Carmen Capotosto has a B.A. in Early Childhood Education and Spanish from Columbia College Chicago and an M.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of Texas. Carmen holds Illinois teaching certifications in Early Childhood Education and Spanish Bilingual Education. She has over four years experience as a kindergarten teacher, as well as many more years working with kids from preschool through high school. Carmen believes that every child deserves a high quality education, and that children achieve more when held to high expectations. She strives to make her class a caring, safe, and active community of learners. Carmen joined the Erie Charter School staff in spring 2007.

Yolanda is a Monterrey, Mexico native whereshe taught kindergarten for 10 years. In the U.S. she has has taught preschool in one of Chicago’s YMCA.  Currently she is one of the founding teacher assistants at EECS. She has received her Associates Degree from Augustine College in Early Childhood Education.  She believes that “children deserve the best education because they are the future.”   

Ana Maria Espina - Second Grade Spanish Teacher in the NWU Room (Northwestern University Room)

Ana Maria has received her Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from U.M.C.E. (Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación) in Santiago, Chile. Ms. Espina has a Type 29 certificate, Transitional Bilingual teaching, and a Type 39.  

Anna Franczyk - Second Grade Lead Teacher in the NWU Room (Northwestern University Room)

Anna obtained her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from DePaul University. She holds a type 03 in elementary education and a transitional bilingual certificate, type 29. Her professional goal for this academic year is to achieve National Board Certificate.       

Edith Keneipp - Kindergarten Spanish Teacher in the DPU Room (DePaul University Room)

Edith Keneipp has been involved in child care for eight years.  She has worked at El Valor with the Head Start program and at the Children’s Home and Aide Society doing social work intake for children birth through three years old.  She then worked for the Chicago Public School system as a teacher assistant in first and second grade classrooms in the Little Village neighborhood. This is Edith’s second year at EECS after becoming a founding teacher assistant last academic year. 

Gloria Ojeda - Second Grade Spanish Teacher in the NEIU Room (Northeastern Illinois Room)