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Mission Statement

At the elementary level, it is critical to develop learners who explore, inquire and are able to work collaboratively to construct knowledge and develop skills. At EECS it is not enough to learn concepts from books and memorize facts. It is necessary to approach all content areas from both a foundation of discipline-specific knowledge and an inquiry-based, hands-on approach.

Staff

Velia Soto - Assistant Principal

Velia Soto has a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master in Education from DePaul University .

She has an early childhood teaching certification and a bilingual certification. She has taught in the Chicago Public School system for five years and is one of the Founding Teachers at EECS. Velia also writes Spanish translations for a local newspaper. Her goal as a teacher is to be “a facilitator and to guide students into becoming active learners through meaningful and child centered experiences.”

Monica Garcia - Office Manager

Monica Garcia has a B.A. in Christian Education from Twin Cities Universities.
Monica worked for Erie Neighborhood House as Intake Coordinator at the Child Care Program for almost five years. Monica enjoyed working with families and assisting them with their children’s child-care needs and she now has the opportunity to assist them with their educational needs. Monica believes that “the younger the child is, greater is the responsibility for the community to raise him.” This is where EECS will make a difference.

Rocio Garcia – Receptionist

Rocio was born and raised in Chicago’s South Side and attended Chicago Public Schools Kindergarten through high school. She has gained experience working as a volunteer in different community organizations and with non-profit, student-based groups at DePaul University. Throughout her experiences, Rocio has learned the importance of community, which she brings to EECS. Rocio is pursuing an undergraduate degree in Latin American-Latino Studies.

Mauricio Suarez – Custodian

Before coming to Erie Elementary Charter School , Mauricio had already been employed by Erie Neighborhood House. At the Center, he insured that the children, teachers and visitors worked together in a comfortable and safe learning environment. He recommends to all parents that, "they have an open communication with their children, but more than anything, to listen to them". Mauricio says that he and the EECS team have been, "working very hard and it will reflect in a school of excellence and advancement".

Francisco Arellano - Maintenance

Teachers and Classrooms

Kindergarten Long Island University Room

Ana Maria Espina - Lead Teacher

Veronica Arriaga - Spanish Teacher

Kindergarten DePaul Room

Lindsey Basconi - Lead Teacher

Gloria Del Toro - Spanish Teacher

First Grade University of Illinois at Chicago

Carmen Capotosto - Lead Teacher

Violeta Rivera - Spanish Teacher

First Grade Loyola Room