Our Amazing Staff

Director

Cathy holds Bachelor’s Degrees from Iowa State University in Elementary Education and Child Development and a Master’s Degree in Special Education from National-Louis University. She started at Barbereux in 1992, teaching preschool and kindergarten for ten years and serving as Director of Barbereux for four years. She is also Director of Curriculum.

It was Cathy’s work that led to the initial and continued renewal of NAEYC accreditation for The Barbereux School. She is the parent of one teenage son.

Admissions Director and Administrative Assistant

Maria became part of the Barbereux family when her older son joined the Preschool class in 2000 – and she never left, volunteering to help at events through the years and serving on the Board.  Her younger son followed in the footsteps of his brother five years later, and both sons treasure their four years at Barbereux.  She has worked in various capacities at The Center for Gifted / Midwest Torrance Center for Creativity since 1986, including teacher, Site Director, Associate Director, Board Member, and Treasurer.  She earned her doctorate from the University of Chicago, where she wrote her dissertation on William Rainey Harper’s inductive method of teaching.

Preschool Teacher

Leslie joined the Barbereux School in the fall of 1995. Since that time she has served as classroom teacher, Assistant Director, Curriculum Director, Camp Director and educational consultant. Currently, she is happy to be back in the classroom helping to create a child-centered environment for our youngest students.

Leslie has a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from Northeastern Illinois University with an emphasis in Child Development. She also holds a Preschool-8th Grade Elementary Teaching Certificate.

Leslie enjoys singing, reading, creating and learning with our preschoolers and is the mother of two children.

Preschool Teacher

Sarah Wenning joined Barbereux in 2024 after teaching in early childhood throughout the North Shore, serving as both a lead preschool teacher as well as an Early Childhood Camp Director for both public and private preschools. She is happiest sitting on the floor reading, singing, doing art and just engaging with young children. With her creativity, sense of humor and overall passion for early childhood, she is very at home with early learners. Sarah received her Bachelor’s Degree from Michigan State University. She then received her Associate’s Degree in Advanced Early Childhood Education and Administration from Oakton College. While not working, Sarah enjoys gardening, decorating, yoga and swimming. She currently resides in Evanston with her family including a daughter, two rescue dogs and a Russian tortoise. Sarah and her family are all animal enthusiasts.

Preschool Teacher

Maliha Haq-Clark is excited to start her first year this Fall at the Barbereux School as a preschool teacher. She has had over fifteen years of experience working at various preschools in Chicago after graduating from DePaul University with a Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education. Maliha has been living in Evanston for two years with her husband Roberto, and daughter, Cataleya. In her spare time, Maliha likes to run, read, and watch movies as well as going on bike rides and playing tennis with her family.

Jr. Kindergarten Teacher

Gail joined The Barbereux School in June of 2017.  She taught Preschool for 17 years in prekindergarten and Head Start programs in DuPage county and the City of Chicago.  She also taught at the San Francisco State University Associated Students Children’s Center for two years. While working at San Francisco State she supervised student teachers who were working toward a degree in Early Childhood Education.  Gail received a Bachelor of Arts degree at Northeastern Illinois University and a Master of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and a teaching certificate at Erikson Institute. Gail resides in Des Plaines Illinois with her daughter, Sarah.

Jr. Kindergarten Teacher

Mariam has always worked with children in various ways such as babysitting full time, youth groups at church, and a Montessori class room.  She is currently at Northeastern University in the process of earning a degree in teaching preschool through middle school. Trilingual, she speaks Assyrian, Arabic, and English.  She is very caring and enjoys making people’s days brighter.  In her spare time she enjoys going to the skate park, working out, spending time with family and friends, and listening to podcasts.  She loves seeing children learn new things and the excitement that it brings them.  Mariam finds inspiration every day through working with the children and knowing that she is a part of their first school experience.

Jr. Kindergarten Teacher

Ana Jurado was born and raised in Mexico, where she was inspired to become a teacher at a very young age. She has a Psychology and Philosophy academic background. Ana is a current member of the Waldorf Spanish Teachers Association. She feels honored and blessed to be able to bring her love for the Spanish language and learning into the classroom. Ana resides in Evanston with her husband and two children. In her spare time, one may find Ana singing in a choir, reading, or making hand crafts.

Kindergarten / 1st Grade Teacher

Patrick Blades, lead teacher, was born and raised in Evanston. He graduated from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and later completed his Master’s Degree in Education with an Elementary Teaching certificate from DePaul University. 

Prior to starting at Barbereux in 2008, he taught English in South Korea, was a preschool teacher and worked for two years at Middleton Elementary School in Skokie as a Special Educational Associate Teacher. He currently resides in Skokie with his wife, Sung Min, and his son Soohyung.

Kindergarten / 1st Grade Teacher

Cathy holds Bachelor’s Degrees from Iowa State University in Elementary Education and Child Development and a Master’s Degree in Special Education from National-Louis University. She started at Barbereux in 1992, teaching preschool and kindergarten for ten years and serving as Director of Barbereux for four years. She is also Director of Curriculum.

It was Cathy’s work that led to the initial and continued renewal of NAEYC accreditation for The Barbereux School. She is the parent of one teenage son.

Kindergarten / 1st Grade Teacher

Edward recently completed his undergraduate degree at Knox College in Music Education.

For his student teaching, he studied under Katy Sinclair and Hsing-Huei Huang in the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools Choir Program. Edward is excited to return to Barbereux, being a former student himself.  He spends his free time playing video games or Magic the Gathering. He has a two-year old Shar Pei named Ajay.

Ana Jurado was born and raised in Mexico, where she was inspired to become a teacher at a very young age. She has a Psychology and Philosophy academic background. Ana is a current member of the Waldorf Spanish Teachers Association. She feels honored and blessed to be able to bring her love for the Spanish language and learning into the classroom. Ana resides in Evanston with her husband and two children. In her spare time, one may find Ana singing in a choir, reading, or making hand crafts.

Kelly Brand studied piano at the U of I in Champaign/ Urbana where she received a B.S. in Music Education and has been an active performer on the Chicago Jazz scene over the years playing at frequent clubs and a multitude of concerts showcasing her many talents!   Kelly is also an experienced teacher and clinician. She has taught privately for 2 decades and her accomplishments include: The Merit School of Music, The Ravinia Music Discovery Program, and The Chicago Schools with Pangaea.

Mary Bell is a Reggio-inspired teacher, coach, and consultant. Throughout her decades of working with young children, she has been inspired by their creativity and curiosity, their challenging questions, and their innate wisdom. And, they have taught her essential truths of living a life of joy and fulfillment. Her philosophy is guided by the work of Dewey, Piaget, Vygotsky, Gardner, and the schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. The values and attitudes of respect, collaboration, curiosity, and creativity infuse my approach to teaching. She has worked with educators, children, and families as a classroom teacher, studio art teacher, preschool director, university faculty member, and consultant. (You may enjoy visiting her website: marybellinspiredbychildren.com)

Micayla Hancock joined the Barbereux staff in November 2022 and is an alumna of the school. She is currently a Senior at Northeastern Illinois University getting her BA in Special Education with an endorsement in teaching English as a second language. She previously attended Oakton Community College and earned an Associate’s Degree in Arts. She helped to raise her younger brother, was a camp counselor, and took all the child development courses offered at ETHS, including observing and making lesson plans for their daycare. She has always been especially interested in helping and supporting children who may need more individual attention and support. In her free time, she enjoys reading, working out, being outdoors, and spending time with her family and friends. She is excited to be working as a teacher’s aide and watching how the students grow throughout the year.

Gwen Burns is an experienced early childhood teacher. Her educational philosophy concerns supporting children as they learn to self-regulate themselves in a classroom setting. Adapting to rules and listening and following directions are important skills to learn, but children also have to understand their own feelings, the feelings of other children, and how to express those feelings in appropriate ways. As a trusted adult, her goal is to listen to children, assist them in expressing themselves, and respond to them in a caring manner.

Marya Frankel began her career as a freelance writer and junior high teacher. Then while raising her six children, she became very active in helping in their classrooms and volunteering for various Evanston organizations. She has been a reading tutor and creative writing teacher and helped kickstart an after-school culinary program. She has a BA in English Literature and an MA in Elementary Education, both from the University of Illinois.

Joyce Parker started working at Barbereux in January 2021. She has worked with children in different preschools, students with disabilities, and as a one-on-one aide with elementary students with autism. She graduated from Western Governors University with a BA in Elementary and Special Education. She lives in Chicago with her husband Dan and ten-year-old son Luca.

Marjan Rashidi is a dedicated student currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in education. A graduate of Regina Dominican High School, she is passionate about fostering learning and development in young minds. Bilingual in Farsi and English, Marjan values cultural diversity and strives to create inclusive environments.