Miss Tara Schroeder - Administrator

Miss Tara graduated with an Associates Degree in Child Development from Carl Sandburg College, and has been employed with EEC since joining our Infant/Toddler team in December of 2009. Miss Tara became the Director at EEC in 2010, and has over 13 years of experience caring for and educating young children! Tara and her family live in Mackinaw.

  Miss Kari Nelson - Infant Lead Teacher

Miss Kari joined EEC in March 2009, as a co-lead teacher in our Infant/Toddler Room. Since, Miss Kari has taken over the lead position in our Infant Room and uses her past years of daycare experience in creating a fabulous curriculum for our youngest children! Miss Kari holds an Associates in Arts & Science Degree from Illinois Central College.

Mrs. Terri Long - Infant Assistant Teacher

Miss Terri joined EEC in August 2011, as an assistant in our Infant/Toddler Room. She has years of infant care experience and previously cared for children in her home. Miss Terri, her husband, and their two daughters live in Mackinaw.

 Mrs. Nicole Nowack - Toddler Lead Teacher

Miss Nicole joined EEC in August 2011 as an assistant in our preschool classroom. Since then, she has taken a liking to our younger classrooms. Miss Nicole has a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Eastern Illinois University. Miss Nicole and her husband live in Bloomington. 

Miss Cheyanne Lawson - Toddler Assistant Teacher

Miss Cheyanne joined EEC in August 2011, and looks forward to spending time with our "Terrific Toddlers." After graduating from Dee-Mack High School in 2009, Miss Cheyanne attended ICC for graphic design before deciding to take some time off to pursue a change in career direction. Miss Cheyanne has an older brother and two younger brothers, and has lived in Mackinaw all her life.

Mrs. Cari Shorter - Twos Lead Teacher

Miss Cari joined EEC in November 2011 as a substitute. She soon after began as the lead in our Two's Room. Miss Cari has a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and has completed 33 hours towards a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. Miss cari lives in East Peoria with her husband, Jared and their dog, Lexi.

Miss Katie Cobb - Twos Assistant Teacher

Miss Katie joined our staff while attending school at Dee-Mack in August 2010. Since then, Miss Katie graduated from high school and continued full-time as an assistant in many of our classrooms. Miss Katie plans to attend college with a possible major in Early Childhood Education. Miss Katie lives with her parents and two siblings in Heritage Lake.

Mrs. Donna Frey - 04 Certified Preschool Teacher

Mrs. Frey graduated with a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Governor's State University, and has been employed with EEC since September 2008. She lives in Canton with her husband and five sons.

Mrs. Janet Armbrust - Preschool Assistant Teacher

Miss Janet joined EEC in May 2007, and brings 20 years of experience working with children in daycares. She has worked with all ages at EEC, and now assists in our preschool classrooms. Miss Janet graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fine Arts from Illinois State University, with concentrations in Illustration and Visual Communication. She is a published Illustrator, and when she's not teaching children at EEC, Miss Janet works independently, creating children's educational workbooks.
Miss Janet lives in Heritage Lake with her husband and three children.

Mrs. Tina Denny - 04 Certified Preschool Teacher

 Miss Tina graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in both French and International Business from Illinois State University. She most recently has recieved her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. Miss Tina has been a teacher with EEC since October 2006, and lives in Mackinaw with her husband and two sons.

Mrs. Nicole Herrmann - 04 Certified Preschool Teacher

Miss Nicole joined our staff in August 2011 as a lead preschool teacher. Miss Nicole graduated from ISU with a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, an endorsement in Special Education and a minor in Speech Pathology. Miss Nicoel lives in Peoria with her husband.

Miss Kimberly Bigelow - Assistant Teacher, Preschool

Miss Kim joined EEC in October 2011. She has an Associate's Degree in Special Education and plans to return for her Bachelor's Degree. Miss Kim lives in Eureka with her family.

Mrs. Samantha Johnston - School Age Teacher

Miss Sam joined EEC in November 2010. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance from Saint Mary's University. Miss Sam taught in several of our classrooms through out our center. Miss Sam currently lives in Bloomington with her husband.

Miss Lindsay Larimore - Float

Miss Lindsay joined EEC in 2008 as a student teaching asssitant. She graduated from Dee-Mack High School in May, 2010 and currently attends ICC for Sign Language Interpretation. Miss LIndsay lives in Mackinaw with her family.

Miss Lydia Zehr - Float

Miss Lydia joined EEC in July 2010. Miss Lydia graduated from Dee-Mack High School in May, 2011. She currently is attending ICC for teaching. Miss Lydia lives here in Mackinaw with her family.

Miss Sadie Navas - Afternoon Teacher Assistant

Miss Sadie joined EEC in December 2011 and  is currently a senior at Washington Community High School, where she has taken Child Development classes and helped teach a preschool class. Miss Sadie lives in Washington with her family.

Miss Lorie Bruer - Cook

Miss Lorie joined EEC in August 2011. She previously cooked at a bed and breakfast in Bloomington. She has 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren. Miss Lorie lives in Danvers with her dog, Charlie.

Miss Karen Kelleher - Human Resources

Miss Karen joined EEC in November 2011 as an intern towards a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. She took over our human resources department soon there after. She has previously worked in Restaurant Management and Tax Preparartion. Miss Karen and her daughter live in Mackinaw.