Our staff truly enjoy teaching and watching children grow and thrive. With the help of our gifted teachers and assistants, our students feel loved, wanted, and secure.

Julie Young,

Director

Since 2000, I have worked in various roles as a teacher at The Neighborhood Preschool. Both of my children attended preschool here and we have been very blessed by the preschool ministry. I seek to encourage and build up the families we serve. I love to teach children that learning is fun and that even as adults we are still learning new things. God has used hard times over the years to grow my faith. I am thankful for the dear friends and family who have shaped me into the person I am today by sharing their faith and God’s love with me.

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of that which we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

Cheri Faulkner,

Teacher

I have been with The Neighborhood Preschool since 2006. I taught in the 2’s and 3’s for 6 years, then moved to the VPK class. After 5 years in VPK, I had the opportunity to come back to my beginning - the 2’s and 3’s. No matter the age, I love watching the personalities that develop, and all of the learning that happens in these years. I am privileged to be here, and hope to share a little of Jesus’ love along the way. My youngest attended TNP, and still has great memories of her time here.

“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” Matthew 6:28-30

Janice Sotolongo, Assistant

Heather Tindel,

Teacher

I have been working at The Neighborhood Preschool since 2012. First as the Aftercare teacher, then as a teacher's assistant in the two and the three year old classes. In 2017, I became the lead teacher of the three year old class. Taking care of young children is my passion. I started volunteering in the nursery and Vacation Bible School at church in middle school. I also volunteered at The Neighborhood Preschool in middle school and high school. I worked as an AWANA Cubbies leader after high school and I am currently volunteering for the Kids Wednesday Night program at church as well as the Kids Sunday School program.

I strive to show Christ’s love to all the children that come under my care by living out 1 Corinthians 13.

Barbara Perley, Assistant

This is my first year at Neighborhood Preschool and I am very excited to be a part of it.  I am enjoying getting to know my co-workers, parents, and children. Children of all ages have always been my passion.  Their exuberance and zest for life energizes me.  In the past I have taught kindergarten through the fifth grade. When I am not here, I am in Chicago spending time with my adult twin daughters. Romans 8:28 revolutionized my life.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

Adriana Illick, Teacher

I am delighted and oh so blessed to be working with your little ones alongside our beautiful ministry at The Neighborhood Preschool. I am a wife and mother of three children aged 15, 11 and 6. The Lord waited patiently for me to return to His will for me and at the right time he unfolded His plan, for me to teach His little children in the greatest language of all: His Language, that which is LOVE: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind',  ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ - Mathew 22:37, 39. I am thankful for His abundant grace in entrusting me with your smallest but greatest treasures on this Earth. It is such a delight watching them thrive and grow in His love. I am now truly living my best dream! As for later days I pray they will remember me as a gentle, loving presence that watered and nourished their early days in their journey with The Lord.

"But now faith, hope, and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is LOVE" -1st Corinthians 13:13

Susana Alvarado, Assistant

I’m so happy to be working at the Neighborhood Preschool. During my time working here, I have loved working with the children, meeting their wonderful parents and families, and working alongside the teachers. I know this will be a great year, with many to come.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Karen Sullivan, Assistant

This is my second year at The Neighborhood Preschool. I taught VPK for 10 years up in New York state before moving down to Florida and becoming a sub. I enjoy working with children and seeing them grow and develop to their potential. I also teach a 2 year old Sunday School class every week.

    I am married and have 4 grown children and 3 grandchildren. I enjoy reading, walking and gardening in my free time. I get together with my ladies' Bible study when I'm not subbing and I enjoy my time in God's word corporately in group study and in individual study.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Laura Himschoot,

Director’s Assistant

I have always loved working with children, and was so excited to join The Neighborhood Preschool family in 2013. I assisted in the three year old class for two years before becoming the lead teacher for one year. My husband joined the Army in 2017 and we have been a bit transitory for the last few years, but I am so glad to be back and a part of the TNP family again.

A verse that has grounded me through some of our family’s recent life changes has been Hebrews 10:23, “Let us hold on firmly to the hope we profess, because we can trust God to keep his promise.”