Chelle Cooper
Owner and Director
Chelle Cooper has a variety of experience within the fields of education, human services, child development, and human resources. She holds bachelors degrees in Sociology and Special Education, a minor in Psychology, and has extensive graduate degree coursework in Organizational Development. Chelle also holds the following credentials through the state of Illinois (Early Childhood Education, Infant and Toddler, Illinois Directors). When she isn't busy running around with the kiddos at her center, she is spending time with her husband and five children. Family is so very important to her and is the foundation on which she runs her business and life. She also has two furry children: a dog named Rigsby, a certified therapy dog who you'll see running around and playing with the kids at the center, and a bunny named Ollie. (see Beginnings)
Jackie Wokas
Preschool teacher
Jackie has been with Life Long Learners since 2014 and is our preschool teacher. She also runs the kitchen, creating nutritious and tasty meals/snacks for the children everyday! Jackie is very active in the community, serving as a bible school teacher and child mentor in her church and a social committee chairperson in Naperville schools. She is a Girl Scout and Brownie leader, and has spent a great deal of time volunteering at the Dupage Children's Museum. She is extremely creative and spends much of her spare time preparing amazing activities for the kids. She is a busy mother of two teenagers!
Jessica Crespo
Older Infants Teacher
Jessica first began working with kids in 2012, and joined the Life Long Learners family in February of 2021. Jessica brings her baby daughter and baby son with her to learn at Life Long Learners. She earned her bachelors degree in Art Education and incorporates art into the classroom at every chance she gets. She also lived in Thailand for two years and taught English to pre-kindergarteners!
Caraline Scally
full time infant teacher
Caraline joined the team at Life Long Learners in 2016. Before starting with us, she worked as a nanny and cared for children with special needs. She is currently working towards a degree in Early Childhood Education at the College of Dupage. In all the free time she doesn't have, she coaches youth soccer. One of Caraline's many talents is drawing, and you will find her work all around our center!
Anna Garza
212 director
Anna joined our team in 2019. Now as our director at Life Long Learners 212, Anna brings a positive mindset and years of experience to our team! She has a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education and has been working with children since she graduated high school. Anna is a proud mother of two boys, Evan and Grayson, who both attend Life Long Learners. She also has a 4 legged baby - a dog named Maxie.
Theresa Brady
Pre-k teacher
Theresa has been teaching preschool since the late 1990’s. She got her bachelors in Early Childhood Education at Benedictine University and has lived in Downers Grove most of her life. Theresa took a break from teaching for a few years after she had her son, but came back and joined Life Long Learners! She also has a sweet puppy named Lucy - a black lab who loves her walks. Fun fact: Theresa taught preschool to Kenna - Chelle’s daughter - in 2006!
Donna Balek
Preschool teacher
Donna brings endless positivity to the classroom. She always tells herself - and her students - “the glass is half full and not half empty”! She grew up in a house with deaf parents and learned sign language at a young age. She utilizes this to educate the children on sign language. Donna joined our team in April of 2021 and has since incorporated sign language into daily education for her classroom. Her favorite quote from Winnie the Pooh is “Sometimes the smallest things take up the room in your heart”.