Quick Links

• Region 32 Media Coverage

• Region 32 Facebook Group

• Past Council Meeting Notes

• View Regional Data Report (IECAM)

• Frequently Asked Questions

Action Council Members

• Chrissy Nojd, Reflections in Bloom, Independent Infant and Early Childhood Mental Consultant

• Cindi Schimmelpfennig, Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene, Children's Pastor

• Cindy Luzeniecki, Child & Family Connections, Service Inc. of Illinois, LIC Coordinator

• Holly Knupp, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative

• James Duggan, Bourbonnais School District, Assistant Superintendent

• Kailee Zito, Kankakee Health Department, Health Promotion Coordinator

• Lovice Brinkman, Early Intervention, Service Coordinator

• Mandy Jones-Fischer, Certified Threaplay (R) Practitioner, Supervisor, Trainer

• Mary Self, Project Sun, Consultant

• Mary Tillery, Mary's Little Lambs Early Learning Center, Director & Owner

• Megan Campbell, Rise and Thrive Wellness, Owner/CEO/Therapist

• Morgan Hamblen, Iroquois Mental Health Center, Licensed Professional Counselor & Director of Child and Adolescent Program

• Penny Greenlee, Salvation Army, Youth Specialist Director

• Rhonda Showers, Peoples Church & Project Sun, Family Liaison & Director of Mental Health Network

• Rosemary Pistorius, Threaplay, Consultant

• Ruthann Pinnow, Retired, Pre-K/Preschool for All Teacher

• Shari Sodman, Bright Horizons, Center Director

• Sheree Sykes, Catholic Charities Early Education, Staff

• Travis Findlay, Iroquois County CUSD 9, Student Services Director & Wanda Kendall Principal

• Tyler Kehoe-Reynolds, JumpStart/Easter Seals, Lead Home Visitor Data Systems

Family Council Members

• Ali Denault, Bourbonnais (Kankakee County)

• Alison Chandler, Kankakee (Kankakee County)

• Ami Kring, St. Anne (Kankakee County)

• Cheme Williams, Kankakee (Kankakee County)

• Hailey Siegel, Watseka (Iroquois County)

• Jamiliah Rivera, Bourbonnais (Kankakee County)

• Karen McMillan, Momence (Kankakee County)

• Kasira Potts, Kankakee (Kankakee County)

• Katelyn Graf, Crescent City (Iroquois County)

• Lacethia Harris, Kankakee (Kankakee County)

• Mariah Sumowski, Manteno (Kankakee County)

• Rosalia Pizano, Kankakee (Kankakee County)

Liz Gibson

Elizabeth (Liz) A. Gibson (she/her) is the Regional Manager for Region 32. Liz spent the last 15 years working in the public school system focusing on Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Her prior experiences include classroom teaching, working as a District Learning Partner/Coach, and serving as Assistant Principal and Director of Early Childhood Education. Liz brings experience with state and federal grants including Head Start, Preschool For All, Preschool For All Expansion, and Prevention Initiative. She also serves on many local and state councils and organizations in her area. She has a servant's heart and continues to advocate for the needs of parents, students, and family units. 

Liz holds a Bachelor of Art in Elementary Education from Olivet Nazarene University. She also holds a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a second master's degree in School Improvement Leadership (Type 75) from Olivet Nazarene University. Liz is married to her college sweetheart and has one daughter. When Liz is not spending time with her family and friends or serving local organizations, she is very involved in her church and assists weekly in the Church Nursery. Liz enjoys entertaining friends, cooking and listening to educational podcasts. 

Kennilyn Hickory

Kennilyn Hickory (she/her) is the Family & Community Engagement Specialist for Region 32. Over the last 35 years, Kennilyn has worked in almost every aspect of Early Childhood Education. She began her career as a paraprofessional and over time worked as a home-based teacher, classroom teacher, family support specialist, and most recently as an administrator for family support and engagement. Kennilyn has worked with many preschool organizations within her local community and has supported families during parent meetings, policy council meetings, and community events. Kennilyn brings with her to this role pre-existing relationships with the local health department, school districts, food banks, housing authorities, and many more community organizations.

In her free time, Kennilyn and her husband love to travel to dirt tracks to watch racing. They also enjoy relaxing on weekends at their cabin and boating with their grandkids. Kennilyn is a lifelong community member of Momence, Illinois. She has three adult children and seven grandchildren. 

Suzy Berrones

Suzy Berrones (she/her) is the Administrative Support for Region 32. She is a lifelong resident of Kankakee County. Suzy graduated from Momence High School and then worked in the Momence School District Preschool for All Program as a Bilingual Aide. She has over 15 years of administrative and customer service experience. 

Suzy is excited to work with Birth to Five Illinois, helping the families and children in her community. Outside of work, she likes to spend time with her dog child, Torreto, and two nieces. 

Enlaces

• Cobertura de prensa de la Región 32 (inglés)

• Región 32: Grupo de Facebook (inglés)

• Notas de las últimas reuniones del Comité (inglés)

• Ver Informe de Datos Regionales (IECAM) (inglés)

• Preguntas Frecuentes

Action Council Members

• Chrissy Nojd, Reflections in Bloom, Independent Infant and Early Childhood Mental Consultant

• Cindi Schimmelpfennig, Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene, Children's Pastor

• Cindy Luzeniecki, Child & Family Connections, Service Inc. of Illinois, LIC Coordinator

• Holly Knupp, Child Advocate, Parent/Family Member Representative

• James Duggan, Bourbonnais School District, Assistant Superintendent

• Kailee Zito, Kankakee Health Department, Health Promotion Coordinator

• Lovice Brinkman, Early Intervention, Service Coordinator

• Mandy Jones-Fischer, Certified Threaplay (R) Practitioner, Supervisor, Trainer

• Mary Self, Project Sun, Consultant

• Mary Tillery, Mary's Little Lambs Early Learning Center, Director & Owner

• Megan Campbell, Rise and Thrive Wellness, Owner/CEO/Therapist

• Morgan Hamblen, Iroquois Mental Health Center, Licensed Professional Counselor & Director of Child and Adolescent Program

• Penny Greenlee, Salvation Army, Youth Specialist Director

• Rhonda Showers, Peoples Church & Project Sun, Family Liaison & Director of Mental Health Network

• Rosemary Pistorius, Threaplay, Consultant

• Ruthann Pinnow, Retired, Pre-K/Preschool for All Teacher

• Shari Sodman, Bright Horizons, Center Director

• Sheree Sykes, Catholic Charities Early Education, Staff

• Travis Findlay, Iroquois County CUSD 9, Student Services Director & Wanda Kendall Principal

• Tyler Kehoe-Reynolds, JumpStart/Easter Seals, Lead Home Visitor Data Systems

Miembros del Comité Familiar

• Ali Denault, Bourbonnais (Kankakee County)

• Alison Chandler, Kankakee (Kankakee County)

• Ami Kring, St. Anne (Kankakee County)

• Cheme Williams, Kankakee (Kankakee County)

• Hailey Siegel, Watseka (Iroquois County)

• Jamiliah Rivera, Bourbonnais (Kankakee County)

• Karen McMillan, Momence (Kankakee County)

• Kasira Potts, Kankakee (Kankakee County)

• Katelyn Graf, Crescent City (Iroquois County)

• Lacethia Harris, Kankakee (Kankakee County)

• Mariah Sumowski, Manteno (Kankakee County)

• Rosalia Pizano, Kankakee (Kankakee County)

Liz Gibson

Elizabeth (Liz) A. Gibson (ella/la) es la Gerente Regional de la Región 32. Liz ha pasado los últimos 15 años trabajando en el sistema de escuelas públicas enfocándose en la educación infantil y primaria. Sus experiencias anteriores incluyen la enseñanza en el salón de clases, el trabajo como socia/entrenadora de aprendizaje del distrito y el cargo de subdirectora escolar  y directora de educación de la primera infancia. Liz aporta experiencia con subvenciones estatales y federales, incluidas Head Start, Preschool for All, Preschool for All Expansion y Prevention Initiative. También sirve en muchos consejos y organizaciones locales y estatales en su área. Ella tiene un corazón de servicio y continúa abogando por las necesidades de las familias y estudiantes.

Liz tiene una licenciatura en educación primaria de la Universidad Olivet Nazarene. También tiene una maestría en currículo e instrucción y una segunda maestría en Liderazgo para el Mejoramiento Escolar (Tipo 75) de la Universidad Olivet Nazarene. Liz está casada con su amor de la universidad y tiene una hija. Cuando Liz no está pasando tiempo con su familia y amistades o sirviendo a organizaciones locales, está muy involucrada en su iglesia y asiste semanalmente en la guardería de la iglesia. Liz disfruta de pasar tiempo con amistades, cocinar y escuchar podcasts educativos.

Kennilyn Hickory

Kennilyn Hickory (ella/la) es la Especialista en Participación Familiar y Comunitaria de la Región 32. Durante los últimos 33 años, Kennilyn ha trabajado en casi todos los aspectos de la educación infantil. Comenzó su carrera como paraprofesional y con el tiempo trabajó como maestra en el hogar, maestra de salón de clases, especialista en apoyo familiar y, más recientemente, como administradora de apoyo y participación familiar. Kennilyn ha trabajado con muchas organizaciones preescolares dentro de su comunidad local y ha apoyado a las familias durante las reuniones de padres, las reuniones del consejo de políticas y los eventos comunitarios. Kennilyn trae consigo a esta función relaciones preexistentes con el departamento de salud local, los distritos escolares, los bancos de alimentos, las autoridades de vivienda y muchas más organizaciones comunitarias.

En su tiempo libre, a Kennilyn y a su esposo les encanta viajar a pistas de tierra para ver carreras. También disfrutan relajarse los fines de semana en su cabaña y navegar con sus nietos. Kennilyn ha vivido toda su vida en Momence, Illinois. Tiene tres hijos adultos y siete nietos. 

Suzy Berrones

Suzy Berrones (ella) es el Asistente Administrativo de la Región 32. Ha sido residente de toda la vida del condado de Kankakee. Suzy se graduó de Momence High School y luego trabajó en el Programa Preescolar para Todos del Distrito Escolar de Momence como asistente bilingüe. Tiene más de 15 años de experiencia administrativa y de servicio al cliente. 

Suzy está entusiasmada de trabajar con Birth to Five Illinois, ayudando a las familias y a los niños de su comunidad. Fuera del trabajo, le gusta pasar tiempo con su hijo perro, Torreto, y sus dos sobrinas.