Director of Publications
Lynne Hartzer
publications@grayslake-coop.com

Director of Special Events

Kimberly Jensen

events@grayslake-coop.com

Co-Director of Ways and Means 
Theresa Matsunaga and Jennifer Kilmer
fundraising@grayslake-coop.com

Director of Public Relations  
Amy Shriberg
PR@grayslake-coop.com

Webmaster  
Sean McWard
webmaster@grayslake-coop.com

Our experienced and friendly staff is dedicated to supporting the development of all children. Our teachers and support staff use proven methodologies and a highly-effective curriculum to help children grow academically, socially, and physically. We participate in professional development in order to improve our skills and offer a better learning experience for the children.

Director Heather Weber

director@grayslake-coop.com

4/5 Teacher Peggy Otten

otten@grayslake-coop.com

4/5 Asst. Susan Lawrence
lawrence@grayslake-coop.com

3/4 Teacher Lauren Chrzanowski
chrzanowski@grayslake-coop.com

3/4 Teacher Melissa Carnes
carnes@grayslake-coop.com

3/4 Asst. Jen Truss
truss@grayslake-coop.com

2/3 Teacher Christy Floriani
floriani@grayslake-coop.com

Teacher Bios

Peggy Otten

Peggy has been with the Grayslake Cooperative Nursery School for fifteen years total - first as a director and now as a teacher for the past ten.  A Grayslake resident for seventeen years, she has three children, all of whom attended the Co-Op.  As evident from her GCNS experience, Peggy firmly believes in the philosophy of our school! 

Mrs. Otten has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, as well as training in Early Childhood education, from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.  She began her teaching career at Lake Forest Country Day School in Lake Forest, IL where she taught kindergarten, first and third grades.  After five years, Peggy took a leave of absence to begin her beautiful family.  After which, she joined the Co-Op as director.

Ever since she can remember, Mrs. Otten has wanted to be a teacher.  She idolized her first grade teacher and was inspired by all that she learned in and outside of the classroom.  Peggy delights in watching her students grow socially and academically — many of whom remember her fondly well into their high school years and beyond! 

Lauren Chrzanowski

Lauren got her BA in elementary education from North Central College and her MEd in Curriculum and Instruction from National-Louis University. She taught preschool while in college and then taught 1st grade for several years, including two years at Prairie Crossing Charter School, before becoming a full time stay at home mom.  Mrs. Chrzanowski lives with her husband and four young children.  Lauren comes from a family of teachers and has always loved working and spending time with children. She believes students learn best by doing and integrates lots of different subject areas into her teaching. Her classroom is a place where children work together and have fun. 

Melissa Carnes

Melissa is a newcomer to the GCNS philosophy.  Her experience teaching at St Patrick’s Catholic School in Wadsworth has prepared her for our family centered nursery school.  After enjoying nine years as a full time mom to two wonderful children, she is looking forward to getting back into the classroom.  Melissa has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Illinois State University.  She started teaching pre-kindergarten at Good Shepherd in Peoria.  Shortly after relocating to Grayslake, she began teaching full day kindergarten at St. Pats.  Melissa also taught in their preschool program while starting her family.  Her love of the early learner is evident in her child centered classroom.  She enjoys the excitement children bring every day as they experience playtime with new friends, create projects at their level and participate in exciting learning activities. 

Christy Floriani

Christy joins the Grayslake Cooperative Nursery School as an alumni parent. She is a graduate of The University of Virginia where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Masters of Teaching in Elementary Education. She taught 3^rd grade in Virginia immediately after college. Upon returning to Illinois, she taught 2^nd grade in Glencoe. She has resided in Gurnee for the past 13 years with her husband and two school-aged children, both of whom attended GCNS.

Ms. Floriani knew from a young age that she wanted her career to involve working with children.  She spent her days off from school accompanying her mom to her preschool teaching position in Des Plaines.  While there, she helped the children, created posters, prepared crafts, and put up bulletin boards.  Many of her family members are also in the field of education and she believes that it is “in her blood” to teach.

Christy is thrilled to be a member of the teaching team at GCNS.  She looks forward to helping each child grow socially and academically in her classroom, as well as providing a fun, safe, and positive first school experience!