If you are not on the board and are interested in attending a meeting, please contact any board member.
Parents are welcome to attend GCNS board meetings. Meetings are generally held the first Wednesday of the month (with some exceptions) at 7:00 p.m. If you have a particular concern or idea you would like to present for consideration, please feel free to contact any of the board members so the group can plan for your attendance. Or, if you prefer, drop a note into the Communications Box located outside the classroom.
This is Meredith’s third year here at GCNS, with her first two years as a parent and now as the director and parent. She received her B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois and her M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University. She began her teaching career at Woodland School in Gurnee and then moved to Buffalo Grove in order to experience a looping classroom. She fell in love with the looping philosophy and when she chose to teach in Wilmette so that she could be closer to home, she began the looping program for School District 39. After teaching there for 8 years, she then took a leave so that she could stay home and raise her two daughters, both of whom attend GCNS. She loves being a part of our cooperative preschool because it allows her to combine her two loves: her family and learning. She enjoys being a part of her children’s education and is always thrilled to watch children light up when they make a new learning connection! She has been constantly impressed with the teaching staff at GCNS and loves how children “play to learn”!
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 the social and academic growth of her students — many of whom remember her fondly well into their high school years and beyond!
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 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 third grade in Virginia immediately after college. Upon returning to Illinois, she taught second 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 inDes 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!
Susan Lawrence
3/4 Asst.
Jen Truss
2/3, 4/5 Asst.
Margaret Schrimpf
Enrichment Asst.
