Let us bring out the SMART STUFF in you!
SMART STUFF LEARNING CENTER
NOW ENROLLING!
Smart Stuff Learning Center is a teacher owned and operated boutique full day childcare facility. Our mission is to provide superior care while meeting the needs of individual children and families.
OUR STAFF
Smart Stuff Learning Center educators are positive role models who are supportive, warm and responsive to each child.
Carla Longo McNamara
Owner and Educational Director
In 2007, Ms. Carla had the innovative idea to open Smart Stuff Learning Center and provide her community an educational center that offered affordable, creative and unique programs.
Ms. Carla received a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) in 2004, and then continued to work on her Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education at Concordia University in 2006. In 1998, Ms. Carla started working with inner city children in an America Reads program. From there, she spent 3 years doing observations in the Chicago Public School system. Her last year at UIC, she student taught at Joseph Jungman school where she was hired as an ISBE Licensed Teacher upon graduating from UIC in 2004.
Miss Erin
Assistant Director
Ms. Erin has been working at Smart Stuff Learning Center since she began her internship in May of 2013. Ms. Erin has a Bachelors of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Family Services. She also has Early Childhood Education credits from Eastern Illinois University.
Miss Cynthia
Assistant Director/Lead Bilingual Pre-K Teacher
Ms. Cynthia has been working at Smart Stuff Learning Center since October 2016. Ms. Cynthia has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from St. Augustine College and is working towards her Bachelors Degree.
Miss Diana
Lead Bilingual Toddler Teacher
Ms. Diana has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from St. Augustine College and is working towards her Bachelors Degree. She has much experience in the early childhood career field and was previously a Toddler Teacher at a Community Childcare Center as well as an Infant/Toddler Teacher at the YMCA.
Miss Caritina
Lead Bilingual Toddler Teacher
Ms. Caritina has an Associate's Degree in Child Development from St. Augustine College. Ms. Caritina has over 16 years of experience working within the early childhood career field as well as experience and training as an Assistant Director.
Miss Regina
Lead Bilingual Infant Teacher
Ms. Regina has been working at Smart Stuff Learning Center since August 2015. Ms. Regina has an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education from City Colleges of Chicago and is working towards her Bachelors Degree. Ms. Regina was also awarded the Basic Certificate for Child Development from Richard J. Daley College.
Miss Lesly
Bilingual Pre-K Support Staff
Ms. Lesly has worked at Smart Stuff Learning Center for over 2 years now. She has great experience working with children and loves attending and participating in Early Childhood Education trainings to further her knowledge in the field. She is in the process of enrolling for college to obtain a degree in Early Childhood Education.
Miss Martyna
Bilingual Toddler Support Staff
Ms. Martyna was highly recommended by two of our former Smart Stuff Learning Center families. After nannying for local families in Bridgeport, Ms. Martyna decided to pursue a career in the Early Childhood Education field. She grew up in the countryside of Lithuania and is fluent in Lithuanian.
Miss Lailanie
Bilingual Infant Support Staff
Ms. Lailanie has been working in the Early Childhood Education field for over 6 years. Ms. Lailanie has experience working as a Teacher's Assistant for infants/toddlers as well as PreK. She is fluent in three languages: Spanish, English, and Hebrew.
Miss Angel
Infant Support Staff
Ms. Angel has much experience working with infants/toddlers. Ms. Angel is a mother of three! She provides a nurturing and loving environment to all our infants and toddlers.
Miss Lisa
Floating Support Staff
Ms. Lisa has children of her own and loves spending quality time with her grandson. Ms. Lisa's experience in child development allows her to float in every classroom - working with children of all ages.
Miss Maeve
Floating Support Staff
Ms. Maeve is a student at the University of Illinois at Chicago where she is majoring in Integrated Health Studies, hoping to become a Physician Assistant. She has been helping out at Smart Stuff throughout her college career. She has experience babysitting and taking care of her nephew.
Miss Crystal
Support Staff
Ms. Crystal has great experience working with children of all ages. Ms. Crystal also has a daughter of her own! She offers support in all classroom settings.
Carla Longo McNamara Receives the
Women's Business Development Center 2016 FastTrack Award
Carla Longo McNamara, owner of Smart Stuff Educational Inc., received the FastTrack Award from the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) at the organization’s 18th Annual Early Childhood Education Entrepreneurship Expo on June 18, 2016 at the University of Illinois Forum. As a WBDC client for the past five years, McNamara has participated in its business counseling sessions and workshops, and received a WBDC micro loan to expand the capacity of her center. Since the expansion, Smart Stuff has designed a specialized infant and toddler development program that increased the number of infants and toddlers attending the center.
