Robin Frisch, Early Learning Center Director and Lead Teacher, has been a member of Congregation Beth Shalom since 1995. She has worked with children and their families in various school and community settings, including Hill Middle School, DuPage Children's Museum, and Naper Settlement. Robin was also the Experience Director for MindSplash, a children's museum consulting firm.

Robin holds a Master's of Science degree in Child Development with a specialization in Administrative Leadership from Erikson Institute in Chicago, a renowned graduate school in child development. She also holds a B.S. degree in psychology from Illinois State University.

Robin is committed to creating an Early Learning Center environment that provides young children with opportunities for social, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual growth as they play, grow, and learn about their world. She - like all of our teachers - is dedicated to creating environments where children experience joy and respect as they learn and grow physically, socially, cognitively, and spiritually.

Robin and her husband Gary live in Yorkville. They have two wonderful grown children, Mara and Zach, an adorable Yorkshire Terrier, and a precious and very curious cat!

Peggy Kolar is the lead teacher for our two year old Honey Bears. As a member of Congregation Beth Shalom whose two children went through the ELC program, she knows how important a child's preschool experience can be. As a result, after her two "honey bears" began going to school full-time, she returned to the ELC as a teacher. She began as assistant teacher in the Honey Bears program before moving into her current position as lead teacher. Miss Peggy has a degree in K-9 education from Northern Illinois University and she has taken numerous supplemental classes focused on early childhood education.

Peggy lives in Naperville with her husband, two kids, and two dogs. She is a volunteer at the Naperville Area Humane Society which is a great outlet for her love of animals. Through the years she has been an active volunteer at her children's schools. Peggy also enjoys nature and the outdoors. Most importantly, she loves watching the miraculous transformation of two year old "toddlers" into three year old "children" during the course of the Honey Bear program.

Lisa Lindenman has been employed as a lead teacher and assistant for the Early Learning Center for three years. She joined Congregation Beth Shalom in 1997. Lisa enjoys working with children and has volunteered at Hobson Cooperative Nursery School, Graham Elementary School and has provided childcare in her home for many years.

Lisa was employed as a social worker for the Cook County Adult Probation Department for 15 years and holds a Bachelors Degree in Social Work from Indiana University.

Lisa and her husband Larry live in Naperville with their two children Courtney and Brent. Courtney attends Illinois State University and Brent attends Neuqua Valley High School. They also have a Welsh Corgi puppy named "Murphy".

Cindy Mikolajczyk has been an Assistant Teacher for the Honey Bears, Alef, and Bet programs since 2003. She has a degree in business and worked in an office environment for many years. After becoming a stay-at-home mom, Cindy was given many opportunities at school, church, Girl Scouts, etc. to work with children, and found it to be enjoyable and rewarding. Consequently, when Cindy returned to the working world, she actively sought a position to be able to resume her love of working with children.

Cindy resides in Naperville with her husband, Rich. Her daughter, Laura, attends the University of Iowa. Other residents include Daisy, a cherished poodle, Chili and Beans, chinchillas, and Feather, beta fish. Cindy enjoys scrapbooking, walks, has a passion for knitting, and deeply loves summer!

Melissa Winchester joined the Honey Bear classroom as assistant teacher last year. She earned her bachelor's degree in journalism from Indiana University, and worked in public relations for 10 years until becoming a stay-at-home mom.

Since moving to Naperville eight years ago with husband Jerry and sons Drew and Ryan, Melissa has stayed busy by volunteering at her sons' elementary school, being a Cub Scout Den Leader, and serving as her homeowner's association's social director. Becoming a teacher at the ELC was a dream opportunity to work with children in a fantastic, caring learning environment.