Teaching Faculty

Regina Barnett is a Lecturer for the Early Childhood Education program. Her expertise is in child development, especially how it relates to creativity. Regina is a long-time author and lecturer in child creativity. She holds a Bachelor of Fine & Applied Arts Degree from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, IL.

Nijole Cijunelis’ biography is forthcoming.

Barbara Jean Ciszek is a Lecturer for the Early Childhood Education program. She serves as the Principal of the Cardinal Bernardin Early Childhood Center in Chicago and is an expert in the language and aesthetic development of the Montessori adult and child. For the past 35 years, BeeJay has served as an early childhood teacher, consultant, and administrator in both Montessori and non-Montessori environments. She holds AMS credentials in both Infant & Toddler Education and Early Childhood Education. BeeJay received a B.A. in Elementary Education from Loyola University in Chicago, IL and an M.A. in Early Childhood Development and a CAS in School Administration from Concordia University in River Forest, IL.

Julie Eskenazi

Please see Julie’s biography here.

Meg Fedorowicz is a Lecturer for the Early Childhood Education program. She focuses her teaching on geography, history, and the sciences. Since 1996, Meg has served as the head teacher for a class of children ages 9 to 12 at the Meadow Montessori School in Monroe, MI. Prior to this, she taught children ages 3 to 6 for fourteen years at the Meadow School and at the Giving Tree Montessori School in Detroit, MI. Meg holds an AMS credential in Early Childhood Education, and she received a B.A. in Studio Art from Oakland University in Rochester, MI, and a M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Siena Heights University in Adrian, MI.

Carolina's biography is forthcoming.

Jeff Keiser

Please see Jeff’s biography here.

Maryte Kucinas’ biography is forthcoming.

Marcia's biography is forthcoming.

Eva Parrucci

Please see Eva's biography here.

Anna P. Perry

Please see Anna’s biography here.

Celma P. Perry

Please see Celma’s biography here.

Desmond F. Perry

Please see Desmond’s biography here.

Drina Madden is a Lecturer with the Early Childhood Education program. She is an expert on child psychological development, focusing on brain development, current brain-behavior theory, and applications of child psychology within the Montessori environment. Away from MECA, Drina serves as a neurodevelopmental specialist, working with children who have brain-behavior difficulties that interfere with school and/or life functioning. She has a lifelong dedication to children, and at various stages has served their needs as an elementary teacher, parent-infant directress, toddler directress, school administrator, college teacher, and family counselor. Drina holds AMS credentials in Early Childhood Education and Montessori School Administration. She received a BS in Elementary Education from Illinois State University in Normal, IL, an MA in Human Relations from Governor’s State University in Governor’s Park, IL, and a CAS in Early Childhood Special Education from Concordia University in River Forest, IL. She is a recognized play therapist and is a certified dyslexia therapist, and continues her academic studies in neuropsychology.

Karen Riggenbach’s biography is forthcoming.

Susan Tracy is a Lecturer in the Infant & Toddler Education program. Her areas of expertise are Montessori philosophy and application, child development, and parent education. She has served infants and toddlers as teacher for over 15 years, and she is a frequent speaker and consultant. Apart from MECA, Susan is the Director of the Learning Together Parent Education Center in Palatine, IL. She holds AMS and AMI credentials in Infant & Toddler Education. Susan received a B.A. in Psychology from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, and a M.Ed. in Education from Loyola College in Baltimore, MD.

Loreto Wille is a Lecturer in the Infant & Toddler Education and Early Childhood Education programs. Her areas of focus are educating children in practical life skills and in the development of a second language. She has served MECA as a school visitor, a presenter, and a practicum coordinator, and has 26 years of classroom experience.
Loreto holds AMS certifications in Infant & Toddler Education and in Early Childhood Education, and she received a B.A. in Psychology from National-Louis University in Chicago, IL.