Preschool Teacher Bios

Beth Denton is very excited to working with the Park District as a preschool teacher at the Learning Tree Preschool. Beth has a Bachelor’s of Science in Education from Northern Illinois University and specializes in Special Education and Social Sciences, and has graduate credits in Early Childhood Education. She first became interested in working with young children and children with disabilities while employed at the Museum of Science and Industry and working in the Idea Factory exhibit.
Beth student-taught at Ridge Circle Elementary in Streamwood, IL working with K-6 students with learning disabilities and autism. Beth is a native of Homewood and is excited to be working at the Marie Irwin Center, where she participated in classes and recitals as a child. In her spare time Beth enjoys crocheting, writing essays for craft books, and has recently become a volunteer at Cat Habitat, a shelter operating out of the Homewood Petco.

DEBBIE ROOKE
Debbie was born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She now resides in Glenwood. Debbie has been married for 34 years and has a son and a daughter.
 Debbie has an associate’s degree in education with an emphasis in math. She has worked with children for over 16 years. She is starting her 9th year at the Learning Tree following 7 years working in Special Ed for School District 167. Debbie enjoys the “light bulb” moments of teaching and all the things she gets back from the students.
When not at the Learning Tree, Debbie enjoys traveling, going to the beach and working in the garden.

PETRA LINSCHOTEN      
Petra grew up in Flossmoor and still resides there. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin. Happily married for 22 years, Petra has two lovely kids.

Petra has been teaching for five years and enjoys it because everyday is new and different. The excitement of working, teaching and playing with kids gives her the desire to come to work each and everyday. She has now been with The Learning Tree Preschool for four years and loves the unity. Before that Petra taught at Harvard Private School in Chicago for two years.

Patricia is looking forward to working with the students in her class.  Patricia and her husband have been residents of Homewood for the past 20 years.  She has a daughter attending Western Illinois University.
Patricia has a Masters Degree in Library Science from the University of Michigan.  She has over 20 years of teaching experience and recently retired from School District 147.  While working as a school librarian she has worked with children as young as preschool and taught at the university level.  
In her free time Patricia enjoys reading and traveling.  She also stays active by practicing Chi Gong.

KIEASHA HILL
Ms. Kieasha grew up in the south suburban area and currently resides in Hazel Crest.  She has a Bachelors degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and is working on her Masters in Human Resource Management.  Previously she has worked as a teacher and assistant director of a childcare center. Ms. Kieasha and her son enjoy playing outside and reading together.

TANIA POPP
Ms. Tania grew up in Chicago, and now resides in Lansing.  She has been happily married for 11 years, and has 4 daughters, two sets of twins. She attended Benedictine University in Lisle, IL, where she received her Bachelors of Science in Mathematics.   Ms. Tania initially began working with young children by volunteering for a Head Start program.  Shortly thereafter, she taught preschool for 2 years in Lansing before coming to The Learning Tree.  In her spare time she enjoys swimming, baking, and taking my children to extracurricular activities.

STEPHANIE NEUFELD
Stephanie was raised in Homewood, and currently resides in Tinley Park. She attended the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah Georgia and received a Bachelors in Fine Arts. Stephanie taught art at the high school level before she began working  for the Homewood Flossmoor Park District. She has directed the middle school summer camp “Community Kids” for the park district for the past two years and also manages one of the AM Club/Extra Inning sites for School district 161. In her spare time she enjoys being with friends and family.