Tiwana Burns | Center Director
After graduating top of my class from Kenwood High School, I went on to Miles College in Birmingham, Alabama to pursue a degree in Early Childhood education. After completing my BA in 2001, I returned to Chicago and began gaining experience and further certification through Chicago Public Schools (CPS), National Association for the Education of Young Children, NAEYC, ELLO, QRS and the program formerly known as Head Start. I’ve known that I wanted to dedicate my life’s work to educating young children since my early days of volunteering, right here at Little People’s Learning Center, as young as 13 years old. I inherited my passion for young children from Little People’s Learning Center’s founder and first director, Rosa Thomas, affectionately known to us all here as Teacher Rosa. Not only is she my predecessor, but also my mentor. She imbued me with her love, enthusiasm and dedication. She gave tirelessly to the children and families at Little People’s and also committed herself to developing and supporting an exceptional staff. Teacher Rosa’s example is my guidepost. Equipped with her many lessons, my formal education and on-going professional development, I am determined to become a master teacher and stellar educational leader.
Little People’s Learning Center has seen a lot of growth, and a bit of “catching up” with the changing times since I became director in 2013; although, we remain firmly grounded in our roots. We exist to provide the love, care and education our children need to be healthy, happy and successful. What a joy for me to be right here where I started. What a joy for me to see the glowing faces of our students everyday, and to witness them learning and developing in leaps and bounds! What a joy to work striving to ensure that Little People’s Learning Center continues its legacy of love.
After graduating top of my class from Kenwood High School, I went on to Miles College in Birmingham, Alabama to pursue a degree in Early Childhood education. After completing my BA in 2001, I returned to Chicago and began gaining experience and further certification through Chicago Public Schools (CPS), National Association for the Education of Young Children, NAEYC, ELLO, QRS and the program formerly known as Head Start. I’ve known that I wanted to dedicate my life’s work to educating young children since my early days of volunteering, right here at Little People’s Learning Center, as young as 13 years old. I inherited my passion for young children from Little People’s Learning Center’s founder and first director, Rosa Thomas, affectionately known to us all here as Teacher Rosa. Not only is she my predecessor, but also my mentor. She imbued me with her love, enthusiasm and dedication. She gave tirelessly to the children and families at Little People’s and also committed herself to developing and supporting an exceptional staff. Teacher Rosa’s example is my guidepost. Equipped with her many lessons, my formal education and on-going professional development, I am determined to become a master teacher and stellar educational leader.
Little People’s Learning Center has seen a lot of growth, and a bit of “catching up” with the changing times since I became director in 2013; although, we remain firmly grounded in our roots. We exist to provide the love, care and education our children need to be healthy, happy and successful. What a joy for me to be right here where I started. What a joy for me to see the glowing faces of our students everyday, and to witness them learning and developing in leaps and bounds! What a joy to work striving to ensure that Little People’s Learning Center continues its legacy of love.
The Explorers Class
Ages 2-3
Katria McInnis | Lead Teacher
I joined the Little People’s Learning Center family in November 2015 as lead teacher for the Little Explorers class. After attending Olive Harvey College and Northeastern Illinois University, I worked for many years as a kindergarten teacher and program coordinator for the Archdiocese of Chicago. As my professional experience and the experience of raising my own six beautiful children has taught me, the early childhood years of a child’s development are at once the most exciting, challenging and rewarding. Children in their early years absolutely absorb everything! My favorite part of teaching is observing individual growth and seeing how that growth spurs excitement for more growth. It really is amazing and inspiring. I am eager to embrace and contribute to the Little People’s Learning Center community and warm sense of family that I have found here.
I joined the Little People’s Learning Center family in November 2015 as lead teacher for the Little Explorers class. After attending Olive Harvey College and Northeastern Illinois University, I worked for many years as a kindergarten teacher and program coordinator for the Archdiocese of Chicago. As my professional experience and the experience of raising my own six beautiful children has taught me, the early childhood years of a child’s development are at once the most exciting, challenging and rewarding. Children in their early years absolutely absorb everything! My favorite part of teaching is observing individual growth and seeing how that growth spurs excitement for more growth. It really is amazing and inspiring. I am eager to embrace and contribute to the Little People’s Learning Center community and warm sense of family that I have found here.
Angelita Walker Gillespie | Assistant Teacher
I am the proud mother of three wonderful children whom I was blessed to stay at home with through early childhood and their first years of school. By the time my children were a bit older and more independent, I realized just how much I had enjoyed those early years at home with them, and was inspired to begin a career in childcare. Several happy years caring for children have led me to a new childcare home at Little People’s Learning Center. I joined the staff here in 2016 as assistant teacher in the Little Stars class. Playing a part in children’s growth, development and learning is among the most rewarding things you can do in life. As long as I’ve worked in education, I’ve always treated every child that I’ve encountered with the same love, care and zeal I have for teaching and raising my own children. Regrettably, one of my children lost the battle to cancer at the age of 12. Amazingly, my experience working with young children is what has aided me most in healing from my loss. Their bright smiles, loving hugs, and genuine enthusiasm for life and learning have kept me centered...and on my toes! I know that every moment spent with every child is special and that it can't be recaptured, so I cherish them all. I look forward to helping every one of Little People’s little stars shine their brightest.
I am the proud mother of three wonderful children whom I was blessed to stay at home with through early childhood and their first years of school. By the time my children were a bit older and more independent, I realized just how much I had enjoyed those early years at home with them, and was inspired to begin a career in childcare. Several happy years caring for children have led me to a new childcare home at Little People’s Learning Center. I joined the staff here in 2016 as assistant teacher in the Little Stars class. Playing a part in children’s growth, development and learning is among the most rewarding things you can do in life. As long as I’ve worked in education, I’ve always treated every child that I’ve encountered with the same love, care and zeal I have for teaching and raising my own children. Regrettably, one of my children lost the battle to cancer at the age of 12. Amazingly, my experience working with young children is what has aided me most in healing from my loss. Their bright smiles, loving hugs, and genuine enthusiasm for life and learning have kept me centered...and on my toes! I know that every moment spent with every child is special and that it can't be recaptured, so I cherish them all. I look forward to helping every one of Little People’s little stars shine their brightest.
Kenyatta Waters | Assistant Teacher
Walking into Little People’s every morning and being greeted by happy and excited children always makes my day! The little people here, as well as my own little person, my daughter, motivate me to be the best person I can be and then to find a way to be even better the next day. I joined the staff here in 2015. Having previously worked primarily with older children, providing care and tutoring, I had no idea just how inspiring very little children can be. Working as the assistant teacher with the Little Explorers class, I continue to be happily surprised at just how much I am learning while teaching them. I love the amount of individual time I get to spend with all the children and that they all feel comfortable asking for help and attention. I am proud of and impressed by how apparent it is to anyone walking into Little People that our children are always the first priority here. Each of us is here for them. I know that the children know that too...which is why we get such wonderful morning welcomes from them.
Walking into Little People’s every morning and being greeted by happy and excited children always makes my day! The little people here, as well as my own little person, my daughter, motivate me to be the best person I can be and then to find a way to be even better the next day. I joined the staff here in 2015. Having previously worked primarily with older children, providing care and tutoring, I had no idea just how inspiring very little children can be. Working as the assistant teacher with the Little Explorers class, I continue to be happily surprised at just how much I am learning while teaching them. I love the amount of individual time I get to spend with all the children and that they all feel comfortable asking for help and attention. I am proud of and impressed by how apparent it is to anyone walking into Little People that our children are always the first priority here. Each of us is here for them. I know that the children know that too...which is why we get such wonderful morning welcomes from them.
