Our Staff

Meet Our Staff

Maleeha Mubashiruddin

Maleeha Mubashiruddin is starting her second year as the Executive Director at Covenant Nursery School. She has a degree in Business Administration and Management from
Boston Univserity; and over 20 years of experience in early childhood education both in the classroom and as an administrator. She is married and has two children ages 10
and 12 who attended preschool in Evanston.

Kim Stanton

Kim is our Assistant Director. She has a Degree in Early Childhood Education focusing on ECE Administration. Kim has two children, one in high school and one living on his own, and a beloved Cockapoo. She has been at Covenant for 12 years with over 25 years of professional early childhood experience.

Priscila Martins

Priscila Martins is a lead teacher in the Wildflower classroom. She is
originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and has been living in the United States for the past 14 years. Priscila has a law degree and has worked in the field of education in
many different capacities since she was 18. She most recently homeschooled her
daughter until first grade and worked as a parent mentor for Chicago Public Schools. She adores nature, music, dancing, sports and dogs. Her husband is also from Brazil and is a head instructor in a martial arts school. They have a 7 year old daughter named Julie Marie who speaks English and Portuguese fluently.

Michaela Cudahy

Michaela is starting her second year as a lead teacher in the Wildflower classroom. She moved to Evanston in 2004 with her husband and twin
son and daughter who both began college this Fall. She has a bachelor’s
degree in English and a master’s in social work. Michaela has over 15
years of experience working with preschool-aged children. Michaela
especially enjoys working collaboratively with parents to support every
child’s individual needs, enabling them to thrive in the classroom.

Liz Pawlak

Liz Pawlak is starting her third year as a lead teacher in the Turtle Twos and Honeybee Threes classroom although her history with Covenant has been much longer – her children are both proud Covenant Alumni. Liz has been an active member of Covenant’s Board of Directors for the last four years serving as public relations chair and board president. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising and is continuing her Early Childhood Education at Oakton Community College. She’s looking forward to nurturing our next crop of little learners and partnering with parents through all the intricacies of separation and parenting.

Allyson Leber

Allyson Leber a is lead teacher in the Honeybee Threes classroom. Allyson has three children including a proud recent alumnus, a current Wildflower, and a little Turtle Two as well! For the last five years, Allyson has served on Covenant’s Board of Directors in the roles of Personnel Chair, Internal PR, and President. Allyson brings over a decade of experience working in education with a focus on early literacy, DEI initiatives, and special education. She is passionate about early childhood education and development and is excited to work with the 3s to help make their first steps in the world of education meaningful, full of discovery, and
fun! Allyson is also looking forward to assisting families in navigating these wonderful preschool years as well as facilitating connections, especially within the CNS
community.

Kathleen Ferguson

This is Kathleen’s first year working at Covenant as a teacher in the Turtle Twos. Both of her children are Covenant alumni, and she served on Covenant’s Board of Directors for two years serving as Social chair and Vice President. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education, and has a Reading Specialist certification.
Kathleen worked with children with special needs for a decade before starting her family and during the pandemic, Kathleen ran a preschool out of her home for her own children and a small group of neighborhood children. Kathleen looks forward to working with our tiniest kiddos as they learn to navigate being at school for the first time!

Jackie Dennis

Jackie is an assistant teacher in the Turtle Two's and Honeybee Three's classes. In addition to her 16 years of experience at Covenant, Jackie is a mom of four children and one grandchild - which naturally brings a wealth of practical experience and knowledge to our program! In total, she has over sixteen years of Early Childhood Education experience.

Natalia Leonard

Natalia Leonard is lead teacher to the Birch classroom. She has a degree in Elementary Education with a Music Emphasis. She has over 14 years of professional
educational/childhood experience. She has a background in music/theatre and art and
hopes to incorporate these gifts into the classroom. She is married with two fabulous children. Natalia stayed home to raise them. She also started her own early childhood program during the pandemic to teach her kids and their neighbors and friends. She believes all children are magical human beings and is beyond thrilled to join the
Covenant family.

Prayagi Gohil

Prayagi Gohil is starting her second year as a lead teacher in the Birch classroom. She will also be teaching the Pre-K enrichment. Prior to being at Covenant, she was a lead teacher at another local preschool. Prayagi has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She enjoys incorporating music and dance into her daily lesson plans. Prayagi is married with three school age children of her own, ranging in age from 7 to 9. She is very excited to work with her co-teachers and share her love of nature with all our children.

Moira Carlson

Moira’s is a Multi-age classroom rover teacher supporting both our Wildflower and Birch classrooms. Two of her three kids are Covenant alumni and she has been a substitute in our program as well. Moira has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Counseling Education as well as her Children’s Yoga Certification. Prior to being at Covenant, she was a lead teacher and assistant director at another local preschool.

Jackie Bellavia

Jackie returns to Covenant this year following a 4 year leave after her son was born (who is now in his second year here at Covenant!) Jackie was a lead teacher at Covenant for 12 years and is back this year as a roving teacher to the multi-age classrooms. Jackie has her bachelors degree in fine arts and her masters in art therapy. She is so exited to be back in the classroom again!