top of page
Meet Our Staff
Maleeha Mubashiruddin
Maleeha Mubashiruddin is starting her first 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.
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/ Rover Teacher. 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 11 years with over 25 years of professional early childhood experience.
Moira Carlson
This is Moira’s third year as a lead teacher in the Wildflower Multi-age classroom although her history with Covenant has been longer – 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.
Michaela Cudahy
Michaela is starting her first 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.
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.
Erica Sweeney
Erica has been an assistant teacher at Covenant for the past five years working in both multi-age classrooms. This year she will be teaching solely in the Wildflowers multi-age classroom with Ms. Kim and Ms. Moira. Erica has some good expertise in navigating the system for special needs children. She has a Master's Degree in School Psychology and many years of experience working with school age children. She has two children of her own, both in high school.
Liz Pawlak
Liz Pawlak is starting her second 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 Turtle Twos and Honeybee Threes classroom. Allyson has three children including a proud recent alumnus, a current Wildflower, and a
baby who can’t wait to join the CNS family, too! 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 2s and 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.
baby who can’t wait to join the CNS family, too! 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 2s and 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.
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.
Britta Christianson
Britta was new to Covenant last year and comes to us with over 16 years of experience in programs serving young children. She is currently working on her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, taking classes at Oakton Community College and at Northeastern Illinois University. She is engaged to be married and planning her wedding for some time in the non-COVID future.
Natalia Leonard
Natalia Leonard is a new 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.
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.
Priscila Martins
Priscila Martins is in her second year as a lead teacher in the Birch 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.
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.
Prayagi Gohil
Prayagi Gohil is starting her first 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.
bottom of page