Staff Bios

Administrative/Support Staff

 Jamie Thomas, Founder & Board Member

Jamie grew up outside of Milwaukee, WI and graduated with a degree in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison (Go Badgers!). After teaching 4^th and 5^th grade in Baltimore, MD for just 2 years, she made the choice to leave teaching when her first child was born. It was during this time that she really dove into learning much more about very early childhood education as it was important for her and her family to set her kids up for success right from the very beginning. When her daughter was 1, she began taking care of another child whose parents were teachers. Not long after, she had another child and  continued to take care of children whose parents were teachers. Helping other teachers in this way helped her feel connected to education in a positive way. Jamie's family moved to Chicago in 2005 and her husband began working for Noble Network of Charter Schools. Knowing what a difficult decision it can be to stay in the classroom or stay home with your child when you start a family, she wanted to do something to continue to improve education and Noble Day Care was born. She is extremely proud that Noble Day Care provides a great environment for kids where we’re focused on having lots of fun and making sure kids are set up to be successful once they move to grammar school and beyond.

Yesenia Espinoza, 6:45AM-3:15PM Director, yespinoza@nobleschools.org

Founding Staff Member since opening February 2010

I grew up in the West Town neighborhood and have been working for Noble Network since 2006. In 2008, I transitioned over to Noble Day Care becoming a founding staff member as NDC’s assistant director. I try to spend some time in all the classrooms when possible, but I find myself in the Wildcat’s room more frequently.  I graduated from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale majoring in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Spanish. My goal is to continue growing as a professional to give the children at NDC the best possible learning experiences that will help them develop and get ready not only for kindergarten but for life. 

 Yadira Contreras, 9:45 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Assistant Director- ycontreras@nobleschools.org

NDC Staff Member since May 2013

I began to work for Noble Day Care back in May of 2013. I started working part time as the Learning Lions afternoon teacher. I quickly learned that Noble Day Care was home and began to work as a full-time teacher at the start of the new school year in 2014. I decided to leave Noble Day Care in the Spring of 2016 to pursue a new adventure and new opportunities in Mexico- where I was an ELL teacher at the university level. Recently I was given the position of Assistant Director at Noble Day Care. Although I made the transition from teaching in the classroom to administration, my passion for teaching has not decreased in the least bit. I plan to continue to connect with the students and make an impact on them and their growth as I have in the last four years. 

Veronica Gouveia 7:00AM-3:30PM, Kitchen/Classroom Support, vgouveia@nobleschools.org

NDC staff member since August 2013

I am a very active mother of three wonderful children. I believe in the Noble traditions and values, this is why my children are apart of the Noble family through Golder College Prep. I enjoy being an intricate part of their daily extracurricular activities such as baseball, football, karate, and softball to name a few. My desire to be the best mom I can be is an important factor in my role at Noble Day Care. Here, I have the opportunity to be a daily part of the children's preliminary education experiences. It is my purpose to make each day a great day for every child. This is what makes my job so rewarding.

Baby Bobcats Staff

You can email ndcbobcats@nobleschools.org to send an email to all Baby Bobcat staff at once!

Danielle Capalad, Lead Teacher, 9:45AM-6:00PM, dcapalad@nobleschools.org

NDC staff member since: September 2017

Hi, I’m Danielle and am currently a lead teacher in the Bobcats classroom. Since I was young I knew I  always wanted to help, whether that meant teaching or making sure everyone was okay. I am an aspiring school psychologist who is interested in finding effective ways to teach diverse learners effectively. Prior to being at NDC, I graduated from Cedar Rapids, Iowa and moved back to Chicago to work alongside preschool aged children through eight grade. 

Antonia (Nia) D' Emilio, Assistant Teacher, 8:30AM-5:00PM ademilio@nobleschools.org

NDC Staff Member since December 2016

I'm Nia D'Emilio, and I'm excited to be here at Noble. I'm a recent graduate from Denison University with a degree in Religion. I plan to go to graduate school in the next year to earn an MAT to teach middle school. Outside of the Bobcats classroom, I'm an improviser in the city, and my main passion is making people laugh and smile. I'm originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but since moving to Chicago, I've become a die-hard Cubs fan and I eat hot dogs way more than I thought I ever would (but I'm happy about this). It's such a pleasure to work with these kids and watch them achieve their first milestones in life. 

Adilene Ortiz, Assistant Teacher, 8:30AM-5PM, aortiz@noblenetwork.org

NDC staff member since: January 2018

, Assistant Teacher, 9:45M-6PM,tmurry@noblenetwork.org

NDC staff member since January 2017

Wondrous Wildcats Staff

You can email ndcwildcats@nobleschools.org to contact all teachers in the Wildcats classroom at one time!

Tania Mora, Assistant Teacher, 6:45AM-10:45AM/3:00PM-6:00PM, tmora@noblenetwork.org

NDC staff member since April 2016

My name is Tania Mora and an assistant teacher in the Wondrous Wildcats room. I will start by sharing my experiences and interests in children. My first experience with children is babysitting, I have baby sat since the age of twelve since I was one of the few oldest in my family of 50+ cousins. In addition, after high school I signed up to become a camp counselor at The Union League Boys and Girls Club in Salem, Wisconsin in which I worked for three consecutive summers. There, I learned what it meant to help children and provide support, leadership, care, and strength of character. Being involved with children has gotten me where I am now, at NDC. However, I am also a Golder College Prep Alumni and it is how I accepted to be part of The Noble Day Care with such delight because I knew what it meant to be part of the Noble team. As of right now I am planning to further my education in Early Childhood education to become a lead teacher.

Kalliope Sarris, Assistant Teacher, 8:00AM-4:30PM, ksarris@nobleschools.org

NDC staff member since August 2014

Hi! My name is Kalliope, but people know me as Popi. I am a first born Greek American who is also fluent in Spanish. I currently reside in Chicago where I have obtained my Associate’s Degree in Arts from Wright College. I began working with children at the young age of 14 and since then my love for children has lead me to pursue opportunities such as joining Noble Day Care, where I could continue to provide children with the best knowledge and understanding that I can possibly offer them. Since starting Noble Day Care in July of 2014, I have had the opportunity to work in the Bobcats (infants 6 weeks or older) classroom, which I thoroughly enjoy!

I have recently become an assistant teacher in the Wildcats (15 months or older) classroom. It's an environment where children are being prepared with social skills they will need to move on to the next class and the outside world. It has been a pleasure so for working with everyone and getting to know every staff member and child.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I also enjoy shopping, and spending time at the lakefront during warm summer days.

Cynthia Choice, Lead Teacher, 9:30-6:00PM, cchoice@nobleschools.org

NDC staff member since February 2017

My name is Cynthia Choice, I started working for Noble on February of 2017. I am a wonderful mother to five awesome boys who love to play sports. I graduated from Kaplan University with my associates degree in Early Childhood Development, and on my way to pursue my Bachelors as we speak. I  greatly appreciate being a part of the Noble Team. I am working with the wonderful Wondrous Wildcat babies as a lead teacher. I've been working with children for 7yrs. now. They give me the inspiration to teach, help them learn and watch them grow. 

Terrific Tigers

You can email ndctigers@nobleschool.org to email the classroom teachers together.

Lenny Alarcon, Lead Teacher, 9:45AM-6:15PM, lalarcon@nobleschools.org   

NDC staff member since January 2012

My name is Lenny Alarcon and I am a lead teacher in the Terrific Tigers' classroom. I started as a lead teacher in the Baby Bobcat's classroom before going to the Wildcats. I am currently working on my bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education at Kendall College. I have always wanted to be a teacher but it took me a while to finally settle on early childhood. I love working with children and it amazes me what young children are capable of doing. I am so happy to be part of the Noble family and will continue to do my best for all the children that walk through the door of Noble Day Care.

Learning Lions

You can email ndclions@nobleschools.org to email the classroom teachers together!

Vanessa Sanchez, Lead Teacher, 7AM-3:15PM

Itzel Aguero, Lead Teacher iaguero@nobleschools.org

My name is Itzel Aguero and I am very excited to be working with the Lions. I attended Golder College Prep throughout high school. Now, I’m a third year student at UIC majoring in Urban Education with a minor in Spanish and an enforcement in ESL (English as a second language). Before coming to NDC I worked with Lil' Kickers and it was an amazing experience to see the development the children had every single week. Since I was young, I always said that I wanted to work with kids and become a teacher. I’ve always been amazed with what kids are capable of at such a young age. I love working with children and I am grateful to be part of NDC!