Carolyn Stolper Friedman, M.A.
Executive Director
As founder of Smart Love Family Services, Carolyn is excited to bring Smart Love® to early childhood education with both toddler explorations and preschool offerings. She has over 25 years experience in the non-profit field as an executive and as a consultant. Ms. Friedman, a parent herself, has taught and spoken frequently on the topic of parenting both to parent groups and in agency settings. She is a published author of a popular book in the non-profit field and was a founding member of the editorial board of Illinois Child Welfare, a professional journal.

Kelly Perez
Preschool Director
Kelly Perez has nearly 25 years experience as a teacher, administrator and teacher trainer in early childhood settings. Kelly has interacted daily with parents providing support and advice on child development, behavior, and self-esteem topics. Kelly has focused on fostering positive, effective solutions that support and enhance the parent-child relationship.

Michele Schultz
Teacher
Michele is excited to be a member of Smart Love Preschool teaching team. She earned her Master's in early childhood development from Roosevelt University and has over nine years of experience working with young children and their families. Michele has had experience in working to achieve accreditation for an early childhood program and as a parent coordinator where she planned fun family nights and educational workshops for parents. Michele is a life-long learner and is excited to share her warmth and enthusiasm with the children, parents and staff of Smart Love Preschool.

Alexa Wiss
Teacher
Alexa has been working with children for several years as a nanny, camp counselor, and tutor. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Earlham College, and is currently completing her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education at DePaul University. Children are drawn towards Alexa’s sense of humor, warmth, and love of learning. She enjoys being a part of a caring preschool community and is excited to be part of the Smart Love team.

Sarah Davis
Assistant Teacher
Sarah has worked with children in a variety of settings including preschool, kindergarten, and lower-elementary schools as well as caring for special needs students and students from diverse backgrounds. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Auburn University. Children are drawn to Sarah’s gentle spirit, creative energy and interest in activities that encourage exploration and curiosity. Sarah is happy to be part of the compassionate staff at Smart Love, and looks forward to playing an important part in fostering the natural growth of children into confident, trusting, and successful young adults.

Crystal Szabo
Assistant Teacher
Crystal has an extensive caregiving background as a nanny and has worked at Park West Coop as a camp counselor. She is excited by her study and practice of the Smart Love philosophy. She has a love of children and writing and combines these interests in the classroom as well as by writing on child development topics for various non-profit organizations. She is completing her Bachelor’s degree at DePaul University and plans on pursuing her Master’s in early childhood education.

Lenny Zieben
Teacher, Toddler Explorations!
Kids are mesmerized by Lenny's hilarity and good-hearted nature. He gives children the space and encouragement to explore materials and movement in a way they relate to and thrive upon. Lenny is constantly learning from and being surprised by children and the amazing originality they bring to his classes. When he's not at Smart Love, Lenny plays in The Sharp Cookies, a children's oriented band. He has also taught children's classes at The Old Town School of Folk Music and Snow City Arts @ Rush. He graduated from the DePaul School of Music and is an audio technician at The Chicago Cultural Center.

Sara Johnson, Ph.D., LCSW
School Counselor
Dr. Sara Johnson is a psychotherapist with over 10 years of clinical experience. She has worked with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of settings including: a child welfare agency, a therapeutic day school, a substance abuse program, and outpatient counseling centers. Dr. Johnson also has extensive experience coordinating and evaluating services for children and families in the foster care system, as well as providing supportive services to individuals with special needs and disabilities.

Erica Adams
Substitute Teacher
Erika is thrilled to be joining the staff at Smart Love. She has co-facilitated parent toddler classes at Park West Co-operative Nursery School and taught countless Creative Movement classes at Lakeshore Athletic Club, Hawthorne and Aggasiz schools, and privately in people's homes. After 15 years of having one foot in the early childhood classroom and one foot in the performance world of dance and circus arts, she is starting her Masters in Child Development at The Erikson Institute this fall. She is looking forward to a lifetime of sitting in tiny chairs, rolling out playdough, and watching young children grow.

Gina Smith
Substitute Teacher
Gina, a mother of three, has both a background in teaching and yoga. Gina combines her love of yoga and creative art in relaxed, fun filled and enjoyable classes for young children. She has practiced yoga for more than 10 years, earning her yoga teaching certificate from Global Family Yoga studio in Chicago. Gina also holds a BA in Elementary Education from John Carroll University. She is certified to teach children, teens, families and adults and is registered at the 200-hour level with Yoga Alliance.