Our Team

Our caring staff provides an enriching and supportive learning environment, a "home away from home" for children whose parents are away during working hours and the highest quality education for their children.

Barbara Branch

Director
Ms. Barbara holds a BA in Political Science from Denver University. She has been school director since 1997. Prior she has worked as Assistant Director of Umoja House in Oakland, CA, and mentor and tutor with Oakland, CA, public schools. Ms. Barbara loves to travel and spend time at the beach with her family.

Barbara Lanier

Office Administrator
Ms. Barbara has a BA in English from Colombia College. She worked as a substitute instructor of Theatre at Columbia and later worked over 25 years managing tow of Chicago's most prestigious theatre companies touring with numerous Broadway productions, among them: Phantom of the Opera, Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cats, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Sleuth. She also produced, The Nutcracker Ballet at Arie Crown Theatre for Chicago Tribune Charities.

Chely Leven

Assistant Director/Head Teacher Sunshine Room
Ms. Chely has a BA in Early Childhood Education from Catholic University in Santiago, Chile. She has over 30 years of experience teaching in preschools and elementary schools, 26 of those years at First Baptist, and 19 years as Assistant Director. She brings early Spanish to the school. In her free time her favorite things to do is spend time with family and friends and rider her bike through Oak Park.

Debra Smith

Head Teacher Rainbow Room
Ms. Debra has been Head Teacher of the Rainbow Room and for the Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten classrooms. Previously she has served as Director, Assistant Director, and Head Teacher for Head Start and KinderCare. Her career in early childhood education demonstrates her passion for teaching children. Ms. Debra is a proud grandmother of a 5-year old and loves to spend time with him and her son.

Erica Branch

Assistant Teacher Rainbow Room
Ms. Erica has her AS in Science from Northwestern College. She loves children, entertaining people with humorous stories, dancing, and spending time with friends and family.

Mary Caldwell

Assistant Teacher/Cook
Ms. Mary has been with First Baptist for 21 years. She is responsible for creating healthy meals and snacks for the First Baptist children. Her dedication to the school's children is evident in the number of returning students who come to visit with her after moving on from the school. She loves to spend time with her three children and four grandchildren.

Ricardo Zela

Driver and School Maintenance
Mr. Ricardo loves to read, run, watch foreign films, and spend time with friends.

Jayden Dabney

Head Teacher After School Program
Ms. Jayden holds her BS in Public Health from Illinois State University. She is also a former student of First Baptist from the age of 2 through 12. She loves spending time with her four siblings and reading poetry books by her favorite author Rupi Kaur.

Laura Constans

Art Teacher and Social Media
Ms. Laura holds her MAT in Art Education from Dominican University. She teaches art and manages the school website and social media. She loves to travel and spend time with friends and family.