Administrative and Support Staff
Director
Christina Hidaka is the director of the NEIU Child Care Center. She has worked at the Center since 1993. Christina has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Northeastern Illinois University. Illinois Gateways Credentials: ECE Level 4 and Gateways to Opportunity Level I Illinois Director Credential
Email: c-hidaka@neiu.edu
Office Staff
Hee Ham is the office staff and a Child Development Supervisor. Hee has worked at the Center since 1994. Hee has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Northeastern Illinois University. Illinois Gateways Credentials: ECE Level 4
Email: h-ham@neiu.edu
Culinary Worker
Gigi is the kitchen staff of the child care center since 2019.
Teddy Bear Room Staff
Email: neiuteddybears@gmail.com
Kathy Rodriguez is the lead teacher for the Teddy Bear Room and a Child Development Supervisor. She has worked at the Center since 1990. Kathy has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Northeastern Illinois University. Illinois Gateways Credentials: Inf/Tod Level 4
Rosa Arevalo is a Child Development Associate in the Teddy Bear Room. She has worked at the Center since May 2003. She has a bachelor's degree in Spanish. Illinois Gateways Credentials: ECE Level 5
Kylie Lustig is a Child Development Associate in the Teddy Bear Room. She has worked at the Center since May 2019. She has a bachelor's degree in Human and Education Services from Illinois State University. She is looking forward to pursuing a master's in Elementary Education. Illinois Gateways Credentials: ECE Level 4
Dolphin Room Staff
Email: neiudolphin@yahoo.com
Ada Miranda is the lead teacher in the Dolphin Room and a Child Development Supervisor. She has worked at the Center since 1999. Ada has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Art from Northeastern Illinois University. She also has an endorsement in Bilingual Education from Erikson Institute of Chicago and possesses a Type 4 Certification. Illinois Gateways Credentials: ECE Level 4
Boriana "Bobbie" Tzanova is a Child Development Associate in our Dolphin Room. She has worked at the Center since 2007. She has a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Early Childhood. Bobbie has worked with children since 1981. Illinois Gateways Credentials: ECE Level 5
Butterfly Room Staff
Email: neiubutterfly@gmail.com
Rebecca Shin is the lead teacher in the Butterfly Room and a Child Development Supervisor. She has worked at the Center since 1991. Rebecca has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and a master's degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Northeastern Illinois University. She also has a Type 4 Certification. Illinois Gateways Credentials: ECE Level 4
Tanisha Philips is a Child Care Assistant in the Butterfly Room. She has worked at the Center since 2004. Tanisha has a CDA in Professional Childcare from the Professional Career Development Institute. Illinois Gateways Credentials: Inf/Tod Level 5
Busy Bee Room Staff
Email: neiubusybee@yahoo.com
Heather Markham is the lead teacher in the Busy Bee Room and a Child Development Supervisor. She has worked at the Center since 1999. Heather has a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Northeastern Illinois University and possesses a Type 4 Certification. Illinois Gateways Credentials: ECE Level 4
Lucia Ocampo is a Child Development Associate in the Busy Bee Room. She has worked at the Center since 1999. Lucia has a bachelor's degree in Spanish from Northeastern Illinois University. Illinois Gateways Credentials: ECE Level 5
Celine Villarreal is a afternoon Child Care Assistant in the Busy Bee Room. She has worked at the Center since 2004. Celine has a bachelor's degree in History/Secondary Education. Illinois Gateways Credentials: ECE Level 5
