About Northminster Nursery School

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Our teachers

We are fortunate to have such a committed group of teachers and staff members who care deeply about our students and know how to nurture each unique child. More than half of our team have children who attended Northminster and many of our teachers have been with us for more than 10 years.

Continuing education workshops and seminars combined with our collaborative environment keeps our team learning and bringing fresh ideas to their work in the classroom. As experienced parents, they are sensitive to the joys and occasional frustrations of our young preschool learners.

Beyond our designated classroom teachers, we have additional teachers on staff to support each classroom on a rotating basis. These teachers circulate among the classrooms to help with special projects, toileting needs, clean-up, snacks, dressing for outdoor activities and generally maintaining our adult to child ratios at all times.

Northminster teachers are certified by state standards and trained in early childhood growth and development. Everyone on staff is trained in pediatric CPR and First Aid.

Two women standing outdoors, smiling, with greenery and parked cars in the background. They are wearing name tags that say 'Janice Matera' and 'Karen Berkowsky,' and appear to be at a social or community event.

Founded in 1969, Northminster Nursery School is a part-day preschool for children ages 2-5 years old. Located in Northwest Evanston, our classrooms can be found within Northminster Presbyterian Church, though we welcome children of all faiths.

Our goal at Northminster is to spark your child’s love for learning. We provide young children with an atmosphere in which they can grow to their highest potential both intellectually and socially while having fun in the process.

We strive to maintain an environment where children can learn that they are loved and accepted outside of their families. We work to help children feel that “school” is a place of acceptance, excitement and enjoyment.

  • A woman with shoulder-length brown hair and blue eyes, smiling, wearing a striped purple and white top, against a light official studio background.

    Margaret Parcell

    SCHOOL DIRECTOR

  • Headshot of a woman with shoulder-length light brown hair, wearing a black V-neck top and a gold necklace, smiling against a light gray background.

    Maureen Taylor

    GREEN CLASS

  • Portrait of a woman with blonde hair, smiling, wearing a black blazer and a blue top, against a plain light gray background.

    Jaime Thompson

    GREEN CLASS

  • A woman with dark, shoulder-length hair smiling, wearing a patterned blouse, gold earrings, and a delicate necklace against a gray background.

    Janice Matera

    GREEN CLASS

  • A woman with shoulder-length dark hair and glasses, smiling, wearing a sleeveless light blue top and two necklaces, against a plain gray background.

    Karen Berkowsky

    BLUE CLASS

  • Carolyn Young

    Carolyn Young

    BLUE CLASS

  • A woman with brown hair, glasses, and a gray T-shirt, smiling in front of a plain light gray background.

    Angie Eubank

    ASSISTANT

  • A woman with long red hair smiling, wearing a teal shirt, against a light gray background.

    Caitlyn Nichols

    YELLOW CLASS

  • A woman with long brown hair, smiling, wearing a dark green top, against a plain gray background.

    Stephanie Wen

    YELLOW CLASS

  • Portrait of a woman with short light brown hair, wearing a red and navy striped shirt, smiling against a light gray background.

    Amy Kay

    ASSISTANT

  • A woman with long blonde hair, blue eyes, and a bright smile wearing a red top against a light gray background.

    Sarah Trulley

    ASSISTANT

  • Northminster Nursery School Music Teacher

    Liz Stone

    MUSIC WITH MS. LIZ

Colorful balloons tied to a lamppost, with a large silver number '14' balloon, in an outdoor setting with snow on the ground and leafless trees in the background.
Colorful balloons with a large silver foil 'N' letter balloon attached, set outdoors near a brick building, with some snow on the ground.
Colorful balloons, including a silver foil balloon shaped as the number '5', attached to a lamppost at an outdoor gathering with a banner and people in the background.

Parental Advisory Board

Our success at Northminster depends on our active and involved community led by our Parental Advisory Board. The board, comprised of volunteer parents and Northminster staff oversees the school’s operations, policies, and fundraising efforts. 

Parents are invited to contact board members with ideas and concerns. Those interested in joining the board are encouraged to contact the Executive Director. 

Northminster Nursery School in Evanston, Illinios
Two young children playing in a sandbox, wearing matching orange shirts, with toy tools and sand toys around them, and a red shed and bicycle in the background.

2025-26 School Year Parental Advisory Board Members:

 1. Laura Buchanan (Blue)

2.  Alison Kula (Green)

3. Stephanie Berry (Green)

4. MaryAnn Fahey (Blue)

5. Ann Stoner (Blue)

6. Rebeccah Hartz (Blue)

7. Saige Smith (Yellow)

8. Courtney Bohanon (Green)

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