• SUZANNE Kubinak
• TIFFANY Henning
• KAREN O'Neill
• KATHY Erickson
• STEPHANIE Ringo
• MARY Fleece
• LAURA Widenhoefer
• AMY Maloney
• MARIA Rodriguez
• JOAN Faulkner
• JESSICA Miller
• ASHLEY Webb
• MARIA Ruiz
• DENISE Del Vecchio
• LORI Ray
• LIZ Vega
• SARAH Meyer
• JUDY Shoulders
• JESSICA Solano
• MELISSA Hill
• BREINE O'Neill
• DEBBIE Hopkins
• TOM Henning

Introduce yourself to the class...

It's hard to imagine, but our staff members at Peppermint Stick were once children too. We've come a long way since those formative years, but we all still have a little bit of "kid" in us (thank goodness, right?).

We invite you to meet our team (by clicking on the names to the left) and learn more about us. Be sure to wear proper footwear for a walk down memory lane.

Suzanne Kubinak

Executive Director/Owner

Known as "The Big Cheese," Ms. Suzanne is the wheel that keeps things turning (not to be confused with a "wheel of cheese" - that's very different). It all started for Ms. Suzanne in 1984, when she took a "temporary" teaching position at Peppermint Stick. Urged on by her children, who told her she was great with kids (what mother wouldn't want to hear that?), she quickly went permanent. The following year, she became a director. The year after that, she became the owner of the Round Lake Beach Center. In 1996, together with her daughter, Ms. Tiffany, she incorporated the Grayslake Center. That's what you call climbing the ladder until you run out of rungs!

Ms. Suzanne feels blessed to have found her passion. "When I think about all the families, children and staff that have touched my life, it fills my heart to bursting. I am one very lucky lady."

Ms. Suzanne loves to paint, and she doesn't stop when the canvas is full. She has been known to paint anything that she thinks needs a new look, including furniture, purses, or even shoes! Her motto is: Surround yourself with who and what you love. "This even applies to the clothes you wear. Life is too short to go without some glitz and glamour, so if it makes you feel good, wear it!" So Suzanne, is this the official company dress code?....Darn.

Tiffany Henning

Executive Director

Ms. Tiffany can think outside of the box but hopes not to lose track of the box, because she most likely will need it for a school project. She has a highly energetic entrepreneurial spirit, because fund-raiser is her middle name. She possesses excellent organizational skills and works variable hours, which often include evenings and weekends and frequent 24-hour shifts on-call.

In addition to her Peppermint Stick family, Ms. Tiffany is a wife and mother of two. Her favorite sound to hear throughout the day is children's laughter. Her motto in the kitchen is, Dinner is ready when the smoke detector goes off, but she'd like to think that's really because the smoke detector is too close to the stove.

Ms. Tiffany admits that she's afraid of bees, and every summer she tells herself she won't be seen doing the "freaky oh-my-god-there's-a-bee dance." So far, this wish hasn't happened.

Karen O'Neill

Administrative Director

She is our backbone and bottom line. If we need something, she gets it; if someone is sick, she steps in; if the toilet is plugged, she gets to plunge! She is quick to get a tear in her eye from sad news to a sweet story and she will do everything to keep the kids safe and sound.

Ms. Karen has wanted to teach for as long as she can remember, and after 30 years in the profession, she still feels that this is where she belongs. The mere smell of new school supplies gives her an adrenalin rush. Now that's passion! She can often be found in the morning with a cup of coffee in her hand and roller blades on her feet. How she manages to keep from spilling remains a mystery.

When she's not with her husband and 3 children, Ms. Karen's favorite place to be is on Eagle Lake in Minnesota with her dad, a fishing pole, and, of course, a cup of coffee.

Kathy Erickson

Parent Teacher Coordinating Director

She is our Rock of Gibraltar and she will be there come rain or shine. Ms. Kathy has her own unique method of organizing the many tasks of her job, and can usually be found with several reminders scribbled on her hand. Now if only she could read her own handwriting...

Ms. Kathy recently celebrated her 13th year of teaching. "I like to encourage children to have confidence in themselves and in what they can do." We agree, and who better to do that than Ms. Kathy? During her free time, she loves watching movies (no scary ones please), being outside in her yard, and being with her 3 grandchildren.

Ms. Kathy says, "My life motto is, When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade... unless there's no water or sugar. In that case, it's best to just take a nap."

Stephanie Ringo

Parent Teacher Coordinating Director

Known as "Our America's Sweetheart" and "Miss Congeniality." Plus she also has diverse general knowledge, so she can answer questions such as what makes the wind move? Ms. Stephanie started her career in business management, but after spending one day volunteering in her daughter's preschool class, she decided to change careers. As she says, "The rest is history. I love my job!"

Ms. Stephanie describes her perfect day: "I would start by planting flowers in my yard, then read a book in the sun while my two daughters jump on the trampoline. I would then move on to an afternoon round of golf and finish things off with a Cubs game."

Ms. Stephanie says that her favorite princess is Belle. "She loves to read, is creative, and loves people for who they are inside." That's right, you read correctly, Ms. Stephanie actually has a favorite princess. This leaves little doubt that her choice to change careers was the correct one.

Mary Fleece

Curriculum & Training Director

Ms. Mary is the Class Clown. She can make anything fun! She has been known to wear a mustache, Captain Underpants costume and initiate fire drills all to teach and excite the children.

Ms. Mary first came to Peppermint Stick with her mom, Ms. Amy, when she was 12 years old. She participated in a bring-your-daughter-to-work day and just never left (no, we did not kidnap her). She has seen and heard a lot since then, and is contemplating writing a book about all the funny things that children say and do.

Mary is a new mother and says her favorite part of every day is waking up her son in the mornings. "He's so happy when he gets up!"

She claims she was once spit on by an orangutan, but she swears that she only insulted the ape quietly under her breath and that he couldn't have possibly heard it. "Some primates are so touchy!"

Laura Widenhoefer

Curriculum & Training Director

Ms. Laura is our "child star" who was a former student at Peppermint Stick. Even way back then we saw she was a gem. She began working for us in high school and has been here ever since. Well... there WAS one short period, but she claims amnesia and can't remember why she left briefly to work for one of those corporate chains. She is back and that is all that matters.

Ms. Laura enjoys music, camping and hosting parties. She says, "I love making new dishes for people to try." But she also admits she is afraid of popping balloons; so while her parties may be delicious, they're usually BYOB (Bring Your Own Balloons). Laura also enjoys her family, which currently consists of her dog, Apollo, her turtle, Leah and her husband, Eric (listed in no particular order, of course).

Ms. Laura is a motorcycle fan and would "love to learn to ride a Harley." Unfortunately, she's been sighted on numerous occasions watching Peter Pan and crying during television commercials. While we're not sure if this officially disqualifies her from a HOG membership, it certainly doesn't help.

Amy Maloney

School Age Director/Child Development Specialist

Have a loose tooth? See Ms. Amy. Have a bug in your classroom? See Ms. Amy. Need to know how to spell a word or answer a trivia question? Ask Ms. Amy. Have a duck in the playground? Go get Ms. Amy.

Ms. Amy just loves kids and animals. That's a good thing, because with 8 grandchildren, 11 nieces and nephews, 1 daughter left at home, 3 dogs, and a cat, her life is filled with these things. She also loves gardening and reading in her spare time (what little there must be).

Not many people know that, in her life, Ms. Amy has flown directly over a volcano AND ridden on an elephant. Sadly, she has never flown over a volcano on an elephant; but with some hard work...

Maria Rodriguez

Lead Teacher

Known as "The Diaper Whisperer," she can potty train the most diaper-loving child. Ms. Maria thrives on the steady flow of rewarding hugs from her students. She is a mother of 3 (she includes her husband in this figure) as well as the owner of 8 goldfish. She admits the fish don't add much conversation to the household, but they don't leave their things lying all over the house either.

Maria comes to us from Mexico and has lived in the United States since 1995. She says she would like to drive a motorcycle some day, but admits to a fear of fast acceleration. We think she just wants to try on those leather pants.

Joan Faulkner

Lead Teacher

She is our "Mother Earth," with such a caring heart. She cares about the world, animals and people, but most of all, the children!

As a person who is passionate about nature, animals are also a big part of Ms. Joan's life. "When I'm not enjoying my human children, I'm hanging out with my fur children. I would like to one day volunteer for animal assisted therapy with my dogs."

In the classroom, Ms. Joan likes to create a hands-on environment. In kid-speak, this is translated as, We're going to be making a mess. "Messes don't scare me because I know if we're getting messy we're learning." In addition to teaching, Ms. Joan should definitely be writing slogans for makers of laundry detergent!

Jessica Miller

Lead Teacher

Always on the go...she never stops moving. She's often seen with one child in her arms, another at her feet all while providing on-site training in basic life skills, such as nose-blowing and hand-washing. The favorite part of Ms. Jessica's day is arriving at work to a chorus of "Ms. Jessica!" and morning hugs from her students.

A mother of four, Ms. Jessica takes the same on-the-go approach to her family at home. "Keep the kids busy, the family happy and healthy is my motto." Their family hobbies include sports, camping, fishing and movie nights.

Ms. Jessica fondly remembers family road trips as a highlight of her childhood. So Jessica, now that you're the driver for those trips, are they as spectacular as you remembered? It's all right, we won't tell.

Ashley Webb

Lead Teacher

She is like a flashlight and a rubberband. A shining example of how with flexibility and constant strength she keeps everything together in the classroom. Ms. Ashley is a relatively new addition to Peppermint Stick, but she is fitting in so easily you wouldn't know it. She says, "I love my job and the team I work with and I wouldn't want it any other way."

She is engaged to be married and is currently enjoying her two "kids," Gracie (a Chihuahua) and Zoey (a Jack Russell Terrier). She likes walking Gracie and being walked by Zoey.

Ms. Ashley claims that she loves fishing, although she also admits that she's never actually caught a fish. So we guess it would be more accurate to say that she loves sitting in a boat while holding a flexible stick (but who doesn't love that?).

Maria Ruiz

Lead Teacher

She is a new member to our staff but is already a Peppermint Stick pro. How can that be, you ask? Well, truth be told, she had a head start. Ms. Maria has been associated with us since she did some field work here for a college course. She enjoyed it so much that she chose our Centers to complete her teaching internship. Now that she has graduated, she is a permanent member of our staff and we're glad to have her.

Ms. Maria was born in Mexico and lived there until the age of 13. She's been in Illinios ever since but would love to return to Cancun, Mexico for vacation. But Maria, what's wrong with the beautiful sandy beaches of northern Illinois? Oh, right...

Ms. Maria says she loves eating. "I'm very lucky because no matter how much I eat I don't gain a pound." That is lucky, but in a school full of female co-workers, you might not want to say that too loud.

Denise Del Vecchio

Lead Teacher

She is the "newbie" here and she goes by the name Ms. Dee. She's also known to her family and friends as "Mother Hen," due to her attentive and caring nature. Ms. Dee is finishing her degree at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.

She loves autumn and her favorite foods are sweet potato and pumpkin. Ms. Dee's favorite motto is: Please and thank you. While some may consider this to be two mottos, we're going to accept it because it's so darn polite.

Ms. Dee admits to being afraid of heights, so we suppose she will not be participating in "Let's Teach the Kids on the Roof Day." We will miss her. (Disclaimer: the above stated event may not actually exist; in fact, it doesn't exist. Ms. Dee will have to report to work as usual.)

Lori Ray

Lead Teacher

When she started here as a part-time substitute, Ms. Lori was the sub that every child wanted to have. It didn't take long before we knew she was a keeper. As a result, she has recently become a more integral part of our team. Her only flaw is that she eats her macaroni and cheese with ketchup (ewww...gross...right?).

Lori is a unique figure in that she is the only Green Bay Packers fan in our facility, which is located in the heart of Chicago Bears country. We let her work here anyway, in the hopes that we will one day have something to tease her about. Don't worry, we won't let her influence your child's team preference. When it comes to tofu or bacon, bacon wins every time - which is good as long as she doesn't put ketchup on that too.

Liz Vega

Lead Teacher

Ms. Liz is all about family. She comes from a big family and she is newly married too! As she says, "There is never a dull moment when we all get together!" This must be why she is such a great asset to the toddler room and to all of the Peppermint Stick Family too.

There is nothing more valuable to Ms. Liz than spending quality time with the ones she loves. She enjoys relaxing at home with her husband watching movies while eating popcorn in their pajamas. She and her husband also enjoy traveling, and have been to almost every state in the US and to Jamaica as well. She is looking forward to visiting Puerto Rico where her husband was born.

Ms. Liz says she has a long bucket list, but has crossed off a few things like going on a cruise, attending several professional sports events, and being in a movie! (In case you were wondering, no it wasn't The Bucket List.)

Sarah Meyer

Lead Teacher

Ms. Sarah is our resident song bird…she loves to sing and participated in choir all throughout high school, even competing in solo and ensemble competitions. She has been known to turn her conversation into song at the drop of a hat and transform our day into Peppermint Stick: The Musical! She also likes to roller blade, play video games, and spend time with family and friends.

Ms. Sarah is a "born and raised" Grayslake, IL girl where she lives with her cat, Scrappy, and a beta fish named "Scrambles" which she won in a carnival game. Her favorite children's movie is The Wizard of Oz, which isn't surprising considering she has a huge heart, brains, and a considerable amount of courage (she works with 2-year-olds, 'nuff said).

Sarah puts it perfectly: "I love working with kids and there is nothing else I would rather do. I’m so glad to be a part of the Peppermint Stick family." We are glad you are here too Ms. Sarah!...maybe just a little less singing during staff meetings?

Judy Shoulders

School Age Teacher/Food Service

Everyone's "Aunt Judy," she has her finger on the pulse of the center. If you want to know where something or someone is, ask Ms. Judy! Of course, you first have to find Ms. Judy, and with all the various jobs she does, you may have to look in several places. She could be working in the kitchen, answering phones in the office, or teaching in a classroom.

Ms. Judy has had a long and varied career which started on a military base. Her life's path has eventually led her to us, which is where she knows she belongs. She loves being able to fix meals, apply a Band-Aid, wipe a runny nose and give hugs when needed - sometimes all at the same time! That's very impressive, Ms. Judy, but can you do it blindfolded?

During her spare time, Ms. Judy loves to play on the computer and is a confirmed Facebook addict. She especially likes playing online games like FarmVille. Harvesting crops is so much easier from an office chair, isn't it?

Jessica Solano

School Age Teacher/Child Care Specialist

She is our resident beautician. Do you wake up from nap time with bed head? Have no fear if Ms. Jessica is near. A self-proclaimed cell phone addict, she is also our technology expert, specializing in audio/visual issues. If an A/V cart is misbehaving, Ms. Jessica has the solution.

When Ms. Jessica is not at Peppermint Stick keeping everyone looking their best, she enjoys outdoor activities and collecting all things related to turtles. "I don't know why it's turtles but I'm crazy about them!"

Ms. Jessica regrets that she hasn't yet learned to be a better cook, but not to worry. With all the phone numbers she has programmed into her cell phone, we're sure she can find someone who makes deliveries.

Melissa Hill

School Age Teacher/Child Care Specialist

She is our resident sweetie! She is married to her high school sweetheart and has a fondness for chocolate and bubblegum, so the title fits in more ways than one. As the youngest of nine children, Melissa is more commonly known in her family as "the baby." During family holiday get-togethers, she still eats at the kids table but is managing to spill her milk less frequently these days.

Ms. Melissa loves noise. She doesn't just tolerate it, she actually enjoys it. "Noise reminds me of my childhood growing up in a big family." She also enjoys dancing and dressing up in costumes. To this day, Melissa remembers performing in her 6th grade school play. She had the role of "The Mean Teacher." She has since made a formal apology for her lackluster performance. It was just too much of a stretch for her. She has had much more success in her ongoing role at PSCC as "The Nice Teacher."

Breine O'Neill

Childcare Specialist

She is full of spunk, spirit and energy. She is the first one on the floor to play a game with the kids. As a former student and the daughter of one of our directors (Ms. Karen), Ms. Breine has been affiliated with Peppermint Stick for 18 years. She will be leaving for college soon, but plans to return when she receives her degree, this time as a teacher! In fact, she aspires to follow in her mother's footsteps and one day be a director at Peppermint Stick.

When she's not studying or caring for the children of PSCC, Ms. Breine loves devoting herself to her dog, Missy.

Fun fact: Ms. Breine proudly claims the world record for singing "The Alphabet Song" for 36 continuous hours. This may or may not be true as no one else had the endurance to hang around and verify it.

Debbie Hopkins

Book Keeper/School Secretary

She's been a fixture here at PSCC for 40 years. She is also a member of Peppermint Stick's founding family. Ms. Debbie's mother and aunt bought Peppermint Stick when she was 12 years old and she's stayed with us through the change in ownership. She says, "After all these years my feet just go on autopilot and bring me through the door." Originally a substitute cook and after school aid during her youth, then a teacher, Ms. Debbie now handles our office duties and laughs at all the cute and funny things the kids do as she passes through their classrooms.

Even though they're now grown and married, Ms. Debbie's 3 kids are still the lights of her life. And she's thrilled to see her family grow. "In-laws are wonderful because we've doubled how many kids we have without the labor pains!"

Did you know that Ms. Debbie's husband was her date for the prom (yes, her prom)? She says they still have fun every day. "We walk all the time and work out together at the gym. We go to Culver's all the time for ice cream too." So that's the secret to a long happy marriage! Ice cream!

Tom Henning

Facility Maintenance Supervisor/Bus Driver

Tom the Builder...Can he fix it? Yes he can! He can also drive the Peppermint Stick school bus safely under loud and adverse conditions while simultaneously practicing skills in conflict resolution. Mr. Tom is the go-to guy when anything needs repair and has been fixing things around our Centers for the past decade. Who knew when he married owner, Tiffany Henning, that he'd be signing up for this? Ms. Tiffany...that's who!

Mr. Tom doesn't mind. He loves the challenge of fixing things. "If I don't know how to do something, I ask or look it up online and try to figure it out." His favorite motto: If it doesn't fit, you're not pushing hard enough.

An avid sports fan, Mr. Tom says he used to play 2-man beach volleyball when he was "younger and in shape." It's OK Tom, you're still in shape; we're just not sure what that shape is. Actually, his current goal is to train and run a marathon. Good for you Mr. Tom! You can start just as soon as you've finished Ms. Tiffany's to-do list.