Larissa, Lala, (primary child care provider and owner of Busy Bee Learning Center) holds a masters degree from Illinois State University in Special Education. In November of 2020, she received a 2nd bachelors in Early Childhood Education. She has worked in the public school system for two years teaching agriculture to junior high and senior high school students, and one year as a one-on-one specialist for a child with a cognitive disorder in a kindergarten classroom. Throughout her early years, she babysat children of ages ranging from 1-13 years old. Her hobbies include caring for her and her husbands two cats, Lucy and Lovie, and doggies, Zoey and Dixie, gardening and playing with Paisley and Cora, her daughters.
Eric, (secondary provider and primary provider as needed,) has a bachelors degree in Psychology and Sociology. He has worked with children of all ages throughout the years. He was a residential counselor at The Baby Fold for one year, and then was promoted to a case worker for the Professional Foster Care Department in the Baby Fold for five years. He is currently working at the Department of Human Services in Champaign as the Social Services Career Trainee. While in high school and college, he worked at summer camps with toddlers as a camp counselor. His hobbies include playing Hockey, watching football and participating in Fantasy Football. He is the Goalie for a local hockey league.
Erica is our assistant teacher/Substitute teacher. She has a bachelors degree in business administration, but is currently studying Early Childhood Education. She was a nanny for several families in her younger years and now she spends her free time enjoying life with her daughters and her puppy. Erica's hobbies are cooking, reading, hiking, and crafts. Her favorite daycare activities are watching children develop concentration skills as they learn through play. She's also fabulous at helping the school age children with their math homework. She looks forward to spending time with all the children.
We are also super excited to welcome Ms. Jaden, our newest employee. She moved here recently from Indiana. Jaden attended high school at Terre Haute North Vigo High School. During her four years, she studied ECE and human development. She graduated in 2019, and immediately upon turning 18, she started employment at a local daycare. She worked at her daycare for a year and a half, up until her big move to Illinois. Jaden enjoys spending time with her dog, Shia, and her new puppy, Viktor. She plans to attend Parkland in the Spring to continue pursuing her future career as an early childhood teacher.
