A.R.T.S. Faculty
Maureen Fahey
Academy A.R.T.S. Director, Practical Life, Montessori
Maureen Fahey joined the Academy family in 2004 when her two sons began attending preschool. In 2009 when her daughter started preschool, she became the Practical Life teacher in the Art/Music/Montessori room. She enjoyed learning more about the Montessori method and introducing the children to new ideas each week at the practical life table. Maureen loves the unique preschool experience that the Academy offers families in the community. She studied Family and Consumer Science at Eastern Illinois University and worked in management and consumer relations after college. In her free time Maureen enjoys reading, yoga and spending time with her family especially outside in nature! Maureen lives in Oak Park with her husband and three kids.
Nathalie Yanguas
Academy A.R.T.S. Director, Art, Cultural Awareness, Literature
Nathalie Yanguas is originally from Switzerland. She has an MA in Egyptology from the University of Geneva, Switzerland. Before moving to the United States in 2015, Nathalie taught French for 11 years, working primarily with adults and teenagers, in particular immigrants and refugees. She now lives in River Forest with her husband and her daughter. Nathalie started at the Academy as a parent volunteer when her daughter was in preschool, then as an aide in 2017 and as a French teacher in 2018. She worked in almost all the A.R.T.S. classes, from Art, Creative Art and Literature & Culture to Music, Creative Movement and Physical Fitness. On Fridays, she has worked in the Montessori/Practical Life area and Science. She also taught French at Lincoln Elementary School in River Forest and works from time to time as a freelance translator.
Sasha Gillett
Aide
Sasha Gillett is currently working towards a dual bachelor's degree in early childhood and elementary education at National Louis University after earning her associate's degree in early childhood education from Triton Community College. Since middle school, she has worked with children of all ages from newborns to elementary school, starting out as a mother's helper and eventually developing into an experienced babysitter for families in the neighborhood. For as long as she can remember, she has been passionate about teaching and taking care of children. Sasha feels it is very exciting to encourage their development, curiosity, and trust in themselves. She is truly enjoying every second of being a member of the Academy family and is excited about continuing to develop as a teacher and positively influence the lives of the children she interacts with.
Heléna Gorgol
Creative Movement
Heléna Gorgol graduated from the University of Illinois with a BFA in Dance. She is also a graduate of the Academy A.R.T.S. pre-school program, class of 2005. She grew up dancing at the Academy from the age of 4 through her senior year of high school. She began demonstrating for dance classes at the age of 10 and worked in the A.R.T.S. program and taught dance classes during summers throughout high school and college. Helena also spent two years teaching intermediate levels of ballet at the Champaign Park district. She has loved working at the Academy for years, and she is excited to be able to spend the school year getting to know her students and being a part of nurturing their early development.
Jennie Hills
Aide
Jennie Hills, born and raised in Oak Park, attended Irving School, Ascension, OPRFHS, and Utah State University. Growing up in Oak Park, she was the neighborhood babysitter, and her first job was at a daycare center. Jennie loves helping kids grow, discover, learn, and have fun. She has two daughters, her oldest is an OPRFHS grad who is on the university Women’s Wrestling team in Iowa. Her youngest is a current OPRFHS student. Jennie’s hobbies include reading books. Her favorite place is the Book Table. She enjoys backyard gardening and raising butterflies in the summer. She’s creative so she’s always doing something “Art” – chalk drawing, painting rocks, coloring and lettering, anything she can. Jennie’s also into food. She loves to cook family recipes and she’s a huge fan of fresh fruits!
Grace Lu
Creative Movement
Grace Lu is a performing artist, educator and early childhood professional. In education she has worked as a literacy coach with the Illinois library system, private tutor, classroom aid and art room assistant 1st - 8th grade at the Green House school, Wheaton, IL. She studied Early Development and Psychology at College of DuPage before moving into Theater, graduating from the Acting Conservatory program at Black Box Chicago. She has loved her time as an Actress and PA working in Theatre, film and TV. Grace also grew up dancing! studying different styles of dance, her favorite was Hawaiian dance, which she performed professionally with the Hawaiian style dancers of Chicago. She is excited to share her love of the arts with the youngest and most creative members of our community.