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Meet Our Team!



Honey Bear Day Care staff are highly trained and qualified bilingual professionals who are invested in the growth and development of your children. Our partnerships with Early Head Start (EHS) CCP, Illinois Action for Children’s Preschool for All, Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action, and The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children allow us to provide the best possible care and instruction for your children to reach their full potential.

Essential duties and responsibilities of our staff included:

  • Coordinate and complete developmental screening of all children to determine the child’s priority for enrollment and to help identify any special needs
  • Teach children in large groups, small groups, and individually
  • Work with the classroom team to implement the curriculum, serving as educational leaders and modeling excellent teaching practices. Meet with the classroom team each week to develop lesson plans.
  • Complete regular assessments of each child’s learning. Meet with the classroom team each week to discuss child assessment results and develop individualized instruction plan
  • Welcome parents/guardian in the program and seek out their support and involvement. Hold parent-teacher conferences throughout the year.
  • Visit local kindergarten programs, and help children and parents/guardian transition to those programs
  • Participate in Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings for children with special needs as requested by parents/guardian
  • Maintain a comprehensive and ongoing portfolio assessment for each child, including weekly observations in each area, examples of the child’s work, and a developmental assessment
  • Maintain a safe and healthy classroom environment. Assure that classroom equipment, furniture, materials, and supplies are properly maintained and stored.

Education and/or Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education
  • Illinois Professional Educator Licensure (PEL) in Early Childhood or a Professional Educator Licensure (PEL) or a Level 5 with continued education in ECE
  • At least two years of Early Childhood Teaching experience
  • Knowledge and experience in the philosophy and practices of EHS CCP (or comparable
  • Child development programs, early childhood education, developmentally appropriate practice and bilingual education


Wanda Guerra - Director/Owner

Wanda has owned Honey Bear Day Care since 2012. Her passion for education and childcare is rooted in her experience as a teacher and in her 30-plus-year career in education. Witnessing that “ah ha” moment from her students when the light bulbs go off and watching families overcome their obstacles inspire her each and every day. Her expertise and credentials include:
  • Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Triton College
  • Bachelor’s degree in education
  • CPR and First Aid certified
  • ServSafe certified
  • Trained in Teaching Strategies Gold
  • Extensive training hours in business management and state-required child development courses from nationally recognized agencies.
When it comes to childcare management and knowledge in child development, Wanda is more than capable to face the challenge. In her spare time, she enjoys researching her genealogy and spending time with her family.


Jenny Lazcano -  Assistant Director/EHS-CCP/Preschool For All Teacher

Jenny utilizes integrated curriculum plans and provides instruction to children so that they can become successful learners. Her expertise and credentials include:
  • Bachelor Degree in Education
  • Certification in CPR and First Aid
  • CDA in Infants and Toddlers
  • ServSafe Certified
  • Training in Creative Curriculum
When she’s not working, Jenny spends time with family, learning new crafts, and going on runs.


Reyna Gonzalez - EHS-CCP Teacher

Reyna works with children ages 2 to 3-years-old, providing a safe educational setting that promotes and reinforces parental engagement. She develops and implements integrated curriculum plans and addresses each child’s unique developmental needs. Reyna began her career as an Assistant Teacher for EHS before becoming a Lead Teacher. Her expertise and credentials include:
  • Associate Degree in General Studies
  • Certification in CPR and First Aid
  • CDA in Infants and Toddlers
  • Training in Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies
Reyna spends her free time with her family and has a passion for cosmetics.


Natalie Palafox - EHS-CCP Teacher

Natalie focuses on social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development for children ages 15 months to 2-years-old. Her expertise and credentials include:
  • Associate Degree in General Studies
  • Certification in CPR and First Aid
  • CDA in Infants and Toddlers
  • Training in Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies
Natalie’s hobbies include hanging out with her family and creating crafts with them.


Amanda Guerra - Director/EHS-CCP Teacher

Amanda is in charge of the center’s EHS CCP Child Care Program, Illinois Act for Children Preschool for All, and Child And Adult Care Food Program. In addition, she manages enrollment and collaborates with the appropriate agencies to develop specialized planning for children and parents. Her expertise and credentials include:
  • Bachelor Degree in Education
  • Certification in CPR and First Aid
  • CDA in Infants and Toddlers
  • ServSafe Certified
  • Training in Teaching Strategies and Creative Curriculum
  • Trained in Culinary Arts
When not at work, Amanda loves spending time with her family, cooking, painting, and watching Netflix.


Lily Guerra - Assistant Director/EHS-CCP/ Preschool For All Teacher

Lily fosters a safe and enriching environment for children ages 3 to 5-years-old. Leveraging her intensive curriculum training, she prepares classroom materials to support and accommodate each child’s needs. Her expertise and credentials include:
  • Associate Degree in General Studies and will earn her Bachelor’s in Education in 2021
When she’s not in the classroom, Lily hangs out with her family, watches her favorite shows on Netflix, spends time at the beach, and visits the zoo.


Julissa Villegas - Assistant Teacher

Julissa takes care of babies to ensure health and safety, as well as helping them with maturing skills. Her expertise and credentials include:
  • High school diploma and plans to attend Elmhurst University to earn her certification in Nursing as well as her bachelor’s degree
  • Strong communication and social skills, a distinctive level of patients towards others, and bilingual skills
  • She has volunteered for the following organizations: Villa Scalabrini Nursing and Rehabilitation Center; Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe; Misericordia; and Northlake Public Library
  • Multiple certificates for Gateways to Opportunities
  • Awards and scholarships: Phi Theta Kappa; Scholars Program at Triton College; and Spanish Honor Society at West Leyden High School
When she’s not at Honey Bear, you can find Julissa filming, playing soccer, dancing, performing community service, exercising, reading, riding horses, and traveling. Her future goals are to become a pediatric nurse, and continue to volunteer.


Alejandra Villegas - Assistant Preschool For All Teacher

Alex provides intellectual learning and helps with developing skills needed for the future and to ensure health and safety. Her expertise and credentials include:
  • High school diploma
  • CPR First Aid certified
  • ServSafe certified
  • Trained in Teaching Strategies Gold
Outside of work, Alex enjoys quality time with her kids, outdoor activities, traveling, and listening to music.


Gladys Mendoza -  Assistant Director/Teacher

Gladys ensures a safe and educational environment for Honey Bear Day Care students. She prepares classroom materials to support and accommodate each child’s needs. Her expertise and credentials include:
  • Bachelor's degree in Education from University of Phoenix
  • Certification in CPR and First Aid
  • ServSafe Certified
  • Training in Creative Curriculum
  • Experience as a Kindergarten teacher in a public school
  • ECE credentials level 5 and Level 1 Directors credential
In her spare time, Gladys loves to spend time with her family, as well as traveling and crafting.


Debbie Styka - ILLINOIS ACTION FOR CHILDREN Preschool For All Teacher

WIth more than 20 years of experience in education, Debbie implements integrated curriculum plans and provides instruction to children so that they can become successful learners. Her expertise and credentials include:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Saint Xavier University in Chicago
  • Professional Educator License
  • Certified to teach up to third grade
Debbie is the mother of two teenage daughters, two cats, and two dogs, and in her free time, she enjoys exercising and spending time with my Family.


Contact us to schedule an appointment