Jen Toomey,
Co-Founder,
Masters in Education
jen@smartyparty.us

Jen Toomey is a certified elementary school teacher with 13 years classroom experience teaching 1st – 5th grades. She holds an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from DePaul University and a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University. Jen is a Title 1 Teacher at Alphonsus Academy & Center for the Arts (AACA) and an Adjunct Professor at DePaul University. Her areas of expertise include literacy, curriculum development, and training and mentoring new teachers. As a mother of 2 school-aged children, Jen knows the importance of connecting with children and building meaningful educational experiences. She currently oversees Smarty Party’s summer camp programs, winter and spring break activities, birthday parties, and special events such as movie nights, trunk shows, and family functions. Jen’s enthusiasm, high energy, and bubbly personality engage children the moment they arrive.

Jolene McMahan,
Co-Founder,
Masters in Clinical Psychology

Jolene McMahan, a certified elementary school teacher with 5 years classroom experience, taught Spanish for grades Pre-K to 8 and team-taught 3rd grade with Smarty Party co-founder, Jen Toomey. She received her undergraduate degree with majors in Spanish and Psychology from Hamline University in St Paul, Minnesota and holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. Jolene has worked extensively in the Chicago-area healthcare systems as a Master Assessment Specialist and Psychotherapist. Her specialty includes second language acquisition and instruction, as well as developmental, intellectual, and academic achievement testing. She passionately believes every child’s learning environment should be fun and provide an opportunity to grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally. Jolene currently oversees all Smarty Party’s Spanish Programs, Spanish Summer Camps, and Spanish Clubs that include both on and off site after-school classes at neighborhood public and private elementary schools. Jolene’s warmth and dedication make children feel at ease while sparking their love for learning.

Colleen Brennan,
Speech & Language Specialist, Masters Speech-Language Pathology

Colleen Brennan is a certified speech-language pathologist for the American Speech- Language-Hearing Association. She received her undergraduate degree in Communication from St Mary’s College, Notre Dame and Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Purdue University. Areas of specialization include: articulation/phonological disorders, Apraxia, auditory processing disorders, receptive/expressive language disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Colleen has worked with children in a variety of settings including hospitals, schools, and private homes. Her family-centered approach to therapy attempts to maximize caregiver participation and address speech and language disorders in the most natural setting – the child’s home. Colleen’s passion involves creating exciting play-based therapy sessions that engage children and empower them to reach their goals.

Kristin Urbanus,
Yoga and Spanish Instructor,
BA Psychology,
International Teaching Certificate

Kristin Urbanus teaches Spanish 4 days a week at St. Ben’s grades K – 8 and oversees Yoga and Spanish Club after-school activities there. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from St. Norbert College where she studied Psychology and Peace and Justice. She obtained an international teaching certificate, Teaching English as a Foreign Language in Prague, Czech Republic and a Spanish Certificate, Diploma Española Lingua Extranjera, in Seville, Spain. Her Yoga practice began while living in Spain and has since grown into a passion and life-long journey. Kristin’s philosophy encourages children to discover the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of yoga and meditation at a young age, and reap the benefits of maintaining good health, emotional stability, and self-acceptance. Fluent in Spanish, Kristin’s passion for Yoga, languages, and travel, bring dedication, inspiration, and fun to Smarty Party’s Yoga Classes and Spanish Club activities.

Marcine Adams

You’ll find Marcine working birthday parties, summer camps, special events and at the front desk at Smarty Party! She has loads of experience with kids and it shows. She attends DePaul University where she studies Elementary Education full time and tutors a range of students up to grade 5. With her creative mindset towards the early developmental stages of learning she is highly recognized in the area for her students success. She has been a part of and helped run a family owned day care business for as long as she can remember! Marcine has coached cheerleading for St. Norbert’s Catholic School in Northbrook and managed the Justice Clothing Store in Old Orchard Mall. Marcine also works for the Northbrook Park District! Nationally ranked in Family Career and Community Leaders of America Early Education STAR Event, Marcine provides an energizing and creative learning environment that will bring out the best in all students. She is very excited to a be a part of the Smarty Party team!

Megan Westbrook

Bio coming shortly ...

Carol Weston

Children’s songstress, Carol Weston, has performed widely throughout the Chicago land area. Her credits include Taste of Chicago, over 40 Chicago Public Libraries for the Summer Reading Programs, pre-schools, elementary schools and day care centers. She has done music residencies in Chicago Public Schools for the past 20 years and is a music teacher at Chiavaralle Montessori School in Evanston. Carol has also been on the staff of the Old Town School of Folk Music as a Wiggleworms teacher for over 20 year. She is excited to her love of music to Smarty Party!

Carol Weston holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and a Master’s in Special Education.