Jolene Biesack,
Co-Founder,
Masters in Clinical Psychology

Jolene Biesack, 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.

Jen Toomey,
Co-Founder,
Masters in Education

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.

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.

Stephanie Lavia,
Spanish Club Instructor,
Masters in Education

Stephanie Lavia is a certified elementary school teacher with 6 years classroom experience. She holds undergraduate degrees in Spanish and Communication Studies from Marquette University and a Masters in Education from the University of Notre Dame. She is also a certified ESL (English as a second language) teacher.

After majoring in Spanish and working in a predominately Spanish-speaking community in Los Angeles, she currently teaches Spanish at AACA. Stephanie’s expertise and passion for language lend credibility and enthusiasm to Smarty Party’s Spanish Clubs.

Amanda Telischak,
Dance and Yoga Instructor,
BA Dance Education & Communication

Amanda Telischak holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Dance, Dance Education, and Communication and has extensive experience educating students as young as age 2 in the areas of yoga and creative movement - ballet, jazz, tap, modern dance, and improvisation. She currently teaches Yoga at St. Ben’s, AACA, and Nettlehorst schools. Amanda loves to see the looks of wonder and excitement on the faces of the children she teaches. Her professional dance background working with several Chicago dance companies, bring credibility, experience, and creativity to Smarty Party’s dance and Yoga classes.

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.

Sara Gothard,
Spanish and Art Instructor,
BA Spanish Literature,
BA Painting & Drawing

Sara Gothard received a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Literature and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing from the University of Michigan. She currently teaches Spanish at Catherine Cook, AACA, and Anshe Emet Schools and onsite at Smarty Party! Sara lived in Spain for several years and taught and facilitated Spanish and art programs in a broad range of environments. She continues to create art in a variety of media and her delight in working with children and youth of all ages, artistic perspective, and curiosity, bring creativity and joy to Smarty Party’s Spanish and Art Classes.