Early Childhood
Blossoming Years: Fostering Young Learners.
Curriculum Overview
Students are supported in achieving their individual goals, while developing strong foundational math and literacy skills through hands-on activities and intentional play. Curiosity and creativity are stimulated, and an developmentally-appropriate academic curriculum ensures that students are ready to take the next step in their educational journey.
Pre-Kindergarten Morning Program
Pre-Kindergarten Afternoon Program
Kindergarten Program
Engaging Each Child in Early Childhood
Our Aspirations
Through engaging activities, nurturing guidance, and a focus on holistic development, we set the stage for a lifelong journey of exploration and achievement. Join us as we lay the foundation for a bright educational future for your child.
1:1 iPads for students in Kindergarten
Guiding Stars: Our Dedicated Early Education Facilitators
Early Childhood Teachers
Meet the compassionate and skilled educators who form the heart of our early childhood program. With a deep understanding of young minds, our teachers create a nurturing environment that sparks curiosity and fosters growth. Through engaging activities and personalized guidance, they inspire a love for learning that lasts a lifetime.
Preschool Teacher
Joanne Conway
Preschool Teacher
The 2021/22 school year was Mrs. Conway’s first year as Pilgrim’s preschool teacher and she is happy to be part of the Pilgrim teaching staff!
Mrs. Conway holds a BA and a MA in Education, plus 11 years of teaching experience. She is licensed to teach special education and early childhood. During the 2020/21 school year she worked as a behavioral therapist, providing therapy and other services to diverse learners. From 2011-2020, she was a lead teacher, assistant director, and interim director of Total Child Preschool in Evanston, IL, where she worked with former Pilgrim principal and PreK teacher, Beth Ruppe.
Mrs. Conway lives in Evanston with her husband Chris, their kids, Atticus and Corinne, and their two dogs. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and having dance parties while cooking dinner with her family.
Polly Smith
Mrs. Smith received her B.A. in Youth Ministry from Moody Bible Institute and her M.A. in Education from North Park University. Since graduating, she has been involved in early childhood education for over ten years. Before arriving at Pilgrim, she taught pre-k at Salem Christian School in Humboldt Park/Logan Square for seven years. She is excited to be a part of Pilgrim’s play-based program and to see students grow and explore while having fun in the classroom. She especially has a passion for teaching young students and inspiring a life-long love of learning.
When not serving as Pilgrim’s Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Smith enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with friends and her husband, Tom.