Our Staff

Erin Lyon is committed to making the child care center a place for growing and learning in a warm, safe and healthy environment with an emphasis on earth-friendly living and positive socialization. Ms. Lyon brings great energy and expertise to the job. Her experience includes a Directorship at the prestigious Tutor Time Childcare/Learning Center in New York City. She holds a Master's Degree in Elementary Education from Sacred Heart University.

Ms. Lyon trains all staff to teach a hybrid curriculum developed specifically for Little Green Tree House. The curriculum is based largely on the Creative Curriculum, which is commonly used in most pre-school and kindergarten classes, but also includes some components of a theme-based curriculum. Says Lyon, "My main goal is for our teachers to be hands on and to provide a curriculum that can be easily adapted to different ability levels. The research of Jean Piaget, Erik Erikson and Lev Vygotsky, as well as Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences all impact this custom curriculum."

Sarah Stiltner, originally from Michigan, moved to Chicago in the summer 2009 to become a part of the Little Green Tree House's administrative team. She attended college at Western Michigan University, which today, is ranked as one on the nation's top schools by the Princeton Review, US Today and World Report. While Sarah attended Western Michigan University, she earned two separate degrees. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education and Leadership along with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Sarah also earned three minors while at Western Michigan University, which include: Mathematical Instruction for Children, Science Instruction for Children, and also Integrated Creative Arts for Children (Dance, Music, Visual, and Theatre). Sarah continued her education by becoming a licensed educator through the Board of Education in the state of Michigan, and also earned her ZA endorsement which qualifies her as an Early Childhood Specialist. Sarah's previous teaching experiences include teaching pre-school and pre-kindergarten for the well known Head Start program. She has also taught first grade in the public school system. Outside of teaching, Sarah has mentored several children ranging in ages 5-13 and worked as a program and curriculum facilitator for the Kalamazoo Public Schools, in Michigan. She brings a great insight and direction into the educational experience our children have each day.

Melissa Urban, Assistant Executive Director

Melissa is originally from Minnesota and moved to Chicago during the summer of 2009. Melissa earned a degree in Human Development and Family Life with a minor in Economics from the University of Kansas. After completing her Bachelor of General Sciences degree, she accepted a position at Canterbury Preparatory School, a fairly new Early Childhood school in Kansas as a Lead Infant Teacher. While at Canterbury, Melissa was quickly promoted to their administrative team as a Director at one of Canterbury's sister schools . Through being a part of Little Green Tree House for almost two years now as a Lead Toddler Teacher, Melissa joins our administrative team and continues to help the school grow by providing insight to educators as well as developing and implementing new and revised procedures and policies. Melissa is a positive addition to the Little Green Tree House director team because of her very positive energy and her enthusiastic drive to exceed her duties as a member of the Little Green Tree House staff.