About Me

Welcome! My name is Jan Ivaska and I am the teacher in the Dragonfly room here at the Valley View Early Childhood Center. I have taught EC for many years in the district and love every minute of my time with my students. It is truly rewarding to see the children grow each and every year. I hold a Masters Degree in Early Childhood –Special Education from National-Louis University, an undergraduate degree in Community Health Education from Illinois State University and am certified to teach regular education as well. I am happily married to my husband of 28 years, Ken and have a 24 year old son Luke. In my free time, I enjoy photography, gardening and traveling with my family and friends.

My teachers assistants this year will be is Judy Giganti and Charlene Sommers.

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome to the Dragonfly room (110) and the Early Childhood Center! We are very excited to be here and to have the opportunity to work with you and your child. It should be a year full of fun and learning. My name is Jan Ivaska (Ms. Jan) and I will be your child's teacher. I have been an EC teacher for many years and enjoy each and everyday with the children. It is great to see them grow over the course of a year. My assistants are Judy Giganti (Ms. Judy) and Char Sommers (Ms. Char). They bring many years of experience and are both wonderful additions to the classroom.

Sandy Wilson will be our speech therapist.  Our Occupational Therapist will be Donna Ballak (Ms.Donna) and our Physical therapist is Dana Kubinski (Ms.Dana).

Our days will be filled with activities that improve our motor skills, social skills, speech, academic and the arts. A communication book will come home daily explaining our activities for the day. If you have any questions, please feel free to call or jot us a note in the book. They will be checked each and every day.

Communication between home and school is very important to us here. I will be available to talk between 7:30-8:45 in the morning and between 11:35-12:45.

We will do our best to make each day exciting for the children as we make our trek "Over" the rainbow "One Step at a Time!"

Ms. Jan, Ms. Judy and Ms. Char

Classroom Team

• Teacher - Jan Ivaska
• Teacher Assistant - Judy Giganti
• Teacher Assistant - Charlene Sommers
• Speech Pathologist - Sandy Wilson
• Occupational Therapist - Donna Ballak
• Physical Therapist - Dana Kubinski