Meet Our 2026-27 Fellows

Andrea Sosina is a licensed social worker and medical social worker at University of Chicago Medicine–Comer Children’s Hospital, supporting patients and families across perinatal and pediatric settings. She specializes in trauma-informed, relationship-based care and infant and early childhood mental health. With a background in early childhood education, Sosina is passionate about fostering meaningful connections and advancing equity, family support, and child well-being through compassionate, systems-informed practice and leadership development.

Bianca Zollicoffer is dedicated to advancing early childhood education and special needs programs. With a bachelor’s degree from National Louis University, she brings expertise in early childhood development, inclusive learning environments, curriculum design, and staff leadership. Zollicoffer is committed to growing as a leader alongside a supportive community, seeking connection, guidance, and shared understanding to navigate challenges and strengthen her impact on children, families, and educational teams.

Brianna Hyde is the assistant director of early learning at Concordia Place with over a decade of experience supporting children and families across diverse early childhood settings. Her background includes therapeutic preschools, traditional daycare, and early intervention as a developmental therapist. Hyde is passionate about creating inclusive, nurturing environments and building strong family partnerships. She is committed to ongoing growth, connection, and leadership development to better support children’s development and well-being.

Gabrielle Simmons is an early childhood professional and community advocate dedicated to supporting children and families through education and outreach. She serves as an early learning coordinator and is developing Lillie’s Leaping Learners, a future 24-hour childcare center focused on accessible, high-quality care. Passionate about leadership and workforce stability, Simmons is committed to building inclusive, enriching environments and expanding opportunities that create lasting impact for working families and communities.

Heather Monzingo is the director of Little Scouts Preschool with over 25 years of experience in early childhood education, including 20 years in the classroom and leadership roles in administration. She holds a master’s degree in early childhood administration and specializes in play-based learning, staff mentoring, curriculum development, and family engagement. Monzingo is committed to advancing quality, supporting educators, and strengthening the field through collaborative leadership, advocacy, and continuous professional growth.

Karen Ceballos, CHES®, is The Basics of Greater Elgin coordinator at Enriching Partnerships for Early Learning (EPEL), where she leads initiatives to strengthen family engagement, community partnerships, and supports for early brain development. With a background as a maternal child health programs coordinator, she brings expertise in prevention education, program development, and health promotion. Ceballos collaborates across systems to improve outcomes for children and families and is passionate about advancing equity through stronger early childhood policies and practices.

Liliana Avalos is a kindergarten teacher on Chicago’s South Side, working with diverse learners, primarily students with autism. She recently earned her master’s degree in early childhood education from Erikson Institute. Driven by both her personal and professional experiences, Avalos is passionate about supporting all learners and creating inclusive classroom environments. She is committed to growing as an advocate and leader in early childhood education, working to create meaningful changes for her students and the broader field. 

Loretta M. Watts-Dennis has over 17 years of experience in early childhood education, with a focus on program operations, staff support, and professional development. She is passionate about supporting children and families by building strong partnerships that foster growth both in and out of the classroom. Committed to continuous learning and leadership development, Watts-Dennis works to strengthen early childhood programs while empowering staff and creating nurturing, high-quality environments for children to thrive. 

Najeeda Jones is an education and nonprofit professional with over nine years of experience supporting children, families, and communities. She serves as an assistant site supervisor at Catholic Charities, fostering positive, growth-focused environments. Jones holds a master’s degree in early childhood administration and has worked with organizations including Child Care Resource & Referral, Easterseals, and Illinois Action for Children. She is passionate about leadership, collaboration, and developing solutions that strengthen communities and expand opportunities for those she serves.

Shamika Morgan is an assistant site director with 15 years of experience in early childhood education. She is deeply passionate about supporting children and families, with a strong focus on family engagement and building meaningful connections. Morgan also mentors educators entering the field, helping to guide their growth and development. Committed to continuous learning, she seeks to strengthen her leadership skills while collaborating with others to advocate for children, families, and high-quality early childhood programs. 

Sonia Andrade has over 28 years of experience in early childhood education, beginning as a Head Start volunteer and growing into leadership roles across teaching, coaching, and program development. She holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Northeastern Illinois University and currently serves as an education coach. Andrade is passionate about professional development, mentoring, and equity-driven practice, and is committed to strengthening educators’ impact through collaborative leadership, continuous learning, and innovative approaches to early childhood education. 

Tameisha Davis is an early childhood education professional with experience spanning roles as an assistant teacher, lead teacher, assistant director, and educational coach supporting classroom instruction. She holds Gateway Credentials in Early Childhood and Infant/Toddler (Level 5) and the Aim4Excellence National Director Credential from the McCormick Center at National Louis University. Davis is dedicated to professional growth, collaboration, and strengthening the field through coaching, leadership, and meaningful connections that support children and families. 

Yolanda Flowers is an early childhood educator experienced in supporting preschool students, including English language learners and children with diverse needs. She is dedicated to creating inclusive environments that foster social-emotional development, language growth, and student success. Passionate about educational equity, Flowers builds strong relationships with students, families, and colleagues. She is committed to strengthening her leadership, communication, and advocacy skills to drive meaningful change in education and better support her community. 

Yvonne Sosa is a dedicated early childhood educator with many years of experience supporting children’s learning and development. She is passionate about her work and has continually sought opportunities to grow and achieve her goals in the field. Sosa is committed to further developing her leadership skills and is motivated to make a greater impact on her community. She values connection and collaboration and is eager to engage with others to inspire growth and strengthen collective leadership.