Staff Bios

At St. Vincent de Paul Center, we place a strong emphasis on staff professionalism and encourage on-going education in order to maintain our quality employee standards. Currently, we exceed the teacher credential standards required by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) and the Chicago Public Schools Community Partnership Program, which support high quality early childhood education programs.

Our Child Development Staff

Don Hamilton, director of St. Vincent’s child development program, holds a certificate in early childhood education from DePaul University and has completed a BA in early childhood administration at Kendall College. He has more than 30 years of experience in early childhood education as a Center staff member. Mr. Hamilton became director in 2002 and now directs the activities of 67 teachers and staff in 25 classrooms, five supervisors, and the Center’s nurse.

Diane Prince, supervises 17 teachers in 6 classrooms in the early childhood birth-three program. Ms. Prince has taught at St. Vincent de Paul Center for over 30 years. She holds an associate in applied science degree in child development and is recognized as a Child Development Associate by the Council for Professional Recognition. She is pursuing a bachelor’s in early childhood education at Kendall College and should complete her degree in summer 2010. She will hold an Infant/Toddler Credential.

Pearl Washington, who joined St. Vincent’s staff in 1980, supervises 15 teachers in 5 classrooms in the early childhood birth-three program. She recently completed her bachelor’s degree in human development at North Park University and is currently pursuing a master’s in education at DePaul University.

Jennifer Blackwell, supervises 21 teachers in our 7 pre-kindergarten classrooms. Ms. Blackwell earned a master’s degree in early childhood education from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2001 and joined St. Vincent’s staff in 2002. She has also received her Illinois Director’s Credential.

Michelle Brown, supervises 12 teachers in 6 classrooms in the before/after school program. Ms. Brown joined the St. Vincent de Paul Center staff in March 1988. She has earned an advanced certificate in early childhood from Malcolm X College and is pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood/psychology from National Louis University

Christopher Kuck, LCSW, has been employed with St. Vincent de Paul Center since July 2007. He received his master’s degree in social work from the Jane Addams School of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago. In October 2009 he received his clinical license. Chris has seven years prior experience in child welfare, working with youth in a residential treatment center.

Laura DuFour, LSW, has been employed with St. Vincent de Paul Center since July 2008. She earned her master’s in social work from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. Prior to working at St. Vincent de Paul Center, Laura worked as a grant writer for The Children’s Aid Society in New York City, and with parenting teenagers in foster care at Leake & Watts Services Inc., also in New York.

Nicole Kusack, MSW, MS, has been working at St. Vincent de Paul Center since November 2008. She received her Master’s in Social Work from Loyola University of Chicago School of Social Work, and her Master’s in Child Development from Erikson Institute. In September 2010 Nicole started working in Clinical Services as the Family Support Specialist. Prior to this position Nicole was an infant/toddler teacher as St. Vincent’s. Nicole worked in a continuity of care two-year classroom.