Our staff is reflective, full of passion and downright creative. We are here to create daily meaningful experiences for your child.

Urban Child Academy is always seeking highly qualified teachers who are passionate about implementing the latest in educational research at our play-based center. Email our team at faculty@urbanchild.org with a brief description of what you are looking for professionally and a copy of your resume.

Directors

• Laura Bianchi Eikenmeyer, Ph.D. is fulfilling her dream of opening a preschool in Chicago. She earned her doctorate in Educational Psychology from Loyola University in Chicago. Laura contributes to the Academy as both Owner and Curriculum Director, focusing on providing each child with the best possible early education experience based on contemporary research. As a Chicago Mom herself, Laura has personal insight into the preschool scene, having survived the tedious and frustrating process of finding a high quality preschool for her own young urban child. This first-hand experience has shaped Urban Child Academy’s mission through every stage of its development and growth.
• David Eikenmeyer, J.D., M.B.A., a native Californian who has adopted Chicago as his home, earned his law degree from the University of Notre Dame and his M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Professionally, he has experience in litigation, intellectual property, manufacturing and information technology. At Urban Child Academy, he is responsible for developing a physical space worthy of the school's educational goals. He makes sure the school runs smoothly and remains true to its educational mission of creating a nurturing and fun environment for the children, their families and teachers.
• Melissa Gilroy, M.A.T. El. Ed is a graduate of Montclair State University. She was born and raised in New Jersey where she completed her Bachelor’s in Psychology and continued her education in the Master’s program in Elementary Education. Melissa moved to Chicago in 2009 and enjoys every aspect of the city. She joined the UCA team in July 2013 and loves being around the kiddos. Melissa was a lead teacher in the Eager Einstein classroom for two years and feels that this specific age group has an eagerness to learn like no other! She loves to watch each of them explore and grow! Melissa joined the director team in 2015. She loves welcoming new families to UCA as our enrollment director. When Melissa is not at UCA she enjoys spending time with her husband Tim and her two boys Brady and Andy. Melissa loves being a mother and director!
• Iris Gasca, B.A Elementary Education., is a graduate of Furman University of Greenville, South Carolina. At Furman, Iris graduated with an Elementary Education degree and a focus in both Special Education and Spanish. Following in her mother’s footsteps and motivated by her younger sister, Iris pursued a teaching career. Iris student taught in a 2nd grade, public school classroom in Greenville, South Carolina. Before entering her last year of college, Iris interned at UCA in the summer of 2018. She also taught at the Gold Coast campus at the start of 2020 and cannot wait to be back! In her free time Iris loves to read, watch movies, and go out in the city with her friends and family.
• Back to top

Leads

• Roberta Gasca, B.S, is a graduate of Instituto Politecnico Nacional of Mexico, City with a Bachelor Degree in Business. Roberta started working in Chicago Public Schools 16 years ago as a substitute teacher in a classroom with children who have special needs. Over the next 7 years, Miss Roberta continued to teach first grade, kindergarten and preschool while taking Masters level courses in Education at Northwestern University and Malcolm X College. Her experience at CPS was some of her favorite work of her life! Before joining UCA, Roberta led a classroom of 3 year-olds at Kids Life Center where most of her teaching was in Spanish and in Head Start Programs. Ms. Roberta has been working for UCA since fall of 2013 teaching Spanish to all grades at UCA and also working with preschool classrooms who she considers as her second family.
• Samantha Fitzwater, B.A. is a 2020 graduate of Wichita State University with a bachelors in Social Work. After graduating she worked with children and families in counseling and in childcare. Samantha loves being a good role model for kids and likes to make a good impact on children’s lives. Samantha moved to Chicago in November 2022 and joined the UCA team in April 2023. She enjoys watching the kids explore, use their imagination, and watch them grow. When Samantha is not at UCA she enjoys being cozy at home but looks forward to exploring her new city.
• Bridget Okunfolami, B.A. is a graduate from the University of Illinois at Chicago. In college, Bridget majored in Human Development and Learning in Early Childhood. She has been a lead teacher for the past 2 years and it has been a positive opportunity to watch children develop and grow into confident and self-sufficient learners! She is excited to join Urban Child Academy and be a part of the family! Miss Bridget is a Chicago native and enjoys hanging out with friends, eating out and exploring the city!
• Back to top

Specialists

• Shannon Netemeyer, B. A., is a graduate of Millikin University. She is originally from Albers, Il. During her education career, Shannon has volunteered with various classroom programs such as Operation Safe Kids and Morning Religious Learning. After finishing college, Shannon obtained her substitute teaching license, which is where she began spending time in preschools throughout the Southern Illinois area. She became fascinated with how unique each child’s learning experience is and how they were willing and excited to learn and grow. In her spare time, Shannon enjoys writing and performing many styles of music, reading good books, and exploring the city. Shannon joined UCA in June of 2020 and is looking forward to being the UCA Music Specialist!
• Erik Bianchi Eikenmeyer, C.K.@ H. (Certified Kid @ Heart), , is all grown up now! Born and raised in Chicago, he helped his parents create the magic of UCA. Now in college studying engineering, he enjoys running, working out, playing soccer and video games. Many of the original design decisions, toys and creative curriculum ideas came straight from Erik and his own childhood years.
• Back to top