Apple Tree Learning Center (A.T.L.C.) is established not only to help parents take care of their children while they are at work but to give an early educational foundation that these young minds are craving for and need. To be able to meet these objectives of care and learning, an integrated curriculum was designed to encourage social, psychological, physical and academic growth of our children. These teachers are primarily hired due to their Early Childhood development education and length of experience. The teachers still attend seminars and in-service training to update themselves to current methodology of care and teaching. A.T.L.C. has been serving the community for thirteen years; it is licensed to accept children from two years old to nine years old. It had served twenty six or more nationalities of parents and each one of them considered Apple Tree either a "Home Away from Home", "Hugging School" or a "Surrogate Parent" for their children.
	Please meet our staff.

	Florencia G. De Castro (Miss Flor) Graduated from the University of Santo Tomas, Philippines with a Bachelor of Science in Education majored in History and Religion. She completed her graduate work (M.A.) in Guidance and Counseling at De La Salle University. Miss Flor started teaching in Sunshine Pre-School and Kindergarten since 1985, where she also worked a substitute Director. Her experiences inspired her to open Apple Tree Learning Center in 1994 with two objectives: 1. To give a home to children while their parents are working, and 2. Not to waste the young minds of children who are curious, inquisitive and exploring, thus Apple Tree is Not a Day Care but a Learning Center.
	Miss Candy Ouellette – Assistant Director – Graduated with a BA in Sociology from Northeastern Illinois University and finished units in Child Development at Harold Washington College which qualifies her to be a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher. Miss Ouellette has been working at A.T.L.C. for nine years.
	Miss Franshon Jackson – Three and Four Years Old Teacher – She has an Associate Degree in Child Development from Truman College. Miss Jackson had been working for A.T.L.C. for five years. She is an experienced group worker with YMCA and Chicago Youth Center.
	Miss Theresa Topel – Two and Three Years Ild Teacher – Miss Topel earned her associated Degree in Child Development at St. Augustine College in Chicago. Her experiences at Little Angel and Christopher House had made her highly qualified to handle the superheroes of Apple Tree. Miss Theresa has been working at Apple Tree for six years.
	Mrs. Melanie Lilisa – Assistant Teacher for the Three and Four Years Old Class – Mrs. Melanie had trained to be a teacher at Apple Tree for eleven years. She took Child Development Class at Truman College and Harold Washington College.
	Mrs. Janette Reddick – Assistant Teacher for the Two and Three year old Group. Her experiences at Hayt School as Site Monitor and Parent Patrol Lady, and her training to tace care of handicap children as one of the services of the Special Education Program of Hayt School. Qualifies Mrs. Janette to care for the Two and Three Years Old Children of A.T.L.C. Mrs. Janette has been apart of Apple Tree’s Staff for two years.
	Mr. Rhoderick Reyes Dalangin, known as ‘Mr. Derick’ to everyone at A.T.L.C., is the newly hired Pre-K teacher. Mr. Derick is a graduate of Centro Escolar University in Manila, Philippines. He earned a degree in Education with a major in Music. He was an elementary and high school teacher in an Integrated Montessori school. He has taught music, voice and piano is Malaysia. Mr. Derick has taught the children to sing songs in English, Chinese, Malaysian, Indonesian and Pilipino. Mr. Derick describes himself as enthusiastic, motivated, dedicated, resourceful and efficient teacher. For the children of A.T.L.C., Mr. Derick will assist parents with molding their minds as a friend and teacher.