Our Team

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Our Team *

Jo Ford

Director

I co-founded Evanston Early Explorers with, April, after spending many years working as a child and family therapist- I graduated with a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology. My work has always centered on helping children feel seen, heard, and valued. I believe every child deserves to know that they loved and that their voice is important.

One of my favorite parts of the day is walking outside with the children to explore nature together. We talk about the birds and insects we see, identify plants, and use those moments to spark curiosity and conversation about the world around us.

Working closely with children every day allows me to build meaningful, long-term relationships with the kids in our care. My background in child development and therapeutic practice helps me create a supportive, nurturing environment where children feel safe to learn, grow, and express themselves.

On the weekends, I enjoy spending time with my wife, our daughter, and our pups. I’m an avid reader and music fan, and my favorite children’s book is Stone Soup by Jon Muth.

April Webber

Lead Instructor

I have always been passionate about caring for children. In addition to serving as the lead instructor at Evanston Early Explorers, I hold a BA in Environmental Studies and Education from Western Michigan University.

I am a certified Montessori teacher with 22 years experience in Pre-K education. Previously, I worked at a Montessori school serving students from Pre-K through 8th grade. While I valued that experience, I wanted to work in an environment where I could offer a more personalized, high-quality early childhood education. My desire to work with fewer students and provide a more individualized learning experience inspired me and my wife, Jodie, to start our own childcare and learning center.

I am dedicated to fostering a nurturing and stimulating environment that supports each child’s unique developmental journey. I believe that early childhood education should encourage curiosity, independence, and a love of learning.

Outside of the classroom, I enjoy sewing, gardening, and swimming. One of my favorite children's books to share with students is Going on a Bear Hunt.

Syd Ford

I am an enthusiastic and dedicated early childhood educator with a deep love for working with children. I love engaging with kids in various educational and developmental settings, and I find great joy in watching them learn, grow, and discover the world around them.

I recently graduated from DePaul University with my B.S in Neuro Psychology and a minor in Speech Language Pathology and I am now pursuing my Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology, which allows me to bring an added focus on communication and language development to my work with young learners.

I am committed to creating a warm, nurturing, classroom environment where each child feels valued, supported, and encouraged to explore their unique interests. Seeing children develop new skills, gain confidence, and reach milestones is the most rewarding part of my work, and I strive to make every day a fun and meaningful learning experience.

Instructor