Meet the Team

Stephanie has three sons - a high schooler, an 8th grader, and a 4nd grader - who have been at Canty since each was in PreK.  She and her husband of 17 years have lived in the Dunning neighborhood since 2009. 

Stephanie is a 2003 grad of UIUC and has worked as a librarian, barista, and archaeologist.  She believes every person's perspective is invaluable, and her hope going forward is to invite and acknowledge the unique opinions of all in order to benefit the well-being of each and every student at Canty.

Jan's family has lived in the Canty community since 2017. Her youngest son is in 7th grade and her twins are in 8th grade.

Jan is a former music teacher turned stay at home mom turned mompreneur & digital assistant, and her husband of 21 years is an engineer with the Chicago Fire Department. 

Jan has had a lifelong inspiration to join the PTO from the moms who served at her elementary school.

Coming soon!

Elohimnette, better known as Lenis, has 3 kids that attend Canty: An 8th grader, 5th grader, and a second grader. 

She has been married for 19 years and has lived in the Dunning community for 20 years. 

Lenis graduated from Loyola University in 2008 with a BA in social psychology with a minor is sociology. 

She's worked as an HR Clerk, preschool teacher assistant (daycare), and a job recruiter before becoming a stay at home mom. 

She is very excited to join the FoC Board to better assist the Spanish speaking community.

Coming Soon!

Coming Soon!

Coming Soon!

Nicole Van Dyken, also known as Nikki, has four Canty Cougars including twin third graders, a fifth grader and an eighth grader. Married for 15 years to a Chicago Public Schools teacher and coach, Nicole has been in the Dunning neighborhood since 2019.

Nicole spent many years as a Human Resources Director in the healthcare industry before ending her career to become a stay at home mom in 2013. This allowed her to rekindle her passion for visual arts. Nicole is now an exhibiting artist, having the honor of showing artwork all over the Midwest including The Griffin Museum of Science & Industry, Woman Made Gallery Chicago, Artprize Grand Rapids and many more.

Nicole also volunteers on the communications committee at Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club where her and her husband are members.

Nicole is excited to be a member of the Friends of Canty team and to lend her creativity to the Canty community in any way she can.

Coming Soon!

Coming Soon!