At ChooChoo Chicago, Your Family Childcare, our teachers make us who we are. We have a team of loving, supportive, and educated caregivers. These teachers are carefully chosen with our ideals and beliefs in mind. They have educational and in-field experience and continue to nurture and guide our children daily. They know the ins and outs of child development but also how to spread love and have fun.
Our teachers provide an environment where close personal attention, nurture, and the well-being of each child are the main focus. They spend their days guiding our children to play, learn, and grow in their “home away from home.”
Founder/Program Director
Mrs. Mia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Entrepreneurship from the City University of New York, accompanied by 15+ years of childcare experience in various settings. In recent years she has achieved Illinois’ Director Certification, Early Childhood Education Credentials, as well as Infant Toddler Credentials through Illinois’ Professional Development System and INCCRRA.
With her entrepreneurial skills, love for education and children as well as specialization in art history and studio arts, Mrs. Mia brings her love for arts and crafts as well as her reliable and reputable childcare experience into this family venture.
At the age of 19, Mia, or as the neighborhood kids call her, “Mrs. Mia,” packed her bags in Serbia and ventured to the U.S. on a volleyball scholarship to explore her educational opportunities. Her studies took her from Dodge City, Kansas to New York City, and no matter where she was, she continued caring for the little ones around her. She worked as a Teacher’s Aide in a daycare center in KS, a loving family nanny on the Upper East Side of NY, and a trusted babysitter across NYC. After graduating from the City University of New York with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Entrepreneurship and Art History, she landed a “real job” in the art world. However, Mrs. Mia quickly realized that her true passion was her work with children. In 2013, Mia and her husband, Goran, moved to Chicago, where Mia opened her new family venture—an in-home family childcare program. With this move, ChooChoo Chicago was born, and Mrs. Mia has never looked back.
Mrs. Mia brings a unique perspective through her background in Art History and Studio Arts. She shares her expertise with her team and the children through a variety of fun, creative activities. In recent years, she furthered her education in early childhood development by earning ECE credits through INCCRRA and the Illinois ExceleRate Program and achieved:
– Early Childhood Education Credentials
– Infant Toddler Credentials
– Illinois Director Credentials
These credentials give Mrs. Mia a deeper understanding of young children, as well as the administrative and leadership qualities necessary to run a successful early childhood organization.
Today, Mia serves as the Founder and Program Director of ChooChoo Chicago Academy. She is incredibly excited about the program’s continued growth — most recently the expansion to the Lakeview West campus, a milestone that reflects years of dedication, community partnership, and a shared vision for what early childhood education can be. She’s passionate about providing a nurturing, home-like feel to the children attending ChooChoo, and she is knowledgeable about what these little minds need academically and socially-emotionally. She understands young parents and their fundamental needs in a big city and is passionate about uplifting and promoting ECE teachers as essential, hardworking educators — not babysitters.
A mother of three little ones — Vanya, Luna, and Vida — Mia and her family enjoy spending time outdoors. They spend their days biking, exploring Chicago’s parks, traveling, and discovering new foods together. Mia also enjoys Studio Cycling and Yoga. She loves meeting new families and hearing their stories, as it fuels her passion for creating a warm, connected community where children, families, and teachers feel welcomed, safe, appreciated, and proud to be part of ChooChoo.
Hoppers Co-Lead Teacher
Cabooses Assistant Teacher
Cabooses Assistant Teacher
Cabooses Lead Teacher / Lakeview East Center Director
Boxcars Co-Lead Teacher
Substitute Teacher
Mr. Ted is a skilled and passionate professional with a BA in Theatre. With six years of experience in education and childcare, including serving as an assistant teacher and a swim instructor, he has now shifted his focus to his acting career. However, Mr. Ted still contributes as a substitute teacher here at ChooChoo, bringing his love for performing into the classroom to help children develop their social skills and boost their confidence. Outside work, he enjoys making music, playing board games, and watching movies with friends. Mr. Ted is a cherished member of our team at ChooChoo Chicago, bringing creativity and enthusiasm to our students’ learning journey.
Locomotives Lead Teacher
Floater/Teacher's Aide
Substitute teacher
Boxcars Assistant Teacher
Hoppers Lead Teacher
Boxcars Lead Teacher
Substitute Teacher
Floater Teacher
New to the city of Chicago, Miss Hannah received her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Policy from Virginia Tech. She discovered her love for working with children when she returned to her childhood summer camp as a staff member and realized just how fun and rewarding supporting kids could be. She values connection and joy as children learn and grow. Miss Hannah believes kids thrive best when they feel encouraged and understood. Outside of ChooChoo, she enjoys thrift shopping, watching her favorite show, New Girl, and spending time with her orange cat, Lucy.
