Principal

I am proud to serve as principal of Brokaw Early Learning Center. The 2022-23 school year will be my 15th year as a principal and my 20th year in school administration. Prior to joining the Brokaw family, I served as the principal of Prairie Point Elementary School for six years and a private school in Joliet for eight years. While at Prairie Point, we had the privilege of having several Brokaw early childhood classrooms as part of our school community. Before serving as principal, my experience was in special education, first as a special education teacher and then as a special education administrator. I am very excited to bring my leadership and special education experience to my new role at Brokaw. 

I received my bachelor’s degree (elementary education) from Bradley University in Peoria, IL. I then received both my master’s degree (special education) and doctorate degree (administration and supervision) from Loyola University Chicago. My husband and I live in Naperville and have two teenage children, Mattix (16) and Molly (13). We also have a dog named Sophie. 

I am very excited about joining the Brokaw family this year. As principal at Brokaw, I have the unique privilege of welcoming many children to school for the very first time. My top priority is that school is a welcoming, safe and fun experience for each child. It is also important to begin building relationships with families that will continue as students move into elementary school and beyond. I am looking forward to getting to know each child this year, as well as collaborating with parents and families. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at any time. I am looking forward to an exciting school year!

Assistant Principal

Nykisha Barefield is the assistant principal at Brokaw Early Learning Center. In that role she provides building leadership. She has worked with the Catholic Charities, Diocese of Joliet, ECSD, Joliet, Illinois since 2002 in various roles, with her most recent being that of Assistant Director of Education and Support Services since 2014.  She has also had 18 years of experience in the implementation of services in the Head Start program and was a Head Start Teacher at the Catholic Charities Diocese of Joliet for four (4) years.  Her professional affiliations include:  National Head Start Association-Trainer; Illinois Head Start Association-Quality Enrichment Circle (Content Area Expert); Pyramid Model Implementation Trainer; Early Childhood Community Focus Group and Early Childhood Coordinators-StarNet Region VI; National Black Child Development; Head Start Fellow; NAACP (DuPage); Joliet Junior College Alumni Board-Director of Large; Joliet Junior College Early Childhood Education Committee; Joliet Public School District 86 Community Partnership & Literacy Committee; Joliet Regional Chamber of Commerce; and NAEYC/IAEYC.

Ms. Barefield received her bachelor’s of science degree, Individualized Curriculum (Major-ECE) from Chicago State University, Chicago, Illinois and her M.A. School Leadership (General Administration, Type 75) from Concordia University, River Forest, Illinois. She is eager and excited to promote growth and development in the students at Brokaw Early Learning Center.

Special Education Program Administrator

Maureen Troke has been with Oswego CUSD 308 since 2013 as a Special Education Program Administrator.  She enjoys collaborating with educational teams, parents, and students to provide a supportive learning experience where children excel.

She earned her educational leadership degree from Loyola University of Chicago, IL, her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Teaching from St. Mary's University of Minnesota.