Maura Gilbert

Maura brings a strong foundation in child development and a deep passion for early childhood education. A graduate of Northwestern University with a Bachelor’s in Psychology, she began her journey in the classroom as a substitute teacher at the Wilmette Park District Early Childhood Center. It was there that she discovered her love for working with young children and the meaningful impact of nurturing their social-emotional growth. Maura believes that the early years are a critical time for emotional, social, and cognitive development. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with children, nurturing their inherent curiosity, and fostering independence within a supportive school setting. After deciding to further pursue a career in Early Childhood Education, Maura completed additional coursework at Oakton Community College to deepen her understanding of social-emotional development in early childhood. Most recently, she worked as the Twos and Bridge Lead Teacher at The Goddard School in Skokie, where she continued to create nurturing environments that supported exploration and connection. This year, Maura is excited to join the Bennett Day School community and aide in launching the new Twos program. She looks forward to building strong relationships with children and families, and to creating a joyful, developmentally rich classroom where every child feels seen, supported, and inspired to grow.