Sue Gottschall has a Master’s Degree in Education with a focus on conception through the early childhood years.  She is a Certified Lactation Consultant and Childbirth Educator as well as a Birth and Postpartum Doula.  Throughout her career Sue has worked with children and families, supporting emotional development, literacy and literature for the very young, and learning through play.  Previously, she taught Child Development at UIC and City Colleges and was Director of Hug-a-Book, an early literacy organization, and Chicago Volunteer Doulas.   Sue is delighted to now be concentrating on the earliest periods of development and helping families determine what the right choices are for them.  Sue and her daughter, Rebecca Nguyen, have long dreamed of starting an early childhood organization together. They hope that Picnic: A Gathering Spot for Families with Young Children will offer support to families for many years.

Rebecca Nguyen holds a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.  Before having her own two children, she taught preschool through 3rd grade for ten years becoming a Master Teacher, supporting other teachers in reading strategies and using high quality children’s literature.  With the birth of her children, Rebecca became interested in the earliest period of development, becoming a Certified Lactation Consultant and Childbirth Educator.  Rebecca and her mother, Sue Gottschall had long dreamed of starting an early childhood organization together.  Combining their skills to open Picnic: A Gathering Spot for Young Families is the culmination of this dream.  It will offer Rebecca opportunities to teach new parents about childbirth and breastfeeding and provide many opportunities for her to support parents as their children grow and learn.  She is excited and enthusiastic about the possibilities.