Our Staff

DIRECTOR

Director Shannon Peitz has been working at Gretchen’s House since May of 2013. Previously she was a Director for 16 years at a center in Canton, Michigan. Shannon graduated with a Bachelor of science degree in Elementary Education from State University of New York College at Fredonia. Shannon has been married for 24 years and has two wonderful boys ages 15 and 19 who keep them very busy with college and high school hockey and baseball. In her free time she trains for half and full marathons and is working to complete her Masters.
SUPPORT STAFF
Office Manager Jinell Warson has been with Gretchen’s House since 1994, first as a classroom Head Teacher, then Assistant Director before taking on the Office Manager role at Dhu Varren. She attended Eastern Michigan University and Wayne State University, completing coursework in the Early Childhood and Child Psychology programs. Jinell’s favorite part about her job is touring families at the center and sharing information about quality child care. Jinell lives in Brighton. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, decorating her home, attending school activities and spending time with family and friends.
Cook Michael Roller has been with GH Dhu Varren since 2007. He has an associate’s degree from Washtenaw Community College and has worked in the food industry for several years. Michael is a fan of local sports teams and during his free time enjoys going to games and watching movies.
Cook and Afternoon preschool teacher Katie Hainsworth is a 2008 Purdue graduate with a degree in English Writing and Communications. She has worked in the field of education for the past 7 years. She enjoys reading, photography and drinking lots of coffee. She also spends as much time as she can with her husband, dog and their new son Griffyn.
Building Resource Teacher Tyan Brown started working at GH in July 2013. She has worked in both the Infant/Toddlers and the Preschool programs. She graduated from Mt. San Jacinto College in California in 2011 with a degree in Early childhood Education and a degree in Behavior & Social Science. Tyan and her husband welcomed their first child, Preson in January 2016. In her free time, Tyan enjoys reading biographies, watching documentaries, taking her son to the zoo and going to baseball games.
AM Building Resource Teacher/PM I/T Teacher Rachel Deren earned her degree from Concordia University as a Certified Family Life Educator in 2013. She has been working with children since a very young age which includes, baby-sitting, vacation bible schools and gym center. Rachel enjoys spending time outdoors, reading and hanging out with her family and friends.
PM BRT Alison Tansel earned a Bachelor’s Degree at Oakland University in Wellness, Health Promotion, Injury Prevention where she played D1 Softball for 4 years. She also earned a Master’s Degree at Oakland University in Exercise Science where she worked as a Graduate Assistant for the strength & conditioning program. She loves doing DIY projects and exercising.

BRT Shelby Byers graduated with a high school diploma from Lincoln Park High School and is working towards her CDA (Child Development Associate) working with infants and toddlers. Shelby has worked in childcare settings since 2015 and her hobbies include crocheting, gardening and other crafts. In the future Shelby hopes to go back to school and earn a degree in early childhood education.

back to top

POND

Pond wing Assistant Director Julie Kotzen started working at Gretchen’s House in August 2006. She has a bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Science from Madonna University. In her spare time, Julie enjoys playing sports, spending time with family, and traveling.
POND INFANTS AND TODDLERS
Lead Teacher Rachel Kriebel earned her CDA specializing in Infant/Toddler care from Michigan State University in 2016. She also has 2 ½ years of experience as a Lead Toddler teacher. Rachel has a son that was born in 2004 and two pug dogs who make up her family. She is also a lifetime ballet dancer. She enjoys water and amusement parks in her spare time.

I/T teacher Erica Schrodt is a past GH employee, working with Preschoolers at the Oak Valley location in 2010-2011. She is a graduate from Eastern Michigan University with a dual degree in Elementary Education & Early Childhood Education. Erica has worked with all ages, birth-School-age but toddlers are her favorite. She is an Ann Arbor native, enjoys reading and DIY projects, kayaking and volunteering at the Humane Society of Huron Valley.
I/T Teacher Andrea Hamel says, “Hello! I am so excited to be joining the Pond team! Becoming an Early Childhood teacher has been my dream job and I can’t wait to start that dream. I have recently finished up my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood from Michigan State University in 2016. I have had many opportunities working in preschool settings from my several summers working in preschools in Livonia and East Lansing. When I’m not at work, I am at home with my family. We enjoy going out to eat and watch movies. I’m very family-oriented so I know how important family is. I can’t want to work with the kiddos and their awesome families!”
I/T Teacher Nicole Glenn is studying Early Childhood and Elementary Education at EMU. She has worked with children for over 8 years in different settings. Most recently she worked with preschoolers at EMU’s Children’s Institute. Nicole also has experience being a nanny for multiple families. In her spare time she enjoys babysitting, shopping and writing which she finds therapeutic.
I/T Teacher Demetra Barnett is excited to be a part of the team at Dhu Varren. She obtained an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Development from Chabot College in Hayward, CA in June of 2013. Demetra has worked with Head Start as a Preschool Teacher, as a Toddler Teacher and also has some experience with working with children with special needs with the Early Intervention Services program. Demetra loves to spend time with her two children. They enjoy going on day trips, bowling and watching movies.
I/T Teacher Kelsey Rocheleau says, “Hello! I am a graduate of the University of Michigan – Dearborn with a Bachelors Degree in General Studies majoring in Children and Families. I have gained early childcare experience through practicums at U-M Dearborn and completed an internship with U-M Ann Arbor. I also completed an internship with the Walt Disney World Company in Florida. I am excited to start this path as an early childhood teacher and to be a part of the Pond team! Outside of work, I enjoy being hiking, camping, and spending time with family and friends!”
AM Building Resource Teacher/PM I/T Teacher Rachel Deren earned her degree from Concordia University as a Certified Family Life Educator in 2013. She has been working with children since a very young age which includes, baby-sitting, vacation bible schools and gym center. Rachel enjoys spending time outdoors, reading and hanging out with her family and friends.

POND PRESCHOOL

Lead Preschool Teacher Molly Davis is a recent graduate from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development and Learning and a minor focus in Entrepreneurship. She hopes to one day open her own Child Development Center. She has a passion for music and vocal performance. Molly spent her childhood living in Las Vegas, Nevada and moved to Michigan in 2004. During her free time, she enjoys going to Tigers games and spending time with her family and friends.

Teacher Bridget Stanecki earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Development and Learning at Central Michigan Univ. in December of 2016. She completed her student teaching at CMU’s Lab school and has been a camp counselor for 3-5 year olds at the YMCA. She likes to listen to music, hike, play sports, and spend time with friends and family in her free time
Teacher Sean Schenk started working for Gretchen’s House as a Building Resource Teacher (BRT) in May of 2016. He graduated with a master’s degree in Elementary Education in May of 2013. He is currently taking classes towards earning his Early Childhood Endorsement at Miller College in Battle Creek. Sean has worked as an assistant teacher in a GSRP classroom and a Head Teacher in a Head Start classroom. He has a wife and two children at home. They enjoy going on bike rides together and having BBQ in the back yard.
Cook and Afternoon preschool teacher Katie Hainsworth is a 2008 Purdue graduate with a degree in English Writing and Communications. She has worked in the field of education for the past 7 years. She enjoys reading, photography and drinking lots of coffee. She also spends as much time as she can with her husband, dog and their new son Griffyn.

back to top

RAILROAD

Railroad wing Assistant Director and I/T teacher Megan Haight began working with the Railroad I/T team in July 2008. In January 2013, she accepted the position of program director for the Railroad Wing. Megan earned a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University in December 2004. Her main areas of study were Science, Language Arts, and Early Childhood Education. She and her husband Dave welcomed their son David Michael in April 2010. In her spare time, Megan enjoys running, reading, baking, and spending time with family and friends.

RAILROAD INFANTS AND TODDLERS

Railroad Infant/Toddler Lead Teacher Denise Lechtanski began her career at Gretchen’s House in the summer of 2008. She worked with the school age children before becoming an Infant/Toddler Teacher. Denise is currently attending Eastern Michigan University, majoring in Special Education-Cognitive Impairment, with an Elementary Education minor. Denise spends her free time with her two daughters and her husband.
Debbie Marsh joined Gretchen’s House in 2006. She received her CDA from Baker College in 2004 and is currently working on an associates in Early Childhood from Baker College. Debbie has been working with children for over 20 years. Debbie is married and has one daughter, Anyssa, and keeps busy with her horses and other family pets. Debbie enjoys tennis, painting, traveling and spending time with her family.
Lyric Morgan is from Traverse City, Michigan. She moved to Kalamazoo where she earned a bachelor’s of Art degree in University Studies and obtained an emphasis in Math, Spanish, and Communications from Western Michigan University in April of 2016. Lyric has been working with children in child care for 3 years, she now lives in Ann Arbor with her boyfriend Sean and their puppy Okami. They like to go for walks and kayak down the Huron River whenever they have a chance.
Infant Toddler teacher Alex Schenk has an associate degree in Psychology from the University of Phoenix and is continuing towards a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Central Michigan University. Alex is new to the child care setting, but has focused her degrees on child development. When she is not working, Alex enjoys family time while hiking and camping as well as walking her family dog.

I/T Teacher Courtney Race is new to Ann Arbor. She graduated in 2015 from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development and a minor in American Sign Language. Courtney has had experience working with children since 2003 from babysitting, nannying and working in other child development centers. In her free time she enjoys working out, practicing yoga, babysitting and spending time with her friends and family.
Afternoon I/T teacher Anatacia Stoling has four children between the ages of 3 through 16. She obtained her AS degree through WCC as well as a LA degree and a certification for Human Service work between being a student and stay-at-home Mom.

RAILROAD PRESCHOOL

Lead Railroad Preschool Teacher Katy Czarnecki began working at Gretchen’s House in February 2015. Before starting her career here at Gretchen’s House she worked with an Early Head Start program with children aged 0-3,as well as pregnant moms, for four years. She also worked at the JCC of Greater Ann Arbor with the preschool population for five and half years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Children and Family Services from the University of Michigan—Dearborn. In her spare time, Katy enjoys spending time with her husband Adam, her son Gregory and their two Miniature Schnauzers Sophia & Bane. She also enjoys going to the movies, skiing and reading.
Railroad Teacher Jerod Wesney started at Gretchen’s House in June, 2006 as a full time Building Resource Teacher (BRT). Since then he has worked in every classroom, and has spent summers with the SCAMP program. Jerod earned a teaching certificate in Secondary Education with a major in English from Eastern Michigan University. In his free time, Jerod enjoys reading and spending time with friends and family.
Building Resource Teacher Josh Redmon started working as a substitute teacher for Gretchen’s House in June, 2013. He has been working with children for 8 years as a retail portrait photographer. He is currently attending Eastern Michigan University, pursuing a major in Early Childhood Education. Josh believes that the children are our future. He loves to read, groove to good tunes, and spend time with his fluffy cat named Merlin.
Afternoon Teacher Mojdeh (Mo) Megnot joined the Gretchen’s House team in August of 2013. She earned a bachelor of science degree from Eastern Michigan University in Psychology and Biology. Mo also has a certificate degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of Michigan. There she worked in the pediatric unit teaching junior, senior and graduate level dental students. Much of her work there focused on four handed dentistry and alleviating children’s fear in the dental setting. Mo has also taken many child and family psychology classes at Eastern Michigan University. She first started working with children in high school, caring for her neighbor’s three children and continued to care for them through college and beyond. Mo has three children age 25, 20 and 17, all of whom have attended or are currently attending the University of Michigan.

back to top

FARM

Karen Clark-Cantu is the Assistant Director for the Farm Wing at GH-Dhu Varren. During the summer months, Karen runs the Summer Camp Program. Karen worked as a preschool teacher in a Head Start Program and at the YMCA for 14 years before she joined Gretchen’s House in 1999. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Health. In her free time, Karen enjoys golf, attending classic rock concerts and walking her black lab.
Farm Preschool
Garden Preschool Lead Teacher Marie Gaab joined Gretchen’s House in July of 2009 and moved from Pond I/T to Garden PS in March 2011. Marie earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Eastern Michigan University. She has 10 years of experience working with young children. When she is not working Marie enjoys hiking, biking, and camping with her husband and son.
Preschool Teacher Abby Boerema recently graduated from Central Michigan University in December 2016 with a degree in Early Childhood Development and Learning. For the past 4 summers Abby worked at a preschool in Saline where she gained a lot of great experience. Abby also worked in an after school program at Morey Montessori in Shepherd, Michigan while at CMU. Abby has two older brothers who live in Chicago and Minneapolis. In her free time, Abby enjoys spending time with her family and friends, running, traveling, shopping at Target and watching Michigan football!
Teacher, Danielle Estrada graduated from UMass Amherst with a BA in English and a minor in Education, and from Johnson and Wales with a Masters of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education and Elem/Secondary Special Education. After spending 3 years in elementary classrooms in Rhode Island, she worked for 2 years in an infant classroom and learned that she loved the preschool world! In her spare time she loves books, music, food and exploring with her husband and cat.
Farm Older Preschool
Lead Teacher, Quinton Makgale, also known as “Q” lived in California and East Lansing before moving to Ann Arbor. Q has an Associate degree in Child Development. Q is pursuing a Bachelor degree from The University of Michigan in Developmental Psychology and a separate Bachelor degree in Children and Family studies from The University of Michigan- Dearborn. In his spare time, Q enjoys reading, being with family and friends, playing and watching sports, and loves Michigan football! Q has worked at Gretchen’s House since January 2014, and has been in the Young 5’s classroom since 2015.
Preschool Afternoon Teacher Nikki DeBellefeuille graduated from Monroe County Community College with an AS degree and an AAS in Early Childhood Education at Michigan State University. Prior to Gretchen’s House, Nikki worked for Head Start as a teacher for four years working with preschool age children. She enjoys hanging out with friends, crafting, singing and spending time with her dogs, Moose and Taz.
Afternoon Older Preschool teacher Allie Cadavieco, graduated from Concordia University Ann Arbor with a B.A. in Elementary Education and endorsements in language arts and Early Childhood Education. Prior to joining the Gretchen’s House team, she taught first and second grades. When she is not teaching, Allie enjoys singing, acting, playing ukulele, traveling, biking, hiking, and spending time with her family!
Farm AM Preschool
Lead Teacher Betsy Walsh joined Gretchen’s House in September 2009. She was previously the Young Fives teacher at the Traver location before moving to Dhu Varren. Betsy earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with an Early Childhood (ZA) endorsement from Western Michigan University. In her free time Betsy likes to spend time with her family, and read books. She also likes to go kayaking in the summer and knit in the winter.
AM Preschool Teacher Misty Wesney began teaching at Gretchen’s House in September, 2003. Misty has an Associate’s degree in Science from Monroe County Community College. She has been working in the early childhood field for twelve years. In her spare time, Misty enjoys hanging out with her daughter Elise, painting and camping.
Farm School Age
Karen Clark-Cantu is the Assistant Director for the Farm Wing at GH-Dhu Varren as well as the Head School Age teacher. During the summer months, Karen runs the Summer Camp Program. Karen worked as a preschool teacher in a HeadStart Program and at the YMCA for 14 years before she joined Gretchen’s House in 1999. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Health. In her free time, Karen enjoys golf, attending classic rock concerts and walking her black lab.

Afternoon Teacher Kailah Hardy is from the Adrian/Tecumseh area, which is about 45 minutes from Ann Arbor. She graduated from Tecumseh High School in 2016. Throughout her senior year, Kailah worked every afternoon co-teaching in a special education preschool classroom, which she loved. Kailah currently attends Eastern Michigan University pursuing her master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology, along with obtaining a teaching certificate. Kailah was on her high school bowling team, and enjoys bowling in her free time. “I also love reading and writing, as well as taking walks and riding horses for fun. Although my roommate and I have two fish, deep down I am definitely a dog lover! I always look forward to seeing my two dogs at home.”
Afternoon SA support Ian Arnold is our Cook at the center on Traver Rd. Ian has seven years of professional culinary experience. He holds a bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of Missouri. Ian has worked with children as a nursery attendant and as a student volunteer. He is very enthusiastic about serving the needs of children and their families. In his spare time he enjoys hiking and fishing with his family.
Afternoon SA support Sam Voss