| Kelly Lessard was the Lead Teacher in the Garden Infant/Toddler program before taking on the role as Assistant Director. She has been employed with Gretchen’s House since December of 2006. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University, majoring in Child Development with an emphasis on early childhood education. Kelly recently completed her Master’s Degree at Eastern Michigan University in Educational Psychology. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family. Some of her interests include shopping, sports, and outdoor activities. |
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| LAKE Infants and Toddlers |
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| Lead Teacher Melissa Fry comes from a big family with many siblings, which inspired her to work with children. She has an Associates degree from Monroe County Community College and hopes to be pursuing a Bachelors at EMU soon. Melissa spends most of her time hiking with her dogs, and traveling. She is an avid book reader and concert goer. |
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| I/T Teacher Catia Medoro was born in Italy and moved to the United States in 1997. She has a background in Chemistry and is currently working towards credentials in Early Childhood Education. Catia has 4 children and 5 grandchildren. She spends most of her free time playing and enjoying time with them. |
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| I/T Teacher Lindsey Hayes graduated in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in Early childhood Education from Eastern Michigan University. She has worked with children all of her adult life. Lindsey enjoys traveling, playing board games and hanging out with friends. Lindsey also recently returned from a year in Germany as a nanny! |
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| Teacher Jessie Smith has 5 years of experience working in Early Childhood Education. She began working in a Montessori Preschool in Arizona. Her family moved to Ann Arbor 4 years ago and is currently attending school to obtain a degree in Early Childhood Education. In Jessie’s spare time she enjoys cooking and baking. |
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| Teacher Rawan Nasar has a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from the University of Jordan and is currently working on a Master’s degree in Learning Disabilities at Eastern Michigan University. Rawan has always held a passion for becoming an educational resource for children. She says that “watching children learn and grow makes me feel blessed and cheerful.” Prior to coming to GH, Rawan worked with a diverse range of students aged between preschool and 4th grade. |
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| Afternoon Teacher Ashley Lisi graduated from Eastern Michigan University in the Spring of 2015 with a BS in Literature, Language and Writing. In her spare time she enjoys reading, writing, singing, dancing and playing outside, especially in the garden. In spending time with little ones dear to her, she’s decided to make child care her career. Ashley is interested in pursuing a CDA at Washtenaw County. |
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| LAKE Preschool |
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| Lead Preschool Teacher Cassie Castro graduated in 2011 from Saline High School. She attended Madonna University where she played volleyball for 4 years and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development in December 2015. Previous to Gretchen’s House, Cassie worked at St. Mary’s Child Care Center as a preschool teacher. In her spare time Cassie enjoys coaching club volleyball, exercising and spending time with her family & friends. |
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| Preschool Teacher Joy Newton graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2006 with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education with the three minors of Science, Early Education and Reading. Joy previously worked in a preschool classroom setting for 7 years. Some of Joy’s past times included reading stories of all kinds, traveling and listening to a variety of musical styles. Joy is also a big Michigan and Eastern Michigan fan! |
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| Teacher Beth Music is excited to be at Gretchen’s House, and look forward to meeting you and your children. She recently moved to Ann Arbor from Louisville Kentucky where she taught preschool. Beth graduated from Muskingum University with a degree in Religion/Philosophy, and has been working with and caring for children for nearly twenty years. When she is not at work, Beth loves to read, run, watch baseball and hang out with her husband and their dog Sabo. |
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| Afternoon Teacher Sahar Kazi comes to Gretchen’s House with a Bachelor’s degree in Business. She was born in India and moved to the United States in 2008. She enjoys traveling and exploring new places. Sahar also loves spending time with her 5 year old. She is excited to be a part of our Gretchen’s House community. |
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| GARDEN |
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| Assistant Director Knar Pifer is a Michigan native and has been teaching since 2007. She graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education. Currently, she is pursuing her Masters in Special Education: Moderate Disabilities. Knar has previously taught pre-school, 2nd grade and 5th grade. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, camping and playing board games with her husband and their families! |
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| Garden Infant and Toddlers |
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| I/T Teacher Jade Teachey is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, and has an educational background in elementary education, early childhood education, integrated science and early literacy. Her practicum and student teaching placements have given her experience working with students at varying age and developmental levels. She enjoys spending time with her husband Paul and her son Everett. She is excited to be here at Gretchen’s House, and to have the opportunity to teach infants and toddlers. |
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| Teacher Kristall Tedesco says that her passion is working with children and she is excited to be at Gretchen’s House! She earned a a BA of Science at Eastern Michigan University in 2009. She is a certified teacher for K-8 with an endorsement in Science, and has been a 4th grade teacher. Kristall has also provided child care for families of children aged 6wks to 10yrs. |
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| Teacher Ashley Hoover is currently enrolled in the Child Care Professional program at Washtenaw Community College. She will graduate with her Associate’s degree in May 2019. Afterwards, Ashley plans to attend Eastern Michigan University and attain her Bachelor’s degree in either Speech Pathology or Children and Families. Ashley has had experience working in a daycare setting since December of 2013 and she is excited to be a part of the Gretchen’s House team! In her free time she enjoys relaxing in the sun and working out. |
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| Teacher Rashera Coleman graduated from Siena Heights University in 2015 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development. Growing up she knew she wanted to become a teacher, as she enjoyed being around children. After work Rashera enjoys being outside and taking her dog on walks. |
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| Teacher Joanna Depa has been working with children for almost 2 years. She is currently earning her degree in Early Childhood Education. She loves working with children, reading and being able to get out and enjoy nature. Joanna looks forward to working with you and your family. |
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| GARDEN Preschool |
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| Lead Preschool Teacher Amy Kasvin attended Miami University, Oxford, OH where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Studies and minors in Nutrition and Child Studies. Amy worked for two years as a preschool teacher in East Lansing and then as an Assistant Department Head of kids activities at Lifetime Fitness in Cincinnati, OH. In her spare time, Amy enjoys dancing, skiing, traveling to see family and watching MSU football! |
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| Teacher Raquel Lopez will have a Bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University in May 2018. She has been a nanny for 5 years. Some of Raquel’s hobbies include swimming, crafting and listening to music. |
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| Prior to joining Gretchen’s House, BRT Marsha Tam worked full-time with a nonprofit Christian organization where her focus was on mentoring college students and organizing events. Marsha worked as am After School Childcare Teacher as well as a Lead Preschool/PreK Teacher role at other centers. Marsha graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. English, with a concentration in Education and Communications. Currently, she is working to obtain a Preschool CDA credential. In her spare time, Marsha loves to explore and get lost in parks, trails, and forests. She also loves event planning and has found herself taking on small jobs like wedding planning, event coordinating, and working as a registrar/administrator for small and large conferences. |
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| AM BRT and PM Preschool teacher Sarah Brinker has a Bachelor’s degree in Social work with a concentration in Children and Family from Eastern Michigan University. She has experience with children as an after-school activities coordinator, in-home child care, and as a children’s social group facilitator. In her spare time, Sarah volunteers at a children’s art center, spends time outside at parks & gardens, writes and does yoga. Sarah also enjoys hosting family & friends. |
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