| 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 Courtney Race started working for Gretchen’s House in 2017 at Dhu Varren as an infant/toddler teacher before making the move to Oak Valley. Courtney received her bachelor’s degree in 2015 from Central Michigan University in Early Child Development and American Sign Language. When she’s not at work, Courtney and her boyfriend are busy with their puppy, Milly. Courtney enjoys mountain biking, working out and spending time with friends. |
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| 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 Kelsey Shannon graduated from Ferris State University in 2020 and is excited to begin her teaching career at Gretchen’s House! She has been passionate about teaching for as long as she can remember. She has experience with infants through sixth graders and is especially interested in the early childhood years. As a life-long learner she’s hopeful and excited to get her master’s degree in early childhood education. Her goal is to make a lifelong impact on children and families and help them grow, learn, and succeed in their own ways. Outside of work, Kelsey enjoys baking, crafting, and spending time with her family and friends. |
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| Teacher Abby Harmon graduated in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in both Early Childhood Education as well as Elementary Education. She has worked with children ever since she was basically a child herself. Abby has worked with them in a variety of ways from babysitting to working as a party leader to camp coordinator as well as working with them in a classroom setting. Abby has 5 years of teaching experience and is ready to make a difference in as many lives as possible. |
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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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| Lead 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 Alexa Gates has been working with children since February 2017. She married her high school sweetheart in 2017 and is hoping to start a family of her own soon. In her spare time she likes going on walks with her dog, and going to the lake. Her goal is to get her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. |
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| Afternoon teacher Jasmine Beemon, started as a sub at GH in November 2017. She has worked at Honey Creek Community School for the past 4.5 years in the after-school and summer camp programs with ages kindergarten through eighth grade. Jasmine will be returning to Washtenaw Community College in the fall to earn an associates as a CCP (Child Care Professional). She attended Eastern Michigan University last year to major in Special Education with a specialty in Cognitive Impairments. In her spare time, she enjoys going to movies and hanging out with friends and family. Jasmine has 3 dogs and 2 cats, and is extremely happy and excited to work in the preschool room. Jasmine looks forward to meeting you all! |
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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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| Hello! My name is Brittany Pennington and I am about to begin my adventure here at Gretchen’s house in the Garden Preschool Room. Although I will be new to Gretchen house, I am not new to caring for children and child care. My love and experience with children began at my home with 7 younger siblings. After I moved away for college I continued and began my studies of child development. I have my associates degree from Washtenaw Community College in Child Development and my Bachelors Degree from U of M in Child and Family Studies. I have been working in childcare since 2011. I have experience working with child care from infant to preschool age. I moved to the Ann Arbor area in 2010 and shortly after, I met my now husband Eric. We have a active and curious 4 year old son, named Elliott that will also be attending Gretchen house. As a family, we enjoy camping, biking, exploring new places, spending time with family and friends, and taking our puppy Layla for walks. I can’t wait to meet your child and family! |
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| Teacher Sara Harrington attended Kent State University in Kent, Ohio where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education, minor in History, and a Certificate of Disability Studies and Community Inclusion. Sara has worked as a preschool teacher the last two years. In her spare time, Sara enjoys baking, hiking outdoors, spending time with my family, and gardening. |
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| Afternoon teacher Valerie Duncan is excited to be starting her journey in early childhood development with Gretchen’s House. Valerie feels that having the opportunity to have a career where she can help teach and learn alongside all of your children is truly a blessing. She is eager to become part of such a fantastic team where she can utilize her strengths and passion for working with children. There is nothing more fulfilling and rewarding then being able to make a difference in a young child’s life. |
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