Our Staff
Director
Infants and Toddlers
BARN Preschool
Cottage Preschool
| DIRECTOR | |
| Director Danielle Wiener joined Gretchen’s House in 2007. She has as associate’s degree in Early Childhood from Niagara County Community College and earned her bachelor’s of arts degree in Education with a minor in Psychology from Dominican College. Before taking on the role of Assistant Director/Office Manager, Danielle worked in both the I/T and Preschool programs as a teacher and then the Young 5’s program as a Lead Teacher at our Dhu Varren location. Danielle has worked with children for the past ten years in both public schools and child care facilities. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. In addition, Danielle enjoys traveling, reading and being with family and friends. |  |
| SUPPORT STAFF | |
| Assistant Director Chelsea Moll |  |
| Cook Ian Arnold 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. |  |
| BRT Torisa Johnson |  |
| Lead 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. |  |
| I/T teacher Alissa Graczyk is a 2012 graduate of Sienna Heights University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Child Development. She has been working in a variety of child care settings over the past 5 years and joined Gretchen’s House in July of 2018 as a Substitute. In Alissa’s spare time she enjoys baking, photography, and spending time with her husband Ryan. |  |
| Teacher Tina Martinez |  |
| Afternoon teacher Olga Balyabo received a degree of Science in Belarusian State University of Informatics and Electronics. She came to the United States with her husband and young son in 2007. Olga has worked in preschool classrooms for 10 years. She teaches math for children ages 3-9 at an Ann Arbor Russian School. In her free time, Olga enjoys listening to Classical music, reading books and quilting. |  |
| INFANTS AND TODDLERS | |
| Lead I/T teacher Allison Rogers has many years of experience teaching Infants and Toddlers. She has been in the Infant/Toddler Room at GH Traver. Allison earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, taking road trips, visiting lighthouses, and photography. |  |
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Teacher Maddie Orlop says, “Hello! My name is Madelyn Orlop or Maddie for short. I recently graduated from Pennsylvania State University, where I earned a B.A. in Comparative Literature and Asian Studies with a minor in Japanese. During my time there I was an America Reads Literacy Mentor at the local children’s museum. In my free time I enjoy reading, playing my ukulele and piano, and doing origami. I am very excited to meet all of you!”
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Teacher Sarah Auerbach |
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| Lead preschool teacher Sydney Jurczak graduated in 2018 from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Family and Child with a focus in Child Development, as well as a minor in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Since graduating, Sydney has worked in an elementary school as a Special Education Instructional Aide. Sydney grew up in Indiana near Lake Michigan. She enjoys spending time at the lake with family, drinking too much coffee, and hanging out with her boyfriend, Matt and her kitty, Peppa. Sydney also values her time volunteering with the Indiana Special Olympics. |  |
| Preschool teacher Taylor Davis Hello! I am a graduate of Western Michigan University with a bachelors degree in public relations. Previously, I have had experience subbing at other Gretchen’s House locations and am excited to now be at Traver! In my free time, I enjoy spending time outdoors snowboarding, kayaking, and exploring nature. |  |
| My name is Skyla Shobe, I went to Central Michigan University for Early Childhood Development and Learning with a Minor in Family Studies. I have come to Gretchen’s House to sub during my summers and school breaks for many years. I began working as a family group teacher in July 2021. Outside of working with children I love spending time with my family, traveling, and walking my dog Jenni. I look forward to getting to know your child this summer! |
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| Lead Teacher Carrie Woloszyk has been working with children for over thrity years. She received both an Associates in Early Childhood Education & a CDA from School Craft Community College, and she’s a certified Registered Behavior Technician. In her spare time she loves being outdoors with her family & friends. Some of Carrie’s favorites is reading (all types of books) cheering on Detroit sports teams, classic rock & jazz music, iced coffee/teas, sushi and Detroit’s favorite Buddy’s pizza! |  |
| Teacher Cleora (Cleo) Townsend |  |
| Afternoon Teacher Pam Chapin earned a degree from Western Michigan University in 1982. She has been teaching preschool for 14 years and before that was a stay-at-home mom. Pam has four grown children and one grandson. She enjoys reading, camping, watching documentaries and sewing. |  |