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JCC | Academics Navigtaion
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Faculty Bios
Choose a name from the list or scroll down to read them all:
Kathy Burke
Kathy is an early childhood consultant, teacher and innovator. She received a
BA degree in Art and an MA degree in Early Childhood from Siena Heights
University. Kathy has over 20 years of experience as a preschool teacher and
early childhood administrator.
She is currently adjunct faculty at Jackson Community College and
undergraduate / graduate adjunct at Siena Heights University. She has developed
numerous courses for the JCC Child Care program in addition to serving as a CDA
advisor. Kathy has also presented at conferences and workshops throughout the
state of Michigan.
Kris Dack
I am Kris Dack. I have lived in Parma for 30 years. I have been married to
Jeff for 14 years and together we have two children: Lindsy, 12 years and
Jordan, 8 years old. I have a Bachelors of Science degree from Western Michigan
University, and am currently a childcare Director at Angels Among Us in Spring
Arbor. I have held this position since the center opened in April of 2001. Among
my many duties at the childcare center, in which I am a partner, I have taught
the preschool program, and am now the lead teacher in the infant room along with
all the managerial duties that the Director upholds.
My hobbies are camping with my family, reading children's literature, and
transporting my children to baseball, soccer, Junior National Honor Society, and
spelling bees. My family and I are proud to be the owners of an overweight,
elderly Chihuaua named P-nut, and we also have Netherland Dwarf rabbits.
Children are my life and joy!
Susan Dieter
I have a B.A. in Special Education and an M.A. in Early Childhood Education both from Eastern Michigan University. I also have an Infant Mental Health Specialist Certificate from the University of Michigan. My work experience includes teaching for the Lenawee Intermediate School District, Director for Adrian Migrant Head Start and Gretchen’s House Child Care Centers and Education Coordinator for the Adolescent Mental Health Unit at Herrick Hospital. I am currently an instructor at Eastern Michigan University in the Early Childhood Education Department.
I have served as a parenting instructor and have presented at local, state and national education conferences.
I live in Tecumseh with my husband where we raised three children, two of whom are currently in college. My family has been involved in 4-H, soccer, hockey and softball. We have raised two Leader Dogs for the Blind foster puppies who are currently in service.
I believe that it is important to help young children appreciate the outdoors, animals and diversity in people.
As a preschooler, I was a card-carrying member of the Mickey Mouse Club.
Sue DuShane
I am a graduate from Siena Heights University. Working with children is my
passion. Too many children are litteraly "left behind", it is our job as
educators to be sure this doesn't happen. I enjoy working with children in
elementary school most of all. They are like sponges, just soaking up the
knowledge we can provide them. I am the mother of 2 wonderful boys,
currently age 10 and 15! My husband Mark and I have been married for almost
22 years. I am very excited about my opporturnity to teach here at JCC!
Heidi Friedel
A.A. Child Care Worker - Washtenaw Community College
B.A. Family Life
Education - Spring Arbor University
Work Experiences:
I have taught in a variety of early
childhood settings. I have worked with all ages (infant thru school age) and
their families. I have taught in private child care centers, an
intergenerational program, Head Start and have worked in a child care home. I
did an internship with the Parents As Teachers program in Chelsea, MI as a part
of my field experiences for my B.A.
Other Professional Experiences:
Southern Michigan
Association for the Education of Young Children: Governing Board Member -
Current position is Vice-president: Membership and Affiliate Representative to
MiAEYC. Previously held positions: Month of the Young Child Committee chair,
President, and Member at Large.
Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children: Governing Board
Member - Current position is Affiliate Representative from Southern Michigan
AEYC. Previous positions: Month of the Young Child committee chair, special
projects grant committee chair. I have also served on the public policy, budget,
and professional development committees.
Parenting Awareness Month/Parenting Awareness Michigan Steering Committee
Member
Conference Presenter at the following conferences: Michigan AEYC Child
Development Conferences, Southern Michigan AEYC Fall Conferences, Midwest AEYC
Annual Conference, Michigan Head Start Association Annual Conference and
Parenting Awareness Month Kickoff Conference
Volunteer in my son's classroom and the Read to Me program at Eby Elementary
in Napoleon.
Personal: Married, one son Justin and one "four legged
child" our golden retriever Shadow.
Lori Gardner
I have been involved in the early childhood field since the mid-1970's. And after graduating from Hillsdale College with a Bachelors degree and an Early Childhood Endorsement (ZA) on my elementary teaching certificate, I returned to HC to be an instructor in the ECE program. While there I completed my Masters degree from Michigan State University in Child Development with a cognate in Administration.
Professionally, after leaving Hillsdale College, I... have been a substitute teacher in the public schools... taught the Michigan School Readiness Program in Litchfield...was Manager for the Head Start and School Readiness Programs operated by Community Action Agency in Hillsdale County, along with supervising their literacy and early success programs and assisting with program management/classroom development in the Jackson County Head Start... was Director of Head Start and School Readiness Programs operated by Adrian Public Schools throughout Lenawee County... and now along with being the Early Childhood Development and Education Program Coordinator at JCC, I provide consulting services in the ECE field. I have been an active member of the national, state and local chapter of the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children since 1981, and present workshops at conferences and private trainings in all settings.
My passion for quality programming for young children extends into my personal life as well. I am a Junior Achievement, Arts Goes to School and PTO volunteer, as well as a Girl Scout Leader for my daughter and her friends.
Concord is home for my husband, daughter and myself - which allows us to be centrally connected to the great variety of programs and services that are available to children and families in our tri-county area.
Dawn Grimm
Hi! My name is Dawn Grimm (or Tennyson-Grimm). I received my Associate of
Arts degree in Business Administration from Bay de Noc Community College and my
Bachelor of Science degree in Early childhood Education (Elementary Emphasis)
from the University of Wisconsin-Stout! While attending UW-Stout, I was given a
once in a lifetime opportunity to co-author a book with best selling authors Dr.
Judy Herr and Yvonne Libby-Larson. The name of the book is Teacher Made
Materials That Really Teach! and it is an early childhood curriculum book. I
have been working with young children for several years. In those years I have
had the opportunity to work in several wonderful and unique settings which
include; Michigan School Readiness Programs, LSSU Childcare, Parent-Coop
Preschools, UW-Stout Infant/Toddler Lab and Preschool, Substituting in Public
Schools, Community Action Agency Early Head Start (Infant/Toddler Room), and
Head Start and my current position as a Kindergarten teacher at George Long
Elemetary School in Grass Lake.
Recently, my husband Ryan and I made a new addition to our family with our 10
month old son, Cooper. We also have a six year old Siberian husky, Nanook. I
love working with children and hope that you gain a variety of valuable
knowledge from myself and the rest of the Early Childhood Education Staff.
Angela Jahr
Bachelors of Science Degree, Michigan State University, 1992, Family and
Community Services, Early Childhood Education
Over 10 years dedicated experience in the field of Early Childhood Education.
Currently working as a local site coordinator on the Head Start Impact Study,
a national Early Childhood Education Research Project looking at the impact of
early childhood education on children through 2nd grade.
Prior Experience:
Child Care Specialist with the Child
Care Network, Washtenaw Regional 4C Association, Preschool Teacher/Team Leader
at Children?s Playspace, On site coordinator and liaison for The Family Growth
Centers/Child Abuse Prevention Services, and Preschool Teacher for Michigan
Center Public Schools.
Professional Affiliation:
current member NAEYC, past
President SMAEYC
Personal experience:
Mom of two young children, Makenna
5 years and Ryan 2 months.
Gail Kuhl
My name is Gail Kuhl. I have enjoyed teaching in the Early Childhood department and have met many dedicated individuals. I have my MAE from Spring Arbor University in Education, my BS from Eastern Michigan University with a Mathematics, English, and Social Science minors, as well as a Major in Elementary education. I also have an associates degree from Washtenaw Community College in Liberal Arts Studies.
I was a late bloomer to the teaching field, but have found my true calling. I earned my degree while raising my two children, and two stepchildren in the small town of Manchester. I have been lucky enough to have traveled to Italy (to meet my first grandchild) Spain (to facilitate a dance production for my daughter) Australia (Dance again) Fiji, and Morocco. I also have been to 15 of our 50 states and hope to increase that number in the next few years.
I currently live with my husband of 20 years, Greg, and our four dogs on our 66 acres in Manchester. I visit our children in Georgia, Colorado, Clarkston, MI, and Rochester Hills as often as I am able.
Gedy Love
Dr. Gedy Love has been an educator for many years, but she believes her role as Steven's mother is her most important, so she often introduces herself as "Steven's mom."
Dr. Love has spent twenty-nine years in the k-12 system as a teacher, language arts and social studies department chair, and k-8 curriculum coordinator. She has taught all subjects and all levels of students including math, the sciences, language arts, reading, social studies, history, and geography including the at-risk levels, the special education students, and the highly gifted and talented. She has also spent seven years at the college level as professor, dean, and chief academic officer. Her mother, Dr. Virginia Svagr Cooper, was a clinical psychologist and Dr. Helmer worked with her on a part-time basis for nearly fifteen years.
Dr. Love continues to serve on a number of advisory boards for the Jackson Area Career Center (Early Childhood and Teaching; J.R.O.T.C.) and the Jackson Area Manufacturing Association. She serves as a consultant to local school districts, colleges, and businesses; and she serves as an adjunct professor at Jackson Community College and Spring Arbor University. She is the second vice-president of Delta Kappa Gamma, a sorority for women educators.
Brooke Rains
My name is Brooke Rains, and I received a BA in Elementary Education from
Adrian College in December of 1994. I student taught that next semester, then
subbed until the end of the school year. When summer rolled around, I began
working at a local child care center. I planned on trying to get a teaching job
come Fall of 1995, but enjoyed the child care so much that I stayed and became a
PreK teacher. Almost a year later, I was given the awesome opportunity to direct
and operate the center.
About 2 years later, I was able to purchase the center and became the owner,
along with being the program director, business manager, Pre-K teacher and
all-around staff member! I sold the center about four years later (I ran it for
about 6 years total), and I am now employed as the Trainer at the Adrian office
of Child Care Network, a non-profit Child Care Resource and Referral Agency.
I live in Adrian with Dave, my husband of 12 years and Lucy, my beautiful Chocolate lab puppy.
Pam Sine
Teaching Exceptional Children has been one of my greatest privileges in life
and continues to be an exciting challenge as research brings new data to the
field. After finishing my degree at the University of Toledo, I moved to Jackson
where I have been teaching preschoolers for over 20 years and have directed
several programs including overnight camping experiences for children with
cancer and other special needs.
I was the first Director at Joey's Junction, but I missed working directly
with children, so I headed back to the classroom. My current Head Start
assignment is located at the Torrant Center in Jackson County. Welcome to the
wonderful world of early childhood development as it relates to teaming with
trained specialists to assist our very special little ones.
Missy Wilcox
BA with minors in ECE, English and Social Studies from Hillsdale College,
1991
Current Elementary Teaching Certificate with ZA endorsement
MA in Education from Spring Arbor
Worked 9 years at Coldwater Community Schools, Taught Pre-K and Child Care
Director
3rd year at Mary Randall Preschool - Hillsdale College, Instructor in
Education Department
Member NAEYC
Attend annual Michigan Collaborative Early Childhood Conference in January
Involved in PTO for Hillsdale Community Schools
Married, 3 children ages 7, 5, and 2?
Nancy Williams
My name is Nancy Williams. I live in Homer and am married and have four grown
sons, two daughter-in-laws and one granddaughter. I have a MA. Degree in Early
Childhood Education from Western Michigan University. I have a B.A. in
Elementary group Minors from Western Michigan University. The minors are
Creative Arts, Recreation, and Elementary education. I also have Elementary
teaching Certification. I also have an A.A. in Liberal Arts from Southwestern
Michigan College. Additionally I have training in Montessori and Kindermusik.
I have taught in all areas of education, infants through adults. I have
developed and taught my own music program for infants and toddlers and one for
preschool children as well. I have taught infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
for over 25 years. I have worked in Head Start, School Readiness, Private
Preschools, Day Care Centers, Co-op Preschools and Home Day Care.
I am also a teacher trainer and workshop presenter. I have presented at the
Learning Disabilities Conference, Flint 4C's Conference, MIAEYC Conference,
Michigan Provider's Alliance Conference, MI Council of Cooperative Nursery
Schools Conference, Supporting Families with Young Children conference, Kinship
Care conference, Kent County 4C's Conference, MI Head Start Conference, and
Southwestern MI Early Childhood Conference, My area of expertise is how to use
music to enhance learning. I show ways to incorporate songs into the daily
classroom schedule to help children learn in all areas of curriculum. I also
encourage the use of sign language, hand and body motions, props and puppets.
My philosophy of teaching is active learning! I feel that to gain the most
out of the learning experience you need to be actively involved. We gain so much
more and more quickly by doing rather than just hearing and seeing.
Revised
07/13/2007
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