Administrative Staff

Beth Ann Blanchard, Center Director

Beth Ann holds a master's degree in early childhood education from Eastern Michigan University and a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education from the University of Michigan. She earned a State of Michigan elementary teaching certificate and an early childhood specialization endorsement. Beth Ann had 16 years of prior experience working with children before joining our program. She has been working as a Center Director with the U-M Children's Centers since August 1999.

Jasmine Boster, Program Director

Jasmine holds a master's degree in early childhood education from Eastern Michigan University and a bachelor of science in human ecology from the Ohio State University. She also earned a State of Ohio pre-K teaching certificate. Jasmine has worked with the U-M Children's Centers since August 2000 as a teacher, director, and now Program Director.

Teaching Staff

Carolina Aliste

Carolina is working to obtain an associate's degree in early childhood development from Washtenaw Community College. Carolina had four years of experience working with children prior to joining the program. She has been with the U-M Children's Centers since October 2022. 

Serena Anzalone

Serena holds a bachelor of science degree in elementary education, math, and science from Eastern Michigan University. She also holds a State of Michigan elementary teaching certificate with an early childhood education endorsement. Serena has been teaching with the U-M Children’s Centers since May 2003.

Mikayla Bowerman

Mikayla is working toward an associate's degree as a child care professional at Washtenaw Community College. She had six years of experience working with children prior to joining our program. She has been teaching with the U-M Children's Centers since June 2021. 

Christian Boyer

Christian holds a bachelor of science in early childhood education and a bachelor of science in elementary teaching from Eastern Michigan University. He also holds a State of Michigan teaching certificate with an early childhood education endorsement. Christian had two years of experience working with children prior to joining our program. He has been teaching with the U-M Children’s Centers since January 2016.

Sandra Lee Canales

Sandra holds a bachelor of arts degree in Spanish with an early childhood education concentration from Grand Valley State University. Sandra had over 20 years of experience working with children and families prior to joining our program, and began teaching with the U-M Children's Centers in August 2019. 

Kellie Chestler-Root

Kellie holds a bachelor of science degree in child development with an early childhood concentration from Central Michigan University. Kellie had seven years of prior experience working with children before joining our program. She has been teaching with the U-M Children's Centers since August 2011.

Darius Cobb

Darius holds a bachelor of science degree in children’s literature and drama from Eastern Michigan University. He also holds an associate’s degree in elementary education from Washtenaw Community College. Darius had several years of experience working with children before joining our program and taught with the U-M Children’s Centers from February 2005-2008. He returned in August 2014.

Heather Cole

Heather holds a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Eastern Michigan University. She also has a State of Michigan elementary teaching certificate, with early childhood education and mathematics endorsements. Heather had three years of prior experience working with children before joining our program. She has been teaching with the U-M Children's Centers since June 2013.

Marie Gaab

Marie holds a master of arts degree in early childhood education from Eastern Michigan University. She had 20 years of previous experience working with children prior to joining our program, and she has been teaching with the U-M Children's Centers since August 2020.

Andrew Hall

Andy holds a master of arts degree in educational studies from the University of Michigan, with preK-6th grade elementary certifications. He also holds master of music and bachelor of music degrees in saxophone performance from U-M and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Andy had 17 years of experience teaching music and working with families prior to joining the U-M Children's Centers in October 2022.

Sheila Hall

Sheila holds an associate of science degree in early childhood development from Monroe County Community College. She has been with the U-M Children's Centers since June 2015.  

Elizabeth Hollmann

Elizabeth holds a bachelor of science degree in child development from Michigan State University and an associate degree in early childhood education from Washtenaw Community College. She has been teaching with the U-M Children's Centers since July 2022.

Samantha Huff

Sam holds an associate of applied science degree in early childhood development from Monroe County Community College. She had one year of prior experience working with children before joining our program. She has been teaching with the U-M Children's Centers since August 2012.

Kimberly Hull

Kim holds a bachelor of arts degree in early childhood education from Central Michigan University. She had over five years of experience working with children prior to joining our program. She has been teaching with the U-M Children's Centers since August 2008.

Merritt James

Merritt holds a bachelor's degree in human development from the University of Utah. She had four years of experience working with children prior to joining our team. She began teaching with U-M Children’s Centers in July 2022.

Korinn Kulinski

Korinn is currently working toward her master’s degree in reading at Eastern Michigan University. She holds a bachelor of science degree in elementary education, language arts, and science from Eastern Michigan University. Korinn also holds a State of Michigan elementary teaching certificate with early childhood education endorsement. Korinn had several years of experience working with children prior to joining our program. She has been teaching with the U-M Children's Centers since February 2003.

Ana Liuzzi

Ana holds a bachelor of English literature degree from the University of Puget Sound. After college, she worked with children for eight years in outdoor education and outdoor museums. She joined the U-M Children’s Centers in April 2022.

Kathleen Meyer

Katie holds a master’s degree in early childhood education and a bachelor of science degree in elementary education, science and language arts from Eastern Michigan University. She also holds a State of Michigan elementary teaching certificate and early childhood education endorsement. Katie had two years of experience working with children prior to joining our program. She has been teaching with the U-M Children's Centers since August 2003.

Karen Ong

Karen holds a bachelor of arts degree in educational, media, and health psychology from Touro University Worldwide and a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from the University of Michigan. Karen had four years of previous experience working with children, prior to joining our program. She has been teaching with the U-M Children’s Centers since September 2019.

Denise Pelky

Denise holds a master’s degree in early childhood special education. She holds a bachelor of science degree in early childhood education from Rochester College. Denise is a member of the International Childbirth Education Association and has a certificate in childbirth education. She had several years of experience working with children prior to joining our program. She has been teaching with the U-M Children's Centers since July 2001.

Natasha Picklesimer

Natasha is currently working toward an early childhood education associate degree from Schoolcraft College. She has been with the U-M Children's Centers since February 2022.

Jessica Polonchan

Jessica holds a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Wayne State University. Jessica had four years of experience prior to joining our program. She has been teaching with the U-M Children's Center since August 2018.

Elizabeth Powers

Liz holds a bachelor of science degree in family studies from Central Michigan University. Liz had several years of experience working with children prior to joining our program. She has been teaching with the U-M Children's Centers since August 2011.

Courtney Rouse

Courtney holds an associate's degree in applied science child care professional from Washtenaw Community College. She had 6 years of experience working with young children prior to joining our program, and she has been teaching with the U-M Children's Center since February 2020.

Angelique Rudolph

Angelique holds a master's degree in early childhood education from Eastern Michigan University and a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Eastern Michigan University. She also holds a State of Michigan elementary teaching certificate with early childhood education and early childhood special needs endorsement. Angelique has been teaching with the U-M Children's Centers since June 2001.

Hailey Sawicki

Hailey holds a bachelor of science degree in community health education, with three minors in psychology, anthropology, and yoga & mindfulness from Wayne State University. She has been with the U-M Children's Centers since August 2022.

Clara Sommerville

Clara holds a bachelor of science degree in early childhood and elementary education from Eastern Michigan University. She also holds a State of Michigan elementary teaching certificate with an early childhood education endorsement. She has been teaching with U-M Children’s Centers since December 2017.

Leslie Thompson

Leslie holds a bachelor of science degree in social work with a minor in psychology from Weber State University. Leslie had eight years of prior experience working with children before joining our program. She has been teaching with the U-M Children's Centers since February 2014.

Emily White

Emily holds a bachelor of science degree in elementary education and early childhood education from Eastern Michigan University. She has been teaching with U-M Children’s Centers since April of 2018.

Sonja Whitehouse

Sonja holds a bachelor of science degree in elementary education and early childhood education from Eastern Michigan University. She also holds a State of Michigan teaching certificate with endorsements in elementary education and early childhood education. Sonja had three years of experience working with children prior to joining our program. She has been teaching with the U-M Children’s Centers since December 2014. 

Derek Whitten

Derek holds a bachelor of science degree in child development from Humboldt State University. Derek had three years of prior experience working with children before joining our program. He has been teaching with the U-M Children’s Centers since April 2015.