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.

Kayla Schaiberger, Administrative Assistant

Kayla earned a bachelor’s degree in human resource management with a minor in information systems from Central Michigan University. She began working as an administrative assistant with the U-M Children’s Centers in July of 2023.

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.

Mayaan Beckerman

Mayaan attended Owens Community College and earned credits in early childhood education. She had ten years of previous experience working with young children prior to joining our program, and she has been working with the U-M Children’s Centers since January 2024.

Emily Blunt

Emily holds a master's degree in early childhood education and a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Eastern Michigan University. She maintains a State of Michigan teaching certificate in elementary education, with endorsements in early childhood, mathematics, reading, and integrated science. She worked with the U-M Children's Centers from 2012-2018. She taught at an international school in Beijing, China until 2022 and then returned to the U-M Children's Centers in April 2023.

Mikayla Bowerman

Mikayla holds an associate of applied science degree in child development from 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. 

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. 

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. Additionally, she holds a nature-based teacher certificate (Level 1) from the Association for Nature-Based Education. 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 also holds a nature-based teacher certificate (Level 1) from the Association for Nature-Based Education. 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.

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.

Ally Jacobs

Ally holds an associate of applied science degree in early childhood development from Monroe County Community College. Ally had six 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 June 2023.

Isabella Kalakailo

Isabella holds a bachelor of science degree in teaching and learning with a minor in special education from Eastern Michigan University. She/they had one year of experience working with children before joining us, and have been teaching with the U-M Children's Centers since July 2023.

Paige LaPlante

Paige holds an associate of applied science degree in early childhood development from Monroe County Community College. Paige had previous experience working with children in a preschool setting while attending college, prior to joining our program. She has been teaching with the U-M Children's Centers since June 2023. 

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 master 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. She also holds a MI-AIMH Infant Mental Health Endorsement as an Infant Family Associate. 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.

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.

Hannah Powers

Hannah holds a bachelor of arts degree in English from Alma College and an associate in applied science degree in child development from Washtenaw Community College. She has been teaching with the U-M Children's Centers since March 2021.

Alexandria Raths

Alex is currently working on a child development associate (CDA) credential. They/she had 3 years of experience working in child care before joining us, and have been teaching with the U-M Children's Centers since April 2023.

Hannah Rice

Hannah holds a bachelor of science degree in early childhood studies from Rochester Christian University. She had 6 years of experience working with children prior to joining our program. She has been with the U-M Children's Centers since August 2024.

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 also holds a preschool child development associate (CDA) credential from Kellogg Community College. She has been teaching with the U-M Children's Centers since August 2022.

Skyla Shobe

Skyla holds a bachelor of applied arts degree in early childhood development and learning with a minor in family studies from Central Michigan University. Skyla had six 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 November 2023. 

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.

Karissa Voulgaris

Karissa holds a bachelor of science degree in early childhood development and learning from Central Michigan University. She 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 2024.

Emily White

Emily holds a bachelor of science degree in elementary education and early childhood education from Eastern Michigan University. She also holds a nature-based teacher certificate (Level 1) from the Association for Nature-Based Education. She has been teaching with U-M Children’s Centers since April of 2018.

Billie Whitehead

Billie holds a bachelor of science degree in psychology from Florida State University. Billie had four years of previous experience working with children prior to joining our program, and they have been teaching with the U-M Children's Centers since December 2023.

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.