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1025 E. Wheeler Street 989-835-3999 |
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Kelsey Miller (Miss Kelsey)
As the director of Michele's Montessori School, Kelsey's journey in childcare began as a co-op student at the West Midland Family Center, where she worked in their childcare and after-school programs. With a lifelong passion of working with children, she has accumulated 9 years of experience with age ranges from infancy to 18 years old.
During her time at West Midland Family Center, Kelsey progressed from a Lead in the after-school program to the Assistant Director of the Dow College Opportunity program, where she helped high school students achieve their secondary education goals. She was honored with the "Heart of Center" award, which is given annually to a staff member who goes above and beyond for the community.
Kelsey recently graduated from Delta College and plans to continue her education in the near future. She is passionate about helping people, especially children, reach their highest potential.
Kelsey has a two-year-old daughter who attends Michele's Montessori, and she inspires her on a daily basis to be a better mother, teacher, and person. Outside of work, she enjoys spending much of her time with her family, taking advantage of all of Michigan's seasons, with summer and fall being their favorites.
At Michele's Montessori School, Kelsey is committed to going above and beyond for the students and families we serve, as well as supporting and leading our dedicated staff.
During her time at West Midland Family Center, Kelsey progressed from a Lead in the after-school program to the Assistant Director of the Dow College Opportunity program, where she helped high school students achieve their secondary education goals. She was honored with the "Heart of Center" award, which is given annually to a staff member who goes above and beyond for the community.
Kelsey recently graduated from Delta College and plans to continue her education in the near future. She is passionate about helping people, especially children, reach their highest potential.
Kelsey has a two-year-old daughter who attends Michele's Montessori, and she inspires her on a daily basis to be a better mother, teacher, and person. Outside of work, she enjoys spending much of her time with her family, taking advantage of all of Michigan's seasons, with summer and fall being their favorites.
At Michele's Montessori School, Kelsey is committed to going above and beyond for the students and families we serve, as well as supporting and leading our dedicated staff.
Caitlyn McPhillips (Miss Caitlyn)
Miss Caitlyn is the Assistant Director of Michele's Montessori School and the Lead Teacher in one of the Preschool Classrooms. She attended Central Michigan University, taking classes in Family Studies and Early Childhood Development. She has her International Montessori Diploma, as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Childhood Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University. Before working at Michele's Montessori, she worked as a Licensed Behavior Technician which gave her the opportunity to work with a multitude of children with various special needs and behavioral challenges.
Miss Caitlyn started at Michele’s Montessori in 2018 as an Assistant Teacher. She got the opportunity to be the Lead Teacher in the Toddler Room before moving to the Preschool Program to be Lead Teacher. Miss Caitlyn loves to cook, paint, and dive into a good book. However, teaching children is Caitlyn’s biggest passion and source of happiness. She looks forward to meeting your children and being their teacher, friend, and playmate.
Miss Caitlyn started at Michele’s Montessori in 2018 as an Assistant Teacher. She got the opportunity to be the Lead Teacher in the Toddler Room before moving to the Preschool Program to be Lead Teacher. Miss Caitlyn loves to cook, paint, and dive into a good book. However, teaching children is Caitlyn’s biggest passion and source of happiness. She looks forward to meeting your children and being their teacher, friend, and playmate.
Michele Parker (Miss Michele)
Michele is the founder of Michele's Montessori School and has taught Montessori for over 36 years including 15 years at a local Montessori before opening her own school in 1999. During this tenure she has also trained and monitored dozens of Montessori interns as they worked toward becoming Montessori teachers. In addition to her work with interns, she has also been a Montessori consultant helping some Mid-Michigan Montessori area schools as they prepared to open their doors.
She is currently a consultant for the school after her recent retirement. She attends class time every now and then to work with the children.
She is currently a consultant for the school after her recent retirement. She attends class time every now and then to work with the children.
Katie Kole (Miss Katie)
Miss Katie earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Studies and Education and her Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Michigan State University. Katie previously worked at the Firm Foundations Early Learning Center and started working at Michele’s Montessori in June of 2023. She is the Lead Teacher in one of the Preschool Classrooms. In her spare time, she enjoys crafting, reading, gardening, and spending time with family. Katie lives in Midland with her husband Andrew, daughter Amelia, and their small army of wiener dogs.
Elizabeth Steffke (Miss Elizabeth)
Miss Elizabeth started working at Michele's Montessori School in April of 2024 and is an Assistant Teacher in the Preschool Program. She loves watching the children learn and grow!
Josie Cripe (Miss Josie)
Miss Josie is a Junior at Midland High School and plans to attend college to study Elementary Education. She primarily works in the Preschool Classrooms. In her free time, she loves to read, listen to music, and spend time with her family and friends. She loves to watch the kiddos learn and grow!
Fina M. (Miss Fina)
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Miss Fina has been working for Michele's Montessori School since February of 2021, and is the Lead Teacher of the Get Ready for Kindergarten Program. She graduated from Baker College with an Associate's Degree in Business Management. She enjoyed the years she worked for the private non-profit organizations, Arenac County Council on Aging and NEMCSA as an Administrative Assistant. After many years of volunteering and then applying for a position at Midland Public Schools, she developed a love for working with children. She worked for MPS for 5 years as a Special Education Paraprofessional with Tracheostomy and G-tube training.
Miss Fina has been married for 23 years and is the mother of two teenagers. She is a voracious reader and loves to spend time with her family, especially at the beach or rustic camping. Miss Fina loves children and watching them learn and grow. The best part of her day is seeing them have fun! |
Kyle Konechne (Mr. Kyle)
Mr. Kyle started at Michele’s Montessori School in October of 2023 as an Assistant Teacher working in the K-Ready and Before and After rooms. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Media from Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He previously worked in the fields of Visual Communications, Graphic Design and eLearning Development, and for many years has considered pursuing a teaching career.
Mr. Kyle enjoys working with children and has a passion to help them learn and grow. He hopes to share his creativity with the students and other staff members. In his spare time, he enjoys the outdoors and a multitude of artistic activities including drawing, digital art, 3D printing, jewelry making, sculpture, and crafts.
Mr. Kyle enjoys working with children and has a passion to help them learn and grow. He hopes to share his creativity with the students and other staff members. In his spare time, he enjoys the outdoors and a multitude of artistic activities including drawing, digital art, 3D printing, jewelry making, sculpture, and crafts.
Mikaela Morrow (Miss Mikaela)
Miss Mikaela started at Michele's Montessori School in May of 2024. She is an Assistant Teacher for the summer program Adventure Group. She enjoys spending time with your children and can't wait to see them learn and grow!
Jenna Facundo Rytlewski (Miss Jenna)
Miss Jenna is a senior attending Bay City Western High School and bay Arenac ISD Career Center. Through the opportunities provided to her from the Career Center, she is doing an open internship at Michele's Montessori School, studying children from infancy to 17 years old.
Miss Jenna has been at Michele's Montessori School for one year. She has worked with all ages but especially loves her time with the infants and toddlers. She loves to watch each child grow, and their faces make her day! She also enjoys the excitement the children portray when they learn something new. She is currently working in the infant and toddler rooms, working toward achieving her Childhood Development Associates through the ISD Career Center.
In her free time, Miss Jenna loves to be outside and spend time with her family and friends. She also enjoys reading, playing tennis, and shopping!
Miss Jenna has been at Michele's Montessori School for one year. She has worked with all ages but especially loves her time with the infants and toddlers. She loves to watch each child grow, and their faces make her day! She also enjoys the excitement the children portray when they learn something new. She is currently working in the infant and toddler rooms, working toward achieving her Childhood Development Associates through the ISD Career Center.
In her free time, Miss Jenna loves to be outside and spend time with her family and friends. She also enjoys reading, playing tennis, and shopping!
Faith Drossart (Miss Faith)
Miss Faith grew up in Oakland County, and graduated from Walled Lake Central in 1995, where she got her CNA certification and was a Teacher's Aid for Oakly Park Elementary in her senior year. Although she considered going into nursing, she ultimately decided to take over her mother's daycare, which she owned for 30 years. During Covid, Miss Faith was a nanny, worked overnight in a grocery store, and helped out at a retirement home. In July of 2023, she decided she wanted a quieter lifestyle, and purchased a farm in Midland.
Miss Faith started working at Michele's Montessori School in October of 2023. She is an Assistant Teacher in the Infant Room, and loves getting to know all of the babies! She feels as though they are kindred spirits, and enjoys connecting with them and getting to know their unique personalities. In her free time, Miss Faith likes to spend time on her farm, tending to her 150 chickens, guinea-hens, geese, ducks, turkeys, goats, horses, turtles, tortoise, and pig. She has three sons, ages 14, 20, and 23, who she adores. She also is a fish hobbyist, and loves crafting and learning how to use new tools.
Miss Faith started working at Michele's Montessori School in October of 2023. She is an Assistant Teacher in the Infant Room, and loves getting to know all of the babies! She feels as though they are kindred spirits, and enjoys connecting with them and getting to know their unique personalities. In her free time, Miss Faith likes to spend time on her farm, tending to her 150 chickens, guinea-hens, geese, ducks, turkeys, goats, horses, turtles, tortoise, and pig. She has three sons, ages 14, 20, and 23, who she adores. She also is a fish hobbyist, and loves crafting and learning how to use new tools.
Abby Wicker (Miss Abby)
Miss Abby has been working at Michele's Montessori since October of 2023 as an Assistant Teacher in the Infant Room. She loves working with children and enjoys seeing them grow and learn! When she's not working she is usually hanging out with friends and family, and enjoys sports, reading, and movies!
Molly Leet (Miss Molly)
Miss Molly is currently attending Saginaw Valley State University and is majoring in Social Work to become a school counselor. She has been babysitting since she was 12 years old and has always loved working with children. Before starting at Michele's Montessori, she worked at a tutoring center where she taught early-learners how to read, write, and count.
Elizabeth Blumenshine (Miss Elizabeth)
Miss Elizabeth joined the teaching staff at Michele’s Montessori in April 2024, after retiring from MyMichigan Health, where she served as an executive assistant. Miss Elizabeth is an Assistant Teacher at the school. She earned her master's and bachelor's degrees from Saginaw Valley State University and also completed Montessori Teacher Training for 3-6-year-old children and is expected to complete Infant and Toddler Montessori Teacher Training in June 2024. Miss Elizabeth has been married for 42 years and is the mother of five adult children and grandmother to seven grandchildren. She has a passion for teaching, guiding, and caring for young children and supporting families. Elizabeth enjoys being with her family, reading, gardening, and taking walks outside.
Layla Hadley (Miss Layla)
Miss Layla started working at Michele's Montessori School in April of 2024 and is an Assistant Teacher for the Preschool Program. She loves watching the children learn and grow!
Madison Stockton (Miss Madison)
Miss Madison attends Midland High School, and has been working at Michele's Montessori School since December of 2023. Her previous babysitting experience inspired her start in the childcare field, and she has been immensely enjoying her time with the children. In her free time, Miss Madison enjoys playing sports, and spending time with friends and family.
Ava Adcock (Miss Ava)
Miss Ava attended Bay City Western High School, and has enjoyed her past experience with babysitting. Since starting at Michele's Montessori School in May of 2024, she has realized how funny children are and how happy they make her. In her free time she enjoys playing soccer, and spending time with friends and family.
Layla Marthaler (Miss Layla)
Miss Layla is a seasonal employee at Michele's Montessori School, where she works during the summers. She started in the summer of 2023, and loves the time she gets to spend with the children!
Josie Conant-Goulet (Miss Josie)
Miss Josie is a seasonal employee at Michele's Montessori School, where she works during the summers. She started in the summer of 2023, and loves the time she gets to spend with the children!
Staff Photos supplied by Schaffert Studios (989) 687-6884
