The TBDC Teaching Team

Kay & Roy

The two owners were both well into their careers—Kay had been a special education teacher in the public schools for seventeen years, and Roy an accountant for Ford World Headquarters—when they had a daughter of their own. Once it was time for them to return to work, they felt torn because they could not find a quality center where they felt comfortable leaving her while they pursued their professional endeavors.

After awhile, they found something that would work, but soon they began to feel restless in their careers, and as if they wanted more for themselves. In talking about their struggles for finding the right place for their daughter, they decided that their community needed a day care and learning center for its youth. When the local church went up for sale they knew it would be the perfect location for their vision. Twenty years later, TBDC has grown into a community establishment and a great place to learn!

Miss Mary Lou

Mary Lou received her B.A. in History and Elementary Education from Western Michigan University.  For the past 30 years she has worked in the field of early childhood education, and nine of those years have been at TBDC.  She began with the team as the lead Pre-Kindergarten teacher and is now TBDC's Assistant Director.  All the great field trips, visitors, stellar organization, and more all can be traced back to Mary Lou.  The center would not be the great place to learn that it is, if it were not for all her efforts.

Miss Annie

Annie has her degree in Music Therapy from Eastern Michigan University.  During the school year Annie is the Before and After School Program Coordinator; while her students are at school she goes into each of the programs and teaches music class.  Once summer hits, she hangs up her guitar to hang out with the school program, taking them on trips, planning science experiments, creating fun art projects, and more. 

Miss Ashley

Ashley joined the TBDC Team in May 2009 where she began, and continues to, teach in the Pre-K Class. She received her B.S. in psychology from Western Michigan University, where she also completed an internship working with preschoolers with autism. Within the next year, Ashley plans to pursue an M.S. with in educational field. Outside of teaching, she enjoys traveling, running, reading, and spending time with friends and family, particularly her niece and three nephews.

Miss Becky

Becky joined the TBDC Team with years of experience in NAEYC accredited centers and a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Psychology from Ohio State University.  Outside of TBDC, she enjoys outdoor activities, such as mountain biking and photography, cooking, and cheering on her Buckeyes! She is, in part, responsible for the launching of TBDC’s Gardening Project.

Miss DeAnn

DeAnn has been working in early childhood education for almost five years, with toddlers, preschool, and school-age students. At TBDC she teaches in the preschool class, with her favorite puppet, Miss Sparkles. She just completed the Child Development Associates Crediental at Washtenaw Community College, and has made a lifelong commitment to education--both her own and for young children!

Miss Heidi

Heidi joined the TBDC Team in December of 2009, as a full time teacher in our pre-toddler Classroom.  In addition to having almost ten years of professional experience in early childhood education and her Child Development Associates Credential, Heidi had the noteworthy opportunity to work at Cedar Point for the past few summers.  As a result, she is always finding unique ways to bring learning through play to the classroom.

Miss Jennie

Jennie is nearing her eleven year anniversary with TBDC and in that time what great milestones we have experienced together, her marriage, the birth of her son, and two graduations.  She joined us right out of high school, and throughout the years Jennie has proven her dedication to early childhood education by furthering her own education in the field, and becoming supervisor of both the Infant and the Wobbler Classrooms.  Currently, Jennie has obtained her Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and has future plans to pursue her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education.

Miss Jonese

Jonese came to TBDC from Missouri, where she graduated from St. Louis University with a Bachelor’s degree in secondary education and history. She brings her love of history, geography, and the French language to her classroom and to the children whom she teachers. Her favorite part of teaching young children? Learning new things from her students everyday!

Mr. Justin

Justin recently graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Screen Arts and Cultures, which he says “is just a fancy way of saying ‘film major’.” As a varsity member of U of M’s wrestling team, he had a number of opportunities to work with children during wrestling camps and Junior Wolverine practices. He enjoys volunteering at Mott Children's Hospital and Ozone House, which is an organization that provides support to troubled youth. Next time you see him ask him about the screenplay he is writing!

Miss Kate

Kate graduated from Brandeis University and the Bank Street College of Education, where she received her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Special and General Education. In 2006 she joined Teach for America, teaching kindergarten and first grade special education in Harlem, New York. After moving to Michigan with her husband, Kate worked as the director of a preschool program in Ann Arbor before joining the Wobbler Room. When she’s not at TBDC, Kate enjoys biking, training for marathons, cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers, and pursuing her certification as a birth doula.

Miss Katie K.

After graduating from Eastern Michigan University with a B.S. in Psychology, Katie worked in one of our community's elder care homes.  In this time, she decided to change course and pursue a career in early childhood education and joined our team, and is currently the lead teacher in our Toddler Class.  Outside of TBDC, you can usually find her at Comerica Park cheering on her favorite hometown baseball team, the Tigers!

Miss Kristy

Kristy has a passion for teaching children and watching them grow. She loves to plan activities focused on play to foster learning experiences for young children. In 2009 she earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Special Education from Eastern Michigan University. When she’s not at TBDC, Kristy loves the outdoors: hiking in the woods and exploring nature!

Miss Lauren

Miss Lauren works part time while attending Eastern Michigan University's elementary education program. Other than her passion for teaching children, she loves animals and has five pets of her own. In her spare time she can be found on a lake with friends, shopping, or exploring new places in northern Michigan.

Miss Leslie

Leslie, the daughter that inspired Kay and Roy to begin their adventure in early childhood education, has recently joined the TBDC Team as the Assistant Director of Administrative Services. She earned two Bachelor’s degrees from Michigan State University, one in Anthropology and the other in International Studies. After completing her education, she joined an AmeriCorps program and worked in community building for over a year. She brings her diverse set of experiences to TBDC and all of its programs, and looks forward to carrying on her family’s business. Leslie is currently working toward earning a master’s degree in Educational Leadership

Miss Martha

Martha has the honor of saying she has been a member of the TBDC Team for twelve years!  She has seen the programs through so many changes and improvements, and been there for every step of the way--including a personal decision to return to college.  Families in the Infant Classroom, where she teachers, call her “The Baby Whisperer” because she has a way about her that makes our infant students feel instantly comfortable and at ease with her. 

Miss Nancy

Nancy has been coordinating TBDC's Pre-Toddler Program for five years--and in that time has had such a special impact on each of her students.  Having her Master's degree in Early Childhood Education, and over twenty years of professional experience in the field, Nancy brings unique learning experiences to the classroom, and every day, exposes her students to new opportunities to discover the world around them. 

Miss Nyree

Nyree is a mother of two, who both attend TBDC, and she loves working with children. She has been working in the field for the past seven years and was educated at Washtenaw Community College. Although she is a native of Mississippi, she is slowly falling in love with Michigan! Her favorite part is being able to take long walks in the summertime. Outside of TBDC she enjoys reading and dedicating her time to raising her family.

Miss Sandy

During the school year Sandy is a full time assistant in one of our preschool classes.  Prior to her career in early childhood education, Sandy was a nurse; the innate ability to nurture and make those around her feel comfortable that is essential to nurses, also makes her a perfect fit in early childhood education. 

Miss Shantá

Shantá has made a lifetime commitment to mentoring your children at TBDC. She has over thirteen years of experience working in early childhood education. This, along with her natural talents and personality, make her perfect in our Pre-Toddler Class. She currently is working toward earning a Child Development Associate Credential, and plans to eventually obtain a B.A. in early childhood education.

Miss Sonya

To know Sonya, is to love her.  While all members of the TBDC Teaching Team have that special ability to relate to their students, Sonya’s is truly exceptional. Every day the Preschool students, and the rest of the TBDC family, learn something new from her, and each are truly fortunate to be impacted by her efforts. She and Becky work closely to keep the Gardening Project thriving and organically grown foods in our students’ bellies!