Staff bios

Director: Martha Kazmierzak
Martha received her B. A. degree in Elementary Education from Northwestern College in Iowa, as well as 18 graduate hours in Special Education from Eastern Michigan University. She holds a State of Michigan Teaching Certificate and has over 30 years of experience teaching and directing in the field of Early Childhood Education. She continues to be an active member of both NAEYC and Washtenaw County Association for the Education of Young Children.

Administrative Assistant: Dee Wellwood
Dee attended Eastern Michigan University and earned her CDA Credential in 1992. Dee has taught in many roles from Associate Teacher to Head Teacher since 1987. Her strong history with the Children’s Center provides the support and history in her new position as Administrative Assistant in 2009.

Teachers

Elena Avedisova
Lena received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Chemistry and Technology. She has experience teaching in a Russian Preschool, Montessori as well as in other Early Childhood programs. Lena was employed at UMCC as an Associate teacher in the infant program in 2008.

Katie Borer
Katie has a B.A. degree in Psychology with an emphasis in child development from the University of Michigan. Katie continues her education while working towards her Child Development Associates degree from Washtenaw Community College. She has worked with autistic children through the P.L.A.Y. Project, has experience teaching in Early Childhood programs and is a member of NAEYC.  Katie was employed at UMCC as an Associate teacher in the infant program in 2007.

Seth Brown
Seth has a B.A. in Education from the University of Michigan, as well as his State of Michigan Teaching Certificate. He plans to further his education in the near future with working towards his Early Childhood Education degree. In 1999 Seth was an auxiliary student at UMCC and then hired in 2002 as a teacher. Seth brings over 10 years of experience in his role as Head teacher for the Pre-kindergarten program.

Bobbi DeVault
Bobbi received her B.A. in Elementary Education and ZA Endorsement from Eastern Michigan University where she continues her studies for a Masters in Early Childhood Education. She completed her student teaching with Kathe Harrigan and Kumiko Ito-Teitgen here at UMCC. Bobbi brought several years of experience to her teaching position when hired in 2006 and is active in sharing her expertise through local workshops and trainings.

Courtney Fedorko
Courtney has her CDA degree with an Infant/Toddler endorsement. She brings to UMCC many years of experience in Early Childhood Education working with all age groups. Courtney was employed at the center in 2008, beginning as an Associate Teacher in the infant program and now as a head teacher for session 4 in the Toddler program. She is a member of NAEYC, MIAEYC and is a board member of the local affiliate WCAEYC.

Michelle Freund
Michelle received her B.A. degree in Psychology from Grand Valley State University and is working towards her Early Childhood Education degree from Portland State University. She brings over 15 years of experience in the field of early childhood, and is a certified Infant and Toddler West Educational Trainer. She has given many workshops and seminars, especially in the area of infant and toddler care. Michelle was hired in 2007 at UMCC where she is the head teacher of the infant program.

Deb Goldberg
Deb has her Bachelor degree from the University of Michigan. She brings over 22 years of experience in the field of early childhood education to UMCC. Deb has been employed at the Children’s Center from 1987 to 1991 and returned in 1999 where she continues to be a teacher in the pre-kindergarten program.

Kathe Harrigan
Kathe received her B.A. in Elementary Education from Michigan State University and her M. A. in Early Childhood and ZA Endorsement from Eastern Michigan University. She has over 35 years of experience in the field of early childhood education. Kathe has been a teacher at UMCC since 1981 and continues as a head teacher in the older preschool program. Kathe has shared her experiences and expertise through several workshops at the NAEYC conferences.

Kumiko Ito-Teitgen
Kumiko received her B. S. degree in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, Math and Science and Creative Arts from Western Michigan University. She has a State of Michigan Teaching certificate with an Early Childhood endorsement.  Kumiko brings over 11 years of experience to UMCC where she was hired in 2000. Kumiko is a teacher in the preschool program.

Emily Lawrence
Emily has her B.S. degree in Child Development and Elementary Education from Michigan State University, along with her ZA Endorsement. Emily is furthering her education by working towards her M. A. in Early Childhood Education at Eastern Michigan University. She brings over 8 years of experience in the field of early childhood education, including a year teaching at an International Preschool in Beijing, China. Emily was employed at UMCC in 2008 as an Associate teacher, now as a teacher in the full day program.

Amy McCarley
Amy received her B. S. degree in Elementary Education and ZA Endorsement from Eastern Michigan University. She brings over 10 years of experience teaching in early childhood programs. Amy was employed at UMCC as a teacher in 2003 where she continues to teach in the toddler program.

Ana Murray
Ana earned her B.A. degree in Family Life Education from Spring Arbor University. She brings several years of experience teaching in early childhood programs, as well as with children coping with loss. Ana was hired at UMCC in 2004. She continues to support the afternoon toddler program as an Associate Teacher.

Sabrina North
Sabrina has a B.S degree in Education, B.A. in Child Development, a State of Michigan Teaching certificate, ZA Endorsement, and a M.S. in Early Childhood Education from Eastern Michigan University. She has over 23 years of experience teaching toddlers, two’s and three year-olds. Sabrina joined UMCC in 1994 as a teacher and continues with the toddler program. Sabrina is a member of NAEYC, ICDL, Save the Children, Autism Speaks, and Zero to Three Association.

Joan Rehak
Joan received her Bachelor Degree with Early Childhood certification from the University of Michigan, as well as her Master’s Degree in Early Literacy. She brings over 26 years of teaching experience in the field of early childhood education to UMCC. Joan was hired in 1983, has been the previous kindergarten teacher and now teaches in the full day program.

Julie Sayers
Julie earned her B.S. degree in Elementary Education and her ZA endorsement from Eastern Michigan University. She is furthering her education and working towards her M.A. in Special Education and Learning Disabilities, at EMU.  Julie has over 5 years of experience teaching in the field of early childhood education. Julie began at UMCC in 2004; and continues to teach in the preschool program. Julie is a member of Phi Kappa Phi and NAEYC.

Jeannette Stover
Jeannette received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Michigan and her State of Michigan teaching certificate. She brings over 18 years of teaching experience to early childhood education and UMCC. Jeannette was hired in 1990 and continues to teach and support the preschool program.

Peggy Wortmann
Peggy received her B.A. in Elementary Education with post secondary classes in Early Childhood Development from the University of Michigan. She brings over 20 years of experience from infant to preschool, including operating and directing a licensed family child care center in the field of early childhood education. Peggy was hired at UMCC in 2000 and she has taught as a Head teacher, teacher, and now in charge of our lunch bunch program.