Teacher bios
Name: Beth Ann Blanchard
Position: Director
Education:
- M.A., Early Childhood Education, Eastern Michigan University
- B.A, Elementary Education, University of Michigan
- State of Michigan Elementary Provisional Teaching Certificate
- Early Childhood Specialization Endorsement
I have been the Director at the UM Children’s Center for Working Families since August 1999.
Name: Serena Simmons
Position: Associate Teacher
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Math, and Science
- State of Michigan Elementary Provisional Teaching Certificate
- ZA Early Childhood Endorsement
I graduated from Eastern Michigan University in April of 2003. I subbed for a year and was then hired to work at UMCCWF full time in August of 2004. I truly enjoy being a preschool teacher and creating a safe, fun environment for children to play and explore.
Name: Lauren Luttrell
Position: Associate Teacher
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Language Arts
- ZA Early Childhood Endorsement
- State of Michigan Elementary Provisional Teaching Certificate
Lauren completed her early childhood student teaching placement at UM Children’s Center for Working Families in December 2005. After graduating from Eastern Michigan University in December of 2005, Lauren then joined the teaching staff at UM Children’s Center for Working Families. Lauren also has an extensive background in dance; taking classes for 20 years and teaching children’s classes for 8 years.
Name: Korinn Kulinski
Position: Teacher
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Language Arts, and Science
- State of Michigan Elementary Provisional Teaching Certificate
- ZA Early Childhood Endorsement
I graduated from Eastern Michigan University in December of 2002 after I completed my second student teaching experience at the U of M Children’s Center for Working Families. Since then I have joined the teaching staff and continue to learn from both the children and staff. I believe that children learn by “doing”. I plan our curriculum based on the children’s interests and expand from there. I believe each child learns differently and it is up to me to find the way they learn.
Name: Denise Pelky
Position: Teacher
Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, Rochester College
- Child Development Associate Degree (CDA)
- International Childbirth Education Association, Certificate in Childbirth Education
I have been teaching at the Children's Center for Working Families for six years. I am also a Certified Childbirth Educator and teach lamaze classes in the Brighton Schools. I am originally from Quebec and speak french and have taught french in the Pinckney Schools. I am active in the Pinckney Community Theatre. I have three children, the youngest of whom is a freshman in college.
Name: Maggie Marinaro
Position: Teacher
Maggie Marinaro has a Bachelor in Fine Arts degree from Philadelphia College of Art and an AMI Montessori degree for ages two and a half to seven years. She has been a teacher at UM Children’s Center for Working Families for fourteen years.
Name: Polly Cuthbert
Position: Teacher
Polly Cuthbert has a Bachelor of Science in Early Elementary Education degree from Eastern Michigan University and a Michigan Continuing Teaching Certificate. She has been a teacher at the UM Children’s Centers for twenty years.
