About the Staff

Sharonda - Owner and Program Director 

I knew education was my passion when I first stepped into a kindergarten classroom and saw all of those curious eyes shinning up at me almost 17 years ago. I was a freshmen in college working as a classroom aide in Lansing Elementary Schools. Since that time I have worked with children in various capacities like tutoring, after school programs, and summer camps. I greatly enjoyed those experiences, however, my passion lies with early childhood education. I have about 13 years of experience in early education, including four years as a teacher's assistant and four years as a Preschool Teacher. I received my associates degree in Child Development from Grand Rapids Community College. I went on to obtain a bachelor's degree in Public and Non-profit Administration with a focus in community development at Grand Valley State University.

I started this program because I wanted to create a space where children are free to learn and explore without being pressured to "get ready" for the next stage of life. I believe childhood should be celebrated and children should be encouraged to enjoy each moment as it happens. My program is built to provide children with a nurturing literacy rich environment where they can build a foundation of emotional and intellectual strength. I support children's social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive developmental needs and provide them with the opportunity to become independent critical thinkers.

Ms. Kelly - Center Aide

Hello,

My name is Miss Kelly. I grew up in Allegan MI. I love to read, go camping, gardening my roses in the summer, and spending alot of time with my large family. And i love dogs !!! 

I started working with younger kids in 2015 as a center aide and have grown from there. I love seeing the excitement and joy in their faces with each new day and each new accomplishment they achieve.

Ms. Riley - Child Care Aide 

Hi! My name is Ms. Riley. I have been working with children for nearly four years and love helping them learn, grow, and explore the world around them. I began my journey working with school-aged children in an outdoor environment, then spent time with infants and toddlers before moving into a pre-K classroom, where I worked for the past two years. I enjoy getting to know each child’s unique personality and creating fun, engaging experiences that encourage creativity, confidence, and a love of learning. One of my favorite parts of this work is watching children reach new milestones and celebrating their accomplishments alongside them. 

When I’m not in the classroom, you can usually find me spending time outdoors, going for walks, coloring, painting, hanging out with my pets, my mom and dad, and my partner. I am passionate about creating a safe, welcoming environment where every child feels valued, supported, and excited to learn.