DIRECTOR AND LEAD TEACHER
MS. GRACE
She/Her

Grace grew up in Grand Rapids, right down the street from Grace Preschool. She still lives near by with her spouse and two children. Together they love reading, playing outside, and creating in all sorts of ways - interests that transfer well to the preschool classroom.

Grace earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood General and Special Education and has a Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with focuses on early childhood and inclusive education. The majority of Grace’s teaching experience comes from the preschool classroom and, while she has enjoyed spending time teaching and learning with other ages, preschool students have remained her favorite. Preschoolers facilitate their own sort of inspiring and intoxicating wonder about the world around them and it never fails to draw her in and remind her about some of the most fantastic things about being human.

TEACHER
MS. FLORA
She/Her

Flora is looking forward to joining the Grace Preschool community this year. She lives nearby with her husband Mark and four kids. Flora’s daughter Mieke is in her second year at City High and son Luke will be starting 7th Grade at City Middle. Hank will be attending 6th grade at Grand Rapids Christian Middle and Janna will be in 5th grade at Evergreen Christian. As a family they love being outdoors, playing board games, listening to music, baking and going to the beach.

Flora received her BA in Secondary Education and English with a minor in Art at Calvin University. She taught Language Arts and Reading in Arizona and has been volunteering and substitute teaching in elementary and preschool classrooms in Grand Rapids. This is where Flora solidified her passion for teaching in the preschool setting. Flora loves their openness to exploration and wonder and she looks forward to all the ways they will teach her.

PRESCHOOL AIDE
MOE
They/Them

Moe is excited to be returning to the Grace Preschool staff this year. Prior to working at Grace Preschool they spent a year and a half as a Teacher's Assistant at Milestones Development Center in Caledonia, where they found their passion working and learning with children. Moe's goal is to foster creativity and curiosity while learning and working with children on their respective levels.

Moe grew up in Caledonia, Michigan where they graduated from High School in 2021 and is now continuing their education through online programs. Moe has eight younger siblings that they spend their time goofing off with and learning all sorts of things from. They are excited to continue learning and working in Early Childhood at Grace Preschool.

PRESCHOOL AIDE
MS. KATHY
She/Her

Kathy is excited to return to her seventh year of teaching at Grace Preschool. She received her BA in Advertising at MSU, Teaching Certificate from Eastern Michigan University, and Masters in Early Childhood Education from Elmira College. Kathy has worked at Wealthy Elementary School as a special education paraprofessional, taught English and Science in a fifth grade classroom in Delaware, taught an extended day kindergarten class in Massachusetts, and assisted in a second grade classroom in New York. “I find preschool children to be the most fun and exciting to work with.”

She has lived in Grand Rapids with her family for the past ten years, and has two daughters in the in the East Grand Rapids School District; Addison and Alyssa. She also has two sons; Nicholas, a senior at Bucknell University and Nathan, a graduate from The United States Military Academy in West Point a Lieutenant in the US Army. In her free time she enjoys reading, swimming, biking, and walking her dogs Belle and Thor. “I can’t wait to get back in the classroom and help motivate and encourage students to become lifelong learners.”

AFTERCARE SUPERVISOR
MS. MARY
She/Her

Mary Davis has been a Grand Rapids resident her whole life, previously living on Hall St. for 9 years during her childhood. Most weekend she has the pleasure of spending time with her two granddaughters, which keeps her quite active. Mary has one daughter that lives here in Grand Rapids and another daughter that lives in Farmington Hills, where she commutes often.

Mary has been working in the educational field for more than 10 years as a school bus driver. For the past 3 years she also worked in Student Supervision and Instructional Staff within the classroom as well. Mary has also fostered children between the age of 2 and 17 years for 10 years which encouraged her to learn more about early childhood learning, development and behavior.

Pursing her degree in Juvenile Services, along with student supervision in the classrooms drives her passion to work in Early Childhood, especially knowing what a huge impact this time has on a child’s development of emotional, social and cognitive skills for future learning. Mary has some experience in Daycare as a teacher for ages 2-3 at Kingdom Care Early Learning Center, which closed permanently due to staff shortage. Even though her plan is to possibly continue pursuing a career in adolescents/juveniles, she is excited about the opportunity to work in Early Childhood at Grace Preschool.

AFTERCARE AIDE
MS. LILY
She/Her

Lily is a student of Aquinas college studying English with a writing emphasis. She is in her sophomore year there, and is excited to join the Grace Preschool team. For the past two years, Lily has been serving food at a retirement home both here in Grand Rapids during the school year as well as in her hometown of Kalamazoo. While working with the elderly, Lily has garnered a variety of skills including helping those with disabilities and interpersonal communication when it may seem the most difficult.

By moving into childcare, Lily gets to use her experience in babysitting professionally as well as her knowledge surrounding children with disabilities. Having a brother with disabilities herself, Lily is hoping to help all children blossom into their most confident selves and explore their creative talents. A big driving force for Lily is her love for education, as well as her belief that every child deserves in depth care and attention in a classroom setting during these formative years.

After Graduating from Aquinas College, Lily hopes to teach English at the High School level as well as writing fiction novels in her free time. Her main goal is to be of service to people of varying ages and vulnerabilities. She enjoys reading, writing, hiking and painting when she isn't completing work for school. Currently living on campus, Lily also enjoys taking long walks while listening to music.

VOLUNTEER
MS. MARIA
She/Her

Maria is a graduate from EmpowerU, a program for young adults seeking additional job skills. She also has a part-time job at Le Macaron in downtown Grand Rapids near Rosa Parks Circle. Maria has previously volunteered at Whistlestop Child Development Center where she played and read with kids, made snacks, helped out at lunch, cleaned the tables and arranged mats for naps. She is good at writing and helping others, especially her friends and family. Maria’s hobbies include crocheting, coloring, listening to peaceful music, ballet, hanging out with friends, family and her Young Life leader, and talking to friends on the phone. She is outgoing and positive. In the future she is planning to sell crochet crafts she makes. Maria is excited to be a part of Grace Preschool.

BOOKKEEPER AND ADMINISTRATOR
She/Her

Kristen received her Bachelors in Business Administration and Masters in Accounting from Grand Valley State University. Her experience comes from working with non-profit organizations in various settings. Kristen’s most relevant experience was shaped while serving in multiple positions on the Board at the Cooperative Preschool where four of her six children attended.

Kristen has a passion and love for helping others and seeing them reach their potential. She loves music, volunteering at her children’s schools, cheering her kids on in their interests and spending time together as a family.

As a wife and mom, Kristen knows and appreciates the love, care and time that goes into making decisions about sending your children to preschool. After over a decade of managing her home and growing family, Kristen is excited to be a part of Grace Preschool and to have the opportunity to serve the school and families in this role.

SUBSTITUTE
MS. LIZ
She/Her

This will be Liz's 8th year working as an aide or sub at Grace Preschool. Liz grew up on the east side of the state, but has called Grand Rapids home for more than 20 years, with prior stops in Chicago and Memphis. She and her husband Steve live in Cascade with their Labrador, Zoey. They have 3 grown children; daughters living in Columbus and Traverse City, and a son in Royal Oak. They have been members of Grace Episcopal Church for over 20 years where they were first acquainted with the preschool. Liz's hobbies include reading, hiking, kayaking and traveling.

Liz is excited to continue at Grace, and looks very forward to being a part of, and supporting, the mission of Grace Preschool. "Watching preschoolers explore, grow and learn never gets old"!

SUBSTITUTE
MS. SARAH
She/Her

Sarah is looking forward to another year with the wonderful staff and children at Grace Preschool! This will begin her forth year working as a substitute. After growing up in northern Michigan, Sarah moved to Grand Rapids as a student teacher, and found her home there. Sarah is married and has two adult children. Daughter Kate lives in Midland Michigan. Katie is married with two elementary aged boys. Son Dan lives and works in Grand Rapids.

Sarah received her Bachelor's degree in education at Central, Michigan University and her Master’s at GVSU. She retired after 35 years as a teacher for the Grand Rapids Public Schools.

In her spare time Sarah, enjoys reading, gardening, biking, cross country skiing, and camping. Her favorite thing is spending time with friends and family.