Meet our Staff!

"As the Director of Apple Tree, I am proud of our staff of professional and dedicated teachers, program specialists and administrators.  One of the key elements that helps distinguish Apple Tree from the crowd is the quality of our people!

For each of our staff members, we have posted a short "bio" sketch intended to serve as an introduction to who they are as individuals.  I cordially invite you to meet the members of the Apple Tree family both here online and in person when you visit the centers."

-- Sherry Roush

Administrators

Name: Sherry Position: Director Month/Year I joined the Apple Tree Family: August 1994 Educational & Professional Background: BS from BGSU in Child and Family Community Services Three things always found in my office: Wooden tops, wind up toys and pictures of Apple Tree kids and families Favorite Childhood Memory: I have great memories of story hour at the Kaubisch Memorial Library with Mrs. Miller. She was animated and made books like, A Hunting We Will Go and The Three Billy Goats come alive. Favorite Apple Tree Memory: I love our family picnics that are held each summer at a metro park.

Name: Renee Position: Accounting Manager Month/Year I joined the Apple Tree Family: July 1998 Educational & Professional Background: Associates Degree in Business Management, Bachelors Degree in Accounting Three things always found in my office: Pictures of my kids, staff on their breaks and an occasional child wandering in Favorite Childhood Memory: Spending my summers at my grandparents house in Mackinaw City Favorite Apple Tree Memory: Being able to spend the first five years of my oldest boy’s life at the Apple Tree

Program Specialists

Name: Michelle Position: Infant/Toddler Program Specialist Month/Year I joined the Apple Tree Family: December 1996 Educational & Professional Background: BA Degree in Early Childhood Education (Lourdes College) Three things always found in my classroom: Children Exploring, Nurturing teacher’s interaction with children, Roxy, “The Dog” Favorite Childhood Memory: Snowmobiling every winter in the trails of Michigan on my sled…since I was 5. Favorite Apple Tree Memory: Exploring the mud with the preschoolers!

Name: Sandy Position: Preschool Program Specialist Month/Year I joined the Apple Tree Family: January 1989 Educational & Professional Background: BS Degree in Child and Family Community Services and a Child Life  Cognate from BGSU Three things always found in my classroom: Robert Munch books, masking tape and Native American music Favorite Childhood Memory: Looking back now, I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunities to do may things as a family; yearly  vacations, weekend camping trips and Sunday dinners at Grandma and Grandpa’s. Favorite Apple Tree Memory: Being nominated for TAEYC’s Teacher of the Year.

Apple Tree Teachers

Name : Amy Position: Infant Green Teacher Month/Year I joined the Apple Tree Family: February 2003 Educational & Professional Background: Associates Degree Early Childhood Education Three things always found in my classroom: Lotion (can never have too much lotion for those dry overwashed hands), something that has to do with nature, a good sense of humor Favorite Childhood Memory: The summer that my mom had a total of 7 (I think) kids in the house. Between my brother and sister and the kids she babysat. It was a fun summer. Favorite Apple Tree Memory: I’m not sure that I have established my “favorite” yet but I love all of our staff outings.

Name: Samantha Position: Infant Teacher Month/Year I joined the Apple Tree Family: February 1999 Educational & Professional Background: Bachelors Degree from Michigan State University Three things always found in my classroom: Mattie the dog, Bubbles, burp cloths Favorite Childhood Memory: At my grandmother’s on the lake all year round Favorite Apple Tree Memory: Playing limbo with the young toddlers

Name: Jami Position: Infant Teacher Month/Year I joined the Apple Tree Family: June 2000 Educational & Professional Background: Associates in Early Childhood Education from Owens. TAEYC member since June 2000. Three things always found in my classroom: Music, books, developmentally appropriate activities Favorite Childhood Memory: Vacationing at the ocean with my family Favorite Apple Tree Memory: Painting the windows with the babies

Name: Melissa Position: Infant Teacher Month/Year I joined the Apple Tree Family: August 2003 Educational & Professional Background: Associates in Early Childhood Education Technology from Owens. Three things always found in my classroom: Books, music, sensory things/blocks Favorite Childhood Memory: Playing baby dolls with my friend Ashley. We would wear high heels, push our babies in strollers and push them all around town. Even to buy real baby food and then we would eat it. Favorite Apple Tree Memory: All the employee things we do together! Christmas parties and also friendships over the past year.

Name: Kathy Position: Toddler Teacher Month/Year I joined the Apple Tree Family: July 2000 Educational & Professional Background: Associates Degree, Owens C. C. Three things always found in my classroom: Children’s books, Music and a comfortable lap to sit upon Favorite Childhood Memory: Playing in my cousin’s backyard which was connected to my own backyard. Favorite Apple Tree Memory: Every day brings at least one great memory to be had here. Either with a child or parent or one of my fellow Apple Tree members.

Name: Sipra Position: Toddler Teacher Month/Year I joined the Apple Tree Family: October 1986 Educational & Professional Background: Masters in Political Science. Montessori training from India.  CDA Three things always found in my classroom: Legos, blocks and play dough Favorite Childhood Memory: Shopping with my dad. Whenever my legs would hurt, my dad would massage my leg. Favorite Apple Tree Memory: Going to the pond and feeding the ducks.

Name: Jaimie Position: Toddler Teacher Month/Year I joined the Apple Tree Family: January 1998 Educational & Professional Background: Associates in Early Childhood Education, Owens Community College. Bachelors in Early Childhood Education, Lourdes College. Three things always found in my classroom: Music, tissues, balls Favorite Childhood Memory: Growing up and exploring the “country life” Favorite Apple Tree Memory: All of the infants in Infant Green lined up in the high chairs and the teachers singing Love Shack.

Name: Sena Position: Toddler Teacher Month/Year I joined the Apple Tree Family: July 2005 Educational & Professional Background: Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science with specialization in Early Childhood Education Three things always found in my classroom: Respect, love, fun Favorite Childhood Memory: Going to Cedar Point for the first time Favorite Apple Tree Memory: All the friendly people

Name: Shelly Position: Preschool Teacher Month/Year I joined the Apple Tree Family: August 1997 Educational & Professional Background: Associates in Early Childhood, Owens. Three things always found in my classroom: Music, pictures of families, children playing and laughing Favorite Childhood Memory: Dressing up in my Little House on the Prairie clothes and playing Little House with my childhood friend. Favorite Apple Tree Memory: There are so many...

Name: Staci Position: Preschool Teacher Month/Year I joined the Apple Tree Family: August 1997 Educational & Professional Background: Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education. Working on my Master’s Degree in Early Childhood. Three things always found in my classroom: Books of all kinds, smiles, lots of pretend play Favorite Childhood Memory: My brothers and I would get our pj’s on, grab our blankets and head out to the car on Christmas Eve. My parents would drive us around town to look at the lights while we drank hot chocolate. We were usually asleep by the time we got home. Favorite Apple Tree Memory: Cuddling with any of the children and reading a book.

Name: Jaime Position: Preschool Teacher Month/Year I joined the Apple Tree Family: August 2004 Educational & Professional Background: BS in Early Childhood Development from Ohio State University. Three years teaching experience at a childcare center in Cincinnati. Three things always found in my classroom: Music, pet fish and lots of books Favorite Childhood Memory: Playing kickball, baseball and every other sport in my backyard with all of the neighborhood kids.

Name: Erin Position: Preschool Teacher Month/Year I joined the Apple Tree Family: November 2002 Educational & Professional Background: Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education, Lourdes College. Currently a student at UT. Member of TAEYC. Three things always found in my classroom: Books, music and laughter Favorite Childhood Memory: Playing with my older sister Favorite Apple Tree Memory: There are many but I love how my kids greet me in the morning with such excitement, love, smiles and hugs.

Name: Whitney Position: Preschool Teacher Month/Year I joined the Apple Tree Family: November 2004 Educational & Professional Background: Bachelor’s Degree, BGSU Three things always found in my classroom: Books, smiles, busy children Favorite Childhood Memory: Swimming with my friends and family in our pool.

Name: Amber Position: Preschool Teacher Month/Year I joined the Apple Tree Family: January 2005 Educational & Professional Background: Associate of Applied Science Degree in ECE. Over 5 years teaching toddlers and preschoolers, including 4 years in an NAEYC accredited center. Three things always found in my classroom: Love, laughter, learning Favorite Childhood Memory: Having picnics in the backyard inside tents made of sheets over the clothesline. Favorite Apple Tree Memory: Receiving a phone call the night before Thanksgiving asking me to join the Apple Tree teaching family.

Name: Christine Position: Preschool Teacher Month/Year I joined the Apple Tree Family: August 2005 Educational & Professional Background: University of Toledo, Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education. Tutoring, After school and summer education programs. Three things always found in my classroom: Music, books and pillows Favorite Childhood Memory: In third grade I wrote a short story called, “The Biggest and Best Pumpkin.” My principal came to my class and read it to us. He also signed it and wrote, “Great story Christine.” Favorite Apple Tree Memory: Watching and waving to the trains that chug by and receiving a toot and a wave from the conductor.

Name: Tam Position: Preschool Teacher Month/Year I joined the Apple Tree Family: February 2004 Educational & Professional Background: Associates of Science, Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Pre-K – 3rd grade) Three things always found in my classroom: Books, paint and family pictures Favorite Childhood Memory: Camping every Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day with about 30 members of my family. Favorite Apple Tree Memory: All of our Family Nights!!

Name: Katie Position: Pre-K/Kindergarten Teacher Month/Year I joined the Apple Tree Family: August 2003 Educational & Professional Background: I graduated in May 2003 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from BGSU. I have had one year of experience working with Pre-schoolers at the Apple Tree. Three things always found in my classroom: Books, Puzzles, Writing Tools (paper, pens, markers) Favorite Childhood Memory: Learning the ABC’s with the letter people in Kindergarten Favorite Apple Tree Memory: Guiding the children as they learn new concepts and seeing the understanding light up their eyes and their smiles!

Name: Denise Position: Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten Teacher Month/Year I joined the Apple Tree Family: May 1999 Educational & Professional Background: Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Toledo Three things always found in my classroom: Laughter, books and plants Favorite Childhood Memory: Anytime spent with my family Favorite Apple Tree Memory: There are too many to choose from! Seeing the children’s faces when they learn a new skill and they “get it”! (A light bulb moment)