Meet Our Team
ACCD is very proud of its experienced and dedicated teachers and staff, led by our Center Director, Kristina. Center DirectorAdditional Staff
Kristina
Center Director
Credentials | Kristina earned an Associate of Applied Science: Early Childhood Development from Mid Michigan Community College in Harrison, MI, and a Bachelor of Education: Child Development from the University of Toledo in Toledo, OH. She is currently pursuing a Master of Early Childhood Education degree at Spring Arbor University.
Kristina comes to ACCD with more than twenty years of experience in Early Childhood Education. She began her career with Head Start of Central Michigan. After moving to West Michigan she served as Lead Teacher and Child Care Director at St. Patrick’s School in Parnell for ten years.
Bio | Working with young children is Kristina’s passion because that is the age when a foundation for the future is built. She enjoys and counts it a privilege to be able to help young children learn social and cognitive skills and tools that are the building blocks for success in school and beyond.
Spending time with her four children (two twenty-somethings, a teenager, and an early elementary-ager!) and husband is high on Kristina’s priority list when she’s not working. They enjoy taking walks and gardening together. She also enjoys reading and crafting.
Katrina
Kitchen Coordinator & Site Supervisor
Credentials | Katrina graduated from GVSU with a BS in psychology and is currently working toward a Master of Social Work degree. She started with ACCD in 2013; she has been with the Center the longest of any employee.
Bio | Katrina has experience in all aspects of ACCD. She started as a cook’s apprentice, then became an Assistant Teacher. Katrina eventually moved to the office as part-time Administrative Assistant while continuing her role as Teacher. Most recently Katrina served as the ACCD Office Manager. Over the years she also filled in, as needed, doing custodial work. Every Program Director Katrina worked with considered her their “Right Hand Lady!” Katrina likes working with young children and at ACCD because “every day feels like a new adventure, there is never a dull moment!”
Dawn
Lead Teacher & Site Supervisor
Credentials | Dawn has been with ACCD since December 2016, having started as an Assistant Teacher then, after earning her Child Development Associate certification, became a teacher and later a Lead Teacher.
Bio | Dawn loves seeing “when the light comes on” while caring for young children. When not at ACCD she likes spending time with family.
Macy
Lead Teacher
Credentials | Macy graduated from Lowell High School, attended GRCC for two years, and now is a student at Central Michigan University, studying elementary education (PK-6). She’s worked in childcare for three years, and before that babysat frequently for family and friends.
Bio | Seeing how young children grow and develop and being part of helping them meet developmental milestones are reasons why Macy likes working with children.
When not working Macy enjoys spending time with family and friends and going shopping. Also “My family has a seasonal at a campground up north, so in the summer, we love going to the camper.”
Interesting Fact | Macy played softball for two years at GRCC. She was a pitcher and played first base too. Not at the same time!
Amy
Lead Teacher
Credentials | Amy graduated from the University of Michigan with a BA in elementary education. She worked at a franchise day care center, in a room for 2 ½ year old children, for eight years.
Bio | Seeing young children happy, with smiles and laughter, brightens Amy’s day. She likes to show kids something new that catches their attention “for a while!” When not working Amy likes to bake – more about that below – and Diamond Art. She also enjoys reading and watching movies.
Interesting Fact | Amy loves anime (a type of Japanese animation) and baking and decorating cakes … especially for her godchildren’s birthdays.
Kristen
Lead Teacher
Credentials | Kristen graduated from Cedar Springs High School and subsequently attended Grand Rapids Community College where she earned an Associate’s degree in Child Development.
Bio | Kristen likes to work with young children to see them meet developmental milestones and prepare them for Kindergarten. She grew up with five siblings so being around children feels natural to her. When she’s not working Kristen enjoys activities with her family, immediate and extended. Her children have cousins who live nearby.
Interesting Fact | The Cedar Springs band program played a big role in Kristen’s school years. She played clarinet from 6th grade through high school. Her participation in marching band allowed her to go to many competitions as well as go to Florida with the band
Josh
Credentials | Josh was home-schooled K-12 and is now a student at Grand Valley State University where he’s studying Sociology.
Bio | Observing children discover the world and seeing/helping them figure out how things work are why Josh likes working with young children. Additionally, he enjoys helping kids when interacting with others and showing them how to get along with others. Could this be because he is the middle child of five siblings?
In his free time Josh enjoys playing basketball, music (his instruments are saxophone and guitar), and drawing with charcoal.
Jazmine
Credentials | Jazmine graduated from Northview High School. She has
worked professionally in the child care field since 2020.
Bio | When asked what she liked about working with young children she replied, “I love everything, especially when they reach milestones. I love teaching them new things like songs, words, and moves.”
When not working Jazmine likes to spend time with family. They all get together on Sundays. Jazmine has a young son at home.
Tobyn
Credentials | Tobyn graduated from Baker College with a degree in education. She subsequently earned an Early Childhood endorsement for her teaching certificate. She has many years teaching experience including Headstart and, most recently, Grand Rapids Early Discovery Center (associated with Aquinas College).
Bio | Tobyn loves how genuine children are. “Everything they do and say shows their curiosity and what they honestly think as they view their world and surroundings. When I work with children, I can find something to smile about every day.” Tobyn’s family is a busy one, with her husband, two young sons, and two dogs. They love baking together. If she has time to herself, she likes to watch TV and color.
Karen
Credentials | Karen started with ACCD in October 2020. She previously volunteered in a church child care center.
Bio | Karen loves seeing how happy and excited young children are when they figure things out or, just in general, how happy and excited they are about anything! When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her own preschooler and infant.
Jack
Credentials | Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Jack is from Battle Creek and graduated from Kellogg Community College. He has strong ties to Michigan State University!
Bio | Jack enjoys working with young children because he likes being part of their growth developmentally. “It’s very rewarding to see them develop.” When not working he enjoys spending time with his fiancé. In the summer he likes to be outside. Running is one of his favorite activities.
Beth
Credentials | Beth attended Michigan State University then transferred to Grand Valley University to finish her degree in Business/Human Resources. She has several years’ experience through babysitting and learning the child care business from her mother!
Bio | According to Beth, she loves working with children because it is rewarding: “Being able to connect with kids is amazing!” In her spare time she likes to hang out with family and friends.
Linda
Credentials | Linda is a former Special Education teacher.
Bio | Linda likes working with children because they are always doing something interesting! In her spare time, she likes to go tent camping with her cat, last year they were out 55 days (and nights). This year her new rescue dog will join the fun.
Hailey G.
Credentials | Hailey is a student at Northview High School.
Bio | Children’s unconditional love and brutal honesty (!) are reasons Hailey likes working with kids. She enjoys knitting and reading in her spare time.
Maddy
Credentials | Maddy is a student at Northview High School.
Bio | Maddy shares that she loves working with kids because they are so fun and energetic. “They never fail to put a smile on my face.” When she’s not working she enjoys art, baking, and spending time with friends and family.
Madelyn (Maddie)
Credentials | Maddie graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy in 2022. She was on staff for the Interlochen Day Camp. Maddie is currently a student at Grand Rapids Community College majoring in Voice Performance.
Bio | When asked what she likes about working with young children she replied, “….there is never a dull moment with the little ones…they make each day unique.”
When not working Maddie likes to bake, sew, attend concerts, and go home to the family farm.
Stephen
Credentials | Stephen is a graduate of Northview High School, now attending Grand Valley State University. He’s had a connection to ACCD since 2016 when his mother, Dawn, started working at ACCD.
Bio | Young children’s willingness to engage in new experiences is one of the reasons why Stephen likes to work with little kids. “They always have such a willingness to explore the environment around them. I think as adults we should emulate kids’ natural tendency to engage in new experiences.” In his free time Stephen enjoys crocheting and knitting.
Interesting Fact | Stephen used to have two pet piranhas. How does one pet a pet piranha? “Carefully.”
Kaitlynn (Katie)
Credentials | Katie graduated from Northview High School in 2006, obtained an Associates Degree at Grand Rapids Community College in 2009, and later completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts: Design and Technical Theatre with a Focus in Light Design from Western Michigan University. She plans to start working toward a Masters in Ealry Childhood Development in January.
Katie’s previous child care work experience includes working at two child care centers, and later as a nanny for nine years before moving out of state. She also was a Girl Scout Leader for 2.5 years.
As a child Katie attended ACCD in the early 90’s, then returned as a volunteer in the early 2000’s. Her first job in child development was at ACCD in 2009.
Bio | When asked what she likes about working with young children Katie said, “I adore young children’s genuine curiosity and those little moments when they finally accomplish something new!”
When not working, Katie enjoys being Mom to three elementary-age kids: Caleb and twins Cora and Keegan. She and her husband like to take their children to local farms, museums, and libraries. They also love family time at home watching movies or playing board games. (And caring for a bunny, 3 dogs, and 4 cats!)
An interesting factoid: Katie had an internship in NYC and worked on the set of the last season of Iron Chef America!
Ashley
Credentials | Currently Ashley is a student at Northview High School. After graduating she plans to enroll in Grand Rapids Community College to study Elementary Education.
Bio | Given Ashley’s career interest in being a teacher, she enjoys the experience she’s gaining at ACCD with young children. When not working Ashley can be found hanging out with friends and/or listening to music (she is a percussionist herself!)
KayCee
Credentials | KayCee graduated from Grand Haven High School. She’s been babysitting since she was fifteen and worked in a child care setting for 3 ½ years before joining the ACCD Staff.
Bio | KayCee says she likes working with kids because, “To me it doesn’t feel like a job even on the days when it’s hard and exhausting. I’m still in love with what I do. I love watching them develop and learning their personalities. And every day is something new.”
When not working KayCee likes spending time with her family of three boys and “a wonderful husband.”
McKenna
Credentials | McKenna graduated from Northview High School and now attends Ferris State University, majoring in Criminal Justice. She also has a keen interest in becoming an American Sign Language interpreter.
Bio | McKenna loves working with little kids because they make everyone have smiles on their faces, even if someone is having a hard day. She likes to make sure every day is fun. When she is not working, McKenna likes to take a child she babysits for (bus man’s holiday!) fishing. She also likes to lounge by the pool, spend time with her family, and run and play with her dogs.
Stacie
Credentials | Credential info upcoming. Check back soon!
Bio | Bio information coming soon!
Jennifer
AUMC Office Manager/Treasurer
Credentials | Jen has been with ACCD since February 2005, before that she served as secretary on the Board of Directors for a number of years.
Bio | Jen says she is proud to be part of a program that puts so much heart into serving the community by educating and caring for young children. When not at work Jen enjoys family, reading, music, spending time at the family lake house, local theatre, and travel.
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