Jessica (Director) lives in Royal Oak with her daughter. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, jewelry making, reading, traveling, and spending time outdoors.
She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Mathematics and a Masters in Math Education that she used during her seven years of classroom teaching experience. She joined Olive Branch in 2014 and continues to pursue content in Early Childhood. She loves spending time with the staff and children, the diversity of each day, and experiencing the joy children have as they learn and grow.
Maria (Assistant Director and Infant Teacher) lives in Madison Heights and enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors and caring and learning about animals.
She has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and started working in this field in 2014. She joined Olive Branch in early 2022 in this leadership position. She loves having a positive impact on families and their children. Seeing children grow and thrive in a learning environment is so rewarding to Maria. And she brings joy into her job by being silly with the children often.
Karen (Pre-K Lead Teacher) lives in Hazel Park with her husband and has a son and a daughter and new grandson. She enjoys games, sports and puzzles and loves Snoopy.
She worked for 11 years in early childhood prior to joining our staff. She has an Associate’s Degree and has been on staff at Olive Branch since 2005. As head teacher, she loves interacting with different people and experiencing her students’ light-bulb moments when they learn new things.
Mareta (Pre-K Teacher) lives in Ferndale with her husband and has three children. She loves decorating, doing yoga, and loves her pet Zoey.
She has 20 years of childcare experience all used at Olive Branch since 1998. She loves the kids the most and enjoys helping parents and being a positive influence in young lives.
Brigette (Pre-K Teacher) lives in Detroit. She has a daughter and a grandson and enjoys spending time with her family, doing yoga and shopping.
She has over 14 years of experience in childcare and has been on staff at Olive Branch since 2007. Her work with the pre-K children brings her joy because she loves seeing them mature into school-age children ready for the classroom.
Shawn (Pre-K Teacher) lives in Royal Oak with her three sons. She loves spending time with her family and friends which often includes going to games to watch her sons play sports.
She has 24 years of experience working with children and has worked since 2006 at Olive Branch. She has worked with many different age groups and loves working with the children each day.
Trissa (Preschool Lead Teacher) lives in Oak Park with her husband and has four children. She enjoys reading, cooking and spending time with her family and pets.
She has been working with children since she started babysitting at age 11. She is certified in early childhood and has been working at Olive branch since 2001. She enjoys interacting with the children and helping them achieve new goals.
Vikki (Preschool Teacher) lives in Hazel Park with her husband and has two children and one grandchild. She enjoys watching soccer, gardening, crocheting and spending time with her grandchild.
She has 31 years of experience in childcare and has been at Olive Branch most recently since 2001 but had worked at the center previous years also. The joy of helping children learn and experience new things through play makes this job gratifying.
Krissie (Toddler Lead Teacher) lives in Madison Heights and enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, shopping and loves her coffee!
She has five years of experience in the field before joining our team in spring of 2021. She continues her studies for a higher degree in early childhood and is an energetic addition to our center.
Cheryl (Toddler Teacher) lives in Troy with her husband and has one daughter. She likes to camp and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Since 1986, she has faithfully served the children and families at Olive Branch. She loves the children, especially their smiles, laughter, and hugs.
Asalya (Toddler Teacher) lives in Detroit and enjoys spending time with her family, reading and crocheting.
She has worked at Olive Branch since fall of 2018. She studied abroad in Korea for about 7 months between now and then, but has been a stable staff member other than that. She takes a personal interest in the children and enjoys interacting with them. She can work in all age group but enjoys the toddlers most.
Candia (Older Infant Lead Teacher) has lived in Royal Oak for her whole life. She loves the zoo and spending time with her sisters, brother, parents, and two nephews.
She has an Associate’s Degree in early childhood and began working here as a high schooler in 1999, earning her many years on staff at Olive Branch. She loves her colleagues and the parents and children with which she works.
Diane (Older Infant Teacher) lives in Royal Oak with her husband and has four adult children. She spends her free time crocheting, reading, walking or enjoying time with her two grandsons.
After many years of taking in children at her home, she has been caring for them at Olive Branch instead since 2003. She enjoys the opportunity to be refreshed by seeing the world though children’s eyes and especially loves watching their discovery and milestones.
Allyson (Young Infant Lead Teacher) lives in Rochester and is a mother who loves spending time with her two sons. She also enjoys spending time at home with her two dogs.
She has an Associate’s Degree in early childhood education and plans to continue to her bachelor’s degree. She has worked with young children for over ten years and joined Olive Branch in summer 2021. This field is special to her because she loves making a difference in a child and their parents’ lives.
Gina (Infant Teacher) lives in Oak Park with her husband and has two children. She enjoys spending time with her family and watching great movies from time to time.
She has been working at Olive Branch most recently since 2010, but had also worked previously at our center and thoroughly a enjoys her time here. She values her role as a help to parents and seeing the babies she cares for make great developmental strides.
Ciara (Infant Teacher) lives in Detroit and enjoys playing with kids.
She joined Olive Branch in 2021 with some center experience with children and experience working as a lunch aid in a school. She loves that we are allowed to work with children for a profession.
Alice (Substitute Float Teacher) lives in Royal Oak and enjoys spending time with her family. She is working with us part time in her retirement because she enjoys children and wants to help them learn when they are young.
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