Our Staff
| Dhu Varren Director Laura Griswold has been a part of the Gretchen’s House team for almost twenty years, starting in 1992 as an I/T teacher at GH Mt. Pleasant. Laura served as the director of GH-Mt. Vernon for six years and as the director at GH-Traver for four years before opening the Dhu Varren center in October, 2003. Laura earned a bachelor’s degree in Family and Child Development from Eastern Michigan University. She is a certified High/Scope trainer and also serves on the Washtenaw Community College Child Care Advisory Committee. Laura has two sons in elementary school who are GH graduates. In her spare time, Laura enjoys reading, scrap booking, and spending time with her family. |  |
| Office Manager Jinell Warson has been with Gretchen’s House since 1994, first as a classroom Head Teacher, then Assistant Director before taking on the Office Manager role at Dhu Varren. She attended Eastern Michigan University and Wayne State University, completing coursework in the Early Childhood and Child Psychology programs. Jinell’s favorite part about her job is touring families at the center and sharing information about quality child care. Jinell lives in Brighton. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, decorating her home, attending school activities and spending time with family and friends. |  |
| Head Cook Marilyn Kettenstock has been with Gretchen’s House since 1995. Marilyn has both a BA and MA in Education and Reading. She cooks during the day and tutors students in the afternoon. For twelve years Marilyn was a classroom teacher working with all age groups at several GH locations. In her spare time, Marilyn enjoys camping, traveling, and spending time with her husband and dog. |  |
| Building Resource Teacher Ryan Powell started working for Gretchen’s House in 2005 before leaving briefly to attend the Fire Fighter Academy, from which he graduated in May, 2007. He completed EMT training in the Fall of 2007. Ryan has worked as a morning Young Fives & Schoolage opener, bus driver & as a Yuong Fives & Schoolage afternoon teacher. When he is not at work or school, Ryan enjoys playing a lot of basketball, cards, soccer, and anything that involves being outdoors. |  |
| Cook Michael Roller has been with GH Dhu Varren since 2007. He has an associate’s degree from Washtenaw Community College and has worked in the food industry for several years. Michael is a fan of local sports teams and during his free time enjoys going to games and watching movies. |  |
| Pond Program Director Carrie McMurrian started teaching at GH Dhu Varren in January, 2006 after graduating from Central Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in Education with child development, reading, and mathematics minors. Carrie was a Preschool Teacher and Head Young Fives Teacher before becoming Program Director. She is currently working toward a Master of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education at Eastern Michigan University. Working with children has always been Carrie’s passion. She lives in Belleville with her husband and dog. Levi. Carrie enjoys spending time with her friends and family, watching movies, and boating on Torch Lake. |  |
| Pond I/T Teacher Seema Ahuja rejoined Gretchen’s House in March, 2011. She previously worked as a substitute teacher, teacher and a head teacher at Gretchen’s House and has thirteen years of experience in Early Childhood. Seema earned a CDA in Austin, Texas and an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood from Washtenaw Community College. She has plans to continue her education towards a Bachelor’s degree. In her spare time, Seema likes to spend time with her husband, and two daughters. She also likes to keep herself busy by exercising, traveling, cooking and watching movies. |  |
| Pond Infant/Toddler Teacher Erin Brumm started at Gretchen’s House in July of 2008 after moving to Ann Arbor from North Carolina. Erin graduated from UNC at Greensboro with a double major in Music and English. Erin has worked in Early Childhood for five years, working both in the classroom and as part of the administrative staff. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband, traveling, reading, and scrapbooking. |  |
| Pond I/T teacher Amanda Easterday started teaching at Gretchen’s House on Valentine’s Day, 2011. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from Concordia University in Elementary Education with a focus in Language Arts and Early Childhood. Amanda has a big family with three brothers and three sisters. Three of her siblings are adopted from China. She also has a new photography business on the side and loves to spend time outside with her husband. Amanda and her husband live in Whitmore Lake. |  |
| Pond Head Infant/Toddler Teacher Jamie Halliday Jamie Halliday has been working at Gretchen’s House since July 2007. Jamie attended Central Michigan University, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. In her spare time, Jamie enjoys traveling, visiting friends and family and cooking. |  |
| Pond Infant and Toddler Teacher Katie Kresta is originally from Toledo, Ohio and moved to the Ann Arbor area in May 2009. She received her B.S. degree in Special Education from Eastern Michigan University. Katie has been with Gretchen’s House since June 2009. Katie enjoys playing sports when she has free time – anything outdoors. When outdoors isn’t an option, she enjoys snuggling up with a good book. |  |
| Pond Afternoon Infant/Toddler Teacher Anu Naurla has a degree in Home Science and Teacher Training from New Delhi, India. She loves gardening, cooking, eating healthy, yoga, tennis, swimming, and table tennis. More than these activities, Anu loves working and being around children. She has been working with Gretchen’s House since 2004. |  |
| Zarina Sayed has been an afternoon teacher in the Pond I/T program since January, 2004. Zarina has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Sociology from Osmania University in India. She taught in an elementary school, was a substitute teacher and worked in centers before marrying and emigrating to the U.S. Zarina’s hobbies include sewing, painting, reading, traveling, and spending time with her children. |  |
| Pond Infant/Toddler Teacher Misty Wesney began teaching at Gretchen’s House in September, 2003. Misty has an associate’s degree in Science from Monroe County Community College. She has been working in the early childhood field for twelve years. In her spare time, Misty enjoys hanging out with her daughter Elise, painting and camping. |  |
| Pond Preschool Teacher Kristen Jonas joined Gretchen’s House in June 2008. She has been working with children for more than eight years in a variety of settings. In 2005, Kristen earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in writing from Eastern Michigan University. Her interests include beach volleyball, volunteering, and spending time with her family, friends and her cats. |  |
| Pond Head Preschool Teacher Harmony Smargon has worked for Gretchen’s House since July 2000. Harmony earned a Child Development Associate credential from Baker College of Jackson and an associate’s degree of Business degree in Marketing from Baker College of Owosso. Harmony is is currently working toward a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Harmony enjoys spending time with her husbandand their two young children. |  |
| Pond Preschool Teacher Danielle Wiener joined Gretchen’s House in 2007. She has an associate’s degree in Early Childhood from Niagara County Community College and earned a B.A. in Education with a minor in Psychology from Dominican College. In her spare time, Danielle enjoys spending time with her husband and their two children. She also enjoys watching her son play travel hockey. |  |
| Pond Afternoon Preschool Teacher Jerod Wesney started at Gretchen’s House in June, 2006 as a full time Building Resource Teacher. Since then he has worked in every classroom, and has spent summers with the SCAMP program. Jerod earned a teaching certificate in Secondary Education with a major in English from Eastern Michigan University. In his free time, Jerod enjoys reading and spending time with friends and family. |  |
| Chrissy McKiddie is the Program Director for the Railroad Wing, overseeing the Infant/Toddler and Preschool programs and working in the afternoons in the Infant/Toddler Rooms. Chrissy has a bachelor’s degree in Preschool Family Life Studies from Northern Michigan University. She began teaching at Gretchen’s House in 1998. In addition to spending time with her two kids, she enjoys reading and vacationing with her family. |  |
| Railroad Infant/Toddler Teacher Sandra Canales began teaching at GH Dhu Varren in June, 2007. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University and has been working with children for the past fourteen years. Sandra is originally from Puerto Rico. She is excited about sharing her native language, Spanish, with the children. In her spare time, Sandra likes to go on adventures with her children to festivals, libraries, museums, parks, swimming, and the lake. |  |
| Railroad Infant/Toddler teacher Julie Garbacz started working at Gretchen’s House in August 2006. She has her Bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Science from Madonna University. In her spare time, Julie enjoys playing sports, spending time with family, and traveling. |  |
| Railroad I/T Head Teacher Megan Haight earned her Bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University in December 2004. Her main areas of study were science, language arts, and early childhood education. She started her Gretchen’s House career in 2005. Megan and her husband, Dave, welcomed their son, David Michael, in April 2010. In her spare time, Megan enjoys running, reading, baking and spending time with family and friends. |  |
| Railroad Infant/Toddler Teacher Jessica Landgraf graduated from Saint Mary’s College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She also attended the University of Michigan and earned a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Development. Jessica joined the Gretchen’s House team in November, 2009. In her spare time, Jessica loves to paint, throw pottery, travel, read, and spend time with family and friends. |  |
| Sarah Kause is the afternoon teacher in the Railroad Infant/Toddler Program and has been with Gretchen’s House since fall 2008. Sarah graduated from Ann Arbor Huron High School and has been working towards her Child Development Credential from Washtenaw Community College. Sarah enjoys playing softball, walking her dog, reading, and watching hockey. |  |
| Railroad Infant/Toddler Teacher Denise Lechtanski began her career at Gretchen’s House in the summer of 2008. She worked with the school age children before becoming an Infant/Toddler Teacher. Denise is currently attending Eastern Michigan University, majoring in Special Education-Cognitive Impairment, with an Elementary Education minor. Denise spends her free time with her two daughters and her husband. |  |
| Railroad Infant/Toddler Teacher Tina Taylor graduated from Schoolcraft College in 2001. She earned two associate’s degrees, one in Early Child Development and one in Family Support. Tina joined the Gretchen’s House team in December of 2003. In her spare time, Tina enjoys writing poetry and being outside doing anything and everything with her friends and family. |  |
| Railroad Preschool Teacher Whitney Haynes graduated from Central Michigan University in December of 2008. Whitney earned a bachelor’s Degree in Child Development with a concentration in Early Childhood. She also has a minor in Personal and Community Health. Whitney joined the Gretchen’s House team in right out of school in 2008. In her free time, Whitney enjoys spending time with her friends and family. |  |
| Railroad Afternoon Preschool Teacher Rachel Alexander graduated from the University of Michigan in 2007 with a Bachelor’s degree in art & design. She discovered her passion for children through her work as a girl scout camp counselor, as a volunteer art facilitator for under-privileged youth in inner-city Detroit schools, and as a child care worker and nanny. In her free time she enjoys drawing, movies, reading, embroidery, and playing with her bunnies. |  |
| Laurie Scheibels graduated from Central Michigan University in May of 2003. She has a bachelor’s degree in Child Development. Laurie began her career at Gretchen’s House in September 2003 as a Preschool Teacher before becoming the Railroad Head Preschool Teacher. Laurie says she finds it rewarding to be a stepping stone in the lives of children. In her free time, she enjoys traveling to the Caribbean, walking her dog, and watching comedies. |  |
| Karen Clark-Cantu is the Program Director for the Farm Wing at GH-Dhu Varren. During the summer months, Karen runs the Summer Camp Program. Karen worked as a preschool teacher in a HeadStart Program and at the YMCA for 14 years before she joined Gretchen’s House in 1999. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Health. In her free time, Karen enjoys golf, attending classic rock concerts and walking her black lab. |  |
| Garden Preschool Head Teacher Marie Gaab joined Gretchen’s House in July of 2009 and moved from Pond I/T to Garden PS in March 2011. Marie earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Eastern Michigan University. She has 10 years of experience working with young children. When she is not working Marie enjoys hiking, biking, and camping with her husband and teenage son. |  |
| Farm Preschool Teacher Polly Emch has an associate’s degree in Business and is working towards an Early Childhood Associates degree from Monroe County Community College. Polly has worked with children for over twenty years in different capacities from school cook, paraprofessional and caregiver. Polly loves spending time with her 2 granddaughters. Her family enjoys traveling and being outdoors. |  |
| Young Fives Head Teacher Leanna Holman started teaching at Gretchen’s House in July 2007. She graduated from Brigham Young University in August 2005 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marriage, Family and Human Development with a minor in Psychology. Leanna lives in Ypsilanti with her husband, Brian, and their three young children, Sawyer, River and Tekker. In her spare time Leanna enjoys spending time with her family, reading and singing to her kids. |  |
| Farm Schoolage Teacher Jeff Brune is a full-time student at Washtenaw Community College working towards his associate’s degree in Applied Sciences. He has worked at both the Dhu Varren and Traver summer camps and has been a Building Resource teacher. In his free time he enjoys golfing, along with any other sports or outdoor activities. |  |
| Schoolage Afternoon Teacher Sarah Wesney has been working at Gretchen’s House since June 2010. She was a summer camp counselor before moving to the Farm Preschool classroom. Sarah has had 6 years experience working in group care settings before joining Gretchen’s House. An interesting fact about Sarah is that she has 2 siblings, Misty and Jerod, that also work here. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with family and friends. |  |
