I grew up in the Fox Valley but moved away after I left for college and met my husband. After living in Michigan working with children through private music instruction, I relocated back to the area and began working in childcare. I have since added an associate degree in early childhood education to my bachelor's in music. I loved the knowledge that getting my associate degree added to my daily teaching abilities. I have been working in childcare full-time since 2016 and enjoyed training the new hires so much that I began my master's degree to be better equipped to lead those new teachers. That is when I began my role here at Play and Grow as the Education Director. I love working with teachers and seeing the excitement that happens as they plan activities that engender a learning environment. It is especially important to me that every child feels like this is their home away from home and it warms my heart to see smiles at drop offs and to hear the stories of how everything went with the days' activities.