Staff
Eva-Marie Hatfield, Director
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Eva started in February 2007 as our Center Director. She has a degree in Social Science/Sociology with an emphasis in education and 22 years experience in the early childhood field. She is married and has three daughters in college. She enjoys spending time with her family and living on Lake Superior. |
Debbie Bossenberger
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Debbie started in June of 2012 as an Infant Teacher. She has an Infant-Toddler Child Development Associate degree and has worked with infants and toddlers in a center based setting for over 13 years. Debbie is married and has two adult children and one grandchild. Her hobbies include card-making and scrapbooking. |
Mallory Torola
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Mallory started in September of 2015 as an Infant teacher. She is the second oldest in a family of nine children. Mallory has several years of experience as a nanny, has worked in summer camps and taught in a before and after school program. Mallory enjoys drawing, painting, snowboarding, and spending time with family and friends. |
Crystal Park
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Crystal started in January of 2008. She graduated from Northern Michigan University with a degree in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Speech, Hearing and Language Science. Crystal has been working with young children for over 10 years. She is married and has two young children. Crystal enjoys the arts, hiking, and spending time with her family. |
Alicia Bartlett
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Alicia started in September 2015 as a Toddler Teacher. She has a Bachelor's degree from Northern Michigan University. Alicia has several years of previous experience working in a Child Development Center in Marquette. She enjoys hiking, camping, and kayaking. She loves to read and reads over 50 books a year! |
Jocelyn Prewett
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Jocelyn started in May 2014 as a Lead Teacher. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Development and Learning from Central Michigan University, as well as four years of experience working with children in many different settings. She lives in Houghton with her husband and enjoys cooking, reading, knitting, and spending time outdoors. |
Courtney Hendrickson
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Courtney started working at Little Huskies as a substitute teacher in the summer of 2013. She began teaching in the preschool room full time in August of 2014. Courtney has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. In her free time she enjoys seeing movies, staying active, being outdoors, and spending time with her family. |
Elaine Schultz
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Elaine started working at Little Huskies as a Preschool teacher in may of 2014. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education. Elaine has more than 8 years experience teach preschool through first grade. She has four wonderful adopted children and recently remarried and moved to Houghton. |
Elissa Harju
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Elisa started working at Little Huskies in September of 2015 as a Preschool teacher. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. Elissa has experience working with children as a nanny, a tutor, in a before and after school program, and as a one-on-one support for children with special needs. She enjoys running, hiking, cooking, and spending time with her family. |
Bethany Leonard
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Bethany started in November of 2007. She is currently working as a teacher in all of the Little Huskies' classrooms. She has a Bachelor's degree and a Teaching certificate. Bethany has more than 20 years of experience working with children. She enjoys music, reading, and outdoor activities. |
Nikki Kaufman
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Nikki started in August 2012 as an Intern and Substitute Teacher. She is currently working as a Teacher in all of the Little Huskies' classrooms. Nikki has an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education. She enjoys working with children of all ages. She loves spending time with her two sons, Mason and Vance. |
Alysa Sutinen
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Alysa started as a High School Aide in 2007. Since then, she has earned an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Development and a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. Alysa is currently working as the cook at Little Huskies. Alysa is married and has two children. She enjoys spending time with her family. |
Laura Shilling
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Laura started as the Office Manager in May of 2015. She was a substitute teach for Little Huskies before she took the office position. Laura worked as a school secretary, substitute teacher and in an in-home childcare setting over the past 10 years. She is married and has three children. Laura enjoys reading, hiking, snowshoeing, and spending time with her family. |