Mariner's Star Child Development Center

~Meet Our Staff~ 

Shannon Springs
Administrative Director & Special Education Resource Specialist 

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Shannon Springs graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor's degree in Special Education - Learning Disabilities (specializing in Language and Literacy development) and also Early Childhood Development in 2006. Three years of her undergraduate studies were also devoted to research work with the College of Education at Michigan State University, evaluating new educational technologies within the Lansing and East Lansing School Districts. 

Ms. Springs completed her masters degree in Curriculum, Instruction and Teaching at Michigan State University in 2008 and is currently working towards completing her Ph.D. in Educational Policy at the University of Michigan. She currently serves as the Special Education Resource Specialist for our center, devising curriculum modifications for our students with special needs. Through networking with local community members, Ms. Springs also overseas part-time staff specialists who provide individual supports throughout the center. 

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Danielle Marantette
Assistant Director & Toddler Lead Teacher

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Danielle Marantette serves as the Assistant Director at the Mariner's Star Child Development Center as well as a Head Teacher for one of our infant and toddler classrooms. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Child Development in 2008 from Michigan State University and is currently completing her Master’s degree from the University of Michigan in Family and Child Studies. Ms. Marantette  believes that play is an essential element in a child’s developmental process and values her children and their families. 

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Alicia Sarkar 
Assistant Director & Preschool Lead Teacher

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Alicia Sarkar is the lead Preschool Teacher and Assistant Director at Mariner’s Star Child Development Center. Ms. Sarkar received her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and will obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development in May of 2010.  Alicia has worked in the field of Early Childhood Education for the last five years. Alicia has experience working with children from infants through school age.  Alicia looks forward to working with you and your child.

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Casey Rook
Licensed Nutritionist & Preschool Lead Teacher 

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Casey Rook earned her bachelor’s in Family Community Services with a young child focus as well as specialized and minored in Nutritional Sciences from Michigan State University.  Ms. Rook went back to MSU to receive her Master’s in Child Development.  She has passion and devotion for helping children and families learn how to make healthy eating choices daily.  Ms. Rook believes in the power of play with a particular emphasis on exploring the natural environment.  She also believes that a strong parent connection should be valued and practiced through the preschool experience because it helps create the best outcomes for the child and the family.   

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Kelly Christman
Literacy Specialist & Kindergarten Lead Teacher

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Kelly Christman is the current Kindergarten teacher and literacy specialist for the Mariner’s Star Child development center. She has earned both her Bachelors Degree in early childhood education and Masters Degree in child development from Michigan State University. As a kindergarten teacher, she believes that it is important to establish a community of learners with in her classroom. Activities in her classroom focus on the growing interests of her students as individuals and as a community. She believes that a “hands on approach” to learning is the most successful way for children to develop socially, physically, cognitively and emotionally. She would like the children in her classroom to experience a diverse cultural experience within the classroom and when working in the community together.

As the literacy specialist her main goal is improving the quality of literacy teaching techniques in each classroom. She collaborates with each head teacher to plan for the literacy development of the children in their classroom. Because children are treated as individuals at the center, she evaluates their literacy development throughout the year to document their own strengths and weaknesses. She feels strongly that through collaboration with teachers, she can develop the best plans for each child’s literacy development.  


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Ashley Coleman
Child Development Specialist & Infant Lead Teacher

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 Ashley M. Coleman is a graduate of Michigan State University, with a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education.  Serving families at Mariner Star for 5 years, Coleman specializes in Infant developmental programming, where she provides a hands-on learning experience for infants ages 6 weeks to 12 months.  Coleman works to meet the developmental needs of infants across all domains; she actively engages them in small motor play by providing soft and hard toys for gripping and chewing e.g. small colorfulbean bags, soft stuffed animals, and/or teething rings.  Electronic toys with buttons are included to expose infants to various shapes, colors, numbers, and songs with unique melodic or rhythmic patterns.  
      
 In addition to the development of Large/fine motor skills, cognitive abilities, language, and aesthetics within the classroom, Coleman provides an open space for infants to stretch, bend their knees, and reach forward during crawling opportunities.  As an infant developmental specialist, Coleman works closely with both parents and children in order to understand which developmental techniques work best for each child.  Meeting the developmental needs of infant children consist of soothing techniques e.g.,  patting an infant to sleep, holding, rocking, or singing to them while they are in distress.  Talking to children while pointing out certain objects around the room is another useful technique that Coleman uses to introduce infants to the world around them e.g., "Ball, bunny rabbit, foot, hand".  As a teacher at Mariner Star, Coleman continues to express her love and quality care for infants as she nurtures them in a productive environment within the earliest stages of their lives.

Located at: 2596 Chestnut Dr. South Lyon, Mi 48179   Phone: (517) 959-3684