Teachers & Caregivers
The most important ingredient of a top notch learning center is the caliber of staff. We pride ourselves on attracting and retaining superior teachers and caregivers that will provide your child with the experience, creativity, warmth and enthusiasm necessary to promote the further development of your child. Many of our current staff have been with us for at least five years and some as many as 12 years.
Cook's teachers and caregivers are eager, responsible, focused on each child's personal growth and development and equipped with the background and experience necessary to provide the highest quality education and care for your child. In addition, each staff member must pass a background check and be trained in First Aid and CPR. Above all, we develop a special bond with each child as if he or she were our own.
Kelly Cook, Owner and Executive Director
Kelly has been an educator in Michigan since 1988. She is fluent in American SIgn Language and is actively involved in the early childhood community by offering her expertise as a presenter and educational speaker. She has always dreamed of running her own Early Childhood program and puts her passion, enthusiasm and robust abilities into all that Cook's Academy offers. Here is an overview of what Kelly brings:
Education
• Master of Eduation in Early Childhood Education, Oakland University
• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary and Special Education, Michigan State University
• Bachelor of Arts in American Sign Language, Madonna University
• Professional Teaching Certificate K-8, Regular and Special Education with the Early Childhood ZA Endorsement
Experience
• Teacher, Detroit Day School for the Deaf
• Substitute Teacher, Bloomfield Hills Public Schools
• Multiply Impaired Teacher, Wing Lake Development Center
• Instructor, Birmingham Community House
• CCD Teacher, Holy Name Parish
• Research Assistant, Michigan State University
• Interpreter, Lansing Schools
• Assistant Athletic Director, Madonna University
• SCAMP Interpreter/Teacher
• Interpreter, Lahser High School
Continuing Education
• Parent Advisor Training-State of Michigan
• Dale Carnegie Course
• Substance Abuse Workshop, Oakland County Health Departmet
• Annual Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children (MiAEYC) Conference
Professional Presentations
• Infant Development, Seminar for Beaumont Parenting Volunteer Program
• Infant Temperament, Karing for Kids Conference
• Infant Development, Prodigy Child Care Center
• Inaugural Health FOCUS Conference, Wayne State University School of Medicine Children's Hospital of Michigan
• Infant/Toddler Growth and Development, Michigan Futures Advanced Training
• Play, Learning and Reading to Children, William Beaumont Hospital Volunteer Program
• Behavioral Management in the Classroom, Oakland County Community Coordinated Child Care Council
• Discipline During the Toddler Years, William Beaumont Hospital Parenting Program Lecture Series
Professional Consultation
• Basic and Administrative Training in Child Care Instructor, Oakland County 4C Council 4-week Training Series
• William Beaumont Hospital Liaison for New Mothers
• Group Leader for 10 families in the William Beaumont Hospital Parenting Volunteer Program
Professional Affiliations
• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Member
• Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children (MiAEYC) Member