Ms. Kathy
Kathy Hoszkiw established ABC Academy in 1984. She is very active in the early childhood profession. She is currently a member of the Great Start Collaborative Executive Committee, along with a member of the Child Care & Early Education subcommittee and the Great Start Event Committee Chairperson and a member of the Great Start Readiness Advisory Council.
As the chair person of the Jackson Area Early Childhood Conference she oversees the organization of this annual event attended by over 300 early childhood providers each year at Baker College.
Kathy was the past Vice President and President of the Jackson Area Early Childhood Association, currently holding the office of Treasurer. She is a member of the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children and the National Association of the Education of Young Children and is a graduate of Michigan State University.
Ms. Mariann
Mariann Gladstone is Executive Director, JC site Director. Mariann graduated from Jackson Community College with an Associates Degree and Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelors Degree in Education. She taught at Western School District for four years.
In 1992, Mariann hired in at ABC Academy on Lansing Ave. as a Teacher, Toddler Coordinator and Assistant Director. In 1997 when the JCC site opened, Mariann became Program Director which has since became a Nationally Accredited program. Mariann is a certified HighScope Trainer.
Throughout her career, Mariann has been a member of the SMAEYC and the JEYC. She has served on her childrens PTA, is a Pioneer Leader and has remained a member of Kappa Delta Pi, a leadership in education.
Mariann says that she is proud to be part of a group of hard working and caring individuals that provide an excellent program for the students of JCC and the community.
Ms. Andrea
Andrea McCabe is the Quality Improvement Specialist at ABC Academy. She has been with ABC Academy since 2002 where she began as a Youth Group Teacher for the school-age children. She demonstrated her ability as a leader and quickly moved into a preschool lead teacher position and became the assistant director at the Laurence Ave. location. When the director position opened at Laurence Ave. Andrea was promoted and remained the director for 3 years until she had her second child; upon her return she moved into the Quality Improvement Specialist Assistant position.
Andrea has a Bachelor’s Degree in Family Life Education from Spring Arbor University, along with an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Jackson Community College.
In the Quality Improvement Specialist position, Andrea has supported our administrators and teaching teams with child assessment data analysis, planned and organized the company parent education and family events, has planned and organized the Jackson Area Early Childhood Conference, worked to help each location maintain NAEYC Accreditation, and supported each administrator with administrative duties for the day to day operations of the centers.
Andrea is a current member of the Jackson Educators for Young Children, a local child care director’s leadership group and the Directors Leadership Group, a national director’s leadership group.
Ms. Lori
Lori Jonas is the center Director for ABC Academy located at 3210 Lansing Avenue. Lori has been with ABC Academy since 2002. Lori began her career at ABC Academy as a teacher assistant in our infant toddler program. She quickly demonstrated her strong teaching and leadership skills and was promoted to the lead teacher of our preschool classroom and center assistant director.
Lori utilized every training opportunity that was available to her including the extensive HighScope Preschool Curriculum training. After becoming certified in this preschool curriculum program, Lori began training her co-workers in this hand’s on approach to learning. ABC Academy was selected to participate in the Numbers Plus Math Program being developed by HighScope.
Lori’s classroom was selected to participate in working with the HighScope Foundation, validating the program prior to launching the math program internationally. After receiving her extensive training in the HighScope curriculum, Lori was asked to mentor students in the Early Childhood Programs from Baker College and Jackson Community College on the daily Plan-Do-Review process, active learning and the daily routine, receiving very positive feedback from the professors of the colleges.
Lori has been a committee member of the Jackson Area Early Childhood Conference since it’s inception and is a current member of the Jackson Educators for Young Children, a local child care directors leadership group. Lori is currently working towards earning her Bachelors’ degree in Early Childhood Development.
Ms. Rebecca
Rebecca (Becca) Huffman graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development and an endorsement in Early Childhood. Prior to joining ABC Academy as the Co-Director of the Laurence St. center, Rebecca began her career as a teacher and continued in that position for three years.
She then moved to administrative work and has continued to grow her experience in Early Childhood ever since. She is very excited to have the opportunity to join ABC Academy and ready to continue to help children learn and grow.
Outside of work, her passion begins with family. She is married to a wonderful man named Justin and has two boys Cooper and Tucker. In her free time, she does photography and loves to run. Rebecca hopes to help as many children and staff learn in a positive and cheerful way. She works hard to make all children feel special and is dedicated to providing the best customer service possible.
Ms. Mel
Hello! My name is Mel Cass and I am the Co-Director at ABC Academy on Laurence Ave. I have been a part of ABC Academy’s team since 2010 when my husband and I relocated to Jackson from the Metro Detroit area.
I have held many different positions during my employment at ABC Academy. I began as a Teacher Aide, transitioned into a Teacher Assistant, Lead Teacher, Assistant Director, and am now a Program Director.
I have many responsibilities as the Program Director; however, my core objective is to produce and support my Teaching Teams in providing a high-quality, nurturing, safe and engaging learning environment for the children.
I married my high school sweetheart who is also a Teacher at the Jr. High/High School level. In my spare time I enjoy running, reading, watching (and playing) sports, being outdoors and spending time with family and friends.
My philosophy as an educator significantly aligns with that of ABC Academy’s “We believe that children are our most important resource and that their early childhood experiences are crucial in the development of their future.” I look forward to being a part of your child’s educational journey and getting to know you and your families, too!
Ms. Natalie
Natalie Guy-Hazard joined ABC Academy as the Director of the center located on Jackson College Campus working and managing in the Early Childhood profession for over 22 years.
Natalie has been a Preschool Teacher, Family Advocate and Program Manager for a Head Start Program. She has been teaching in the field of Early Childhood Education at Baker College for over ten years. Natalie has also presented at many Early Childhood Conferences both locally and state wide.
“I am excited to be a part of the ABC Team and to help children learn and grow. I am always looking for new and exciting ideas to help teachers grow and develop skills to become more engaged and excited about early childhood education.
I currently have a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, but nothing can prepare you for educating young children like spending time with them in the classrooms. That is my favorite place to be, engaging with children and guiding them through their experiences and learning is very rewarding and humbling at the same time. In my spare time I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family, traveling, reading, and teaching yoga”.
“I am so glad to be a part of the ABC team and look forward to the new adventures this great organization will offer. ABC is a great place for children and families to grow and learn!”
Mr. Cody
Cody Blair joined ABC Academy after seven years in the early childhood field. Cody is the Director and Lead Teacher of the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) at Concord Community Schools. Cody graduated with honors from Baker College of Jackson with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Cody’s early childhood experience began as an assistant teacher in an infant/toddler center based program for Early Head Start. After three years in Early Head Start, Cody took a position in a Head Start/GSRP classroom as a teacher for two years, and most recently was a lead teacher for a GSRP program in Hillsdale county.
Cody is a very active member of the early childhood community. He is the past vice chair of the Early Childhood Collaborative of Hillsdale County, a board member for the Child Care Network, and the Special Projects Chair of the Michigan Association of the Education of Young Children (MiAEYC). Cody has also presented at conferences state wide to educate other teachers and professionals that work with young children on best practice in the early childhood field. In 2014, Cody was selected as 1 of 10 in the Nation to represent young leaders in the Early Childhood field as a Lasting Legacy Scholarship recipient. He was invited to Dallas, Texas to the National Education for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) annual conference as a special guest.
Cody’s passion is educating and interacting with young children and their families. He is dedicated to making every interaction and experience a special one for all children. Cody is excited to join ABC Academy and provide a high-quality education experience for the children in the Concord Community.
Ms. Kim
Kim Kloack is the Director and Associate Teacher of the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) at Hunt Elementary, in Jackson Public Schools. Kim joined the ABC Academy staff in October, 2016. She has worked in the early childhood field for 20 plus years. Kim attended Central Michigan University where her emphasis was in Special education and took classes towards her CDA from Baker College of Jackson.
Kim has had extensive HighScope Preschool Curriculum training and is certified as a HighScope trainer. She has taught Preschool and Prekindergarten, and has experience as a director for three years.
Kim is a member of the Jackson Educators for Young Children (JEYC), National Education for the Education of young Children (NAEYC), and has a HighScope membership.
Kim has lived in Jackson all of her life, she is married to David. They have two sons, Jason (Jordan) and Brian (Shara). Antwon and Gracelynn are their two grandchildren.
Ms. Tammy
Tammy Cushard began her career at the ABC Academy Laurence Avenue location in 2010. During her time with the company she has taught in the Toddler, Preschool, GSRP and Youth Group classrooms.
Her leadership in the classrooms led her to the roles of Assistant Director at the Laurence Avenue Center and Curriculum Coach prior to her current position as Director of the program located in Dibble Elementary School.
She graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Elementary Education. Tammy majored in Special Education and minored in English. With this degree, she taught Elementary and Secondary Special Education for a total of 10 years. After that time, Tammy went back to college at Baker College and earned her Early Childhood Endorsement.
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to grow, learn and succeed!”
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