Connie Varma
Starfish Lead Teacher (Toddlers)

I have worked at Eastminster since 1996.  I have always worked in the toddler classroom and love that age group.  My goal as a teacher is to help the children develop self confidence, self esteem and have good problem solving skills.  Also, we want to have fun, laugh a lot and learn to enjoy life.

In my spare time I teach yoga at Hilltop Yoga and at Just B Yoga.  When I'm not doing yoga I try to practice Martial Arts, trying not to lose my skills as a third degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.  In my other spare time, I paint in acrylics, draw and have fun being creative.

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Connie and I have worked together since 1996.  As a result we have formed a solid working relationship.  Together with Katie Schmaltz, we work hard to form close relationships with the children and families.

I began working at Eastminster in the summer of 1987.  I have worked mainly with toddlers, but have also worked with children three to five years old.  In my free time I enjoy running, bike riding, and playing softball.  I also like to read and travel.  I'm looking forward to meeting all the new children and their parents.  I'm confident your time at Eastminster will be rewarding and enjoyable.

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Katie Schmaltz

Starfish Assistant Teacher (Toddlers)

I have been working at Eastminster since March of 2011.  I enjoy getting to know the children in the Starfish room.  I've been babysitting for friends and family for over 13 years, working with children ranging in age from 3 to 13 years.

I received my Bachelor of Applied Arts in Early Childhood Development from Central Michigan University in December of 2009.  I love to read, play games, watch movies, listen to music, go bowling, take pictures and hang out with my friends and family.

I look forward to getting to know you and your children!

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Branden Friday
Bumblebee Lead Teacher (Toddlers)

I have been an employee at Eastminster Child Development Center since September 2004.  I began working as a part-time aide throughout the center and worked my way up to Lead Teacher in the Bumblebee room.  I graduated from Michigan State University in 2007 with a Bachelor Degree in Psychology, with a specialization in Child Development.

Before coming to East Lansing to attend MSU, I worked as a volunteer in my aunt's home daycare and participated in numerous summer programs centered on younger children.  I have a passion for teaching.  This allows for me to watch and be part of the amazing transformations that young children can go through within a year.  Witnessing this and having the opportunity to have fun while doing my job keeps me centered and focused on trying to give the children in the Bumblebee classroom the best childcare I can.

Outside of work, I am a very big movie fan and love writing.  Movies have always been a passion of mine and having the opportunity to write, helps keep my mind on things I enjoy.  I really enjoy working with children and hope to one day share that experience with you and your family.

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I am an employee of Eastminster Child Development Center and I would like to introduce myself.  I am originally from the Philippines.  I grew up on a farm near the town of Masbate.  I am from a large family and enjoyed my childhood in Masbate.

I obtained my Bachelor degree in Business in the Philippines.  Then, I moved to Hong Kong.  I was a full-time nanny to a very sweet boy for 6 years.  I was totally responsible for his food and clothing, shopping, health and education.  I learned a lot about child care from that experience.  Helping raise my brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews was also a great learning experience.

I married in 1994 and moved to the United States.  In 1997, my first child, Charles was born.  When Charles was 3 years old, he began attending Eastminster and I began working here for the first time.  Later, after my daughters Chelsea and Cecilia were born in 2002 and 2004, respectively, they also attended Eastminster and I returned as a full time employee.

In addition to my work here at Eastminster, I have cared for several other children since coming to the United States.  I took care of one adopted child (born to a drug addict) who had special needs.  The parents of all of the children I have cared for have been happy with the way I cared for their children.

I currently am an assistant in the Bumblebee room, and it is an enjoyable and challenging experience! I love children and am happy to have the opportunity to care for your children here.  Please feel free to talk to me anytime!

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Melissa Collins
Bumblebee Assistant Teacher (Toddlers)

I started working for Eastminster in early 2008 in the Starfish classroom.  I am now an assistant teacher in the Bumblebee classroom.  I have been working with children since my first daughter was born in 1991.  I have three children, all teenagers, a wonderful husband that I met in high school.

I enjoy being a mom and a teacher, but also enjoy concerts, reading, bowling and growing vegetables in my garden.

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Sarah Martin
Penguin Co-Lead Teacher  (Preschool I)

My love of working with children in always growing, as they continue to amaze me day after day.  I view children as competent, strong individuals with unlimited potential and curiosity.  I believe it's important to help foster their development by allowing children to explore their environment, and as educators it's important to facilitate and encourage their discovery process.

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Isaac Hurley
Penguin Co-Lead Teacher (Preschool I)

I was hired as a team t eacher in August 2011.  I graduate d from MSU in the Spring of 2008 with a B.A in English with coursework in Child Development and Education.  I hav e been working with children of all ages since I was 16, initially as a summer camp counselor, and for the past 6 years in the City of East Lansing's child care program.  While employed for the city I led and supervised Before and After care programs at East Lansing's Elementary Schools, and worked as an assisting lead teacher in their preschool classrooms at the Bailey Community Center.  Through my coursework at MSU I have also received training in early childhood music education at the University's Community Music School, which I intend to incorporate into our lessons here at East minster.

Personal interests of mine include studying Italian language and culture.  I spent the fall semester of 2007 studying abroad in Rome, Italy where I had the chance to develop acquisition of the Italian language, experience the culture, and meet family over there.  This past Spring I volunteered at MSU's Community Language School teaching Italian to school-age children.  I believe exposing children of any age to new cultures greatly enhances their understanding of people and makes them aware of the vastness of the world around them.  I also like to stay physically active in my spare time and participate in many recreational activities.  The knowledge that I gain from my own exercise allows me to design age-appropriate gross motor activities for students in my classroom that promote physical development and body awareness.

Please feel free to come to me with any questions or concerns that you may have about me, your child, the curriculum, or anything you feel we should discuss.  Child development is a group effort that we are teachers and parents share.  Having an open line of communication where we are all comfortable being direct and honest with one another is an important part in achieving optimal development in our students.  I look forward to working with all of you.

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Mahasin Elaimam
Dolphin Lead Teacher (Preschool I)

I am the Lead Teacher in the Dolphin room.  I received my Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education in May of 1982 in my home town of Libya.  I pursued my childhood dream of being a teacher at a Elementary School in Libya for 6 months until I married my husband in December of 1982.

My husband and I moved to the United States in 1983 so he could pursue his Masters and Ph.D at the University of Missouri.  While in Missouri, I taught kindergarten at Al-Ghazzali Elementary School for 10 years.  My husband was offered a professor position in Crop and Soil Science Department at Michigan State University so my family and I moved to East Lansing in the summer of 1999.

The city of East Lansing provided me with many great opportunities.  I volunteered my afternoons at Red Cedar Elementary School and The Greater Lansing Islamic School.  In May of 2000 I began working at Eastminster Child Development Center.  I am the mother of four beautiful children.  One of them is studying at MSY and two have graduated from MSU and now are in Medical School in Libya.  My youngest is in grade school.

I worked two years as a part time aide/floater, was the assistant teacher in the Gecko room for 2 years, was the assistant teacher in the Dolphin room for 6 years and have been the lead since 2009.

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Heavenly Bence

Dolphin Assistant Teacher  (Preschool I)

I began working at Eastminster in 2011 as a part-time aide and now I am the Dolphin assistant teacher.  Just so you can get to know me better, outside of work I enjoy painting, photography pertaining to nature/landscapes, and listening to many genres of music.

I'm currently a student at Lansing Community College, studying Early Childhood Development and I have also received a certificate in Photography.  I love being needed and helping people and I hope to help your children grow into the best possible people they can be!

Looking forward to getting to know each and every one of you better!

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Brett Boden
Zebra Lead Teacher (Preschool II)

I joined the Eastminster family as a part-time aide in October 2005.  In August of 2007, I became the Zebra Lead Teacher.

I grew up as the middle child with three sisters and a brother.  It was a lot of fun.  It also taught me many valuable life lessons and values.  Also, my mother is an educator, which has given me the opportunity to learn from her and spend time in a classroom.  She was very excited when I realized I wanted to teach.

Over the years, I have also had the opportunity to teach swim lessons at the Hannah Community Center and babysit for a few families in the area.  Currently, I am also the coach of one of the women's club volleyball teams at MSU.

I am going back to school to get my teaching certificate in Elementary Education with hopes of teaching kindergarten or first grade.  I understand how important this stage of a child's life is and I really enjoy being part of it with them.  I am looking forward to working with all of your wonderful children and getting to know your families!

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Leah Ransom
Zebra Assistant Teacher (Preschool II)

My name is Leah Ransom and I'm the assistant in the Zebra room.  Before the Zebra room, I was the assistant in one of the Preschool I classrooms and the Starfish room.  I have worked at Eastminster since 2002.  I have been working with Brett since 2006 and I've enjoyed the years working with him.

I've enjoyed all the smiles, laughs, and hugs the kids have shared with me over the years.  I can't wait to meet all of you!

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Angela Atkinson
Gecko Lead Teacher (Preschool II)

I have been part of Eastminster Child Development Center since 2002.  I was first a part-time aide, then the Gecko assistant and now the Gecko Lead.  I obtained my Lead Teacher position in August of 2009.  I graduated from Central Michigan University in 2008 with my Bachelors in Child Development and a minor in Psychology.  I look forward to getting to know all of you!

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Beckie Hill

Gecko Assistant Teacher (Preschool II)

I graduated from Ferris State University in 2007 with my degree in Elementary Education.  Soon after that I got married and we moved to Florida.  For the past three years we lived in Tamp and I was a lead teacher in a 4-5 year old classroom.  We now have two handsome boys, 2 year old Kayden, and 3 month old Caleb.  With our growing family we decided we were ready to move back to Michigan where we could be close to family and friends.

I look forward to working with you and your child.  We are going to have a great year!

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Stacey Horstman
Program Director

In December of 2006 I obtained my Associates Degree in Early Childhood Development from Lansing Community College.  I have been with Eastminster since November of 2005.  I started off as a lead teacher in one of the Preschool I classrooms and then moved up to Preschool II.  In August of 2009, I began working as the Program Director in the office.  Prior to Eastminster, I worked at Kids Corner in Williamston for about three years.

I grew up as an only child and graduated from Williamston High School.  I am blessed to have wonderful parents and friends and I value spending as much time with them as possible.  I married my high school sweetheart in June of 2009 and we own a house in Mason.  We welcomed our only daughter into the world in June of 2010 and she attends Eastminster.  I am so honored to be a mother to an amazing little girl and cherish every moment with her!

I am dedicated to providing and overseeing the best possible childcare with quality experiences for children.  I enjoy watching children discover their world and will provide a safe, fun, and loving atmosphere for that to happen in,  In addition to getting to know the children, I enjoy meeting their families.  I strive to work with the families and value communication to make your experience with Eastminster as wonderful as mine is!  Meeting new people is very exciting and I look forward to getting to know all of you!

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Michele Mund

Executive Director

I have been employed at Eastminster since January 2006.  I was a lead teacher, served as the interim Executive Director for four months and was hired permanently in March 2009.  I have a Bachelor's Degree in Family Studies from Spring Arbor University and an Associates Degree in Child Development from Lansing Community College.  I am currently applying to the Masters of Social Work program at MSU for fall semester 2012.  I have been working in the child care field since 1999.  I have worked as an assistant teacher, lead teacher, home daycare provider, and center director prior to coming to Eastminster.

I am married and have two boys that attend Eastminster.  In our free time we enjoy spending time as a family.  We enjoy biking, hiking, playing outside, and spending time up north playing in the lake.  I also enjoy reading, horseback riding, and photography.

I enjoy getting to know all of our families.  I encourage parents to stop in the office just to say hi.  One of my passions is helping families afford high quality childcare.  I have a lot of experience with DHS and other funding sources for parents.  Stop in and see me and I would be happy to provide you with some resources to help make your childcare more affordable.

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