Our Staff

Administrative Staff

Alicia Swanson - Executive Director 

"A person's a person, no matter how small" -Dr. Seuss

I started working at Angel Care in April of 2022, but I have been working in child care since 2013. The thing I like most about working at Angel Care is the sense of community between the teachers, parents and children. I love watching children have those "aha" moments and being able to watch a child begin to discover who they are in the world. I enjoy being outside, hiking and enjoying nature. I also enjoy living a healthy lifestyle and challenging myself both mentally and physically. I graduated with my associate's degree in Early Childhood Education in 2020. 

Credentials: A.A. in Early Childhood Education, various early childhood trainings, CPR and First Aid

 

Brooke MacKinnon - Assistant Director

"Cherish yesterday, dream tomorrow, and live today" -Richard Bach

I started working at Angel Care in February of 2019.  However, I have been working in child care since 2017. I also grew up helping my mom with her in-home daycare. The thing I like most about working at Angel Care is the opportunity for growth as a person and as a professional. I love watching the kids grow and am so lucky to be a part of shaping them into who they will become. I enjoy being outdoors. I love to fish, hunt, hike, kayak and camp. I enjoy reading and working on puzzles to relax. I also enjoy working out in my home gym in my basement every morning. Spending time with my family and friends is very important to me as well. I graduated high school from Traverse City Central High School in 2014. I received my first associate's degree in General Liberal Arts & Science from Northwestern Michigan College in 2018. I received another associate's degree in Early Childhood Education in 2021 from Northwestern Michigan College. 

Credentials: A.A. General Studies, A.A. Early Childhood Education, various early childhood trainings and CPR and First Aid  

Sam Corey - Office Administrator

"Everything you can imagine is real" -Pablo Picasso

I started working at Angel Care in July of 2022. I have been working in child care for a total of three years. With a background in working with foster care. The thing I like most about working at Angel Care is building relationships with the kiddos and staff. The center has a really good atmosphere and as always, the kids are great to be around. I love being a positive role model for the kids and helping them learn and see things in new ways. In my free time, I like to travel, hike and be with my dogs. I enjoy photography, art and interior design. I'm a Jill of all trades!

Credentials: various early childhood trainings, CPR and First Aid

Bryce Blick - Chef - Photo Pending

“You learn a lot about someone when you share a meal together” –Anthony Bourdain

I started working at Angel Care in January of 2023 and it is my first job in a child care environment. The thing I like the most about working at Angel Care is hearing the children’s perspectives. I look forward to introducing the children to new foods each day. In my free time, I enjoy film, photography, cycling and playing disc golf. I have an associate’s degree in graphic design.

 

Infant Room

Cassidy Pifer - Lead Teacher 

“You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting so get on your way!” –Dr. Seuss

I started working at Angel Care in July of 2022, but I have been working in the early childhood field in 2005. Since then, I have spent most of my time teaching in infant and toddler classrooms. The thing I like most about working at Angel Care is the collaboration between teachers who are all so passionate about early childhood. I love that working with children looks different every day. Working in the infant room allows me to be a part of so many incredible milestones. Watching children grow and learn each day is one of my favorite parts of my job! Some of my hobbies and interests include yoga, going on hikes, and baking. I enjoy time spent going on adventures with my significant other. I have earned my associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in Early Childhood Development with a focus in child life. I am currently in school for my masters of clinical Social Work at Ferris State University.

Credentials: A.A & B.A. in Early Childhood Education, various trainings, CPR and First Aid

Kaitlyn Gilmore - Assistant Teacher

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better" -Dr. Seuss

I started working at Angel Care in November of 2021. I have been working in child care since 2020. The thing I like most about working at Angel Care is the sense of community and the love and passion we have for each other and all of the children. I love getting to be a part of each of their lives and watching them discover and learn is always amazing to see. In my free time, I enjoy crocheting and photography. I plan to start working on my CDA soon. 

Credentials: various early childhood trainings, CPR and First Aid

Katherine Nation - Assistant Teacher

“Let all that you do be done in Love” –Corinthians 16:14

I started working at Angel Care in December of 2022 and it is my first Early Childhood job. The thing I like most about working at Angel Care is that every day is different! The staff is so welcoming and enthusiastic. The children make sure that you smile and laugh every single day. It does not matter the day you are having when you enter the classroom, your day will automatically brighten. Children possess so much joy. Outside of work, I love to write, sing and dance. I plan to start working towards my CDA at a minimum, but plan to get an Elementary Education degree for first grade.

Credentials: various early childhood trainings, CPR and First Aid

Noelle Wilde - Assistant Teacher 

"I love, therefore I am"

I started working at Angel Care in December of 2022. I have a total of ten years of experience nannying. The thing I like most about working at Angel Care is everything! Being in the baby room has been wonderful! I love helping the little ones grow and learn. Outside of work, I enjoy making stained glass, sailing, dancing and playing pinball. I want to pursue a degree in psychology.

Credentials: various early childhood trainings, CPR and First Aid

Toddler Room

Robin Scarbrough - Lead Teacher

I started working at Angel Care in January of 2020. However, I have 20 plus years in the child care field. I had my own in-home daycare for seven years when my kids were little. I have worked in public schools in Traverse City and Utica, Michigan. I have also worked in various centers downstate and nannied for many families. The thing I like most about working at Angel Care is the team work. The children are respected which teaches them to respect others. The family atmosphere is also really nice. I love that working with children is a challenge every day. Watching them grow into individual people is pretty rewarding. Having the pleasure to teach them about the world around them and watching them reach their milestones is pretty special, too. I enjoy canoeing with my spouse, spending time with my three granddaughters and riding my bike. 

Credentials: some college courses, various early childhood trainings, CPR and First Aid

Ally Groll - Assistant Teacher

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right" -Henry Ford

I started off volunteering at Angel Care in high school and was hired in as soon as I turned 18. I left for a while for hurricane relief work in Texas, but came back in January of 2021. The thing I like most about working at Angel Care is the comfortable atmosphere Angel Care brings. It is very home-like and the staff is so welcoming. I love watching the children grow and develop. It is so rewarding watching them learn and knowing the impact I have on them. I enjoy spending time with my baby boy and napping. 

Credentials: some trade school/college, various early childhood trainings, CPR and First Aid

 

Mykayla Houghton - Assistant Teacher 

"You miss 100% of the shots you never take" -Wayne Gretzky

I started working at Angel Care in April of 2022. I have worked in the child care field since 2020. The thing I like most about working at Angel Care is working with the toddlers. I enjoy watching them grow and develop each day. I also really like being part of a supportive team. I enjoy working in early childhood because I enjoy the relationships that are built with the children and their families. I enjoy hanging out with my co-teachers and also enjoy sports and hiking. 

Credentials: various early childhood trainings, CPR and First Aid

Stephanie Weller - Assistant Teacher

"It's the things we play with and the people who help us play that make a great difference in our lives" -Fred Rogers OR "Play is the work of the child" -Maria Montessori

I started working at Angel Care in August of 2022. I have worked in child care since 2017 and babysat for many years as well. The thing I like most about working at Angel Care are the children and families. I also enjoy the co-worker environment, it is easy going and very accepting. I enjoy watching children grow and learn new skills. They are only this little once, so having a good learning environment is crucial. I enjoy reading, painting and walking through nature. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in Social Work in 2019. I started my bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education in 2020 and plan to finish it up soon. 

Credentials: B.A. in Social Work, B.A. in Early Childhood Education in progress, various early childhood trainings, CPR and First Aid 

Akasia Griffis - Assistant Teacher 

“Be gentle on yourself and others because you never know what someone is going through”

I started working at Angel Care in October of 2022 and it is my first Early Childhood job. The thing I like most about working at Angel Care is working with the toddler team. I enjoy watching the students’ progress and learn in the fun, creative ways they are taught here. I like providing a safe and fun learning environment for kids at such an impressionable age. I enjoy drawing and painting in my free time.

Credentials: various early childhood trainings

Preschool Room

Laura Witt - Co-Lead Teacher 

"Speak your mind even if your voice shakes" -Ruth Ginsburg

I started working at Angel Care in June of 2020 and it was my first job in child care. The thing I like most about working at Angel Care is watching all of the kids learn and thrive. I love watching each kid learn new things and knowing that I was a part of it. I love spending time with my family, going for walks with my dog and daughter, and enjoy art. I graduated high school in 2019 and I plan to start working on my Early Childhood Education degree through Northwestern Michigan College in fall of 2022.

Credentials: A.A. in Early Childhood in progress, various early childhood trainings, CPR and First Aid

Daniel Gonzales - Co-Lead Teacher

"Don't sweat the small stuff, and it is all small stuff" 

I started working at Angel Care in April of 2022 after leaving the corporate world after almost 20 years to pursue a passion for working with kids. I am a dad of two kids who attend Angel Care! The thing I like most about working at Angel Care is that the staff and kids are great! I have been able to improve my own parenting skills. Both of my kids have been attending Angel Care since they were both 8 weeks old and the staff has always taken such great care of them. I love working with kids. They are honest and real. I love seeing them develop and grow. They are smart, creative and passionate, things too many adults forget to be! I enjoy fishing, hunting, curling, other sports, watching movies, reading books, puzzles, and food. I have some college education, but plan to attend Northwestern Michigan College to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education in fall of 2022. 

Credentials: A.A. in Early Childhood in progress, various early childhood trainings, CPR and First Aid

Ana Minu - Assistant Teacher

"Trust the process" or "everything happens for a reason"

I started working at Angel Care in August of 2022. This is my first job in child care, but I have years of experience babysitting for my sister. The thing I like most about working at Angel Care is having the chance to have an impact on all of the little kids and being part of their adventures here. I love seeing how my time and patience helps build independent and emotionally stable kids. It feels very rewarding knowing that I had something to do with it. In my free time, I enjoy painting and being outside doing all kinds of different activities; like swimming,  hammocking and hiking. I am currently working on a degree in Art at Northwestern Michigan College. 

Credentials: CPR and First Aid

Anja Ignace - Assistant Teacher 

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because the people who mind don’t matter and the people who matter don’t mind" -Dr. Seuss 

I’ve worked with children for 6 years. I have always felt called to work with children. I believe there is no greater job than a teachers. Before working at Angel Care I was a nanny. I started working at angel care in December 2022, I felt after working as a nanny for so long I wanted to try working in a classroom setting. Everyone has had a teacher who made an impact on their life and I hope to be that for my students. I am a very active person and love being outdoors. On my days off I’ll be hiking with my dog or swimming with friends. I love Angel Care because of the supportive team we have. All the teachers work together to make our classrooms fun. I feel very blessed to work here. I’ve been working on my early childhood education degree, currently I’m taking a break from school. I do plan to finish in the future. 

Credentials: CPR and First Aid