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
 

Samantha Corey - Assistant Director

"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 

“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.

Credentials: A.A. in Graphic Design, various food preperation trainings

 

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 2015. 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: MSW/LLMSW in Clinical Social Work, 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: CDA, 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

Amaia Akin - Assistant Teacher

“Go with the flow”

I started working at Angel Care in August 2023. Previously I was a nanny to a 5 year old for 2 years before I started working in childcare. Now, I have been working in childcare for over 9 months total. My favorite thing about working at Angel Care is how everyone here is so welcoming. The thing I like most about working in early childhood education is, being a positive role model for the kids and creating positive relationships with them. In my free time, I do embroidery, and I really like anything Halloween related.

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/Floater

"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

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 - 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

 

Marie Barr - Assistant Teacher 

“When it rains look for rainbows, when it’s dark look for stars” –Oscar Wilde

I started working at Angel Care in April of 2023. Angel Care is my first job in early childhood education. However, I have a lot of experience working with children of all ages. Prior to Angel Care, I worked at a K-8 charter school for eight years. I also have a lot of experience with raising my own four children. The thing I like most about working at Angel Care is the sense of community and working with others who are like-minded, supportive, and passionate about working with children. I love working with children and supporting them during such a vulnerable stage in their lives. There is nothing more gratifying than to witness these firsts that you have been striving for, or being invited to view the world through their lens and explore their curiosity, creativity, playfulness and innocence alongside them. In my free time, I enjoy being in nature, gardening, cooking, reading and spending time with my family.

Credentials: various early childhood and professional trainings, several Early Childhood Education credits from Northwestern Michigan College

Mikayla Mesyar - Assistant Teacher

“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” – Christopher Robin

 I started working at Angel Care in September 2023. Previously, I have been a nanny for different families, and also worked at a daycare. I have worked in the early childhood education field for about 5 years, but have been working with kids for around 10! My favorite thing about working in early childhood is, watching children develop and grow. Getting to be a part of that is so special. I like working at Angel Care because of the positive energy and good vibes! Some of my favorite things to do outside work are; painting, and sports (especially basketball), and anything crafty. I also really love animals, especially my dog, Benji.

Credentials: Various Early Childhood classes, CPR and first aid

 

Support Staff

 

Ana Minu - Assistant Teacher/Floater

"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