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Our Facility
Main Campus
Our Administrative Staff
Suzanne Collard (Owner/Director)
I have been working in Education for the past 40 years. I have a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, as well as a s Specialist Degree in Administration K-12. I have taught and worked with children at every age level, including college level. I have been in Administration for over 15 years. I have had the opportunity to start my career owning a Childcare Center, then I went into teaching Preschoool-12th grade, and then had the opportunity to become the Founder of a Charter School K-8th grade. I am blessed to have a wonderful family. I have two children, my daughter is married and lives in Florida, and my son has Down Syndrome and helps in the kitchen at the center. I am also blessed with two step-daughters and two grandchildren with another on the way. One of my step-daughters is a teacher in our GSRP classroom. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of owning a Child Development Center again. This year, we have also had the opportunity to open another center as well. It is such a wonderful feeling to be able to work with such dedicated staff, as well as being able to help so many families.
Mrs. Joanne (Office Manager/Director)
Suzanne and I have known each other since 1988. We worked together at another Childcare Center in Dearborn. Our professional and personal interactions have made for a trustworthy relationship that has brought us back together again here at It Takes A Village Academy.
I graduated from Henry Ford Community College with an Associate's Degree in Business and a Bachelor's in Elementary Education from Wayne State University. I've worked in a childcare setting for 8 years. During my 8 years of employment in this field, I have had the opportunity to be an Assistant Teacher/Teacher with ages ranging from 6 weeks old to Kindergarten. I also was given the opportunity to be a Preschool and Pre-K Program Director at M&M Childcare Center as well as the Office Secretary and Manager. Futhermore, I've also had the pleasure of subbing and teaching in the Detroit & Dearborn Public Schools, which landed my my long-term Fourth Grade Teacher position at a nearby charter school. I was fortunate enought to be a stay at home mom and to raise my 3 wonderful children. While doing so, I worked from home with an online company for 13 years. This amazing opportunity to work here part time at ITAVA couldn't have come at a better time in my life! I still get to do what I love the most and still be able to fulfill my #1 responsibility being a mom! In my free time, I life to write, go for walks, and spend quality time with my family and close friends. I am happy to be a part of the "It Takes A Village Academy"
Mrs. Bethany (Curriculum Coordinator/Assistant Director)
Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education
I started working with children in 2000 in my high school childcare course (Crestwood High School) Preschool program. I began as an Assistant Teacher at Christus Victor Learning Center in August 2001. At that time, I was working in the SACC room, the Pre-K classroom, the Early Preschool classroom, and the Preschool classroom. In 2003, I became the Lead Teacher of the Early Preschool classroom and the Assistant Director until 2009. Around this time, I transitioned into the Lead Preschool teacher and Curriculum Coordinator. Christus Victor Learning Center closed in summer of 2019. I joined ITAVA in the fall of 2019. I started out as the lead preschool teacher ad then in late November of 2020 I transitioned to my current position in the office as Curriculum Coordinator. My position allows me to work closely one on one with all of our teachers on our Curriculum and assessments of the children to ensure that all of our students get the best early on education to ensure a successful school year. I do love knowing that I can make a difference in your child's education and love to watch children grow and learn from all of their experiences here at ITAVA!
Ms. Darlene (GSRP Administrator)
I am a mother of 3 children, two boys and one girl. I have 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandsons (living in Colorado). The last 35 years of my life have been in education and I have loved every minute of it. Many years at Garden City Public Schools, where I worked in many positions there. I worked with Autistic children for 12 years and then transferred to Administrative Assistant for the duration of my career there. Then I had the pleasure of working with Mrs. Suzanne Collard at Tipton Academy and now I am back again working for her at It Takes A Village. I keep trying to retire but for whatever reason, it never sticks! I have met some wonderful people in my time and have made some lasting friendships, which I will cherish forever. Being in education and childcare has given me the opportunity to have a positive impact on a child's life and is definitely one of my greatest blessings!
Mr. Ty (Maintenance Specialist)
Mr. Steve (Maintenance Specialist)
Ms. Terri (Food Service Compliance Director)
My Associate Degree in Business Administration from Henry Ford led to the advertising industry, which began with 10 years as a Media Planner for multiple divisions of Ford Motor Company. I then spent 6 years as a Planner and Buyer for Shell Oil, American Airlines, Jeep, and others. After our company moved media operations to the Florida office, I sort of "fell into" food service while doing freelance media planning, and the next thing I knew, I went from planning and buying TV airtime to planning the menu and buying food. I enjoy cooking so much that I still moonlight when I can, and even worked the Taste of Dearborn food festival in Summer 2019. I also spend 6 years at Delta Airlines (originally Northwest), ending up as a Gate Agent/Trainer. It was then the Church came calling and we all know to listen to God, especially when he sends you multiple messages! As Office Manager of Christus Victor Lutheran Church, I gradually added duties for the Learning Center which, of course, included planning and buying for the food program. I have spent the last several months here at It Takes A Village preparing for us to join the State's Child and Adult Food Care Program, of which we are now part of. I'm looking forward to adding to this program in the months to come!
Ms. Hailey (Food Service Coordinator-West Campus)
I've always worked in the food industry in some way. My first job was working behind a deli counter and then moving to being a waitress, then a cook and then both at the same time! It is a joy of mine to cook! Now I get to create dishes for children! It brings me so much joy when the kids eat what I make. Since starting at ITAVA I've learned a lot about kids and how to better make them meals that are healthy and that they enjoy. My most favorite thing about working here is that I get to see my nephew everyday! When I am not working, I enjoy playing soccer and spending time with my family, friends, my dog, and goin up north to see my sister and my niece and nephew! I can't wait to see what the future holds for me and my career here at ITAVA!