STAFF
Get To Know Us!
DAPHNEA SUTHERLAND
Title
Director, Children's Enrichment Center
Education
B.A. Grand Valley State University; Exercise Science - Teaching Instruction Fitness
M.A. Grand Valley State University; Instruction and Curriculum - Early Childhood
About
Daphnea began at GVSU as an undergrad and quickly began to love all that encompasses the University. Daphnea graduated with a Bachelor's in Exercise Science- Teaching Instruction and Fitness in 2013 and again in 2019 with a Masters degree in Curriculum Instruction- Early Childhood. Her goal in acquiring the two different degrees was to combine the education into a position that allowed her to teach academics and a love for healthy living.
Daphnea began at the Children's Enrichment Center as a parent. Her now 17-year-old daughter, attended the CEC when Daphnea was completing her bachelor's degree. Daphnea loved everything about the program and all that the CEC offered. Even better, that her daughter was able to learn while also being a part of the GVSU experience. Her daughter, as one of GVSU's Littlest Lakers, was able to learn and see first hand what a University is and grow to understand the importance of education. Daphnea says that as a Little Laker, her daughter knew more about the GVSU campus than she did. The CEC's program fully encompasses the benefits that the GVSU campus provides as a vital part of their curriculum. For example; if the children want to learn about ponds, animals, construction, etc., the GVSU campus has multitudes of hands-on experiences and places where real learning can come to life for the children at the CEC.
Daphnea began working at the CEC in the spring of 2014. She began by teaching nutrition and physical activity lessons and enjoyed working at the center so much, that she transitioned into teaching full time in the classroom, as a Lead Teacher. A couple of years later, she was provided the opportunity to also work in an assistant administrative position. Daphnea was hired in the fall of 2019 to be the Director of the GCSU CEC. GVSU and the CEC have been an integral part of Daphnea's life for the past 14 years. For her and her daughter, GVSU and the CEC are home. Now as Director, Daphnea is excited to maintain all that she has loved about the CEC and all that has made it such a wonderful place for young learners and their families over the years, while also bringing excitement and a passion for further positive change and growth. Daphnea said that the absolute best part of the job is the people. Daphnea has the ability to work with so many different people; encompassing so much diversity; cultures, races, ages, and more. To have the ability to be a part of a child's life, their learning, and their growth brings so much joy. Working together with families is also so important, and it brings so much joy as you get to know them better and partner with them in their child's positive growth. The experience at the CEC is about more than learning. It is about doing our best to provide the best opportunity and experience to our families, the children, and to our staff. The CEC is a family of students, teachers, parents, and more and Daphnea is beyond thrilled to be able to be a part of it as the Director.
Erin Korte
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Title
Assistant Director, Children's Enrichment Center
Education
B.S. Grand Valley State University; Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychology
About
Erin Korte began working at the Children’s Enrichment Center in the Summer of 2022 as an Assistant Teacher. Erin graduated from Grand Valley State University in the Winter of 2023 with a B.S. in Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. After graduating, she interviewed for the Assistant Director position so that she could continue working with the amazing families at the Children’s Enrichment Center. Erin is especially passionate about child psychology and development. She continues to learn about the struggles children and parents may face as a research assistant on the Competency to Parent Project led by Dr. Mary Bower Russa and Dr. Gwenden Dueker.
Outside of work, Erin enjoys spending time with husband, who is also a GVSU alumni. They have two fur babies at home, Mack and Binx. In her spare time, Erin loves to read, take walks, and watch scary movies.
Shelbi O'Brien
Title
Lead Preschool 1 Teacher, Children's Enrichment Center
Education
B.A. Grand Valley State University; Comprehensive Sciences and Arts of Teaching
About
Shelbi O’Brien started working at the Children’s Enrichment Center in October 2018 as an Assistant Teacher. She is a GVSU alumni and graduated in the Fall of 2022 with a Bachelors in Comprehensive Sciences and Arts of Teaching with a Minor in Early Childhood. She started as the Preschool 1 Lead Teacher in October of 2022 and has been caring for the 2.5-3 year olds at the center ever since. Shlebi also sits on the Division of Student Affair's Fun Committee.
Shelbi enjoys being active with her friends, whether it’s hanging out downtown or attending GVSU Football games. Recently, She has been trying out Zumba classes at the GVSU rec center and bringing CEC staff along with her!
SARAH LORD
Title
Lead Preschool 2 Teacher, Children's Enrichment Center
Education
B.A. University of Southern Indiana; Early Childhood
M.A. Grand Valley State University; Instruction and Curriculum - Early Childhood
About
Sarah Lord began working at the Children’s Enrichment Center in August of 2012. She is the Preschool 2 Lead Teacher at the center which involves the day-to-day teaching of the 3 to 4-year-olds. Prior to coming to GVSU, Sarah attended college at the University of Southern Indiana, where she was one of the first participants in their new B.A. program in Early Childhood. After graduating in Fall 2005, she accepted a lead teacher position at the Bloomington Developmental Learning Center, a non-profit child-care center in Bloomington, Indiana. She worked with children aged one to three years old in a continuity-of-care environment and served as the faculty representative on the Board of BDLC for four years. In the summer of 2012, she relocated to Allendale and was the P1 lead teacher from 2012- 2020, the interim program administrator from 2015-2019 and is now the lead Preschool 2 teacher.
Sarah is married to Richard Lord, a faculty member in chemistry at GVSU. Sarah and Richard have two little ones named Thea and Freya. We have three other fuzzy children who eat, sleep, and meow. Sarah enjoys gardening, knitting, reading, brewing, and hiking in her spare time.
JENNY EVERT
Title
Lead Preschool 3 Teacher, Children's Enrichment Center
Education
B.A. Grand Valley State University; Sociology
M.A. Grand Valley State University; Instruction and Curriculum - Early Childhood
About
Jenny Evert graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2002 with a B.A. in Sociology. Ever since graduating she decided that her passion was working with children and helping them learn and grow. She has had the opportunity of working with children in a variety of settings such as daycares, before and after school programs, preschools and even as a nanny. She is very excited to be part of the GVSU Children’s Enrichment Center and hopes to continue to play an important role in the lives of children.
Outside of working with children, Jenny enjoys spending time with her husband, another GVSU alumni and their little ones Betty Lu and Max. Together they like watching college sports either on television or in person.
The GVSU Lakers and the Michigan State Spartans are their two favorite teams. Jenny also enjoys reading a good book, hanging out at the lake at the family cottage, and spending time with her nieces and nephews.
ASSISTANT TEACHERS
Our Assistant Teachers are all Grand Valley State University students pursuing a degree in a child-related field. Many of our teachers are in education, hoping to be elementary teachers one day! They support lead teachers in daily functions such as lesson planning, preparing activities, and assisting children and families. We take pride in having a team of caring and compassionate assistant teachers. Our assistant teachers are all CPR certified and First-Aid trained. They also go through extensive training to learn licensing and Michigan Food Program guidelines.