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About us > Teachers

The work of Building Blocks School begins with a
strong image of all children as competent,
resourceful, intelligent, creative, imaginative, and
full of curiosity about the world around them. With
this image before us, we try to listen, pay attention,
plan, and co-construct with children. We follow the
interest of the children. When children are excited
the learning emerges because that is what they are
interested in. We then incorporate the lesson with
whole language, literacy, math, science, social
studies, and art. We document your child's interest
and growth. We strive to create a learning
community of children and adults where our image
of children and the thinking of students is visible to
children, teachers, parents and the public.

We have
playful
teachers
here on staff.
They are
warm,
positive,
creative,
affectionate,
and gentle
with your
child.

The principle goal
of education is to
create men who are
capable of doing
new things, not
simply of repeating
what other
generations have
done, men who are
creative, inventive
and discoverers. --
Jean Piaget

Opening the Door for a Love for Learning

Learning and development are
interrelated from the
child's first day of life.

We believe that learning happens in the context
of warm supportive adult-child relationships.

Founder/Executive Director – Suzanne Gabli

First we were new parents looking for quality, safe, nurturing childcare for our precious baby to be. We decided on
a quaint old farmhouse that was warm and nurturing environment for our Son. Three years later we were blessed
with our Daughter and she also attended the childcare center. In 2004 my husband Joe and I decided to invest in
our children’s early childhood education and in this Highland community.   We were presented with the wonderful
opportunity to purchase this charming farmhouse and business. This was going to be the place that we could
insure that the children who attended would have great nurturing teachers, a safe and exciting learning
environment, creating fond childhood memories and a since of community for the families we serve. We knew other
families in this community were very thirsty for quality Early Childcare Education for their children. In conjunction
with a great surprise that baby number three was on the way. Although this farmhouse had some rough edges and
needed a lot of tender loving care, we knew it was filled with heart. We were excited and wanted to learn more in
depth about early childhood and decided to go back to school to advance our studies.   We asked the great
teachers to stay and have made numerous improvements on the outside but mainly the inside. We chose to build
on the natural and organic beliefs that children are respected and where children are given the opportunity to
experience joy in where great childhood memories are created. For this is what originally attracted us here.

As a mother of three, I have watched my children experience various educational philosophies from private to public
schooling. I was inspired to create a new learning environment where children are respected as individuals and are
inspired to learn from the heart. I am an advocate for children of all ages. I believe that children are filled with joy,
competency, power and resourcefulness. I believe that given challenges, support, kindness, and love their
accomplishments are vast and outstanding. With guidance, children together, work hard, play hard and care for
each other and the community around them while exploring new and varied topics and questions.

Director - Emily Senese

Hello. I was born and raised in Jackson, MI and now reside in Milford with my four year old daughter, Megan. I am a
graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Family and Community Services and an
emphasis in Early Childhood Education. I have lead Building Blocks Preschool for the past 3 years in a dual role as
director and teacher.

My past work experiences include a Lead Preschool teaching position at a NAEYC accredited child care program in
Illinois at one of the nations largest child care centers. I was involved in a Child Care Manager In Training program
for over a year. I then returned back home to Michigan and worked at the Oakland County Child Care Council as a
Resource and Referral Specialist and Community Liaison.

I truly love young children! They constantly inspire me to be more spontaneous, curious, playful, find the sense of
humor in situations, forgive easily, express love and smile! Daily, children remind me that life is too short to hold
onto the trivial problems of the moment.

I take pride in leading a quality staff of teachers who are committed to ensuring that all children are provided with a
safe, loving, and nurturing environment where they can grow and develop into unique and independent individuals.

Co-Lead Preschool Teacher - Ms. Jen

Hello! My name is Jen Anderson and I am the co-lead Preschool teacher here at Building Blocks Preschool. I
graduated from Central Michigan with a Bachelor's degree in Child Development. I worked as a Lead Pre-
Kindergarten teacher at a child care center in Ann Arbor for two years. While working at this center, my classroom
had 36 children on a daily basis. One of the reasons I am excited about this new opportunity is the small class size
and personal style of teaching here at Building Blocks Preschool. I just recently moved to the White Lake area and I
began as the Creative Arts Summer Camp teacher. When the opportunity to join the Building Blocks team as a
Preschool teacher happened, I was excited to get back to my roots as a preschool teacher.

While growing up, I always enjoyed spending time with children. I spent many hours baby-sitting and at family
parties you could always find me playing with the younger children. When I went to college I knew I wanted to work
with young children but it wasn’t until my third year that I discovered the joy of the preschool age child. I had a class
that was specifically based on the preschool age and I had the opportunity to spend some quality time in a
preschool classroom. I fell in love with this age group and knew that this was something I wanted to make a career
out of. Working with children is something that has always some very natural to me and something
that I find a lot of joy in.

Full Day Preschool Co-Teacher - Ms. Jennifer

My name is Jennifer Young and I am the Full Day Preschool Co-Teacher here at Building Blocks Preschool. I am
married and live in Milford with two teenage boys and one pre-teenage daughter. Before I became a Preschool
teacher I was a Cub Scout Leader for seven years and frequently volunteered in my children’s classrooms. I have
also been a lunchroom attendant and substitute Para-Pro in several Huron Valley Elementary Schools. As my
children got older, I decided to go back to school and earn my degree in the education field. In May 2009, I
graduated with honors from Oakland Community College, earning my Associates Degree in Early Childhood
Development.

One of the reasons I am excited to be working here at Building Blocks is the everyday photo documentation of the
children engaging in activities. I feel it is very important for them to be able to visually reflect on their experiences
and for parents to see what their children are learning every day. I am very calm and respectful while interacting
with children and am always amazed to see the growth and development of each individual learner in my classroom.

In my spare time I enjoy canoeing and being outdoors with my family. I also have a love of photography and am
able to fulfill that love in my classroom on a daily basis.

Traditional Preschool Teacher-Ms. Christine
Parent & Child and Story Time Teacher

Hello! My name is Christine Hubbell and I am the newest addition to the Building Blocks family. I am filled with
excitement as we endeavor in great new adventures this fall. This is going to be an amazing year. Here is a little bit
about who I am...

I was born in Mason City, Iowa and am the youngest of four children. We moved around quite a bit growing up and I
was fortunate enough to experience many different places with a variety of multicultural experiences. As a child, I
lived in Iowa, Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
I attended college at Central Michigan University studying to become a high school science teacher with a minor in
drama. During spring break my junior year of college, I visited an elementary school and fell in love. It felt so natural
for me that I knew I was meant to be with younger children.
I graduated CMU with a BS majoring in Earth Science with a minor in Geography and moved home to attend a post-
graduate teacher certification program at Eastern Michigan University.
During this time, I was the lead preschool teacher and then the Kindergarten Enrichment teacher for Pathways to
Learning in Novi, Michigan. I had to leave my position at Pathways to complete my student teaching in a 3rd grade
class in the Walled Lake District. I worked in the Walled Lake schools teaching 1st, 2nd, 3rd, & 8th grades. I have
enjoyed all levels, and although I am comfortable teaching any age or grade, I feel a strong calling toward early
childhood and elementary education.

As a teacher and a mother of two school age children, I know the importance of quality education and a caring
environment. I am committed to your child, I am committed to education, and I am committed to you!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to make such a great impact on your child’s school experiences. I look
forward to a great year!

Toddler Teacher – Ms. Janet

I am originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. My husband and I moved to Highland in 1993. We have two sons, Quinn and
Rowan. Quinn was adopted from Korea in 1999 and then I became pregnant with Rowan six months later. In 1994,
I started working here when it was known as Mill Pond Child Care and I have spent the last fourteen years with the
children who attend what we all now call Building Blocks Preschool. Fourteen years ago I thought this would be an
exciting and challenging opportunity because I got a lot of pleasure being around kids. I have seen many changes
and improvements with our school. My philosophy of education includes exploration of our surroundings and
respect of each other and the environment. I believe that children are capable of great things if we learn to trust
them and allow that exploration.

I have worked with children of all ages at the preschool level and get the most joy working with the toddlers. I like
getting down on the floor to play with them. Trying to understand what they are saying can be very challenging, as
well as helping them deal with frustration. It’s all very rewarding helping them to grow to be more independent. It’s
fun to watch their expressions when trying new things and watch their imagination grow even when they are playing
with something as simple as a cardboard box or piece of play dough. It’s also nice to have a little child run up and
give you a big smile and hug everyday you come to work. The same teaching philosophies that I have practiced
from the very beginning--positive language, giving choices, and following the leads of children--are also still
applicable today.   Children are eager to learn from someone who is kind and patient and accepting; children are
also eager to teach, and have so much to offer!


Infant-Toddler Teacher – Ms. Wendy

Hello! I am a teacher in the Infant-toddler class here at Building Blocks Preschool. I have worked at this school for
over 9 years. I have worked as a Preschool Teacher and for the past 3 years I have been a Infant-Toddler
Teacher. I have spent most of my life around children in one form or another. I have to say, I love working with
children! Most days I feel the children teach me more than I could possibly teach them. They have so much to offer
the world, and I am honored to be a part of their discovery of this life.

My goal in life is to constantly keep expanding my horizons, and one of my favorite ways is spending time with
children. They are a continual source of joy to me I have been working with young children for over 16 years, and
the wonder of watching a child discover and learn still grows with each year that goes by. ONE of my favorite
activities is observing children as they explore new materials.   I got a lot of practice with my own two children, who
are now teenagers. I enjoy hearing parents tell me about their family traditions, which are quite varied in this
community.

I was born and raised in Michigan.   I love the Indian River area. Being in tune with nature is very important. I am a
recycler and I see how things can be recreated and reused. Respecting our environment is very important to me. I
also love living in an environment where it is so easy to find fun activities to do outside. Each season is exciting and
there is so much to do in and around the Highland area. I have thousands of hours of work experience, hundreds
of hours of training and I have several college credits toward an Early Childhood degree. Eventually, I want to go
back to school to work on my degree, but for the time being, I am so excited for this wonderful experience of working
with such great staff at an amazing school. Children are vivacious and make life so exciting. Each day is a new
experience and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to spend my time here.

Assistant Preschool Teacher – Linda Morrison

I am Linda Margaret Morrison. Born in Northwest Detroit, I grew up with my mother, father, and two brothers. As a
city girl, I had a very happy childhood and started work as a helper to my Mom and Dad as their secretary. Later I
became a dental assistant but wanted to further my career and opportunities, I attended Control Data Ins., and
worked as sales rep. for business machines co. We moved to Northville, where I met my husband, a Marine,
carpenter, and country boy from Farmington. We married in 1976 and quickly outgrew our two bedroom house in
Commerce. In 1985 we relocated to Highland, our current home. Here, I now had to become an outdoors person!
We had three daughters that surely benefited from my now, love of the country life. All three of my girls spent
happy hours around campfires and can hold their own on a fishing boat. Now grown, the oldest, Carrie is a
psychologist in Brighton, married, with two daughters. Lindsay, having received her master’s degree from the
University of Edinburg in Scotland, is presently serving our country at Langley AFB in Virginia. Our youngest,
Annah, is in her senior year of college and has her sights set on a career in interior design and appears to enjoy
the challenges in her life.

I have now found several areas of endeavor that bring with them a whole new array of joys. There is no end to the
wonder of watching and aiding the development as another generation grows.

I carry the role of child care provider/guide and find it not so different from being a parent oneself, but with the
added challenges of meeting others expectations and attaining their goals. This is exactly where I want to be in my
life now; daughter, a sister, a mother, a grandmother, and a caretaker of children, providing loving care waiting to fill
the next pages of my life…

Assistant Summer Camp Teacher – Ms. Andrea

My name is Andrea Lynn Pearce, I am 20 years old. I have an older brother Greg who is 23. I am a 2007 graduate
of Milford High School and currently I am attending Eastern Michigan University. I will be returning to EMU to begin
my Junior year. While attending EMU I am majoring in Special Education and minor in Elementary Education, ideally
K-2.

While attending MHS, I was able to participate in an internship program that allowed me to go to local elementary
schools an help out in the classrooms. I was able to help the children with class work and even had a reading club
with some to help them better their reading skills. I worked with Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade. This
internship was a great experience for me and allowed me to gain more knowledge from the teachers that I worked
with. I participated in this program my junior and senior year. While at EMU I worked with a program called America
Reads. This program was involved with local schools that had children who needed help with their reading skills. I
would work one on one with a child and read with them. I am also involved in the Highland Township Fire Explorers.

In my spare time I love to hang out with family and friends. I am always up for seeing a movie of going to Starbucks.
I also like to go putt-putting even though it takes me a few tries to get the ball in. Reading is also something that I
love to do. I enjoy taking pictures and making collages or helping my family with scrap booking.

I have been with Building Blocks for 3 years and have enjoyed it. This center is filled with amazing teachers who I
have been able to learn a lot from.