Meet Our Staff

2023-2024 School Year Staff

 

Kirsten Charnesky, B.A. M.Ed.

School Director and Administrator

Kirsten began her career at Somerset Academy seventeen years ago as a Pre-K teacher.  She worked to create and direct the Young 5’s program before becoming the School Director and Administrator in 2015.  Kirsten graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education with teacher certification and later obtained a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education from Oakland University with a Z.A. Early Childhood endorsement, as well as graduate credits in Leadership and Management.  Outside of Somerset, Kirsten is currently serving as Chairwoman of the Michigan AEYC Advocacy Committee and is mom to 12-year old twins, both Somerset alumni.

 

 


Katie Slajus, B.A. M.Ed.

Assistant Director and Preschool Program Director

Katie began her career at Somerset Academy eighteen years ago as a preschool teacher.  She has been a part of Somerset Academy since 2004, when she supported the preschool program as a summer camp teacher, substitute, and a para-professional, prior to her full time position.  Katie has over 20 years experience teaching preschool age children, including twelve years of teaching preschool and elementary children in the creative arts field.  Katie graduated from Madonna University with a Bachelor degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education with a ZA endorsed teaching certificate, and later earned a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education from Oakland University.  Outside of Somerset, Katie is a member of the Michigan AEYC Advocacy Committee, and is a Mama to her 4-year old daughter, and 2-year-old son. 

 


Amanda Tovar, B.S. M.S.

Preschool Teacher

Amanda is returning for her 12th year as a teacher in the preschool program.  She has over 25 years of experience working in NAEYC accredited programs and teaching and working with young children and their families.  Amanda obtained associate degrees in Mental Health/Social Work and Early Childhood.  She later went on to earn her Bachelor degree with concentrations in Psychology.  In 2019, she completed her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Studies.  Amanda is currently a member of the Michigan AEYC advocacy committee and has a strong passion for educating teachers and parents and advocating for Dyslexic learners.  She is a mom to two daughters and her youngest is a Somerset Alumni.

 
 

 
Marija Pasalic, B.S.
 
Preschool Teacher
 
Marija began her career at Somerset Academy ten years ago as the student teacher.  Upon successfully completing student teaching, she joined the team as the preschool teacher, took some time to become a mother, and returned in 2019.  Marija is celebrating her 6th year as a teacher in the Preschool Program.
Marija graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education with teacher certification and Early Childhood Education with a Z.S. Early Childhood endorsement.  Outside of Somerset, Marija was selected to participate in the NAEYC President’s Emerging Leaders Circle and is a mom to two boys, her eldest a Somerset Alumni.
 
 
 

Lisa Cooper, B.M, B.S.

Preschool Teacher

Lisa is beginning her second full year at Somerset Academy.  Lisa began her career in the field of Market Research, however, upon moving to Arizona, she realized that her true passion is working with young children.  Lisa worked for a preschool in Tucson, Arizona, and after moving back to Michigan became a guest teacher at Somerset Academy.  She received a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics and Actuarial Science from Central Michigan University.  She recently completed a Child Development Credential program.  Outside of Somerset, Lisa is a mother of three children, the youngest a Somerset alumni. 
 
 
 

Andrea Kitchner, B.S.

Pre-K Program Director

Andrea began with Somerset Academy in 2015.  During her time with the school, she has gained experience working in Preschool , Pre-K, and Young 5’s programs.  Andrea attended Central Michigan University College and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Development and a minor in Psychology.  She has 30 plus years experience working with age groups infant through Kindergarten.  Prior teaching experience includes twenty six years for St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Oakland Children’s Learning Center where she taught as a lead teacher for infants, toddlers, preschool and prekindergarten.  She also performed many administrative duties.

 


Alayna Bialick, B.A. M.Ed.

Young 5’s Program Director and Pre-K Teacher

Alayna is in her 12th year teaching in the Pre-K classroom at Somerset Academy.  She is also the Program Director for the Young 5’s class, which she took over in 2014.  Alayna graduated with a Bachelors Degree in psychology from the University of Michigan, obtained a teaching certificate in elementary education from Eastern Michigan University, and holds a Master’s degree in early childhood education from Oakland University.  She has over 20 years of experience working in early childhood including as a kindergarten teacher and tutor, as well as in childcare programs and summer camps.

 


Lisa DerKevorkian, B.A.

Pre-K Teacher

Lisa began her time at Somerset Academy in the spring of 2014 as a guest teacher.  She has experience working in the preschool and pre-k classrooms. Lisa graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelors degree in elementary education. She has taken masters level courses in reading and language arts at Oakland University.  She has three children, all Somerset alumni.

 

 

 


Beverly Hayhurst, B.A. M.Ed 

Pre-K Teacher

This is Beverly’s third year at Somerset Academy.  She has over 30 years of experience working with young children in both early childhood programs and elementary schools.  Beverly earned an Associate degree in early childhood development, a Bachelor degree in elementary education from the University of Michigan-Flint, and a Master degree in early childhood education from Oakland University.  She is a mom to two adult sons.

 


Cynthia Noettl, B.S.

Administrative Assistant

Cindy joined our staff in 2019, bringing valuable experience, having combined her B.S. in Education, specializing in Early Childhood (CMU) with 25 years managing and operating their 3 generation, family toy business, The Doll Hospital & Toy Soldier Shop.  Cindy utilized her background in child development when launching “The Parent Teacher Resource Center” division, a comprehensive teacher’s store and online business catering to educators and families.  
 
Having been an integral part of their 70 year success, Cindy’s versatility in customer service and administration made her the perfect fit to join our Somerset family.  Above all, she is “delighted to continue serving the community and families, while being surrounded by the joy and wonder of children learning through play”.  
 
Cindy has 3 children and especially enjoys family, outdoor time. 
 

Gabriella Valentino, A.A.

Guest Teacher 

Gabby is returning for her 7th year.  Prior to stepping into a guest teacher role, she was a Pre-K teacher for four years, and previously taught Spanish at Somerset Academy.  She has over 10 years working in early childhood, including teaching preschool in a Spanish full immersion program and tutoring Spanish. She attended Toulouse-Lautrec in Lima, Peru.  Gabby received an Associate’s degree from Oakland Community College and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.

 


 

Khushboo Mehndiratta, M.Ed.

Teacher Support

Khuhsboo is returning for the 7th year At Somerset Academy.  She has over 14 years of experience working with children and their families.  Prior to Somerset, she worked with schools as a counselor, and also worked with the Child and Adolescent Guidance Center, using Play therapy, Educational Assessment, developing Individual Education Programme for the children.  Khushboo has completed her studies from India.  She has Masters in Child Development From Banasthali Vidhyapith, India.  Later she obtained her post graduate diploma in Child Guidance and Counselling, New Delhi, India. She is a mom to two daughters, both Somerset Alumni.

 
 

Sandy McClurg, B.S. MAT

Founder

Sandy McClurg founded The Clarkston Preschool for her Master’s thesis in Early Childhood Education in 1976 with a Z.A. endorsement. She left the school in 1978 to join the Early Childhood Education Department at Oakland University where she began teaching graduate and undergraduate classes in Early Childhood and Elementary Education .

In 1982, Sandy founded Somerset School in Troy, Michigan, which became Somerset Academy in 2005.  Sandy’s experience includes thirty-five years as an early childhood teacher, director and graduate school teacher at Oakland University.  She attended, by invitation, the first early childhood roundtable at Oxford university in England.  Sandy currently lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.