2024-2025 School Year Staff

Kirsten Charnesky, B.A. M.Ed.

School Director and Administrator

Kirsten began her career at Somerset Academy eighteen 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 13-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 nineteen 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 5-year old daughter, and 3-year-old son. 

Amanda Tovar, B.S. M.S.

Preschool Teacher

Amanda is returning for her 13th 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.

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.

Pre-K Grizzlies Co-Director and Pre-K Tigers Teacher

Alayna is in her 13th 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 Tigers Teacher

Lisa began her time at Somerset Academy in the spring of 2014 as a guest teacher.  This is Lisa’s sixth year teaching in the Pre-K classroom.  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 Grizzlies Teacher

This is Beverly’s fourth 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

Khushboo Mehndiratta, M.Ed.

Teacher Support

Khuhsboo is returning for the eighth 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 (1942-2024)

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. As the director of Project Early at Oakland University, she trained elementary school teachers in special education and early childhood education. She had an incredible gift with young children and received a master’s degree in early childhood education from Oakland University in 1978. Sandy founded three pioneering preschools during her career, through which she enriched the lives of thousands of children. In 2003 Sandy was invited, as one of 38 early childhood educators from the United States, to attend the first Early Childhood Education Roundtable at Oxford University in England. 

In 1982, Sandy founded Somerset School in Troy, Michigan, which became Somerset Academy in 2005.  Sandy’s experience included 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 lived out the remainder of her years in Chapel Hill, North Carolina with her husband, Ned.