Meet Our Staff

2025-2026 School Year Staff

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Kirsten Charnesky, B.A. M.Ed.

School Director and Administrator

Kirsten began her career at Somerset Academy nineteen 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 14-year old twins, both Somerset alumni.

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Katie S, B.A. M.Ed.

Assistant Director and Preschool Program Director

Katie began her career at Somerset Academy 20 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 30 years experience teaching preschool age children, including twelve years of teaching preschool and elementary children in the creative arts field.  Katie is AuDHD (autistic and ADHD), and is passionate about sharing her knowledge of autism and personal experiences through her teaching as well as through state-wide professional presentations.  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 6-year old daughter, and 4-year-old son. 

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Amanda T, B.S. M.S.

Preschool Teacher

Amanda is returning for her 14th 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.

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Marisa Z, B.A.

Preschool Teacher

Marisa is beginning her second year at Somerset Academy. Marisa started her career as a Preschool Teacher in 2016. She has 9 years of experience teaching children age groups infant to kindergarten. Marisa obtained her Bachelor’s of Psychology with a Sociology minor from Wayne State University. Outside of Somerset, she is a fur mama to two dogs and two cats.

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Jennifer R, M.Ed.

Preschool Teacher

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Alayna B, B.A. M.Ed.

Pre-K Tigers Director

Alayna is in her 14th 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

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Lisa D, 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 seventh 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.

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Marija P, B.S.

Pre-K Grizzlies Director

Marija began her career at Somerset Academy twelve 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 8th year as a teacher.
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, Somerset alumni.

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Beverly H, B.A. M.Ed.

Pre-K Grizzlies Teacher

This is Beverly’s fifth 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.

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Cynthia N, 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. 

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Sethulakkshmi R

Teacher Support

Sethulakkshmi has joined Somerset academy as Teacher support recently. She has completed her Diploma in Montessori and primary education in India, post her bachelor’s degree in engineering. She shifted from a corporate job due to her passion for teaching and worked with pre-school and elementary school children for three years. She has been a part of schools which were inspired by  Montessori, Waldorf and farm school based methods of education in India. 

She has worked as an assistant teacher in a Montessori school in Oakland county the previous year and is joining us this year. She is a mom to two daughters. 

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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.