Teachers and Staff at The Astor
Discover a world of wonder and learning at The Astor Academy in the heart of Chelsea, Michigan. We believe that every child’s early learning journey should be guided by passionate educators who blend knowledge with compassion. Our dedicated team of teachers and staff is committed to creating a joyful, engaging, and safe environment where children ages 6 weeks to 5 years can thrive and develop a lifelong love for learning!
Meet the Heart and Soul of The Astor Academy — Our Chelsea Educators
Nestled in the vibrant community of Chelsea, our team is composed of experienced educators who understand the unique needs of young learners. With a deep understanding of early childhood development, our teachers craft personalized learning experiences that inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity. From the moment your child enters our classrooms, they’ll be met with a warm, nurturing embrace that sets the foundation for a strong educational journey.
Passion Meets Expertise: Enriching Full-Day Educational Childcare
Each member of our staff brings a wealth of expertise to our preschool community. Hailing from diverse backgrounds and sharing a dedication to early childhood education, our teachers collaborate to create an enriching curriculum that sparks imagination and encourages exploration. From the enchanting world of art to the wonders of science, the beauty of language to the magic of mathematics, our educators seamlessly weave essential skills into captivating lessons, fostering well-rounded development.
At The Astor Academy, we understand that childhood is a time for creative exploration, and our curriculum reflects that belief. We provide more than just education; we offer a space where young minds can flourish, question, and explore in a supportive and engaging environment.
Meet Our Teachers and Staff!
Amanda Bogrow – Asst. Center Director & 2s Lead Teacher
Amanda is so excited to get to know all Astor students, and their families — and be a part of their educational journey. She started her career in early childhood in high school when she began babysitting for local families. From there, she continued her journey into nannying, then later working at several early learning centers. Through her experiences, she has learned the impact she is able to have on children and their early learning. This lead Amanda to pursue education at Madonna University, where she studied Early Childhood and Elementary Education. After studying at Madonna, she was a lead toddler teacher before moving to the preschool classroom
At home, she is a newlywed to her husband, Justin, and fur mom to Daxter the cat and Willa the dog. In her free time, Amanda enjoys reading and also has a background as an equestrian. She is looking forward to meeting the students and is grateful to be a part of each child’s early learning journey.
Ellie Peterson – Infant Lead Teacher
Ellie is excited to meet everyone and begin fostering a bright future for the littlest ones. Her journey in childcare started as a Bible School Teacher in Ann Arbor. After a few years, Ellie decided to transition into nannying. She learned a love for helping little ones grow and learn through play. Ellie graduated Cume Laude with a BS in Rehabilitation Sciences from Concordia University. While preparing for grad school, she fell in love with pediatric rehabilitation. She is currently taking a gap year before heading to Chiropractic School in 2024. Ellie was a college athlete and passionate about physical movement at a young age. In her free time, you can find her at the gym or making new artwork for her apartment.
Erykah Carpenter – Toddler Lead Teacher
Erykah has been in the Early Childhood field for seven years. She started babysitting when she was eight years old and has been passionate about caring for young children ever since! She recently graduated from Washtenaw Community College with her Associate’s Degree in Child Development. With her experience and education, she is excited to see what the future holds. Erykah is thrilled to grow even more here at The Astor!
Kaylin “May” Harvey – Preschool Lead Teacher
May is in her 5th year as an Early Childhood Education teacher. She has experience working with children aged a few weeks to 12 years old. She received her Childhood Development Associate Credential this past year and is attending school at Walden University. In her free time, May loves to fish, hike, paint, write, and read. She is beyond excited to begin teaching at The Astor Academy and looks forward to growing with each family.