O.N.S. Faculty
Jayne Lock - Director
Jayne has been part of the Okemos Nursery School (ONS) community since 2011 and joined the teaching team here in 2017. She holds a BSc (Hons) and PhD, and enjoyed a career in research and extension in the UK before moving to the USA with her husband, a Professor at Michigan State University. Here she has pursued her lifelong ambition of raising her children and becoming an early childhood educator, extending her formal studies in child development and education. More recently Jayne has added foundational training in The Cedarsong Way® Nature Pedagogy and a Certification in Child-Led Education Practices. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach, and elements of forest school, place-based, and play responsive approaches to learning, she believes wholeheartedly in what has become known by many as “the magic of ONS”. Jayne is the proud mother of two ONS graduates.
Kate Heller-Cesario - Lead Teacher
Kate holds a degree in psychology from Loyola University Chicago and is an AMI Certified Montessori Elementary Teacher. She has more than 20 years of experience in both public and private schools, teaching in Chicago and New York City before moving to the Mid-Michigan area with her family. Kate comes to us from the Okemos Public Montessori (Radmoor and Central), where she has worked in a teaching and support capacity for over a decade. With personal interests in nature and the Fine Arts, Kate is the mother of four children, three who still attend Okemos Public Schools, and one who has flown the nest to pursue his studies at Michigan State University.
Jessica Bograkos - Teacher
Jessica holds a BS in Psychology (emphasis in Child Development) from Michigan State University. After a 10-year coaching career at MSU, Jessica is following her true passion for early childhood development and education. She continues to further her learning of the Reggio Approach, forest schools and holistic “whole child” education. She is the mother of two ONS graduates.
Renae Slaton - Director Emeritus (and Substitute Teacher!)
Renae is the previous Owner/Director of Okemos Nursery School, and we greatly value her steadfast guidance as our program continues to evolve. She holds a BA in Philosophy and a BS in Psychology (area of interest, Child Psychology) from Michigan State University. She had the fortunate opportunity to study the philosophy and pedagogy of the Reggio Approach to early childhood education in Reggio Emilia, Italy and throughout the United States at various colleges, universities and Reggio inspired centers. Renae has over 45 years of experience working with preschool children and is herself the proud mom of four ONS Graduates!
Judy Hirn - Substitute Teacher
Judy was the Lead Teacher at Okemos Nursery School for almost as long as Renae was director. She holds a BA in Elementary Education (with minors in Social Studies and Fine Arts) from Michigan State University. She has over 40 years of experience working with preschool children and was Lead Teacher at Okemos Nursery School since she graduated college - with all three of her own children graduating from ONS! We are thrilled to have Judy “on call” as our substitute teacher when the occasional need arises.
Wanda Degen - Music Specialist
Wanda is our “Musician in Residence” at Okemos Nursery School. She is well known as a member of the trio, “Lady of the Lake”, and as a teacher of dulcimer and auto harp at Elderly Instruments in Lansing. She has also been Coordinator of the Children’s Concerts for the City of East Lansing, and past Performance Coordinator for the East Lansing Arts Festival. Wanda has over 35 years of experience working with preschool children. Wanda's two daughters are graduates of ONS!
Kellyn Uhl - Creative Movement Specialist
Kellyn Uhl is our Creative Movement specialist at ONS. Kellyn is a Board Certified Dance/Movement Therapist. She received her MS in Dance/Movement Therapy from Sarah Lawrence College, and BFA in Acting and Dance from Michigan State University. Her first career as a performer and choreographer allowed her to work at theaters around the country, and she has taught dance in India, NYC, and for four semesters at MSU's Department of Theatre. Her sessions with the children are a playful, joy-filled journey of discovery and collaboration. Using music and props, Kellyn engages the children’s own expressive creativity, effortlessly weaving it all together into co-created dance.
Corey Quintus – Studio Art Instructor
Corey is a sculptor and fiber artist. She attended The Cooper Union School of Art in New York City and has a Masters degree in Education from Goddard College. She has over fifteen years of experience teaching Studio Art to students of all ages and is excited to work in a Reggio-inspired environment. She enjoys teaching students how to look and create with the eyes of an artist and offers many process-based invitations for students to express themselves. Corey has two daughters both of whom are ONS Graduates!
Jim McGrath – Nature Discovery
“Mr. Jim” is the founder of Nature Discovery, a private nature center that provides Michigan-specific wildlife education for all ages at a range of venues across the state. He has a degree in Wildlife Biology from Michigan State University and over 35 years of experience as an interpretive naturalist. He is also a weekly specialist Michigan nature/wildlife teacher at Montessori Children's House in Lansing and Stepping Stones Montessori in East Lansing. Jim's obvious love of nature is infectious to students of all ages, from preschool through adult!
Carol McGrath – Multidisciplinary Sciences
Carol McGrath has a degree in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Illinois. After working as a chemist in the private sector, she has worked at Nature Discovery with her husband Jim for the past 25 years. She also teaches multidisciplinary science, including hands-on biology, physics, physical science and chemistry lessons for children. She is a specialist science teacher at Montessori Children's House in Lansing and Stepping Stones Montessori in East Lansing and also teaches youth-oriented classes through Lansing Community College.
We feel extremely fortunate to have all the resources these exceptional people bring to our program!
