Elizabeth Leach, Center Director
8453 East Point Douglas Road, Cottage Grove, MN 55016-3376
- Ph: (651) 458-1781
- Open: 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM, M-F
- Fax: (651) 458-2911
- Ages: 6 Weeks to 12 Year-Olds
The teachers and staff at Cottage Grove KinderCare are passionate about educating and nurturing children. Our teachers have been with us an average of nine years at our center. The majority of our teachers have their Child Development Associate credential (CDA) or Bachelor’s degree. The Cottage Grove KinderCare team strives for excellence through continuing education from biannual company professional development training to seeking child care and education classes from other resources. When it all comes down to it, our Cottage Grove KinderCare team loves working with children, teaching them and being a part of their lives.
Elizabeth Leach, Center Director
Bio:
Elizabeth Leach is the Center Director at the Cottage Grove KinderCare. Liz started working for KinderCare in October of 2002 as the learning adventures teacher. She then moved up to Program Specialist, Assistant Director and now, Director. Liz has a Degree in Elementary Education from Martin Luther College. Liz loves having the opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child, family and the community.
Kimberly Elsen, Assistant Director
Bio:
Kimberly Elsen is the Assistant Director at the Cottage Grove KinderCare. Kim started working for KinderCare in May of 2003 as a teacher and has moved her way up and is now the Assistant Director. Kim has a Bachelor's Degree from South Dakota State University. Kim Loves knowing that everyday she can come to work and hear a child laughing.
Sara, Learning Adventures Classroom
Bio:
Ms. Sara is the learning adventures teacher at the Cottage Grove KinderCare and has been working for KinderCare in February of 2011. Ms.Sara has a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Martin Luther College. Prior to joining KinderCare, Ms.Sara has worked as an elementary school teacher in Alaska. Ms. Sara loves knowing that she can play a positive role in a child’s development.
Previous Experience:
Prior to joining KinderCare, Ms. Sara taught at an elementary school in Alaska.
Barb, Infant Classroom
Bio:
Ms. Barb is our infant teacher at the Cottage Grove KinderCare. Barb has been working for KinderCare as a teacher since 1989 and has her Child Development Associate credential. She loves getting to watch the infants in her classroom grow.
Kary, Infant Classroom
Bio:
Ms. Kary is one of our infant teachers at the Cottage Grove KinderCare. Ms.Kary has been working for KinderCare since November 2004 and has an Associate's Degree in Human Services from Inverhills Community College. Ms. Kary has been working with children for the last 20 years at other facilities along with our own. She likes knowing that she is helping the children learn.
Brianna, Multi-Classroom Teacher
Bio:
Ms. Brianna is our afternoon teacher at the Cottage Grove KinderCare and has been working for KinderCare since August 2009. Ms. Brianna loves making relationships with the children and families.
- Year Started: 8/3/2009
- Tenure: 2 Years
Jessica, Toddler Classroom
Bio:
Ms. Jessica is our toddler teacher at the Cottage Grove KinderCare and has been working for KinderCare since June of 2006. Ms. Jessica loves the smiles and the hugs she get as she enters the room.
- Year Started: 6/1/2006
- Tenure: 5 Years
- Years in ECE Industry: 6 Years