Tesoro
Meaning treasure, Tesoro is the youngest students enrolled in our program. We view infants as a treasure and value the opportunity to influence them during this sensitive period of development when their brains are absorbing every experience they are provided.
Meet the teachers
Becca Johnson
Mentor Teacher
B.A. Early Childhood Education
Teaching for 8 years
Becca Johnson
Mentor Teacher
B.A. Early Childhood Education
Teaching for 8 years
I graduated from Aquinas College in 2020 with a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education. I started at the GREDC in 2016, left briefly in 2022, but came back in 2023. Through many roles at the GREDC, I have gained hands-on experience working with children under the age of 5. I absolutely adore working with all children, but infants and toddlers are the most fun in my eyes! I do own an early childhood music business, _Melody and Harmony_. I have always been a musical person and after graduating college, I wanted to find a way to combine something I was passionate about with the love I have for working in Early Childhood. Teaching music to young children is the perfect way to do this!
Lamya Abdelhadi
Teacher
Morgan Kingmo
Teacher
Maddie Olsen
Teacher
B.S. Psychology with emphasis in Early Childhood Development
Minor in Chinese Culture and Mandarin
Maddie Olsen
Teacher
B.S. Psychology with emphasis in Early Childhood Development
Minor in Chinese Culture and Mandarin
Hi! My name is Miss Maddie! I grew up in a big family with lots of littles running around, so I’ve been babysitting/watching children for as long as I can remember. I received my degree in psychology with an emphasis in early childhood development, as well as a minor in Chinese culture and Mandarin. I’ve worked in one other daycare, with older kids at Pine Rest Mental Health, and individual families as a nanny. I got engaged July 2023 and have been spending my time at home wedding planning with my fiancé. We have two kitties, Noodles and Peter (Chunk), as well as Sir Hubbard the frog. I enjoy listening to podcasts, reading graphic novels and manga, creating art of any kind, horror movies and funky music. I’m a drink person, always enjoying a little treat. I’ve created an at-home drink bar where I enjoy making soda’s, coffee, seltzer, tea, cocoa and many others! Please feel free to ask any questions about me or my life, I am an open book!
Recent studies
Recent Study: Lights
2023-12-16
Tesoro has been playing around with a variety of lights. The children have been experimenting how different toys change color in the presence of the rope lights. They even experimented with their hands and legs, touching where the rope lights were illuminating their skin. In the dark, and with a more powerful light, they noticed
Recent Study: Music
2023-12-16
Music can stimulate children's natural curiosity and desire to learn as they explore the diversity, sounds, rhythms, and emotions of different music genres and instruments.
More about us...
Our Story
Learn about our history, from the early days in the 1980's at Aquinas College to our current campus on Jefferson Ave, right in the heart of Grand Rapids.
The Reggio Emilia Approach
The Reggio Emilia approach is an innovative and inspiring approach to early childhood education. This educational philosophy is focused on preschool and primary education and is described as child centered and constructivist.
Emergent Curriculum
The Emergent curriculum develops from exploring ideas that are socially relevant, intellectually engaging and personally meaningful to children.