Vita Mia
Meaning my life, Vita Mia begins as a 3-yr old preschool classroom. Children in this classroom are learning to care for themselves and their environment gaining confidence in caring for all aspects of their lives… self care, relationships, responsibilities, and emotions.
Meet the teachers
Penny Blackall
Mentor Teacher
Child Development Associate®
Teaching for 30 years
Penny Blackall
Mentor Teacher
Child Development Associate®
Teaching for 30 years
I have been an employee with the Grand Rapid Early Discovery Center (formerly AQCDC) since August of 1990. I was the lead teacher in the young preschool room for 19.5 years. In July of 2009 I received my Child Development Associates Credential. In January of 2010 I become the lead teacher in the infant room. I have been married since 1988 to my husband, Roger, and we have 2 sons. Dereck was born in 1985 and Drew was born in 1990. Drew graduated in spring of 2012 from Aquinas College. He is now working for the state of Michigan. After 8 years in Child Protective Services, he has now moved on to Adult Protective Services. I guess he inherited his love of children from me. Drew was also married to his wife Stacy in July 2015. They purchased a home and I now have a beautiful granddaughter. She is the apple of my eye that’s for sure. Even though she says she is Gompa’s girl. LOL Penny reading a book to an infant. I absolutely love working with young children. They have so much to offer are so eager to learn. Children are so full of knowledge and curiosity. My goal is to help them expand their knowledge and assist them in exploring their curiosity for the world in which they exist. Penny playing guitar to the Tesoro infants. Teaching in a [Reggio-inspired environment](/about-reggio) is a huge part of why I love my position here at the GREDC. The style of learning allows me to let the infants explore life and the world around them and in return they build knowledge of their own learning abilities. In April 2004, I had the opportunity to visit Reggio Emilia, Italy. It was an experience I will never forget.
Jake Exline
Teacher
Lauren Davis
Mentor Teacher
B.A. Psychology
Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) Certification
Lauren Davis
Mentor Teacher
B.A. Psychology
Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) Certification
I have been working in the Scoperta classroom since October 2022. I am currently completing my bachelor’s in psychology with a counseling certification. I am also minoring in sociology with an emphasis on women and gender studies, while completing a certification in the child advocacy studies training program (CAST). I have always had a passion for working and being around kids, and working at the GREDC has only expanded on those interests. The imagination and creativity of these kiddos is something that I wish would be fostered throughout adulthood. I love working in the age group I am in (1-3), the amount of growth in personality, relationships, language, and thinking is astounding. They’ve truly helped me grow as a person and also in my own creativity as well. Kids in our society today are seen as less worthy and competent than adults, so hearing the framework the Reggio Emilia approach preaches is amazing. It helps bring the experiences of children to light and how the world can be adapted to their benefit. Outside of work I am an avid reader and love to delve into fiction literature. Along with this, I spend time with my dog, Keira, and I am currently learning how to knit.
Recent studies
Recent Study: Boats
2023-12-21
While the Vita Mia students have been following an interest in boats they have been exploring the properties of water, buoyancy, flow and motion. This study can also foster children’s social and emotional development, as they have been interacting with each other to share ideas, opinions, listen to different perspectives, collaborate on problem-solving, and negotiate
Recent Study: Lines
2023-12-21
Lines are everywhere and yet so easy to overlook! What begins as a way of developing pre-writing skills (an important part of literacy development and communication) can lead to improving children’s ability to detect and form patterns, shapes, and letters. Incorporating other mediums into the classroom such as wire, play-doh and wood encourages developing a
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.