Chelsea Children’s Cooperative Preschool Teachers
Get to know a little more about our wonderful instructors.
Laura Koch
Lead 3’s Teacher (Cardinals)
When is your birthday? My birthday is November 27th. I’m almost birthday buds with Mrs. Baushke!
What is your favorite color? Green is my favorite color!
Who inspires you? My sister for her steadfast love (no strings attached), commitment to hard things, playful spirit, and the difference she makes in her community building spaces for all and vision for more inclusive communities. All my parents for the ways they show up and are present for their family, friends, and neighbors. Grandma moo-moo for her unending creativity, craftiness, and wildflowers. Aaron, he fixes all the things I break and makes some visions real-life (chicken coops, babies, garden, home etc). So many teachers: Shelley/Linda/Mary/Rebekah (teachers from Kentwood), Lori/Brittney/Christian (U of M Towsley), Kari (Grass Lake), Claire/Sue, Deb at Tantre, and Cindy (yurt school). I hope to take little bits of their magic and incorporate it in my teaching. In this "mom-of-young-children" season I am especially inspired by the families (shout out to the MOMS!!) I meet seeking to do the best they can for the children in their lives. There's some amazing solidarity in raising tiny humans with others raising tiny humans.
What is your favorite season and why? Summer. Summer brings bare feet, family time, Lake Michigan and Clear Lake swims, camping under the stars, fresh food from the garden, and lots of time playing outside.
What is your favorite food? Mama Beth’s apple pies. The real deal tacos. La Torre Taqueria in Ypsilanti is one of my favorites in the area.
What do you do for fun? Be with family or friends. Share meals together. Camp! One of my favorite spots is Lake Michigan Rec Area in the Manistee National Forest. I also love hiking with friends and family, crocheting, cooking, and reading too.
What is your favorite children’s book? I have so many favorites. Right now loving Chirri & Chirra by Kaya Doi. The sisters and their adventures are delightful and they remind me of my own sister and our childhood fun. So many of Cynthia Rylant’s books are at my top. The Lighthouse Family series is one of my favorites.
Who lives at your home with you? My love Aaron, our wee toddler Mercy (nearly 2), Alma (4), and Everett (6). We have a goofy assortment of critters: two old goats, a flock of crazy chickens, a cuddly leopard gecko, a pudgy goldfish named 8-9-10, a quarter-sized map turtle named Poppy, and a few minnows and crayfish.
When did you start working at the Co-op? 2023 and I am so thrilled to be here leading playgroup at the cooperative! I have been caring for my kids the last five years full time. Before that I’ve taught English Language Learners, Kindergarten, Preschool, and substitute taught. The cooperative feels like such a culmination of dreams for my children’s early childhood education.
What do you like about teaching preschool? The play, wonder, joy and supportive community.
Sarah Cripe
Lead 3’s Teacher (Goldfinches)
When is your birthday? February 12, same as Abraham Lincoln.
What is your favorite color? Green.
Who inspires you? My mom and my children. My mom is the most selfless person I know and lives a simple life leaving room for all the things that truly matter. My two boys inspire me to be the best version of myself and to do what I can to help make this world a place for future generations to thrive.
What is your favorite season and why? all. I love the crispness in the air, Halloween, fall colors, and the start of sweater weather!
What is your favorite food? Anything with chili crisp on it.
What do you do for fun? Biking, canoeing, reading, trying new foods, painting.
What is your favorite children’s book? It’s a tie between The Lorax and Tell Me a Mitzi. Or George and Martha. I also love Where the Wild Things Are and Little Bear stories. This is such a hard question!
Who lives at your home with you? My husband Geoff, our 2 sons Lyndon and Loui, our playful dog Oskar, and 3 quirky hens (they live outside).
When did you start working at the Co-op? August 2026, very excited to join the community!
What do you like about teaching preschool? I love the enthusiasm young people bring to every experience; I love being a part of their journey and seeing the world through their eyes. I also love sharing my love of reading and life-long learning with children.
Charissa Keller
Assistant 3’s Teacher (Goldfinches)
When is your birthday? March 25
What is your favorite color? Yellow
Who inspires you? My grandparents. They were married 75 years, lived through challenges, yet persevered.
What is your favorite season and why? Spring, because it is consistently exciting to hear the birds chirp again and see spring flowers pop up, sometimes even through the snow, to once again brighten the landscape.
What is your favorite food? Sushi and strawberries
What do you do for fun? Read, spend time with friends, try to make the perfect latte and play board games and cards with my family
What is your favorite children’s book? I Love You, Stinky Face. So many memories of reading this book to my boys when they were little.
Where do you go to relax? Anywhere outside for a brisk walk in the fresh air, but lounging on the beach is always a relaxing treat.
Who lives at your home with you? My husband, our two sons and our pet cat Max.
When did you start working at the Co-op? 2022
What do you like aboutteachingpreschool? Watching the excitement and fascination in the children's eyes and the families here are so friendly and welcoming as well.
Melanie Wagner
Lead 4’s Teacher (Bluebirds)
What is your favorite color? Pink!
Who inspires you? My mother and father inspire me. They made a very special childhood for my brother and I while both creating good in the world outside of our home.
What is your favorite season and why? I love the summer because there is time to relax and enjoy a slower pace of life.
What is your favorite food? My favorite food is seafood.
What do you do for fun? I love to spend time with family and friends.
What is your favorite children's book? It is too hard to pick just one, but a recent great one I read is The Wildest Thing by Emily Winfield Martin.
Who lives at your house with you? My husband, Ferhat, who goes back and forth between Chelsea and Istanbul, Turkey for work, and my two boys, Kaya and Aydin. My mom lives right across the street from us, so I think she counts, too.
When did you start working at the Co-op? I joined the Coop Community in the fall of the 2026-2027 school year.
What do you like about teaching preschool? The thing I like best about teaching preschool is getting to spend time with preschool aged kiddos. I also love being able to create, with them, a fun and engaging space in which to learn.
Kristin Bingham
Assistant 4’s Teacher (Bluebirds)
When is your birthday? I am a winter baby! I was born during the epic snowstorm in 1978 on January 25th.
What is your favorite color? Blue!
Who inspires you? My 15 year old son, Brett! He is autistic, and works hard every day to fit into a world that he doesn't always understand. Brett has the most beautiful soul and his love for nature and animals never ceases to amaze me. He wears his heart on his sleeve and loves his family and friends fiercely ♥️ Despite the challenges he faces, he never gives up and continues to teach us what really matters in life.
What is your favorite season and why? Definitely fall! I love the freshness in the air, the beautiful fall colors, and watching my youngest play soccer. Bon fires are also the best this time of year!
What is your favorite food? I love food so this is a hard one, ha! Probably my most favorite though is mashed potatoes. Silly right? They are just so good, especially with roasted chicken and veggies!
What do you do for fun? Go on walks, journal, spend time with my family and friends, read, garden, and volunteer at the Barn Sanctuary here in Chelsea.
What is your favorite children's book? One of my favorite children's books is If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff. It is such a fun and light hearted story, and every child I've ever read it to has loved it!
Where do you go to relax? In the warmer months, I love to sit on my deck or porch to enjoy the wild life and read. During the colder months, I love to cozy up by the fireplace and watch movies or work on puzzles.
Who lives at your house with you? I live with my husband Kyle, our two boys, Brett and Camden, our dog Oliver, and our four cats (yes 4!) Callie, Bella, Bear, and Rain. As you can tell, I not only adore children, but animals too!
When did you start working at the Co-op? I started working here September 2024, and I absolutely love it! Both of my boys went here for preschool, and I've always loved working with children, so it is a perfect fit ♥️
What do you like about teaching preschool? I love guiding young children as they learn about the world around them through play and exploration. To see such joy and wonder in their eyes when they discover something new or accomplish a new task is such a gift! And the best part of all? I get to join in on the fun too!
Kelsey Rasmussen
Program Administrator
What is your favorite color? Purple.
Who inspires you? My parents, my first and life-long teachers.
What is your favorite season and why? Every season is lovely in its own way, but autumn is extra special to me because of the crisp morning air, wind, and changing leaves.
What is your favorite food? Tex Mex.
What do you do for fun? Playing and reading with my family, gardening, and walking/biking outdoors.
What is your favorite children's book? Log Hotel written by Anne Schreiber and illustrated by Debbie Pinkney.
Who lives at your house with you? My husband, two children and two cats.
When did you start working at the Co-op? September 2026.
What do you like about teaching preschool? The children! Preschoolers are natural scientists who explore, learn and persist in learning hard things. Their curiosity, sincerity and enthusiasm are contagious!