Young School

Aristea Fulcher

Aftercare Attendant
afulcher@summers-knoll.org

I am a Aftercare Attendant at Summers-Knoll and a SK alumnus. Even when attending Summers-Knoll in middle school I knew it was a special place. I’ve always loved how community-focused the school is, and I am so excited to be able to rejoin this community. It has been amazing to get the opportunity to revisit my old school and see how they’ve continued to improve it. While most schools and school plans haven’t changed for years, Summers-Knoll is constantly changing and evolving to make sure it’s the best version of itself for the student body. I spent several years tutoring and babysitting before working at the school, which ignited my love of teaching and spending time with children. I love getting their perspective of the world, even though they assume I am 55 and have children. No one sees the world quite like a kid. I’m interested in pursuing a career in teaching, but for the time being I’ve been enjoying just spending time with the kids, telling stories, making crafts, and playing games. I enjoy playing guitar, reading, and playing Dungeons and Dragons with my friends in my free time. I love animals and am a pescatarian and cat owner. I have two cats, one which my friend theorizes is stuffed with bean bag filling and the other which is named Rocket Ship. My Favorite color is periwinkle, mostly because I think the name is funny. The color is pretty too though.

Thea Givens

Classroom Assistant
tgivens@summers-knoll.org

I began at Summers-Knoll two years ago as a classroom assistant and aftercare attendant for the Young 5s and Kindergarten class. I’ve grown up in the Ann Arbor area and have forayed in my personal and academic learning into foreign language (French, Japanese, Spanish), global cultures, and various slices of biology such as medical science, native plants and trees. Anything that has to do with humans or the natural world will often pique my interest. I’m very excited to be working at a school with a Project-Based Learning curriculum. I hope to somehow transmit my zeal for knowledge to those I work with at Summers-Knoll.

Mary Perrin

Art Teacher
mperrin@summers-knoll.org

This is my 8th year at Summers-Knoll. My BFA is from EMU, and my skill base in the arts is wide, varied, and always growing. I currently work with an artist’s collective based in Detroit, building themed vehicles, sets, and activities for creative events.

Though I am working towards becoming a certified teacher, I believe my background in the “real world” of Art, as opposed to arts education, is one of the strengths I bring to the school. Many things can only be learned through doing, and I have a lifetime of experience being an artist, working with other artists, and presenting my art to the public. My goal is to teach your children how to teach themselves art so they can continue to learn and grow as artists and creative thinkers long after they leave my classroom. 

Imogen Giles

French and Latin Teacher
igiles@summers-knoll.org

I am the Languages teacher at Summers-Knoll and have been an SK faculty member for over a decade. I teach Latin to every class from Preschool to 8th grade and French from 1st to 8th grade. This role in our school life means I am known as Magistra and as Madame, and I consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to begin a Latin program for the School when I was first appointed to transform what was a small French program to one that embraces all our students.

I gained my Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from the University of London in England. I taught in a number of independent schools before becoming the Head of Classics at Cobham Hall School in Kent and then moving to this country.

I am an ardent reader and love classical music, ballet, drawing, and painting. I also love to travel and look forward to spending each Summer with my family in our home in France.

Clara Ashwood

Young 5s & Kindergarten Teacher
cashwood@summers-knoll.org

I am an educator of young scholars with a background of 21 years experience in Preschool and Kindergarten. I have an Elementary Education degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison and a certificate of Education Leadership from Capella University. I have been at Summers-Knoll School for five years. When first visiting Summers-Knoll, my initial thought was that I wanted to teach here because I wished I could have been a Summers-Knoll student. I would have loved it.

I have specific experience teaching Kindergarten in project-based schools, having spent 8 years at Tesseract School and Minnesota Excellence in Learning Academy. At Tesseract School I gained exposure in implementing a project-based approach to education within a team of Kindergarten and First grade teachers. At Minnesota Excellence in Learning Academy I led in creating the Math Curriculum and Personalized Learning Plan program for Kindergarten.

I live in Ann Arbor with my fiancé Matt. I love to run long distance races, bake bread, dance, and travel. This October I’ll be running the Detroit half marathon.

I draw inspiration from the young children to continue to be creative and explorers of the world. I am passionate about sharing to others the importance of the young child.

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