Stephanie Hess

Lead Educator & Director of Operations

Ms. Stephanie joins Ivybrook Academy with a strong foundation in early childhood education and a passion for nurturing young learners. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from the University of Michigan–Dearborn, and a master’s degree in Teaching and Learning from Liberty University. 

She brings a wide range of teaching experience across educational settings, and she is excited to return to her true calling—working with young children during their most formative years. She is known for her warm, calm presence, her dedication to developmentally appropriate practices, and her ability to build strong, trusting relationships with children and their families. Ms. Stephanie collaborates effectively with colleagues and supports student teachers and peers through mentorship and shared learning. 

Ms. Stephanie has been married for 28 years and is the proud mother of four wonderfully talented adult children. She enjoys family game nights, traveling, reading, stargazing, and volunteering as a youth leader. Ms. Stephanie looks forward to building a nurturing classroom community where children are encouraged to explore, grow, and thrive. 

Jasmine Phiengsai 

Lead Educator & Director of Curriculum

Ms. Jasmine brings nearly a decade of experience in education, having supported children across classroom, clinical, and home-based settings. She recently relocated to Ann Arbor from Northern California, where she lived just beyond the redwood curtain and Humboldt fog—where the mountains meet the ocean. 

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Business with a Minor in Child Development from Cal Poly Humboldt and a Master’s degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University. Her academic and professional background reflects a deep commitment to individualized, evidence-based learning rooted in compassion and inclusion. 

Ms. Jasmine’s teaching philosophy is grounded in a humanistic, child-centered approach. She is dedicated to creating warm, inclusive environments where every child feels safe, supported, and empowered to grow—academically, emotionally, and creatively. Her work emphasizes intentional, values-driven instruction that affirms neurodivergence and is both trauma-informed and culturally responsive. 

Colleagues and supervisors consistently describe Ms. Jasmine as calm, collaborative, and deeply attuned to the needs of each child. She is known for her strong communication skills, thoughtful classroom management, and ability to build meaningful relationships with students, families, and peers. Her professional experiences have included developing and implementing customized behavior support programs, leading social-emotional learning groups, and mentoring fellow educators in best practices for working with diverse learners. 

Outside the classroom, Ms. Jasmine enjoys hiking local trails, paddling on the water, practicing photography, spending time with her family and dog, and playing rugby. 

Ms. Jasmine is excited to be a part of the Ivybrook Academy Ann Arbor community and looks forward to a joyful year of connection, learning, and growth. 

Karen Kennard 

Lead Educator

Ms. Karen has nearly six years of experience as a Lead and Co-teacher in early childhood programs. She holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential in Infant/Toddler, and is currently pursuing her Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education/Development at Washtenaw Community College. 

A long-time resident of the area, Ms. Karen is a proud mom of twin 21-year old daughters who will graduate college in 2026! She shares her home with an English Cream Golden Retriever and enjoys traveling, decorating, thrifting and antique shopping.

Ms. Karen has a deep love for teaching young children because of the wonder that shows in their eyes when they discover something new or remember something they did in school two weeks prior! She strives to be remembered as an early childhood educator as described in a poster she saw in her high-school guidance counseler's office that said: "100 years from now it won't matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in the bank, or what my clothes looked like, but the world might be a little better because I was important in the life of a child". 

Meghan Read

Educator

Ms. Meghan has worked in the Early Childhood Education program for nearly three years and is passionate about helping young children learn and grow. She attended Eastern Michigan University where she studied childhood education and development and plans to continue her education in summer of 2026 at Washtenaw Community College.

Growing up in a large family, Ms. Meghan was always surrounded by children and quickly became the go-to caregiver. Those experiences helped spark her love for teaching and her joy in watching children experience their “light bulb” moments.

Recently married, Ms. Meghan enjoys spending time with her husband and their Great Pyrenees. In her free time, she loves traveling, shopping and renovating homes. She is excited to be part of such a wonderful center and looks forward to continuing to grow alongside the children and families she works with.

Cayla Mendez

Educator

Ms. Mendez is a warm, compassionate, and heartfelt addition to the Ivybrook team. As an aspiring Social Worker with a strong background in child development, education, and student support, she is passionate about creating meaningful connections and helping children thrive. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Social Work at Eastern Michigan University, where she has earned Dean’s List recognition for her academic achievements.

With experience as a Paraprofessional, Ms. Mendez has supported students, families, and staff in a variety of educational settings. She is known for building genuine relationships with students by serving as a mentor, encourager, and source of emotional support, while helping foster a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all. Her personal motto, “Lead with Love,” reflects the kindness, care, and empathy she brings into every interaction. 

Ms. Mendez is a proud wife and mother of three young children. She enjoys photography, creating special memories with her family, writing poetry, and hosting Friday Family Fun Nights. She is truly grateful to be part of the Ivybrook community and looks forward to being a safe space, listening ear, and smiling face for every student, family, and staff member she meets.

Matilda Hoagland

Educator

Ms. Mattie is a dance, voice, and theatre teacher with over a decade of experience working with the youth of Ann Arbor and the surrounding areas. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Oakland University, she works to help her students cultivate their love of the arts with an added focus on team building and mutual respect. Ms. Mattie has worked with many different age groups, but has a special place in her heart for preschool and kindergarten-aged children. Getting to help a student achieve a goal they set out for, find the answers to their own questions, or make a connection with a fellow student are small victories that soon turn into confidence and excitement for their next discovery!

Ms. Mattie is a lover of the arts in her daily life as well, from trips to the movie theatre to catching a local theatre production, she loves to fill her time with creativity and inspiration. She has a dog named Winnie and 3 younger sisters whom she feels beyond lucky to watch grow into amazing young women. She loves to bake, travel, and escape into different worlds hiding behind the cover of a book. Ms. Mattie is ecstatic to be a part of the Ivybrook Team!

Kathryn Thomas-Palmer 

Educator

Ms. Kate is a licensed private therapist in Ann Arbor with over two decades of experience in the field. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work, with a focus on Interpersonal Practice / Children & Youth in Families & Society, from the University of Michigan, as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Carnegie Mellon University. 

Ms. Kate is excited to be a part of the Ivybrook team as a substitute teacher! Her background in social work includes extensive experience providing therapy to both adolescents and adults. Her passion for supporting children and young people extends far beyond clinical settings - she has taught music, volunteered at Ele’s Place (a healing center for grieving children and teens), and guided youth through the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor (UUAA) curriculum. 

Ms. Kate looks forward to fostering education and growth in the students at Ivybrook - and her guess is that she’ll learn just as much from them as they will from her! 

Maimoona Sangji 

Educator

Ms. Sangji has over three decades of experience in early childhood education and served as a Montessori Directress in Canada for more than 17 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and an AMI certification in Montessori Education. 

Ms. Sangji has a strong appreciation for the Montessori hands-on learning method that is individualized to meet the needs of every child. 

Throughout her teaching career she has worked to create a supportive classroom atmosphere that nurtures a child's natural curiosity, empowering them to become independent and self-directed individuals. Ms. Sangji is delighted to be a part of the Ivybrook team as a substitute teacher!