Elka Francisco, Director
Elka Francisco lives in Saline with her husband, Adam, their daughter Sophia (born August 2006), and son Michael (born August 2009). Sophia and Michael are enrolled at the center. Elka grew up in Charlevoix, Michigan and received her BA in Elementary Education from the University of Michigan and her MA in Early Childhood Education from Eastern Michigan University. She holds her teaching certificate for grades K-8 with an Early Childhood Endorsement.
Elka taught second grade in Detroit Public Schools for 6 years. Most recently, she was the director of the Lenawee Intermediate School District’s PREP Academy, an alternative high school for pregnant and parenting teens with a licensed childcare for birth to 5.
She has always cared about quality in early childhood education, but having to choose childcare for her own daughter has intensifiedher belief that "quality" is primarily about the environment---both physical and emotional--and the variety of experiences that are provided for the children.
Her goal for the Vineyard Children’s Center is that every child feels delighted in, safe, and cared for; and that every parent feels good that their child is in the center's care.
Don Bromley, Administrator
Don serves as Administrator for the Vineyard Children's Center, as well as Executive Pastor for the Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor. Don is married to Julie Chilimigras Bromley; they live in Ypsilanti with daughters Eve (born August 2005) and Brynne (born November 2008), both of whom who are enrolled at the center. Don grew up in California and received his BS in engineering from UC Berkeley. Before joining the Vineyard staff in 1997, Don worked at Ford Motor Company. He received his MA (with thesis) in Biblical Studies at Ashland Theological Seminary.
Gabrielle Tarrow, Preschool Lead Teacher
Gabrielle lives in Ann Arbor with her husband Ryan. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Illinois State University with a BX in Human/Child Development and Family Resources. Gabrielle has experience working with children of all ages in centers, social work and church settings. Before joining VCC, she was a Lead Teacher for an Early Head Start in Indiana. Gabrielle’s goal is to help each child reach his or her full potential so that they can succeed in school and life.
Kaitlyn Smith lives in Ann Arbor with her husband Michael and Guerwens, the little boy they are in the process of adopting. Kaitlyn graduated from the University of Michigan with a BA in Psychology. She focused her studies on Child Development and participated in courses which allowed her to gain hands-on experience working with children in the Ann Arbor community. Her goal is to provide a warm and loving environment in which the toddlers are able to explore, learn and grow.
Sharon lives in Ann Arbor with her husband Kevin. She has two daughters who live in the area and are attending EMU and WCC. Sharon holds a BS in Elementary Education and worked in another Ann Arbor Childcare for 3.5 years before joining VCC in November of 2008. She loves working in the Infant Room and being involved in all of the changes and learning experiences of a babies’ first year.
