Our AMAZING STAFF

Our Lead Teachers and Teacher Assistants understand that it is paramount to create relationships with our students and their families. We work hard to make those necessary connections in order to foster a safe and nurturing learning environment.

Our staff is exceptional. Our highly qualified teachers bring lots of experience, knowledge, and creativity to each of their classrooms. Every teacher strives to bring learning to life as they are truly dedicated to their students.

We all believe that PLAY should be at the forefront of our curriculum. Children will be offered endless opportunities to explore and experience our sensory driven, hands on classrooms.

Amy Wonner

Owner - Director
Lead 4/Y5 Teacher

Ms. Amy is the Owner/Director and one of the 4/Y5 Lead Teachers. She received her BA in Education from Michigan State. She has lived all over the country teaching in Las Vegas, NV, San Diego, CA, and Clayton, NC (outside of Raleigh). Ms. Amy started her career in elementary schools, teaching 4th, 3rd, and 1st grades before switching to preschool over 14 years ago. After Teaching Pre-K in a couple of childcare chains, she was hired as the teacher/director of local Co-Op. The knowledge and experience that she gained during those 6 years helped motivate her to open her own school. Ms. Amy considers NOT JUST PLAY a labor of love and is happy that it continues to grow and improve each year. She is proud of the facility that she created and is thankful for her wonderful staff and all of the amazing families that have become a part of the NJP story. Ms. Amy believes that all children learn through PLAY. It's important to focus on the whole child, and understand that the main purpose of preschool and pre-k is to improve every child's social, emotional, and physical growth. The ultimate goal is to help prepare our kids for "big kid" school and Ms. Amy considers it an absolute WIN if they don't even realize that they are learning. "Academics" will come naturally and they can be taught in a FUN way!

Barb Carrell

Lead 3's Teacher

My name is Barb Carrell – I earned my BS degree from Central Michigan University. My major is Early Childhood Development with a Pre-3 grade emphasis. I then went on to Michigan State and got my Masters degree. I recently retired from the East China School District after teaching for 36 years. Most of my teaching years were in Kindergarten and First grade. I am looking forward to this new adventure working/shaping our young children for the future.

Kelley Clark

Lead 3's Teacher - Lead 4/Y5's Teacher

My name is Kelley Clark. I've worked with preschool aged children for 15+ years. I started off as an assistant teacher at Children's World in Troy. After moving from Troy to Chesterfield, I started working as an assistant teacher at Childtime of Macomb. (I even had the pleasure of being assistant to Ms. Amy!) I started taking classes through Macomb Community College and eventually earned my CDA and was promoted to Pre-K lead teacher. I had my amazing daughter in 2019 and was so lucky to stay home with her for about 2 years. I am so excited to join the team at NOT JUST PLAY! My favorite things about working with this age group are watching the children develop and grow throughout the year and feeling so proud of them for their growth and success through play.

Karen Sullivan

4/Y5's Assistant Teacher

Ms. Karen is the Assistant Teacher for the 4-5's age group. She started working in toddler child care in 2013 and then moved on to assistant pre-school teacher in 2014. She was hired by Ms. Amy at Not Just Play in 2017 when the pre-school opened. She loves teaching at Not Just Play because every day brings new learning experiences and it is so exciting and rewarding to watch kids grow. I love working with this dedicated staff who are committed to the development of young minds.

Tatum Brooks

3's Assistant Teacher - 4/Y5's Assistant Teacher

I’m Tatum Brooks. I have always loved spending time with children and watching their minds grow and imagine. I’ve worked with kids in many environments from teaching and coaching basketball and running camps to bring a leader at summer camps and church camps. My favorite thing about working with young minds is seeing the different ways that each child interprets and understands certain things.