Our Story

Erica Kral

Erica is a devoted wife and mom of four boys. Family is the foundation of Erica’s life and it is why Green Garden exists. Through constant education in early childhood education and leadership Erica has sought to better her world by bringing growth to everyone she has a chance to pour into. She is energized by her time with extended family, opportunities to stay active in nature and exploring as much of the world as possible.

Samantha Ford

Sam has grown alongside Green Garden from its early days, helping shape the organization into what it is today through clear vision, operational excellence, and an unwavering commitment to whole-child care. As Chief Operating Officer, she brings together strategy, systems, and heart—serving as a teacher of teachers and a builder of culture, ensuring that every campus reflects the same standard of quality, intentionality, and care.

Now, as she watches her son Walker grow, Sam experiences early childhood not only as a leader, but as a parent. That perspective deepens her resolve to create environments where children are known, nurtured, and supported as individuals. At Green Garden, this work is personal. We are not only caring for the families we serve—we are caring for our own.

Shelby Schaeding

Shelby’s welcoming personality aligns perfectly with her beliefs in self-expression and supporting children’s growth at an individual level. She learned about these values while she obtained her Bachelor’s degree at North Central University — she has a BA in Youth, Children, and Families Studies and substance abuse counseling. When she’s not with our team, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter Wren, and pup, Socks.

Megan Rhyndress

Megan Rhyndress is Green Garden’s Director of Finance and Administration, bringing nearly a decade of accounting experience, primarily in the corporate sector. She is excited to use her expertise in a mission-driven environment where her work directly supports children, families, and the team. A plant lover at heart, she deeply appreciates Green Garden’s intentional systems and routines that prioritize outdoor time and meaningful connection with nature.

Sarah Lambrix

Sarah is deeply committed to providing high-quality early childhood education while intentionally supporting the growth and development of both new and experienced teachers. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Lake Superior State University and brings over 15 years of experience in the field. Her connection to Green Garden extends beyond her professional role—she lives our values in her personal life as well, spending time with her husband exploring nature and lovingly restoring their 142-year-old farmhouse, bringing new life to a space rich with history.

Roslyn Williams

Roslyn, or Ms. Roz, as we call her, has a passion and enthusiasm for leadership and quality early learning that radiates where ever she goes. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in elementary education with an early childhood specialty from Oakland University and then went on to earn her master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Eastern Michigan University. She empowers teachers to create the best learning environment for young minds. Her family time consists of going to the park with her two amazing girls or finding cool new places to eat with her children and husband

Crystal Alston

Crystal is the Campus Director at our Hazel Park location and was one of the very first team members to help build that school from the ground up. She finds deep joy in watching infants sprout and grow, surrounding them with warmth and care. As a mother of four, she brings a natural, nurturing presence to her campus and classrooms, creating spaces that truly feel like home. Her love of singing fills the day with playful, comforting songs that delight her little ones. Family-centered and deeply compassionate, Crystal treasures every moment spent helping children and teachers feel safe, supported, and loved as they grow.

Sami Metzner

Ms. Sami has been part of the Green Garden family since 2022. After starting as a part-time substitute, she fell in love with our philosophy and became the Toddler Teacher at Rochester Hills. Working with toddlers was such a joy, and she has loved partnering with families to support each child’s growth. Her role continued to shift, as she stepped into her current role as our Family and Staff Engagement Specialist! She now works to ensure that our families continue to have a wonderful time at our campuses, by assisting in event planning and getting to know our families even more. She supports our staff on days that we want to celebrate them, and days when they may need a extra help. Sami has a daughter that attends our Madison Heights location, where it is amazing to see her thrive. She looks forward to celebrating each child’s unique journey at Green Garden!

Sarah Hodges

Sarah brings a deep well of experience and leadership to Green Garden and currently serves as our Macomb Campus Director. She began her early childhood career as an assistant toddler teacher and grew into roles as Lead Pre-K Teacher and Acting Assistant Director, giving her a strong, hands-on understanding of every level of school operations. She is drawn to Green Garden’s child-centered, family-focused culture and its commitment to growth for both children and educators. Sarah values building a safe, supportive environment where children, families, and teachers can truly thrive, and she has a genuine appreciation for the community that makes the Macomb campus so special.

Lannie Smith

Alanjia, or Lannie, the Assistant Director at Green Garden Madison Heights, has been a proud part of the team since 2018. As a mom to one Green Garden kiddo and a Green Garden graduate, she is deeply passionate about supporting children as they grow into amazing individuals. Lannie treasures the opportunity to work with every child she meets and feels honored to be part of their journey. She extends heartfelt gratitude to parents for trusting her to play a role in their children’s lives, a responsibility she considers both a joy and a privilege.

Matt Harris

Matt’s excitement for vegetarian cooking, nature, and passing these values onto the next generation are seen everyday as his smile carries him from one campus to another bringing culinary delights and ingenuity and care to each of our outdoor classrooms. Matt has true joy that overflows into his work, his team, our whole Green Garden family. Overseeing his team of kitchen staff, Matt works with them to have timely meals prepared and ready to go for the children at Green Garden.

Alex Bateman

Alex brings project management experience and his love for family to Green Garden.  Hazel Park is where he grew up and he loves that his work allows him to support his hometown community. He brings his knowledge and skills to life as he takes care of our physical environments. Outside of work, you can find Alex fishing with his daughter or driving fast things.

Matthew Bateman

Matthew Bateman is the Facilities Assistant at Green Garden, where he works alongside Mr. Alex to maintain and ensure all spaces are in excellent condition. With a passion for working with his hands and building, Matthew enjoys taking on new projects to keep our environments safe and functional. Outside of work, he loves hiking and swimming with his wife and son. Matthew is excited to be a part of the Green Garden community and looks forward to getting to know the families and staff across all our centers.

Sara Evans

Sara brings over 20 years of child development experience, being that she homeschooled her two children using a nature-based approach and seeking out the wonder in their eyes the entire time. Her family time is extremely important to her whether it’s something as exciting as travel, simple like watching TV with her husband, or even just playing fetch with her cat. Sara believes that everything is amazing, as long as you take the time to look.

Jack Jack

Jack is our beloved therapy dog. He loves long naps, outdoor adventures, and spending time with his Green Garden family. At times, Jack visits our classrooms to help children build gentle, positive connections with animals—especially for those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to interact with one.

During every visit, Jack is closely supervised by his caregivers, and families are always notified in advance. His calm presence brings comfort, curiosity, and plenty of smiles. We love when Jack comes to visit—and he loves being part of our community just as much.