Denise Gasper is currently Director of Early Childhood Programs for a consortium of five school districts in Newaygo County, Michigan. In her current capacity, Denise is responsible for directing a variety of county- wide programs. These include state funded and private paid inclusive preschool programs. Newaygo County Joining Forces (Child Care Support/Resource and Referral). Newaygo County Early ON, Newaygo County Parents As Teachers, Even Start, and Project Zero. She is also a charter member of the National Even Start Association Board of Directors and serves as the Chairperson for the NESA Professional Development Committee.Denise has served on a variety of state and national committees and as a consultant to a variety of public, private and governmental entities within the United States. She has worked in the field of Early Childhood Care and Education for the past twenty-five years. Her leadership experience and expertise include the areas of early childhood education, parenting education, curriculum, grant writing, and interagency collaboration.
Denise has been married for 32 years and is the proud mother of two sons.
Brad Everett has been involved as an educator for 32 years. During that time he has taught Head Start preschoolers (ages 3-5), primary students (grades K-3), intermediate students (grades 4-6), and junior high students (grades 7-8). In addition, he has tutored high school students in basic study skills and content areas. In the last ten years, his teaching commitments have been at the adult level working with GED students (ages 16-69) as an adjunct faculty member of Illinois Central College. He has received the Illinois State Board of Education's "Those Who Excel Recognition Award for Excellence" in teaching and was honored with the Governor's "Master Teacher" award for his county.Mr. Everett's professional career also has included public school administration primary and intermediate school principal (K-6); currently preschool and primary school principal (pre-K-3) and Even Start Family Literacy Program principal (infants, preschoolers, and adults).
He has had the responsibility of representing Pekin Public Schools District 108 on local, state, and federal committees. Currently, he is serving as a member/officer of many community committees (Family Literacy Area Planning Council Committee, Pekin
Tourism/Visitors' Bureau, Pekin Chamber of Commerce); as a member of the Governor's Advisory Council on Illinois Reading and Literacy Partnership; as a participant on the Illinois State Board of Education/ NCATE Site Review Teams; as a reader of grants for the Illinois Secretary of State; and as a board member for the National Even Start Association.Brad and his wife, Marilyn, have two children and three wonderful grandchildren (Jenna 4, Max, 1 1/2, and Remi 6 months) and spend much of their free time enjoying family activities.
