July 13, 2026 - Midland Public Schools (MPS) is pleased to announce that veteran early childhood educator Laurie Winke has been hired as the new director of Carpenter Pre-Primary Center, effective July 14, 2026. Her hiring follows former director Melissa Ahearn becoming the new principal of Chestnut Hill Elementary earlier this month.

Winke joins MPS with more than a decade of experience in early childhood education. She previously served as the building administrator and early childhood inclusion coach at Carrollton Public Schools, and has held administrative roles and teaching positions in early childhood education in several other Michigan school districts.

Winke holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Ferris State University and a master’s degree in teaching from Saginaw Valley State University. She also holds a Birth to Kindergarten (B-K) Certification and PK-12 Administrator Certification.

"Laurie brings an incredible combination of experience, leadership, and heart to Carpenter Pre-Primary Center,” said MPS Superintendent Penny Miller-Nelson. “Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to creating high-quality early learning environments where children can thrive and families feel supported. We look forward to seeing her lead our talented staff at the Pre-Primary Center in support of our students, families, and school community.”

The Carpenter Pre-Primary Center is an early childhood education center operated by Midland Public Schools. The Pre-Primary Center offers a variety of educational options for students ages 3-5, including tuition-based preschool, GSRP tuition-free preschool, and Developmental Kindergarten (DK). For more information, visit cpp.midlandps.org.