Dr. Michelle Peterson, Ed.D. — Educator, Researcher, and the Founder Who Built Spark for Children Like Yours
The only preschool in Central Illinois founded and led by a doctoral researcher in early childhood education.
Some educators study early childhood development. Others spend decades in the classroom. Dr. Michelle Peterson did both — and then built a school to put it all into practice.
With a Doctorate in Education from Illinois State University, 20 years spanning the classroom, school leadership, and doctoral research, and four Illinois teaching certifications, Dr. Peterson founded Spark Academy to close the gap between what research proves about how young children learn and what most preschools actually do.
This page is her story — the career that led here, the research that drives the curriculum, and the personal conviction that every child deserves a beginning built on evidence, not tradition.
A Collision of Professional Life and Having Children of Her Own
Dr. Peterson spent the first decade of her career in the classroom — teaching kindergarten in Texas, fourth and fifth grade in Peoria, and then moving into school administration, where she served as an assistant principal for 8 years at Lincoln Elementary in Morton. She led school improvement teams, co-chaired PBIS implementation, coached teachers, and drove curriculum alignment across an entire building.
Then she became a mother.
When her own children started preschool, she experienced the local early childhood landscape from the other side of the table. What she found didn't match what she knew the research said was possible.
Worksheets with copyrights from 1987. Classrooms staffed by well-meaning adults without credentials in early childhood development. Waitlists so long that families who moved to the area after a child's birth had no chance of getting a spot. A gap between what the science of early learning demands and what the options in Central Illinois actually delivered.
So she built the school she was looking for.
She filed her LLC in 2022. After two years of meticulous planning — designing the curriculum, building out the space, assembling a team of degreed and credentialed teachers — Spark Academy opened its doors on July 10, 2023.
The school was designed to feel homelike. Many children walk in and kick off their shoes because it feels like they belong. Every classroom, every enrichment rotation, every corner of the Developmental Play Room was built to serve one purpose: giving young children the kind of beginning that research says they deserve.
She designed a school where parents don't drop their children off at a locked door and hope for the best. At Spark, families walk inside — into the classroom, into their child's day — because Dr. Peterson believes the best schools are the ones that welcome scrutiny, not avoid it.
A Personal Connection to Inclusive Education
Dr. Peterson's dedication to inclusive education is deeply personal — rooted in growing up alongside a family member with autism. That experience shaped her understanding, long before her doctoral research confirmed it, that every child deserves an environment where they can build friendships, develop confidence, and thrive alongside their peers.
It's one of the reasons her dissertation research at Illinois State University focused on peer engagement in preschool settings — specifically, how naturalistic, play-based interventions help young children with autism develop meaningful social connections. And it's why Spark Academy is built as an inclusive and adaptive learning environment, designed to serve the diverse needs of all young children.
20 Years From the Classroom to the Doctorate to the School She Built
A career that spans the classroom, school leadership, doctoral research, and founding a nationally distinctive preschool — every credential earned in service of young children.
Education
| Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) | Illinois State University, Normal, IL — PK–12 Educational Administration and Foundations. Dissertation research focused on peer engagement and autism in preschool settings using Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs). Completed Fall 2025. |
|---|---|
| Master of Science | Bradley University, Peoria, IL — Educational Administration. 2012. |
| Bachelor of Science | The University of Texas at Austin — Applied Learning and Development. 2005. |
Doctoral Degree
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
Illinois State University, Normal, IL — PK–12 Educational Administration and Foundations. Dissertation research focused on peer engagement and autism in preschool settings using NDBIs. Completed Fall 2025.
Master’s Degree
Master of Science
Bradley University, Peoria, IL — Educational Administration. 2012.
Bachelor’s Degree
Bachelor of Science
The University of Texas at Austin — Applied Learning and Development. 2005.
Illinois Certifications
| Superintendent Certificate (anticipated) | Qualifies Dr. Peterson to lead an entire school district. Signals executive-level educational leadership capability. |
|---|---|
| Chief School Business Officer (CSBO) | Certifies expertise in financial and operational management of school systems. Directly relevant to program design and startup consulting. |
| Type 75 Administrative Certificate | Standard Illinois administrative certification for school principals and assistant principals. |
| Texas Teaching Certificate | Early Childhood through Fourth Grade. Foundation credential from the start of her career. |
Certification
Superintendent Certificate (anticipated)
Qualifies Dr. Peterson to lead an entire school district. Signals executive-level educational leadership capability.
Certification
Chief School Business Officer (CSBO)
Certifies expertise in financial and operational management of school systems. Directly relevant to program design and startup consulting.
Certification
Type 75 Administrative Certificate
Standard Illinois administrative certification for school principals and assistant principals.
Certification
Texas Teaching Certificate
Early Childhood through Fourth Grade. Foundation credential from the start of her career.
Career Timeline
| 2022–Present | Founder & Executive Director, Spark Academy, Morton, IL Established and operates a play-based, inclusive preschool serving 320+ families. Full operational responsibility: curriculum development, staffing, licensing compliance, facilities, community partnerships, and the design of the Purposeful Play Framework. |
|---|---|
| 2015–2023 | Assistant Principal, Lincoln Elementary, Morton CUSD 709 Led school-wide instructional initiatives, teacher coaching, PBIS implementation (founding co-chair), curriculum alignment, crisis response, and special education program oversight. 8 years of building-level administrative leadership. |
| 2013–2015 | Assistant Principal (ISU S.A.M. Program), Unit 5, Bloomington, IL Supported instructional leadership, teacher evaluation, and student behavior systems across two elementary buildings. |
| 2008–2013 | Teacher (4th–5th Grade) & Interim Director of Summer Programs, Peoria Academy Classroom teacher, curriculum writer, accreditation team member, hiring committee. Broad range of institutional leadership roles. |
| 2005–2007 | Kindergarten & 2nd Grade Teacher, Temple ISD, Texas Career foundation in early childhood and elementary classroom instruction. |
2022–Present
Founder & Executive Director, Spark Academy, Morton, IL
Established and operates a play-based, inclusive preschool serving 320+ families. Full operational responsibility: curriculum development, staffing, licensing compliance, facilities, community partnerships, and the design of the Purposeful Play Framework.
2015–2023
Assistant Principal, Lincoln Elementary, Morton CUSD 709
Led school-wide instructional initiatives, teacher coaching, PBIS implementation (founding co-chair), curriculum alignment, crisis response, and special education program oversight. 8 years of building-level administrative leadership.
2013–2015
Assistant Principal (ISU S.A.M. Program), Unit 5, Bloomington, IL
Supported instructional leadership, teacher evaluation, and student behavior systems across two elementary buildings.
2008–2013
Teacher (4th–5th Grade) & Interim Director of Summer Programs, Peoria Academy
Classroom teacher, curriculum writer, accreditation team member, hiring committee. Broad range of institutional leadership roles.
2005–2007
Kindergarten & 2nd Grade Teacher, Temple ISD, Texas
Career foundation in early childhood and elementary classroom instruction.
Research Into Practice — Every Day, in Every Classroom
Dr. Peterson didn't just study how young children learn. She built a school that applies those findings every day. Here's what that looks like at Spark Academy.
The Purposeful Play Framework
Spark's proprietary curriculum framework, developed by Dr. Peterson and built on the Experience Early Learning curriculum. Integrates individualized developmental assessment, purposeful play, daily enrichment, and the Developmental Play Room into a cohesive approach grounded in research.
Explore the Purposeful Play Framework →A 5:1 Student-to-Teacher Ratio
The lowest ratio of any preschool in the area. Classes capped at 10–12 students across 4 sections. This isn't a marketing number — it's what makes individualization possible.
Degreed & Credentialed Teachers
Every teacher at Spark holds a degree and credential in education. “A lot of people just have people who like kids. They don't necessarily have a degree or credential.”
The Developmental Play Room
A dedicated, separate play environment that transforms monthly around new themes. The only playroom of its kind in the area — changed out every month, with pre-academic skills intentionally embedded.
Daily Enrichment Rotation
Five daily enrichments built into every program: Spanish (Mon), STEM (Tue), Art (Wed), Communication (Thu), Music & Movement (Fri). Not after-school extras — core programming.
An Inclusive Learning Environment
Built from the ground up as an inclusive, adaptive environment. Outside providers are welcomed into the building to support individual children. Inclusivity is structural, not a footnote.
320+ Families Served
Since opening in July 2023, Spark has served over 320 families across Central Illinois. A cumulative record of trust.
For Educators & Organizations
Two Decades of Experience — Now Available to Your Organization
Research-driven consulting in early childhood education, inclusive practices, and program development.
Dr. Peterson's expertise extends beyond Spark Academy. Drawing on her doctoral research, a decade of school leadership, and the daily practice of running a nationally distinctive preschool, she offers consulting services to educators, school leaders, and organizations seeking research-driven solutions in early childhood education.
Her consulting work spans NDBI implementation, developmental playroom design, inclusive classroom strategies, staff training, program evaluation, preschool startup guidance, improvement science methodology, and speaking engagements.
Whether you're a preschool owner looking to strengthen your program, a school district exploring inclusive practices, or a church launching a children's ministry — Dr. Peterson brings the same evidence-based rigor to your organization that she applies to Spark every day.
Or email Dr. Peterson directly: consulting@sparkacademymorton.com
What Colleagues Are Saying
Awaiting Dr. Peterson's input. Strongest candidate: Ms. Brenna / Shine Therapy Services (19 years of experience). This endorsement serves both audiences — parents see external credibility, educators see peer recognition. Confirm with Dr. Peterson which endorsement(s) to use and under which name.
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Have a Question?
Want to learn more about Spark or Dr. Peterson's background? We'd love to hear from you.
Come See What Dr. Peterson Has Built
Everything on this page becomes real the moment you walk through our doors. Schedule a tour and see the classrooms, meet Dr. Peterson, and discover what a preschool built on doctoral-level research and genuine care looks like from the inside.
Prefer to call? Reach us at 309-291-3292.
We're likely in the classroom, but leave a message and we'll return your call within 24 hours.