2025-2026 Registration is now open
Eligibility:
- Must be at least 3 years old by Sept 1
- Tier 1: Pokagon Band citizens, siblings, and/or residents in a Pokagon household;
- Tier 2: Other Native Americans;
- Tier 3: All Other
- Special consideration will be given to PBOPI and Four Winds employees
Zagbëgon: An Early Learning & Development Academy
Zagbëgon means sprouts in Potawatomi. Our Zagbëgon have grown from seeds and now have their own roots. Zagbëgon are peeking out from gokmeskinan (our grandmother earth) so they can look about their world and begin to form their identities and grow stronger with all of creation.
Mission Statement: To serve children, families and community by creating a safe and nurturing environment that provides social, emotional, spiritual, physical, and academic support.
Hours of Operation
7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Phone: (269) 783-2469
Fax: (269) 782-8680
Address: 58620 Sink Road, Dowagiac, MI
Zibé Room
Preschool: Miss Kellie and Miss Carrie
Monday through Thursday
8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Peshkwa Room
Kindergarten: Miss Cassie and Miss Mandy
Monday through Thursday
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Mtegwaké Room
Preschool: Miss Tammy and Miss Dani
Monday through Thursday
9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Team
Autumn Carlson – Site Manager – (269) 462-4327 Autumn.Carlson@PokagonBand-nsn.gov
Elizabeth Milliken – Center Assistant – (269) 783-3197 Elizabeth.Milliken@PokagonBand-nsn.gov
Scott Woods – Bus Driver/Class Aid - (269) 462-4330 Scottie.Woods@PokagonBand-nsn.gov
Victoria Bickham – Bus Driver/Class Aid - (269) 462-4332 Victoria.Bickham@PokagonBand-nsn.gov
Donald Sumners – Elder Cultural Associate - (269) 462-4237 Donald.Sumners@PokagonBand-nsn.gov
Andrew Bussler – Zagbëgon Cook - (269) 462-4289 Andrew.Bussler@PokagonBand-nsn.gov
Teachers
Kellie Wilson – Zibé Lead Teacher - Kellie.Wilson@PokagonBand-nsn.gov
Carrie Neumann – Zibé Assistant Teacher - Carrie.Neumann@PokagonBand-nsn.gov
Tamela Watson – Mtegwagké Lead Teacher – Tamela.Watson@PokagonBand-nsn.gov
Danielle Hyatt – Mtegwagké Assistant Teacher – Danielle.Hyatt@PokagonBand-nsn.gov
Cassaundra Ettinger – Peshkwa Lead Teacher -Cassaundra.Ettinger@PokagonBand-nsn.gov
Amanda Galvan – Peshkwa Assistant Teacher -Amanda.Galvan@PokagonBand-nsn.gov
Recently, PBS came to learn more about PALS, our Play and Learn Social. After a morning of videos and interviews, the final product is ready for air time! Migwėtth to Autumn Carlson, site manager at Zagbëgon Academy, Rachel Orvis, PALS coordinator, and SteVee Johnson, a Pokagon parent who were interviewed for the segment.
This segment aired on Education Counts in October 2024.