Born and raised in Michigan, Connie received her BA degree from Eastern Michigan in elementary education. She went on to receive her master’s degree from EMU in 1992. In 2006 she was among the first group of Michigan teachers to be awarded certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards early childhood education. Early in her career she helped create a preschool program through the Canton recreation department called Canton Crickets. She spent much of her career in Dearborn Public Schools in their at-risk preschool readiness program. She still occasionally subs in Dearborn schools.
Like her husband John, Connie is involved with Face Addiction Now, Lost Voices and various community programs.