Susan Putnam works at the Mary Randall Preschool. Courtesy | Susan Putnam

Susan Putnam, head preschool teacher at Mary Randall Preschool, talks Michigan, Diet Coke geysers, and basketball.

What is your favorite childhood memory?  

Playing card games with my family, especially my grandparents. People talk and laugh easily while playing cards. Our game of choice is Euchre, and I started playing at 7 years old. So many great times have been spent holding cards.

Where are you from? 

I am a Michigan native. I may sound like a “Pure Michigan” promo, but you are never more than six miles from a natural water source, 85 miles from one of the Great Lakes, and can bike, hike, or ride on more than 13,000 miles of trails. If you love the outdoors, you’ll love Michigan!

What inspires you to teach?  

Mary Randall Preschool. Teaching at a laboratory preschool allows me to be “the first” teacher for some and “the last” teacher for others. The preschoolers are an easy audience because they have just begun learning and want to be taught. The college-age students are a more challenging audience because they don’t want to be taught — they want to be inspired to learn.

What is an unpopular opinion that you have? 

Please stop saying you read an audiobook. . You listened to a book —  no, it is not the same thing.

What is your favorite memory inside the classroom? 

Making a Diet Coke geyser. The first time I did this experiment, the preschoolers were pretty close to the splash zone and loved it! It has now become a favorite science experiment at Mary Randall Preschool.

What are your hobbies? 

Bike riding, kayaking, supping, jigsaw puzzling, tromping in the woods, home renovating, trivia, and reading.

What is your favorite song/musical piece? 

“I Get to Love You” by Ruelle. I highly recommend a listen if you are looking for a wedding song. It was a perfect day!

Dogs, cats, or fish?  

Dogs. They are the pleasers of the animal kingdom.

Favorite book character? 

Hermione Granger. I enjoyed reading the Harry Potter series with my kids.

What is your favorite part of the day? 

The second cup of coffee. The first cup is necessary, but the second cup always feels indulgent.

What is something people would be surprised to know about you? 

Hillsdale College was my first employer out of college, but it was in athletics, not academia. I spent over 10 seasons on the women’s basketball coaching staff.

What is the best piece of advice you received?  

“Go outside and play!” It is advice we should all aspire to follow regardless of our age.