Julie Hedges graduated from Hope College with an elementary education humanities major.  While teaching preschool, she earned her master’s in early childhood education through Grand Valley State University.  She then began her in home daycare which ran for 10 years until Julie and her family moved to England.  In England, Julie volunteered in the school systems.  Upon returning to the USA, she began  and stays teaching at Park Township TotTime and the Treehouse Learning Center .  After volunteering for many years in the Kids Hope program, Julie has taken on the role of Director for Kids Hope at Maplewood.

Julie has been married to Dave for 25 years. They have 2 adult children, Erica, who works in Chicago, and Jake, who attends Hope College. In her spare time, Julie enjoys singing, piano playing, scrapbooking, and camping.