Meet Our Team

We are proud of the diversity of our staff and teachers’ educational & professional backgrounds and the array of talents they bring to the Well. Our staff is committed to reaching the required annual training and professional development hours. We encourage teachers to be creative with their continuing education so they can hone their skills and learn more about subjects they are interested in and passionate about. Teachers are up to date with CPR, First Aid, SIDS/SBS and Child Abuse & Neglect trainings and certifications. Our infant & toddler teachers complete additional training hours in “Fundamentals of Infant & Toddler Care.” In addition, we offer 90 hours focused on Introduction to the Childcare Profession and Skills & Strategies for the Childcare Teacher. 

Please note, we respect the privacy of all our team members and at times our staff or teachers opt to not have their photo and bio included on our website. 

Leadership

Angelica Quintero, Executive Director & Owner: Angi is the brains of the operation. She holds 2 master’s degrees in business and a bachelor’s in engineering. The idea for the Well came to Angi after having her second child and looking for like- minded families to connect with.

Danielle Christian, Center Director: Danielle (Danni) holds a Master of Science in Education from UW-Stevens Point, with specializations in Cross-Categorical and Early Childhood Special Education. Additionally, she holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from Alverno College. She has 8+ years of professional experience working with children, including working as a music therapist, owning her own music therapy practice, working as an early childhood special education teacher, and working as a lead teacher in a childcare center. Danni loves to sing, play guitar, and go camping with her family. She is passionate about promoting inclusion in the classroom as well as child-led, play-based learning. She is also a Well parent!  

Vijaya Shree Pitchumani, Administrator: Vijaya, or “Viji,” has a bachelor’s degree in physics, as well as a master’s degree in human resources management. She has an extensive background in IT, however, having two kids of her own (one of whom was a Wellie!) has grown her interest in pursuing a career that will allow her to stay connected to kids. She is passionate about being a nurturing presence at the school and supporting our teachers in their development. She is with the well from 2020.

Meghan Stecker, Assistant Director: Meghan Stecker (Meg) graduated from the University of Wisconsin — Madison with a degree in Music Education. Meg previously taught elementary general music in the public school system before deciding to shift their focus to a smaller and more personal teaching environment. In their free time, Meg loves to sing, play piano and guitar, and perform in musicals in the Madison Area. 

Seedlings (Infants)

Gerladine Saravia, Lead Teacher: Ms. Geraldine is originally from Central America’s Nicaragua. She received her education in psychology there. She has two kids who are 12 and 7 years old, respectively, and she adores them both. Because young children are the foundation for the future, she enjoys working with them. She likes to spend time with her children and read nice books in her free time.

Sophia Flores, Lead Teacher: Ms. Sophia is a Mexican native with limited experience working with kids, but she has a strong desire to learn and enjoys learning about raising kids, especially the little ones of the well. Despite not having a degree yet, she is passionate about child psychology. She enjoys being by herself, playing the ukulele, going skating or dancing with friends, and wearing a variety of outfits. Composing and recording music is one of her favorite pastimes.

Sprouts (1 Year Olds)

Santini Mejia, Lead Teacher: Ms. Santini is originally from Mexico, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in communication. She has a 9-year-old daughter. Ms. Santini has over 10 years of experience working in childcare. She loves teaching Spanish and is passionate about working with babies, as she gets to see them grow and see all their first tricks. Outside of work she enjoys hanging out with friends, dancing, exploring Madison and listening to music.

Linda Hernandez, Lead Teacher: Ms. Linda is active and loves learning and taking care of children. She believes it is important to care for every child as if they are her own. She is a mother and has cared for her nieces and nephews. She enjoys traveling, make-up, music, and dance. She enjoys cooking and trying out new cuisines in the kitchen. She has also been a float teacher for the past year in the Well and she especially likes the infants age group. She is also a Well Parent.

Saplings (1- & 2-Year Olds)

Lamees Moustafa, Lead Teacher: Ms. Lamees was born in Egypt and has a bachelor’s degree from Ismailia University. Lamees has 5 years of experience in early childhood education and worked for two childcare centers in Madison and Middleton. Lamees loves working with children because she believes helping them (and their families) is the most rewarding job she can think of! She celebrates the little things every single day. She also gets to be a part of the messy, amazing learning process and see so many smiles. Outside of work, she loves to meet new people and learn about other cultures and lifestyles. She loves to read books about diversity and global citizenship education. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, listening to soft music and cooking new foods.

Veronica Sanchez, Lead Teacher: Ms. Veronica is a mother of three and a native of Mexico. She spent more than 12 years working with children. She enjoys working with children, caring for them, and helping them reach their next milestone. she especially loves seeing how quickly they grow and learn about the world around them. She is very excited to continue her career at the Well.

Blossoms (2 Year Olds)

Susanna Daly, Lead Teacher: Ms. Susanna has over 17 years’ experience working with kids. She has taught dance to students from ages 2.5 to adult and is excited to switch focus to early childhood! Susanna believes that fostering creativity in the classroom in a safe and nurturing environment will make any child thrive! Susanna has a two-year-old son (and wellie!) and a 7-year-old stepson who keeps her on her toes! She also is a circus and dance performer when she isn’t at the Well.

Tamia Hamilton, Lead Teacher: Ms. Tamia or Ms. T started teaching at the Well in August 2024. She has 3+ years of experience in childcare. She always had love for kids and is looking to grow her career in early childhood. Ms. T loves to be outside, and to be around family and friends. 

Willows (2- & 3-Year Olds)

Abby Hill, Lead Teacher: Ms. Abby started teaching at The Well in August 2023. Previously, she studied at the University of Iowa, earning a bachelor’s degree in music performance and a minor in Communication Studies. Over the last decade, she has explored a variety of careers, but ultimately continues to be drawn back to early childhood education. She has always had a special spot in her heart for little learners and strives to be a teacher that little learners can count on!

Halle Roush, Lead Teacher: Ms. Halle was born in Janesville but now lives in Madison. Before coming to our center, she was a Paraprofessional in the Janesville School District where she spent most of her time in grades K-3. Working as a Para was Halle‘s first job working with children and she found her passion! In her free time, she likes spending time with family and friends. She has a twin sister and a brother who is in 6th grade. She loves to travel and has been to England, France, Italy, Spain and Ireland.

Redwoods (3 Year Olds)

Stella Bernal, Lead Teacher: Ms. Stella, also known as Techy, is a native of Cartagena, Colombia. She graduated from Bogota, Columbia, with an associate degree in early childhood education. Her son is thirty-three years old. She enjoys teaching children and learning from them, which is why she is passionate about working with children. Furthermore, encouraging the social, linguistic, emotional, and other development of children. She enjoys going on hikes, traveling, reading, watching movies, and hanging out with her loved ones.

Meghan Stecker, Assistant Director: Meghan Stecker (Meg) graduated from the University of Wisconsin — Madison with a degree in Music Education. Meg previously taught elementary general music in the public school system before deciding to shift their focus to a smaller and more personal teaching environment. In their free time, Meg loves to sing, play piano and guitar, and perform in musicals in the Madison Area. 

Sequoias (4- & 5-Year Olds)

Maria Vasilev, Lead 4K Teacher: Ms. Maria is not only a Sequoias teacher, but she also practices yoga with our young yogis. She started her adventure in the Well in 2018 as our volunteer yoga teacher, and shortly thereafter became a classroom teacher. She has been teaching yoga for over 6 years and holds her BS in Sport & Physical Education. Maria grew up in Romania and was an avid gymnast – she still enjoys practicing gymnastics!

Ellen Stang, Lead 4KTeacher: Ms. Ellen obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ellen taught at a children’s academy in Chicago for two years before recently moving back to Madison. She loves hiking, backpacking, and just about any activity involving nature! She also enjoys spending time with her dog, Randall, and cheering on the Wisconsin Badgers! Ellen looks forward to being a part of your children’s educational journey and cannot wait to help them discover the joy of learning!

Enrichment Learning & Support

Yorkaris Igirio, Nutrition Coordinator: Ms. Yorkaris  is originally from Venezuela and, although she has little experience with children, she has a great desire to learn from each and every one of them. She doesn’t have children of her own, but her love for her one-year-and-two-month-old niece inspired her to work with children. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending quality time with her family and friends, and one of the things that makes her happiest is skating. She always tries to wear a smile on her face to spread her positive vibes and happiness to everyone around her.

Brooke Barakat, Float Teacher: Ms. Brooke is currently a student at UW-Madison studying Elementary Education, focusing on teaching foreign languages with a minor in Business Chinese. She has been working with children for two years by teaching swim lessons during the school year and counseling during the summer. During her free time, she loves to read anything she can get her hands on, learn languages, and try out new recipes she finds online!

Molly Day Peterson, Music Teacher: Ms. Molly has been a music educator for almost 20 years and has experience teaching all ages from birth to high school.  She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Lawrence University Conservatory of Music, and plays piano, guitar and is a vocalist.  She has taught elementary and middle school music in the Baltimore City Public Schools, Madison Metropolitan School district, and Middleton Cross Plains School district.  In addition to her public school teaching experience she has directed choirs with the Baltimore Symphony ORCHkids program and the Handel Children’s Choir, and is a licensed Kindermusik instructor.  She lives in west Madison with her husband Ryan, children Stella and Henry and their black lab mix Millie.  She loves hiking, summer thunderstorms, and playing show tunes.

Sara Rohs, Dance Teacher: Ms. Sara raised in Minnesota, trained at numerous Twin Cities dance studios, including Zenon Dance Company, Ballet Arts, Stage Door Dance for Performing Arts, The FIRM, Dance Spectrum, and the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts. She furthered her dance education as a member of the Augsburg College Dance Team, eventually serving as its captain for three years and later as its coach for four years.

Becky Leider-Heiking: Ms. Becky was with us as a Saplings lead teacher before her retirement and looks forward to coming back as a volunteer for special events and other classroom support! She has worked for the Wisconsin Alumni Association as an administrative assistant and event planner and hosted several overseas alumni trips and countless Bowl trips. She also worked at ARC Maternal & Infant Community Services. Before teaching here, she was with the Dane County Drug Court through Journey Mental Health. She has experience working with people from all walks of life and really enjoys helping everyone. In her off hours she is a donation sorter for the Dane County Humane Society (which she says is very interesting!), loves making cards, scrapbooking and trying to upcycle and recycle anything she can. She has a grown son and daughter, three cats and a husband who enjoys biking and has played Santa Claus for the Well at winter events!