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. 

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Leadership

 

Angelica Quintero, Executive Director & Owner: Angi is the brains of the operation. She has 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.

 

David Webb, Administrator & Owner: David has a master’s degree in business and his bachelor’s is in kinesiology. David loves teaching classes and leading our team to be great role models for kids.

 

 

Ellie Heiking, Community & Culture Director: Ellie has a degree in Corporate Health Communication & Health Promotion from University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. She has 8 years of experience in childcare. Ellie establishes partnerships with local companies and organizations that complement our curriculum and programming. She loves to incorporate activities that focus on wellness and nutrition in her teaching. Passionate about fitness, she’s competed in 2 mud runs and 3 Susan G. Komen “Race for the Cure” events. Ellie also co-founded our non-profit arm, Global Playground. 

Kim Hinkley, Program & Purpose Director: Kim has 15 years of experience in education. She has designed play-based learning and youth-leadership development programs for schools in Chicago and San Francisco, as well as consulted with companies on how to infuse play into their work day. She coordinates special events, projects and programs, and manages our digital and social media presence. She holds a BA in sociology from University of Wisconsin – Madison and an MA in teaching from National Louis University. She is also a Well parent!

Jiabao Zhang, Organization & Values Director: Jiabao holds his MA in Music from University of Wisconsin – Madison, a BS in Project Management, and a BE in Finance. He has 3 years of experience in childcare. He is an opera singer and loves food & travel. Jiabao supports administrative and school program/curriculum projects, ensuring we are meeting and exceeding licensing standards. He also teaches Mandarin Language Learning and Voice Lessons to our preschool students. He is also a Well parent!

Seedlings (Infants)

 

Roberta Prasciunas, Lead Teacher: Ms. Roberta holds a BFA from the College of Design at Iowa State University. A lover of animals, nature and the outdoors, she taught skiing for 8 years, specifically coaching young downhill racers. This past winter, she renewed her PSIA (Professional Ski Instructor of America). She has over 15 years of nannying experience for children from infancy to preteen. Dependable, responsible and prompt, she enjoys the challenge of motivating children to be happy and healthy in a creative environment.

Sprouts (1 Year Olds)

 

Thokomele “Mbally” Ndwandwe, Lead Teacher: Ms. Mbally is originally from South  Africa, where she earned her diploma in Hospitality Management at Durban University of Technology. She is a firstborn of 5, and always loved looking after her siblings. She has 2 years child care experience and has been our teacher for infants and toddlers since she started at the Well. She is looking forward to furthering her studies to obtain a degree in Early Childhood Education. She is also a Well parent!

 

Jennifer Guilme, Lead Teacher: Ms. Jennifer holds her BS in Education from UW-Whitewater. She has been a stay-at-home-parent for the last several years, and is excited to join the Well along with her two young children! She loves seeing children grow and develop, each at their own pace and in their own way. She values the individuality of each child and loves to find ways to help them succeed in things they are interested in and also to encourage them to challenge themselves in areas that don’t come as naturally to them. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, time outside and listening to music. She is also a Well parent to two Wellies! 

Saplings (1 & 2 Year Olds)

 

Alexis Baynard, Lead Teacher & Dance/Movement Teacher: Ms. Alexis holds two degrees from University of Wisconsin – Madison, in Dance and Educational Studies. In addition to being a nanny and facilitating play-based activities for children diagnosed with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder, she has taught dance to all ages of children, creating inclusive and encouraging environments for all to explore movement and rhythm. She is excited to bring her expertise in dance, as well as experience in developing creative lessons and curriculum, to the Well! In her spare time, she enjoys paddleboarding and walking her dog, a Spaniel-Corgi mix named Buzzer!  

Becky Leider-Heiking, Lead Teacher (AM): After volunteering at the Well with special events and helping out in classrooms, Ms. Becky decided it was time for a career change and is happy to be here as a teacher! 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. Her latest position 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! 

Courtney Holman, Lead Teacher (PM): Ms. Courtney has her associate’s degree in Library & Information Services from Chippewa Technical College. She is currently attending University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee’s online campus to complete her BA in History. She also volunteers at the public library on weekends! In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her friends and partner. She is passionate about teaching and aiding the community. 

Blossoms (2 Year Olds)

 

Brooklyn Doby, Lead Teacher & Art Coordinator: Ms. Brooklyn was born and raised in Madison and graduated from Edgewood College with a bachelor’s in Art Therapy. During her time at Edgewood, she interned with Dane Arts Mural Arts (DAMA), creating community murals with children of various age levels. Since graduating, she has dedicated her time to exploring entrepreneurship and building an artist brand for herself. In the last two years, she has painted several murals around Madison, including ones a for the State Street Mural Project during the protests for George Floyd. She recently fulfilled one of her dreams of being a featured artist at Art Fair on the Square! She has always been passionate about art and the potential it has to make a positive impact on the world. She is super excited to have the opportunity to work with children in exploring their own creativity. Early childhood development makes up some of the most important years in a child’s life and Brooklyn believes that art is an amazing tool to help kids navigate their emotions, understand their sense of self, and engage them in their environment

Fabiola Alva, Lead Teacher: Ms. Fabiola has been at the Well since 2019 and has been working with children for 9 years, most recently in assistant teaching positions at Dane County Parent Council and Reach Dane. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education. She considers it a privilege not only to teach young minds but also learn from them. As a teacher, she loves supporting students in their social, emotional, mental and physical development. She has four children of her own, and a dog. She is also a Well parent! 

Willows (2 & 3 Year Olds)

 

Paje Mader, Lead Teacher: Ms. Paje holds a BS in Spanish with a minor in psychology from Madison’s Edgewood College. She was a student athlete there, playing volleyball for the Eagles. She has over 10 years of experience working with children, and over 5 years of experience working specifically with children with autism, ages ranging from 1- to 17-year-olds. She has a passion for mental health, languages, art and volleyball. 

Taniyah Reynolds, Lead Teacher: Ms. Taniyah (or “Ms. T”, as the Willows call her) was born and raised in Madison and attended MATC initially for nursing, but  is currently working on changing her major to Early Childhood Education. She has worked with children for 7 years and has always enjoyed it. She is an only child with a big extended family, and loves helping and watching children develop in many aspects. She enjoys baking, reading, and spending time with family and friends. 

Redwoods (3 Year Olds)

 

Analia Theo, Lead Teacher: Analia, or “Ms. Lia,” has 4 years of childcare experience working with 3-4 year old children. Before becoming an early childhood educator, she attended Aveda for esthetician school and worked in that field before switching to child care. She is extra passionate about sunscreen and the UV index and acts as our resident skin care advocate! She’s excited to advance her career in a forward-thinking preschool that challenges her and that helps move Early Childhood Education forward. 

Oksana Kindiuk, Lead Teacher: Ms. Oksana was born and raised in Madison, and holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has 8 years of experience working with children, mainly teaching gymnastics to kids ages 3-12 and nannying. She also plans on attending grad school to obtain an MS in Communication Sciences & Disorders to become a speech pathologist. Outside of work and school, she loves playing piano, cooking, and enjoying time outdoors.

Sequoias (4 & 5 Year Olds)

 

Maria Vasilev, Lead 4K Teacher: Ms. Maria is not only a Sequoias teacher, she 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 4 years, and holds her BS in Sport & Physical Education. Maria grew up in Romania and was an avid gymnast – she still enjoys practicing gymnastics!

Jaclynn Slappey, Lead 4K Teacher: Ms. Jaclynn, or “Ms. Jackie” as the Wellies call her, has been in child care for over 5 years. She holds her degree in Criminal Justice. Before she became an early childhood educator, she was in healthcare for over 20 years. She loves children, and has a 22-year-old son of her own and a black cat! She is passionate about her position and being an honest individual. 

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Enrichment Learning & Support

Grace Scheffler, Nutritionist: Ms. Grace is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Functional Nutrition at Parker University and has her BS in Allied Health Sciences from Grand Valley State University. She is a passionate caregiver, she has experience as a nanny, a child life volunteer at a children’s hospital, a summer reading program volunteer, as well as an intern at a camp for elementary students. 

 

Lizzie Snider, Float Teacher: Ms. Lizzie has several years of child care under her belt having cared for her nephews for the past 7 years since they were born . She loves to be outside and play sports, especially softball! She is attending MATC and will be pursuing a degree in Elementary Education.

 

Justyce McGuire, Float Teacher: Ms. Justyce was born in La Crosse, WI but moved to Madison  in 2017 for college and has been here ever since! She holds a BS from University of Wisconsin-Madison in Human Development and Family Studies with certificates in Disability Rights and Services, along with African Studies. She is currently still attending UW-Madison to complete her Masters in Social Work, focusing on Child and Family Welfare. She has over 15 years of experience working with children, ages ranging from 1 to 17 years old. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, and listening to music. As a future social worker, she has a passion for serving children and their families within their community.

Robin Moody, Float Teacher: Ms. Robin is from St. Paul, Minnesota, but is attending the University of Wisconsin – Madison, majoring in Elementary and Special Education. It is her junior year, so she looks forward to spending time learning from the Wellies before heading into student teaching next year! In high school, she was a summer camp counselor, babysitter, and coached dance camps for younger kids in her school district. She also works as a nanny in the summer. She loves hanging out with friends and family, board games, working out, and music. Ms. Robin is so excited to meet all the students and families of the Well! 

Rakshitha Nataraj, Float Teacher: Rakshitha completed her BS degree in Computer Science. She loves working with and being with children, which inspired her to reach out to us and join the Well as a teacher! She loves playing badminton and throwball (a very popular game in India!). She is also a Well parent!

 

 

Allie Sachtjen, Substitute Teacher: Ms. Allie has her Associate of Arts in Early Childhood  Education and 11 years of childcare experience. Allie was one of our first lead infant teachers. She recently finished her degree in the Dental Hygienist program at Madison College. She enjoys cooking, baking, hiking and traveling.

 

Rebecca Meza, Substitute Teacher: Ms. Becca has master’s degrees in psychology and educational policy studies. She first began teaching in West Africa through the Peace Corps and has since tutored or taught elementary, middle, and high school students. Miss Becca is particularly passionate about science and storytelling. She aims to create a learning environment where students can make meaningful connections with each other and the natural world. When she isn’t teaching Miss Becca is exploring the outdoors with her dog. 

Gayathri Manikandan, Substitute Teacher: Ms. Gayathri holds an MA in History & Heritage Management from Annamalai University in India, as well as a BA in History from Bharathidasan. University. Before relocating to Madison from India, she worked for a family architectural firm. She loves cooking and reading in her spare time, and is excited to utilize her genuine love for children (she is a parent herself!) to help them grow physically and intellectually.

Volunteers

 

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Want to volunteer?