Meet Our Teachers

Our Teachers & Volunteers

 

Say hello to our caring, enthusiastic teachers! We are proud of the diversity of our 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 all up to date with CPR, First Aid, SIDS/SBS and Child Abuse & Neglect trainings and certifications.

Seedlings (6 Weeks – 1 Year Olds)

Diana Tyler, Lead Teacher: Miss Diana has been caring for children since she was 10 years old. She has a BS in Early Education and has worked with children from ages 2 weeks old to seniors in high school, however her passion is working with the little ones. She has rocked and cuddled more children than she can count during her career and enjoys all the smiles and hugs she gets from our Wellies! She is a grandma of four.

Julia Brown, Lead Teacher: Miss Julia holds her BA in Psychology from University of Wisconsin – Madison. Prior to The Well, she worked with children in camp settings, as a nanny, and taught at Madison Sports & Recreation (MSCR) summer programs. She loves sports, music, traveling and pretty much anything there is to do outside during Madison summers.

Sprouts (1 Year Olds)

Maria Vasilev, Lead Teacher: Ms. Maria is not only a Sprouts teacher, she practices yoga with our young yogis. She has been teaching yoga for 2 years, and holds her BS in Sport & Physical Education. She also enjoys practicing gymnastics, which she has done since she was a child.

 

Felipa Garcia, Lead Teacher:  Ms. Felipa has 10 years of child care experience. She is passionate about working with kids and feels complete when teaching and learning from them. She loves singing, arts and crafts, reading to her students and teaching them Spanish. 

 

Laura Vandenburg, Lead Teacher: Miss Laura has a BS in Non-Profit Leadership and Spanish from UW-Madison. Over the last few years, Laura has had different experiences working with kids at summer camps. She is excited to join the Sprouts room! 

 

Saplings (2 Year Olds)

Alisha St. Pierre, Lead Teacher/Teaching & Learning Manager: Alisha, or “Ms. Lish”, has her MA in Urban Special Education from Cardinal Stritch University and a BA in Journalism & Mass Communications from University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. She has 11 years of teaching experience and manages our curriculum development. She enjoys creating things, performing improv, and is a Well parent too!

Shawn Vasquez, Lead Teacher: Mr. Shawn has 5 years of experience providing ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy for toddlers and children ages 4-10 years. He has 10 years of experience performing stand-up and improv comedy which comes in handy when working with the Saplings! He enjoys dancing, nature walks and performing.

 

Viji Pitchumani: Miss Viji has a bachelor’s degree in Physics, as well as a masters degree in Human Resources Management. Viji has an extensive background in IT, however, having two kids of her own has grown her interest in pursuing a career that will allow her to stay connected to her kids. She is passionate about being a nurturing presence in the classroom. 

 

Blossoms (3 Year Olds)

Aubre Poole, Lead Teacher: Miss Aubre graduated from UW-Madison with a BS in Rehabilitation Psychology. She’s worked with children for 6 years, and children with disabilities for the last 2 years. She has also worked at MSCR, Playgrounds, and the Waisman Center. In her free time she enjoys listening to music, watching Netflix, hiking, kayaking, and playing basketball. 

Analia Theo, Lead Teacher: Analia, or “Miss Lia,” has 2 years of childcare experience working with 3-4 year old children. She’s excited to advance her career in a forward-thinking preschool that challenges her and that helps move Early Childhood Education forward.  

 

Willows (4 Year Olds)

Breanna Geunther, Lead Teacher: Miss Breanna has 3 years of Early Childhood Education experience , 4 years of experience coaching high school softball and is currently in her second year of coaching collegiate softball at Edgewood College. She loves teaching activities that focus on teamwork, cooperation, and coordination skills. She enjoys sports, music, and cooking.

Brittany Beasley, Lead Teacher: Miss Brittany holds bachelor’s degrees in both English and Spanish from Presbyterian College in South Carolina. She studied abroad  in Spain and has taught in the U.S. and Colombia. She has worked with kids from 2 years old up to 9^th grade. Brittany is passionate about education and lifelong learning.

Redwoods & Sequoias (5 – 8 Year Olds)

Ellie Heiking, Lead Teacher/Community Relations Manager: Miss Ellie has a degree in Corporate Health Communication & Health Promotion from University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. She has 8 years of experience in childcare. Passionate about fitness, she’s competed in 2 mud runs and 3 Susan G. Komen “Race for the Cure” events. She loves to incorporate activities that focus on wellness and nutrition in her teaching.

Fabiola Alva, Lead Teacher: Miss Fabiola has been working with children for 8 years, most recently in assistant teaching positions at Dane County Parent Council and Reach Dane. She considers it a privilege not only to teach young minds but to also learn from them. As a teacher, she loves supporting students in their social, emotional, mental and physical development. She has three children of her own, and a dog.

Enrichment Learning

Emily Cibulka, Nutrition Coordinator & Float Teacher: Emily holds her BS in Kinesiology-Exercise and Movement Science from UW-Madison. She enjoys preparing whole foods and educating others on how to make healthy choices whether it is related to their nutrition or not. She has cared for children ages 9 and under for 11 years and has experience working with children with diverse abilities for the past 4 years. She enjoys doing CrossFit, playing with her puppy, cooking and watching sports.

Volunteers

 

 

Want to volunteer?