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.

Vijaya Shree Pitchumani, Center Director & 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 has been with the well since 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 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 loves working with kids, especially the little ones of the well. Despite not having a degree yet, she is passionate about child psychology. She enjoys playing the ukulele, going skating, dancing with friends, and fashion. Composing and recording music is one of her favorite pastimes.

Sprouts (1 Year Olds)

Santini Mejia, Lead Teacher: Ms. Santini earned her bachelor’s degree in communication in Mexico. 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)

Veronica Sanchez, Lead Teacher: Ms. Veronica is a mother of three. She spent more than 12 years working with children. Veronica 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.

Fernanda Barahona, Lead Teacher: Ms. Fernanda, originally from Honduras, has three years of experience working with children ranging from infants to four-year-olds. She is a creative, empathetic, patient, and responsible educator who is passionate about working with preschool children and contributing to the future of our community. Fernanda enjoys spending time with her family and engaging in various activities together. She is also a proud mother of two wonderful children.

Blossoms (2 Year Olds)

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. 

Bhargavi Siva Kumar, Lead Teacher:  Ms. Bhargavi (Ms. Bee) holds a Master’s degree in English Literature and a Bachelor’s degree in Travel and Tourism. She has a genuine affection for children and loves to bring smiles in people’s faces. Her passion for arts and crafts adds a creative touch to everything she does. With over five years of experience in administration and website content management, she wants to pursue a career in childcare inspired by her mother who is a teacher. Although new to the childcare industry, Bhargavi is enthusiastic about making a positive impact on young minds.

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!

Rylan Kennedy, Lead Teacher: Rylan has dedicated over ten years to working with children, driven by a deep passion for play and connection. Their experience spans early childhood education, elementary summer camps, foster care, and supporting individuals with special needs. Currently, they are studying at Madison College. In their leisure time, Rylan enjoys listening to music and exploring the outdoors.

Redwoods (3 Year Olds)

Stella Bernal, Lead Teacher: Ms. Stella, also known as Techy, is a native of Colombia. She has 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.  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.

Yuky Ren, Float Teacher: Ms. Yuky graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in May 2024, with a major in Elementary Education and a certificate in English as a Second Language. She is originally from China; she is fluent in both Mandarin and English. Her experience spans two years working with children from kindergarten through middle school. Now, Ms. Yuky has chosen The Well Preschool as the new chapter in her professional journey.

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!