OUR STAFF--We're Here for You and Your Child
Our work is about one thing above all else – the individual development of your child. Adventures in Learning carefully screens and interviews teachers to ensure that they meet our high educational standards.
Our educators regularly participate in advanced training sessions and continuing education classes to ensure that they are always up-to-date with fresh ideas and sound teaching principles. Staff members are required to complete 25 hours of early childhood inservice training annually. All staff members are certified in CPR/First Aid/AED, and Shaken Baby Syndrome. We're proud of our staff members and all that they do. This is who we are:
Amie Putnam Owner/Director
Joined Adventures in 1999; Master degree in education; 25* years teaching.
Responsibilities: Accounting, preschool training, parent communication, fundraising, enrollment, special programs.
Specialties: Management Training, State Certifed educator, pre-school certified,
Personal: Live in Waunakee with 2 sons, husband, and 2 step daughters. Enjoy hiking, music, reading, biking, and time with family & friends.
Lynn Rolstad Owner/Director
Joined Adventures in June 1999. I have 25+ years experience.
Responsibilities: General management, staff training, parent/staff communications, parent tours, staff evaluations, food & supply orders.
Personal: Born & raised in Waunakee. I have two children and 2 pets that I very much enjoy. In my free time, I enjoy walking, biking and spending time with my family & friends.
Paula Breunig Owner/Director
Joined Adventures in Learning in August 1998.
25+ Years of Preschool teaching and 20 as a director.
Responsibilities: General Management, Scheduling, Staff Orientation, Student Enrollment, and Parent/Staff Communication
Personal: Born and raised in the Waunakee area. My husband and I enjoy camping on our land "up north", taking trips, hiking, and spending time with our family.
Colleen Hoven
Education/Training: Infant/Toddler Teqacher, Assistant Teacher, Lead Teacher, Assistant Director, Director, CPR
Experience in Childcare: 25+ years, with 21 years at Adventures
Personal: I am a part time director at Advenures. I have a husband and a daughter. We love to camp, bike, swim, go on vacations, and just spend time together. I love working in childcare! It is really amazing to see all of the kids I have had through the years and how some of them still remember me. My last 19 years at Adventures have been the best years I have been in daycare. It is a great place and I love coming to work every day!
Anna Ripp
Education/Training:Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education from University of St. Francis. Add on-Grad program at UW Whitewater
Experience in Child Care: 11 years teaching experience with 6 years at Adventures.
Personal: I live in Dane and have a 5 year old son and 3 year old daughter. I my free time I enjoy playing volleyball, truck pulling, and spending time on Lake Wisconsin.
Kelly Fischer
I have an associates degree in Early Childhood Education.
Experience in Child Care: 15 years with 13 years at Adventures
Personal: I teach preschool wrap. I am married and have a 4 year old son and a 2 yr old son. I love spending time with family & friends (boating, grilling, and fun activities outside). I really enjoy watching the kids grow and learn in many new ways. What a rewarding profession!
Cindy DeWinter
I have an associates degree in Business Administration and have an Administrative Credential in Early Childhood Education with many early childhood courses.
I have been teaching for 20+ years with 17 at Adventures.
I live in Waunakee with my husband, Tom, of 29 years. We have 3 daughters, Taylor, Morgan, and Laci. I love reading, puzzles, camping, traveling, organizing, horseback riding, and spending time with my family.
Amy Keller
Education/Training: BA degree in Therapeutic Recreation from UW-LaCrosse.
Experience in Child Care: 17 years at Adventures in Learning
Personal: Live in Waunakee with my husband and 2 boys. We keep busy attending the boys various athletic events. We all enjoy cheering for the Packers, Badgers, and Brewers.
Linda Keller
Education/Training: taken numerous chid care certifiction courses.
Experience in Child Care: 17 years including 15 years at Adventures
Personal: Married with 3 wonderful chldren. We enjoy watching our children participate in their various sports activities, traveling, biking, and spending time with famly and friends at our cabin.
Miranda Wallis
I have attended MATC for 3 years in the transfer program and continue to take online courses.
I am new to teaching and recently joined Adventures in Learning.
I live in Windsor with my boyfriend. In my free time, I love spending time with my family, my boyfriend's family, and friends. My hobbies include reading, enjoying the outdoors, and watching movies.
Jackie Middleton
I am a certified lead teacher with an associates degree in Liberal Arts. I'm currently enrolled at Edgewood College pursuing a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. I have 17+ years of teaching experience with 12 being at Adventures.
I reside in Spring Green with my husband. We enjoy fishing, hunting,and camping.
Donna Patik
Education/Training: Certified in Early Childhood Education
Experience in Child Care: 26 years with 12 at Adventures.
Personal: I have 3 adult chidren, Brenda, Leah, and Cindy, one son in law, Nathan and a daughter in law, Alba. I am involved in several children's ministries at my church. I enjoy reading, sewing, taking long walks, and traveling to visit family across the country and beyond.
Aleia Larson
I am starting my career in early childhood education and have taken some of the initial courses.
I have been teaching for 2+ years with half a year at Adventures.
My fiance and I love fishing, hiking, camping, and anything outdoors that includes our dogs. I love spending time with my family.
Patty Sheahan
Education/Training: Certified in Early Childhood with 6 years of child care courses and extensive infant and toddler training.
Experience in Child Care: 12 Years at Adventures.
Personal: Married with 3 children. I enjoy reading, camping, boating, scrap booking, and collecting dolls. I spend my free time with family and friends and enjoy wisconsin sports, campfires, cookouts, golfing, and swimming.
Malorie Severn
Education/Training: I have a bachelor's degree in Child and Family Development
I have been teaching 6 years with 1/2 a year at Adventures.
I live with my husband and cat. I grew up in Kansas City, MO, where my parents, younger sister, and most of my family live. In my free time, I enjoy running, riding my bike, seeing family, and doing puzzles.
Sue Moua
I have a BS in Early Childhood Education and am certified in AED, Child CPR, DPI 71, First Aid, Infant Care, and Pediatric First Aid
I have taught for 1 year, with half a year at Adventures.
I come from a big family of 4 brothers and 7 sisters. I am currently living with my husband, daughter, and dog, named Rosie. I really enjoy spending time with my huge family and times alone with my tiny family. I love cooking, singing, playing sports, and sleeping. I love watching children learn and grow into future leaders.
Sara Kellerhuis
My education includes both childcare classes and I am currently going to school for my school-age credential.
I have 20+ years of teaching with 3 years at Adventures.
I have been married for 20 years, have 2 children, Ashley and Bailey, and 3 adorable grandchildren. I enjoy boating, fishing, and cruising around in our Camaro. We are also proud owners of a rescue dog named Dewey. I love children and love helping them learn and grow, daily.
Ashley Hynek
I have a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, I am CPR/First Aid Certified, and have several Early Childhood courses.
I have 7+ years teaching experience with 2 years at Adventures.
I am married and we have a daughter, JaLeeyah, who is 7. We love to camp and spend time with family and friends. We foster dogs and enjoy watching Badger football games.
Ashley Warwick
I have taken the Infant and Toddler Development classes, CPR/First Aid, and various courses through Care and Education Station.
I have 5+ years teaching experience with 3 years at Adventures.
In my free time I like to go hiking and to the movies with my boyfriend, Johnny. I live with Johnny and my cat. I have 3 brothers. I am a big family person and spend a lot of time with them.
Ellie Force
I studied at UW Whitewater and received a bachelor's degree in early childhood and special education.
I have taught for 2 years with over 1 year at Adventures
I grew up and live in Madison with my fiance Matthew. In my spare time I like to experiment with new cooking and baking, read, watch new shows on Netflix, and spend time with my 11 year old niece, Lola, and baby nephew ATW.
Caitlyn Nelson
I have training in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, CPR, and SIDS
I have 4+ years of teaching experience with 2 years at Adventures
I have 2 older siblings, plus an amazing nephew and loving parents, who mean the world to me. In my free time, I spend time with family and friends. I enjoy reading, writing, and drawing. I also enjoy taking my 2 dogs, Max and Lucy for walks.