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 18 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 19 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: 9 years teaching experience with 4 years at Adventures.
Personal: I live in Dane and have a 2 year old son and 1 year old daughter. I my free time I enjoy playing volleyball, truck pulling, and spending time on Lake Wisconsin.
Kelly Fischer
Education/Training: Early Childhood Education Degree, Early Childhood certified with lead teacher courses
Experience in Child Care: 13 years with 11 years at Adventures
Personal: I teach part time preschool and preschool wrap. I am married and have a 2 year old son and a newborn 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!
Sandie Theis
I have a Bachelor's in Elementary Education from UW Madison with a Masters in Curriculum & Instruction
I have 20+ years of teaching experience with 1 here at Adventures
I have been married for 22 years and have 3 children, Cassidie (14), and twins Carter and Caitlin (12) I love to spend time with my family doing anything. Carter plays baseball and basketball and Cassidie and Caitlin both dance. We are very busy! I also love our dogs Riley and Finley and we go for many walks. When there is time, I enjoy decorating, baking, and reading.
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 15 at Adventures.
I live in Waunakee with my husband, Tom, of 27 years. We have 3 daughters, Taylor, Morgan, and Laci. I love reading, puzzles, camping, traveling, organizing, horseback riding, and spending time with my family.
Laura Sonday
I attended UW Milwaukee and received a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with minors in Math and English.
I have 5 years of teaching experience with 2+ years at Adventures
I have an amazing husband, Dustin and a beautiful, sassy/spunky 5 year old daughter, Charlotte. We are expecting a baby this summer. I love spending time running, watching my daughter do gymnastics, and going on adventures with may family. I absolutely adore children of all ages and love watching them grow!
Ellen Hooker
Education/Training: BS in marketing from UW-LaCrosse. I have child care certification through Madison College.
Experience in Child Care: 7 years of child care and 5 years at Adventures.
Personal: I am married with 4 school age children. My hobbies revolve about our children/dog and their interests. They are all involved in sports. I also like to bike ride, go to movies, swim, golf and play tennis. I feel fortunate to be a part of Adventures in Learning!
Shelby Craemer
I have a bachelor's degree in Social Work from UW River Falls.
I have 3+ years teaching experience in special education and 1 year at Adventures.
I enjoy doing anything outdoors, running, yoga, swimming, and reading. I like WI sports, history, and doing anything with animals.
Amy Keller
Education/Training: BA degree in Therapeutic Recreation from UW-LaCrosse.
Experience in Child Care: 15 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: 15 years including 13 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.
Annah Kirch
I have a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and am a certified teacher.
I have 3 years teaching experience with 6 months at Adventures.
I live in Madison with my fiance. We enjoy exploring the city and spending time with friends. I also like to walk around my neighborhood, read, do wedding planning, and spend time with family.
Jackie Middleton
Education/Training: Childcare courses and Teaching courses through MATC.
Experience in Child Care: 16 years of Day Care experience with 9 years at Adventures.
Personal: I enjoy boating, camping, fishing, water skiing.
Donna Patik
Education/Training: Certified in Early Childhood Education
Experience in Child Care: 24 years with 10 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.
Samantha Ripp
Education/Training: Completed various Early Childhood courses at Madison College. Will be completing my associate degree soon.
Experience in Child Care: 9 years of Preschool instruction at Adventures.
Personal: I enjoy playing softball, volleyball, and darts. I like going boating, swimming, and camping. I also work at my parents business on nights and week-ends. Working with 4 year olds has been very rewarding..I have enjoyed it ever since I began babysitting my cousins when I was younger.
Stacy Zimmerman
I have a BA in Psychology from UW Platteville.
I have 1+ years teaching experience with 1/2 a year at Adventures.
I have a husband and 2 daughters and live in Mazomanie. I enjoy hiking, traveling, reading, and 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: 10 Years
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.
Linda Kessenich
Michele Peters
I have Early Education Training, CPR and an associates degree in Criminal Justice.
I have 20+ years of teaching with a few months at Adventures.
I am a mother of 4 children and a grandmother of 2 boys. I love spending time with family and friends. I enjoy riding on the open road, going to concerts, reading, and being outdoors.
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 1+ year at Adventures.
I have been married for 18 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.
Melody Tollefson
Education/Training:
Experience in Child Care: I have been at Adventures in Learning for 12 years.
Personal:
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 5+ years teaching experience with 1 year at Adventures.
I have a daughter, JaLeeyah, who is 6. I am getting married on Sept. 15, 2018. We love to camp and spend time with family and friends. We foster dogs and enjoy watching Badger football games.
Lauran Lohman
Micki Weger-Donley
I attended Madison College and UW Madison.
I have 25+ years of teaching with 2+ years at Adventures.
I have a husband, Fuzzy, daughter, Becky (in California) and her husband and 2 children Miles and Ella. We have chickens and garden vegetables. It is a joy to live in the country. I also quilt, teach Sunday school and participate in Meals on Wheels.
Ashley Warwick
I have taken the Infant and Toddler Development classes, CPR/First Aid, and various courses through Care and Education Station.
I have 3+ years teaching experience with 1+ year 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.
Morgan DeWinter
I have taken several early education classes.
I have 3 years teaching experience, all at Adventures.
I grew up in Waunakee with my parents and 2 sisters (I'm the middle child!). I enjoy reading, writing, photography, and video editing. I also enjoy swimming, whenever possible, as I was on a swim team for many years. With my dad being a pilot and growing up around airplanes, I take part in the joy of flight.
Gene Freund
Education/Training:
Experience in Child Care:
Personal:
Caitlyn Nelson
I have training in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, CPR, and SIDS
I have 2+ years of teaching experience with 6months 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.
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