Our Team of Teachers

Amanda  joined our staff in September 2009, and became the Center Director in 2016. Prior to that, she was our Program Coordinator and Baby Chicks teacher. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Administration from University of Wisconsin - Superior. Amanda started working in childcare in 1999 at UW-Platteville’s Children Center, and has also worked at Sunshine Playhouse in Lodi and as a nanny for a family in Madison. She holds a level 14 Wisconsin Registry Certification.

Ashley joined our team in 2020 as a float. She has been working in childcare since 2006, holds a level 12 certificate from The Registry and an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education from Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. Ashley started her career as a preschool teacher and then was promoted into management positions. Ashley was a director for 8 years. She enjoys working with children of all ages and creating bonds with families. She lives in Monroe with her 3 beautiful children that keep her extremely busy but she loves it!

Cassie K  joined Koala-T-Kare in May 2009. She is currently the center’s Assistant Director and also the Director of our Summer Kamp. She is a level 12 on the Registry and holds a bachelors degree in Recreation Management from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse.  She started her childcare career in 2003 when she worked part time at a YMCA while attending school.  Her experience ranges from lead classroom teacher, after school director, recreation director and Wellness Director. She enjoys working with kids of all ages and watching them learn while deep in play!

Cassie R joined the Koala-T-Kare team in July 2009. She graduated from Western Technical College in May 2009 with an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. Prior to joining us, she worked at Gundersen Lutheran Childcare Center in La Crosse for three years, mainly with infants and toddlers. 

Charley  joined the Koala-T-Kare team in August 2008. Prior to KTK, Charley's work experience includes over six years in a variety of childcare settings, with ages ranging from infants up to second graders. Charley obtained his Associates Degree in Early Childhood from North Central Michigan College.

Colleen  joined Koala-T-Kare in September 2013. She has worked in childcare since 2005 and has substituted in the area. She grew up in Brooklyn, WI. Colleen graduated from UW-Green Bay with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education. 

Felipa (Fely) joined KTK in 2022.  She was born and raised in Queretaro, Mexico, and has been in Madison for 18 years. Fely describes herself as a person dedicated to her work.  She comes to KTK with a Lead Teacher Certificate and 12 years of experience. She is passionate about working with children and continuing her education.

Greisly joined the KTK team in 2019. She is from Venezuela, her native language is Spanish and is currently taking English classes at Madison Technical College (MATC).

Jessica joined the KTK staff in September 2014 as the center’s cook. Before working as a cook, she was a hairstylist for eight years. After working in a children’s hair salon and enjoying being in an atmosphere centered on children, she made a career change to something she loved more than styling hair- cooking. She worked as a cook at Pooh Bear Childcare for three years before coming to KTK.

Katie joined KTK in August 2022.  She holds a ECE lead teacher certificate and is a Level 3 on the Registry.  She is from South Wayne, Wisconsin.  Katie started her childcare career in 2019 at La Petie with Ms. Ashley as her boss! She has a pomeranian named Sushi, who is her whole heart.

Kirstin joined KTK in July, 2022 and holds a Level 12 Registry Certificate.. She graduated spring of 2022 from North Dakota State University with a Bachelors Degree in Agriculture Economics. Kirstin played Division 1 Volleyball while at North Dakota State.. She now lives in Verona, WI with her husband, Joe. Joe is a plumber, his dad, Scott Riley, owns E-Z Plumbing out of Verona, WI. They have a Doberman named Anna after Anna from the Disney movie Frozen.

Kristi joined our teaching team in October 2012. She is a level 10 on the Registry and holds a ECE lead teacher certification as well as a Preschool Credential. She began working in childcare at Playhaven in 1986.  She then worked for five years at an in-home group center called It’s a Small World where, after a couple of years, she became the Program Director.  Prior to joining our team, she spent the last eighteen years as a Program Director at School’s Out Before & After School Program.

Margie joined the Koala-T-Kare team in July 2010. Born and raised in Texas, she has lived in Madison for 16 years. She has a B.S. in Education and has been working in childcare for more than 20 years and absolutely loves it! Currently, she works with the Penguins. Her professional experience includes working with children from 6 months to 17 years old and with children with a wide range of abilities.

Mary joined the KTK staff in April of 2013 as an assistant teacher and provides support to all of our teachers. She has worked in childcare for 10+ years. She is currently working on her associate degree in Early Childhood Education, along with completing courses through the Early Education station. Mary holds a level 3 certificate through the Wisconsin Registry. 

Sharlene started with KTK in November of 2022. She is a Registry Level 3 and holds a ECE Lead Teacher Certificate. She is originally from the Caribbean, (Grenada), and has been in Madison for over 20 years. Sharlene has raised 3 kids.

Tammy began her adventures with Koala-T-Kare in 2007.

She started her childcare years at Playhaven in 1990. Tammy then worked as the Assistant Director from 2003-2006. She has her Registry certificate, Infant/ Toddler certificates and many other certificates in the childcare field.