Board of Directors
rcboard@redcaboosechildcare.org
Aaron Stephenson
Board President
I am a Red Caboose parent of two children, a daughter in the preschool program, and son who has participated in the school age program. In my professional life, I work with the US Geological Survey as a Senior Developer and Solutions Architect. In my free time, I enjoy reading, getting outdoors to hike and canoe, and attempting to become a decent cook. I am excited about the future of Red Caboose as we continue our work of serving children and families in Madison.
Colin Stroud
Board Vice President
I was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin. My family and I found out about Red Caboose when we moved back from Washington D.C. I am grateful that we found such a vibrant, diverse, and loving environment for our two children and that I get to be part of this vital organization. In my professional life, I work as an attorney focusing primarily on civil rights.
Cindy Gillis
Board Treasurer
I grew up in Stevens Point, but have called the Madison area home for over 30 years. I currently work for UW-Madison, but my previous employer is an accounting firm specializing in non-profits. That is how I became involved with Red Caboose as I did their monthly accounting. Their staff and mission inspired me to join the Board.
Bridget St. Peter
Board Secretary
I am a 10 year Madison resident who loves this city. I am passionate about equity and education. We have so much to learn from our youth and we need to do our best to make sure we take down barriers that might inhibit them to becoming their best selves. I currently teach at Madison East High School and love my work there.
Andrea Suarez
Board Member
My time working at Red Caboose was focused on advancing and creating connections with the staff, children, and families in our programs. My values closely align with those of Red Caboose’s mission to provide a safe and inclusive environment for children and families along with the importance of social emotional learning. I am currently pursuing my master’s degree in social work. I hope to be an asset to the Board and want to bring fresh ideas.
Kris Moelter, Board Member
I have been part of the Madison community for over 20 years. My community work revolves around strengthening families and trying to make our systems more equitable and inclusive, including serving as a peacemaker with the Dane County Community Restorative Court, and being a member of the Community Response Team and Dane County Timebank.
Administrative Team
Jason Anderson
Executive Director, Board Member (non-voting)
director@redcaboosechildcare.org
My career has been dedicated to creating the conditions that support the social and emotional development of children through quality child care, after school programs and summer camps. I am eager to connect with families and become part of Red Caboose’s quintessentially Madison story while collaborating with our staff and community partners to write the next chapter.
Lisa Fiala
Project Administrator
I have been with Red Caboose for many years in various roles including School Age Program Director, Executive Director and now Project Administrator. I am excited to be working on Red Caboose’s new facility project and our New Tracks Capital Campaign to make it happen.
Kim Owens
Billing Coordinator
billing@redcaboosechildcare.org
I’ve been the Billing Coordinator here since 2013. At Red Caboose, I feel like I’m part of something bigger than just sending out bills. Here I get to help families with their different funding sources, actively advocate for folks who need it, and be a part of Red Caboose’s inclusive mission in a really direct way. I also get to meet the very best families in Madison!
Wendy Rakower
Director Emeritus
emeritus@redcaboosechildcare.org
I served as the Executive Director at Red Caboose for many years. I am grateful to continue to support Red Caboose’s development efforts.
Nutritional Coordinator
Barbara Wright
Nutritional Coordinator
I have been a Madison chef for more than 40 years. I have worked in many food establishments over my long career. I am a firm believer in eating a healthy diet of locally grown foods cooked with the exotic flavors of far-away lands. I love to teach kids and their parents the farm-to-table way of eating.
Preschool Program Team
Crystal Ranson
Preschool Program Director, Board Member (non-voting)
I am passionate about Early Childhood Education and creating a safe, warm environment for all children and families. I have been in the field for over 15 years with experience in school age and in the preschool classroom. I am most excited about Red Caboose’s mission and helping to advance our anti-bias curriculum and diversity.
Cheryl Heiman
Turtle Room (11-24 mo.) Lead Teacher, Board Member
turtles@redcaboosechildcare.org
I have been a teacher with Red Caboose since 1974 and have been the Lead Teacher in the Turtle Room for most of those years. Things have changed over the years, but our commitment to providing exceptional care and early childhood education continues.
Kathy Barkus
Turtle Room (11-24 mo.) Teacher
I have over 25 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. I am fortunate to have worked with a vast and diverse population of children over the years. I earned an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and graduated with high academic honors.
Morgan Cutler
Turtle Room (11-24 mo.) Teacher
I have been working in the early childcare field for a few years. I recently graduated from Madison College with an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education. A couple of years ago I got recommended to come and work at Red Caboose, and I have been here ever since.
Katie Draeving
Elephant Room (2-3 yrs.) Lead Teacher
elephants@redcaboosechildcare.org
I have been working with children for over 20 years and have been with Red Caboose since 2015. I enjoy craft projects and hobbies like sewing.
Kristi Cherry
Elephant Room (2-3 yrs.) Teacher
I have more than 10 years of experience in Early Childhood Education and started at Red Caboose in 2019. I live in Evansville with my dog and two cats. I have an associate’s degree in Veterinary Technology and love football, especially the Green Bay Packers.
Heidi Schaaf
Bumblebee Room (3-4 yrs.) Lead Teacher
bumblebees@redcaboosechildcare.org
I have been in the field since 1999 and started at Red Caboose in 2002. In 2007, I left to spend time raising a child and worked at another center here in Madison. I returned to Red Caboose in June of this year. I continue to study Early Childhood Education (ECE) at UW Milwaukee’s School of Education, where I most recently earned the Leadership Credential.
Michelle Santek
Elephant & Bumblebee Rooms
Float / Support Teacher
Michelle has been working in early childhood education for 20 years. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology and is completing a Master’s degree program in public administration and non-profit management.
Catherine Morse
Grasshopper Room (4-5 yrs.) Lead 4K Teacher
I am excited to serve as the Lead Teacher in the Grasshopper Room and continue to work with with this amazing group of children. I am also looking forward to working with our experienced and talented team of Grasshopper Teachers. I have a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies and completed the coursework required by the Department of Public Instruction to serve as the Red Caboose 4K Teacher. For the remainder of the school year we will continue the established classroom routines and goals and will implement creative new projects and hands-on activities.
Leigh Szuch
Grasshopper Room (4-5 yrs.) Teacher
I have been an early childhood educator for over twenty-eight years! For seventeen of those years I was a Teacher in the Grasshopper Room here at Red Caboose and am very excited to return. Every day there are new things to discover about this world, inside the classroom and outside. I get to really know each child in my care, mostly by using my sense of humor, knowledge of art, and by really listening to the kids. There’s no other job like it, and nowhere I’d rather be!
Jessica Zawacki
Grasshopper Room (4-5 yrs.) Teacher
I am a parent of two school-age children and have experience in childcare classrooms, school-age programs, and summer camps. I have experience getting pre-kindergarten students ready for kindergarten and started with Red Caboose supporting kindergarten students with virtual learning. Recently I have gotten to know the children in the Grasshopper Room and am looking forward to our 4K adventures for the rest of the school year and beyond!
Adam Bower
Teacher
I have been working at Red Caboose since 2015. I am a huge Wisconsin sports fan, especially the Green Bay Packers. In my free time I enjoy training for and running marathons, playing soccer, and reading. I am currently taking a leave of absence to complete my Bachelor of Science in Education: Major of Early Childhood Education and will be graduating in May.
Heidi Anderson
Teacher
I have worked at summer camps as a counselor, wrangler, village leader and ropes course facilitator. I have also been an after school teacher’s aide, youth mentor, a Sunday school teacher, and a CNA. I started with Red Caboose as a Classroom Leader supporting virtual learning with kindergarten students and am looking forward to new adventures with the children and families at the child care center.
School Age Program Team
Laura Rogers
School-Age Program Director, Board Member (non-voting)
school.age@redcaboosechildcare.org
I am the School Age Program Director. I have been working with school age children since 2005. In 2012 I earned a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. I was also a Peace Corps volunteer in Romania.
Savannah Stutzman
School-Age Enrollment Coordinator
sapenroll@redcaboosechildcare.org
Before coming to Red Caboose in 2017, I was a parks and recreation program instructor. I work in the after school program, but am also the Enrollment Coordinator. I am completing a master’s degree in social work.
Robby Schiller
Lapham School-Age (K-2nd Grade) Site Supervisor
lapham@redcaboosechildcare.org
I am the After School Site Supervisor at Lapham Elementary. I have been working with Red Caboose children and families since 2010. I value the collaborative spirit and sense of community our staff and kids create.
Katie Flores
Lapham School Age Program
After School Teacher
I have a degree in Art Therapy from Edgewood College. I did an internship engaging school children in a community art project. I have also co-led art workshops for young adults with intellectual disabilities.
Jasper Harth
Lapham School Age Program
After School Teacher
I have been working in education for two years. I taught English in Vietnam, was an AVID tutor at Memorial High School, and a Site Supervisor with MSCR. My goal is to earn a master’s of education degree and continue work in education.
Jaden Lechelt
Lapham School Age Program
After School Teacher
I have experience as a coach and group leader at the YMCA, and am excited to be making new friends and spending the day with students in the learning room and the home room.
Margot Stevenson
Lapham School Age Program
After School Teacher
I am excited to join the School Age Program team at Red Caboose! I have experience as a camp counselor and working with students with disabilities.
Sydney Warwood
Lapham School Age Program
After School Teacher
I have a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Montana – Missoula. I have experience teaching both preschool and elementary school age children.
KC Gilbertson
Marquette School-Age (3rd-5th Grade) Site Supervisor, Board Member
marquette@redcaboosechildcare.org
I am the After School Site Supervisor at Marquette Elementary and have a degree in social work. I have been working with children and families for many years and have been with Red Caboose since 2008.
Michela Mosconi
Marquette School Age Program
“On Track” Classroom Leader
I recently graduated from UW-Madison with a degree in psychology and plan to become a school psychologist. I volunteered at elementary schools in their after school programs throughout my time in college.
Ciara Nash
Marquette School Age Program
“On Track” Classroom Leader
I have been with Red Caboose since 2018. I was program leader with MSCR for 3 years. I am studying and have done volunteer work in art therapy. I have also done administrative work with Dane Arts and the Goodman Community Center.
