Board of Directors
Aaron Stephenson
Board President
Cindy Gillis
Board Treasurer
Bridget St. Peter
Board Secretary
Colin Stroud
Board Member
Andrea Suarez
Board Member
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.
Leigh Szuch
Bumblebee Room (3-4 yrs.) Teacher
I have been an early childhood educator for over 28 years! 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!
Nate Schmolze
Grasshopper Room (4-5 yrs.) 4K Lead Teacher
grasshoppers@redcaboosechildcare.org
I have been teaching at Red Caboose since 2017 and have been working with children for over 25 years. I have a Department of Public Instruction PreK-3 teaching credential and administer Red Caboose’s 4K program in partnership with MMSD.
Adam Bower
Grasshopper Room (4-5 yrs.) 4K Teacher
I have been working at Red Caboose since 2015 and I am currently a teacher in the Grasshopper room. 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 working on my Bachelor of Science in Education: Major of Early Childhood Education and will be graduating next May.
Michelle Santek
Float / Support Teacher
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.
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.
Heidi Anderson
Lapham School Age Program
“Frogs” Classroom Leader
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 and a Sunday school teacher. Most recently I worked as a CNA.
Katie Flores
Lapham School Age Program
“Frogs” Classroom Leader
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.
Jessica Zawacki
Lapham School Age Program
“Frogs” Classroom Leader
I live in Columbus, Wisconsin and have experience in childcare and summer camp programs for school age students.
Michela Mosconi
Lapham School Age Program
“Pixel Swordfish” 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.
Christopher Perez
Lapham School Age Program
“Pixel Swordfish” Classroom Leader
I am an educator with experience in mentoring/teaching kindergarten all the way up to college. I have been an AmeriCorps member, a youth mentor, teaching assistant, as well as a reading/technology counselor.
Amanda Smith
Lapham School Age Program
“Pixel Swordfish” Classroom Leader
I am an education major with an emphasis in special education. I have been a lead teacher in a 4-5 year old classroom, an instructional aide working with students with special needs, and nanny/tutor with a variety of ages.
Margot Stevenson
Lapham School Age Program
“Pixel Swordfish” Classroom Leader
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.
Jasper Harth
Lapham School Age Program
“Group Selective” Classroom Leader
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
“Group Selective” Classroom Leader
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.
Ciara Nash
Lapham School Age Program
“Group Selective” 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.
DeVonna Jackson
Lapham School Age Program
I have been working with Red Caboose since 2015. Before that I worked as a program leader for 4 years with MSCR, working with elementary and middle school students. I have also worked as a preschool teacher.
Denel Strangstalien
Lapham School Age Program
I have been working with Red Caboose since early 2019. I have worked with children in two child care centers and a program providing autism services. I am studying clinical psychology with a particular interest in autism.
