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.
Andrea Suarez
Board Secretary
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 a school social worker with the Madison Metropolitan School District. I hope to be an asset to the Board and want to bring fresh ideas.
KC Gilbertson
Board Member
I have a social work degree and have been working with children and families for many years including as a Site Supervisor and Camp Director with Red Caboose since 2008.
Cheryl Heiman
Board Member
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.
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.
Phil O’Leary, Board Member
I currently operate my family farm in Rock County Wisconsin and am an emeritus University of Wisconsin-Madison engineering professor. I am an agricultural and environmental engineer. As Engineering Professional Development chair, I coordinated outreach programs across a wide range of engineering disciplines. I also created and directed, Camp Badger Engineering Summer Program, a large middle school experiential leaning initiative.
Robby Schiller, Board Member
I worked at Red Caboose for many years and wish to continue to contribute to the success of this organization that I love and that has done so much for me. I feel as if I will be a valuable resource and contributor and bring a unique perspective to the table. I hope to focus on events, piloting new programs, and engaging with the greater Madison community as well as learn from the other members of the Board.
Leadership 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.
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.
Ashlee Causey
Preschool Program Director, Board Member (non-voting)
I’m excited to join the Red Caboose Family! I’ve worked in Early Childhood Education for the past 11 years as a teacher. I’m originally from Southern California and received my Bachelor of Science in Child Development from Fresno State. I’ve always been passionate about working with children, families, and colleagues who share that same passion. I believe in order to create a safe and fun space for children to flourish, staff must feel the same! This is the environment I hope to cultivate with all of you!
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.
Administrative Team
Jennifer Roughen
Billing Coordinator
Billing: billing@redcaboosechildcare.org
Joining the administrative team at Red Caboose is an opportunity to combine my accounting experience and my child care experience. I am also utilizing my childcare nutrition experience to support our Nutrition Program. I am looking forward to working with and supporting all of our Red Caboose families.
Beth Feeney
Enrollment Coordinator
sapenroll@redcaboosechildcare.org
I am a Madison native who recently moved back from Los Angeles with my daughter. I have a degree in Secondary Education from UW-Whitewater, and have been working with youth of all ages for over 12 years in various capacities and regions of the country, including Brooklyn, NY and San Diego, CA.
Nutrition Program
Kaylidh Gunnon
Nutrition Coordinator
My family and I relocated to Madison from Colorado high country. I have been in the culinary industry for over 10 years and am a professionally trained chef with specialties in French and wellness cuisine. I’m excited to merge my cooking career with being a mother and cooking at Red Caboose while growing with this community.
Preschool Program Teams
Turtle Room Team
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.
Elephant Room Team
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.
Ida Brown
Elephant Room (2-3 yrs.) Teacher
I have been working with children in an early childhood education setting for five years. I like to interact and play with the children both indoors and outdoors. I was born in Milwaukee, and grew up in Madison. I love Red Caboose! I am excited to be part of a team where everybody is so warm and welcoming.
Bumblebee Room Team
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 2020. I continue to study Early Childhood Education (ECE) at UW Milwaukee’s School of Education, where I most recently earned the Leadership Credential.
Resa Fuller
Bumblebee Room (3-4 yrs.) Teacher
I have worked with children ages three and older in a community theatre playhouse. I planned and coordinated events and classes and created curricula for children’s theatre camps. I am excited to join the team at Red Caboose and work with the children in the Bumblebee classroom.
Katlyn Miller
Bumblebee Room (3-4 yrs.) Teacher
I am a UW-Whitewater student studying Early Childhood Education and have been working with children for years. I love sharing art activities as well as science and outdoor exploration. I recently completed a practicum at Red Caboose and am excited to join the Bumblebee team this summer!
Grasshopper Room Team
Catherine Morse
Grasshopper Room (4-5 yrs.) Lead 4K Teacher
grasshoppers@redcaboosechildcare.org
I am excited to work with with this amazing group of children and 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. We will continue 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!
Michelle LeSage-Zietz
Grasshopper Room (4-5 yrs.) Teacher
I have worked as a before and after school Lead Teacher and summer Counselor. I have also been a 4K Assistant Teacher and discovered this is one of my favorite age groups to work with! I have an Applied Associates of Occupational Therapy degree which has helped me work with children with a variety of behaviors challenges. I really enjoy the challenges of working with children on a daily basis.
School Age Program Teams
Lapham After School Program Team
Sydney Warwood
Lapham After School Site Supervisor
lapham@redcaboosechildcare.org
I have been part of Red Caboose since 2018. I am most proud of the variety of my work with kids for the past 8 years, ranging from lead teacher at an accredited daycare to substitute teaching at all grade levels. I earned a Bachelors in Education from University of Montana-Missoula, and happy to be living in Madison now! My mission as a supervisor and in my work with kids is to treat everyone with respect and care, and to ensure that everyone is included and celebrated in our community.
Freida Escamilla
Lapham After School Assistant Teacher
I started working the the children and families at Red Caboose back in November of 2021. This is my first position working with school age children and Red Caboose is a great place to learn new skills from the experienced staff here.
Leighton Faul
Lapham After School Assistant Teacher
I’m the oldest of three younger siblings and grew up learning patience and responsibility for caring for children. I have worked since 2016 as a snowboard instructor for kids. I have loved working with kids so much! It requires patience and compassion to put the effort into teaching these kids how to ski and snowboard. They feel so good about themselves and so accomplished and I love being a part of that.
Meghan Prudlow
Lapham After School Teacher
I am a Sophomore at UW Madison studying Elementary Education and Education Studies. I worked in child care for the last year. I did two years of classroom placements, and spent three summers working as a camp counselor. I am very excited to get to know all of our students this year.
Alyssa Wolf
Lapham After School Teacher
One of my favorite things about working with children is being able to watch them grow and blossom. I look forward to assisting with that growth and supporting this development through play. I have experience working with children in many settings including summer camps, nannying, volunteering with individuals with multiple abilities, and supporting children in a hospital setting. I am currently working towards my master’s degree in Child Life at Edgewood College with the intent of becoming a Child Life Specialist.
Haley Roughen
Lapham After School Assistant Teacher
I am excited to join the team at Red Caboose and work with the students at Lapham. I have completed Assistant Teacher early childhood coursework and worked with children for one year at a childcare center in Deforest where I grew up.
Jerome Dizon
Lapham After School Assistant Teacher
Hello Red Caboose families! I’m Jerome Dizon and I am excited to be working my first year as an Assistant Teacher at the Lapham After School program! A little about myself, I am a third year at UW-Madison, studying social work who enjoys reading everything from novels to comic books and volunteering for the local community. Although I have worked with all kinds of people in the past, this is the first time I will be formally working in a childcare setting.
Marquette After School Program Team
Beth Feeney
Marquette After School Site Supervisor
I am a Madison native who recently moved back from Los Angeles with my daughter. I have a degree in Secondary Education from UW-Whitewater, and have been working with youth of all ages for over 12 years in various capacities and regions of the country, including Brooklyn, NY and San Diego, CA.
Ciara Nash
Marquette After School Assistant Site Supervisor
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. I want to be the person and teacher I never had growing up while attending after-school programs and community centers. I am looking forward to building relationships with the students and families.
Jamie Cunningham
Marquette After School Teacher
I have worked in child care settings for two years. I work with children to help influence and guide them into successful adults in the future. I’m looking forward to creating relationships and connections with the children and families. Children experience a range of emotions and I look forward to helping them learn to express them.
Jasper Harth
Marquette 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.
Delaney Kiernan
Marquette After School Teacher
Hi! My name is Delaney Kiernan and I am a senior at UW-Madison. I love working with kids because it brings me joy seeing them grow and get excited about new things as they continue to experience the world! I have been babysitting since I was 15, have had practicum in different elementary classrooms, worked as a special education camp counselor, and a tumbling coach. I am very excited to be a Captain at Red Caboose this summer!
Camp Caboose Program Teams
Camp Caboose Leadership Team
Sydney Warwood
Camp Director
lapham@redcaboosechildcare.org
I have been part of Red Caboose since 2018. I am most proud of the variety of my work with kids for the past 8 years, ranging from lead teacher at an accredited daycare to substitute teaching at all grade levels. I earned a Bachelors in Education from University of Montana-Missoula, and happy to be living in Madison now! My mission as a supervisor and in my work with kids is to treat everyone with respect and care, and to ensure that everyone is included and celebrated in our community.
Beth Feeney
Camp Director
I am a Madison native who recently moved back from Los Angeles with my daughter. I have a degree in Secondary Education from UW-Whitewater, and have been working with youth of all ages for over 12 years in various capacities and regions of the country, including Brooklyn, NY and San Diego, CA.
Ciara Nash
Assistant Director
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. I want to be the person and teacher I never had growing up while attending after-school programs and community centers. I am looking forward to building relationships with the students and families.
Camp Caboose Group Captains
Leighton Faul
Shooting Stars Group Captain
I’m the oldest of three younger siblings and grew up learning patience and responsibility for caring for children. I have worked since 2016 as a snowboard instructor for kids. I have loved working with kids so much! It requires patience and compassion to put the effort into teaching these kids how to ski and snowboard. They feel so good about themselves and so accomplished and I love being a part of that.
Alyssa Wolf
Shooting Stars Group Captain
One of my favorite things about working with children is being able to watch them grow and blossom. I look forward to assisting with that growth and supporting this development through play. I have experience working with children in many settings including summer camps, nannying, volunteering with individuals with multiple abilities, and supporting children in a hospital setting. I am currently working towards my master’s degree in Child Life at Edgewood College with the intent of becoming a Child Life Specialist.
Jasper Harth
Comets Group Captain
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.
Delaney Kiernan
Comets Group Captain
Hi! My name is Delaney Kiernan and I am a senior at UW-Madison. I love working with kids because it brings me joy seeing them grow and get excited about new things as they continue to experience the world! I have been babysitting since I was 15, have had practicum in different elementary classrooms, worked as a special education camp counselor, and a tumbling coach. I am very excited to be a Captain at Red Caboose this summer!
Erika Walters
Comets Group Captain
I enjoy working with kids because they are so much fun to be around. They are full of life and I learn so much from them. I have worked as a teacher, reading interventionist, and a para at various schools in Idaho. This is my first summer at Camp Caboose. I am looking forward to all the field trips and making memories!
Sonam Yangchen
Shooting Stars Float Captain
I grew up in a big family in India where there were always younger children to be looked after. After finishing my education degree, I worked as a teacher in a Tibetan school for 8 years. Since coming to the US I have been fortunate to continue to work with children here at Red Caboose in the after school program. I love to work with kids because it is exciting, every day is different, and I always hope that I am able to make a positive impact. This will be my first experience with Summer Camp. I am excited to be a part of Camp Caboose this summer!
Jenny Heck
Shooting Stars Float Captain
Bio Coming Soon!
Jamie Cunningham
Comets Float Captain
I have worked in child care settings for two years. I work with children to help influence and guide them into successful adults in the future. I’m looking forward to creating relationships and connections with the children and families. Children experience a range of emotions and I look forward to helping them learn to express them.
Camp Caboose Counselors
Eden Comer
Shooting Stars AM Counselor
My name is Eden and I like working with kids because every day is exciting, fun, and active. Previously, I have worked as a camp counselor and an assistant music teacher. I also work with kids at the Child Emotion Research Lab. I’m looking forward to spending lots of time outdoors with our campers this summer!
Freida Escamilla
Shooting Stars AM Counselor
I started working the the children and families at Red Caboose back in November of 2021. That was my first position working with school age children and Red Caboose is a great place to learn new skills from the experienced staff here.
Amanda Quinonez
Comets AM Counselor
Originally, I am from Beloit, but am spending my summer here in Madison. I am going into my third year at Beloit College studying Education and Youth Studies and Spanish. As part of my requirements as an Education major I have previously observed classrooms and have learned quite a bit about school age children. We all can learn quite a bit from children, no matter how old they are. Each child is unique and has a vibrant personality which I look forward to getting to know!
Nikki Bruss
Shooting Stars PM Counselor
My name is Nikki and I am so excited to be a Shooting Stars PM Counselor this summer! I just graduated from UW-Madison with degrees in Human Development and Family Studies and Spanish. Throughout college I worked as a student teacher at Eagle’s Wing Child Care! I have always wanted to work with kids and have absolutely loved my past experiences doing this important work. I am excited to go on field trips with the campers and making this a summer to remember.
Haley Roughen
PM Closer Counselor
I am excited to join the team at Red Caboose and work with the campers at Camp Caboose. I have completed Assistant Teacher early childhood coursework and worked with children for one year at a childcare center in Deforest where I grew up.
Jerome Dizon
Comets PM Counselor
Hello Red Caboose families! I’m Jerome Dizon and I am excited to be working my first year as a counselor for all our bright young children this summer! A little about myself, I am a third year at UW-Madison, studying social work who enjoys reading everything from novels to comic books and volunteering for the local community. Although I have worked with all kinds of people in the past, this is the first time I will be formally working in a childcare setting. I cannot wait to meet all of you and your children for some wonderful fun this summer! See you all soon!
Camp Caboose Nutrition Assistant
Doriana Avdolli
Summer Nutrition Assistant
I’m a student of dietetics, and working toward being a pediatric dietician. I like working with kids because they always keep things interesting, and I really like how fun they make everything. I’ve worked as a nanny for a family all of last summer. I am looking forward to meeting different kids and being able to help with their meals and snacks. I am looking forward to kids being excited about food and eating.
