Melinda Miles- Lead Teacher/Office Support
Hi! I’m Melinda, and I love being the lead teacher in the Shooting Stars classroom. I studied biochemistry at Purdue University (where I was also on the rowing team,) and I am a certified yoga instructor as well as an L2 CrossFit coach here in Madison. It’s so wonderful that I can bring those passions - science, and having fun moving our bodies - into the classroom! Some of my other favorite things to do are cooking, spending time in nature, and listening to music; I get to do those things here with my students, too. How lucky!
Becky Malta - Program Coordinator
Hey, I’m Becky. I’ve been at BBLC since 2016 and love getting to teach and watch the kiddos grow in the Snap Dragon Room! I have 2 kids, Molly and Alex, who also attended BBLC when they were young and they still talk about memories of their time here. I enjoy getting outside for a BBQ or hike around state parks. I like being creative by making bulletin boards around the center or whatever new project sparks my interest.
Sarah Sitkiewitz- Classroom Assistant
I have been working at BBLC since April of 2005. I'm a classroom helper in the Cherry Blossoms Room and also help to keep other classrooms throughout the center clean and organized. In my free time I enjoy basketball, Special Olympics, and spending time with family and friends. I enjoy working at BBLC and playing with all of the children.
Jamie Vazquez - Lead Teacher
Hi! My name is Jamie, I joined Bee Balm in April of 2023 as a float and shortly after, got the honor to be the infant lead teacher in the Sweet Peas classroom! I have been an infant teacher for almost 3 years now and am also attending school to become a teacher! I’m currently in Madison College’s liberal arts transfer program and will be attending UW-Madison next fall! Being in childcare, I’ve always preferred to work with the littles because I love forming a part of their first year. I enjoy watching them grow and helping them meet their milestones. When I’m not snuggling my babies, I’m usually out and about interacting with nature. I start the day with a nice iced coffee. I love to go hiking, go on picnics, or just simply setting up a hammock and reading outside.
Caroline Fortier-Brown - Lead Teacher
Hello! My name is Caroline! I have been working at Bee Balm since March 2019. I have over 10 years of experience working in various childcare settings. I have worked in all the classrooms here at Bee Balm at one point or another. I am currently a float teacher/Water Lilies co-lead. In September I will return to being the full-time lead teacher in the Waterlilies classroom. Back in June 2022 my husband Patrick and I welcomed our first child into the world! Cecilia joined the Bee Balm family at the end of August 2022. I am so lucky to be able to have her here with me. I also have a fur child named Tigger who is a corgi mix. During my free time I love to explore Wisconsin State Parks, bike trails, and paddle along the rivers and lakes with my family. We also like checking out new coffee shops, breweries and wineries. I look forward to getting to know you and your child/children.
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Clarissa Griner - Teacher
Hi, y'all! My name is Clarissa (my nickname is Clair) and you may call me whichever name you feel most comfortable with.
I’m originally from North Carolina. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management, with a Minor in Business Administration. I have also taken coursework in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. I have multiple years of experience working with children to include childcare facilities. I even created and taught cooking lessons for elementary aged children.
My most favorite thing to do is spend time with my family, which includes our cat, L.E.O. I am game for just about anything arts and crafts related. I like singing, cottage baking (allergy friendly foods), traveling, baking and food preservation.
I love to laugh, dish out fun facts as well as Dad jokes, be helpful and make every day count!
Vera Kovall - Teacher
My name is Vera. I went to MATC college and got my Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. I have been at Bee Balm Learning Center for three years. I first started as a float and then was working in the Snow drops room as an infant teacher. I moved up with those kids until they moved up to the Flowering Ferns. I have settled working with 2 ½ and 3 ½ years old in the Tiger Lillies classroom.
I live in Sun Prairie with my partner Chile and my 2 cats ( Figgy and Binx.) In my free time I enjoy playing on my switch, making art/ board games, playing with my cats, being in nature and watching documentaries/tv.
Lilia Flores - Cook
Hello, my name is Lilia. I have been working here at Bee Balm Learning Center since 2012. I love cooking for the kids at Bee Balm. I also have 3 kids named Richie, Jennifer, & Diana who all attended Bee Balm. In my free time I like to go to the movies with my kids, bake, walk, and relax while watching tv.
Lauren Silverwood - Teacher
Hello, my name is Lauren. I am so happy and excited to be part of the Bee Balm community. I have completed courses in liberal arts, occupational therapy, and Spanish. I learned most of my Spanish in Nicaragua and Guatemala, many years ago. I have been in ECE for over a year now, and I love learning and teaching something new each day. I can’t get enough of fishing, camping, playing with my pup, Cooper, snapping photos, and spending time with my nieces and nephews.
Kelly Taylor- Lead Teacher
Hello! My name is Kelly and I am a Co-Lead in the Cherry Blossoms room! I grew up in Beloit, WI but have been in the Madison area since about 2007. I have my Bachelor Degree in English from UW-Madison and have been working in childcare since 2019. I love singing with choirs and am currently a member of the Edgewood Community Choir. I have one daughter named Natalie who loves attending Bee Balm. We both love spending time with family and friends, going on adventures, and all things Disney!
Aeriona Sharp- Lead Teacher
HEY! I’m Aeriona, I’ve been here at Bee Balm since June 2021. I’ve been a lead teacher in the Arctic Willows classroom for about one year now. I truly enjoy my career here at Bee Balm. I have gotten a chance to work with some amazing people. I’ve also been challenged in a way that has made me a more tenacious person. A little bit about me is that I was born in Chicago, Il. I grew up in the “Little Italy” neighborhood on the west side. I then moved to Settle with my family when I was 15 years old. Moving from Chicago to Seattle was a huge culture shock to me. Moving to Seattle I picked up gardening, coffee making, conservation, learning of other cultures and religions, and gained a much more relaxing lifestyle. I chose to move back to the Midwest to be closer to family and loved ones. I wanted my daughter to have a chance to grow up around her cousins and family members. My daughter, London, is seven years old at the time of me typing this up. She is WONDERFUL, and full of life. We have a dog (Loggy), and a cat (Lizzy). Do you see the pattern? My favorite color is yellow. Some of my hobbies consist of gardening, traveling,
going for walks and relaxing while watching documentaries.
Amber Alexander- Lead Teacher
Hi, I'm Amber! I'm from Texas moved to Hawaii for 10th grade and finished high school in Alabama. Moved to Madison, WI IN 2015 went to MATC for the early childhood education program. Love to paint and be around friends. Love to support local businesses and queer owned businesses.
Lisa Devries- Lead Teacher
Hi! I started working at Bee Balm in 2022 and I love it! I have always loved working with children, especially the babies. They depend on you to nurture them and teach them about the world around them. There is nothing as rewarding as watching a child learn in an environment I helped create. I graduated from UW-Milwaukee in 2008
with a degree in Psychology. After graduating I gained experience working with children of all ages with different developmental needs. I feel I have found my niche here in the Snow Drops. I enjoy reading, writing and spending time with friends, family and my cats.
Katy Clayshulte- Lead Teacher
Greetings! My name is Katy Clayshulte and you can find me in the Flowering Ferns Classroom. I received a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Montana State University and also played tennis on the University team. Since graduating I’ve experienced a wide range of teaching positions, from tennis coaching and teaching English in Thailand to being a garden educator at four of our Madison elementary schools. I truly believe that discoveries are moments to treasure and share, and as a teacher you get to live this every day! Experiencing the world by side children and helping guide them along exciting adventures never gets old and is the ultimate reward of being a teacher. Outside of the classroom, I’m passionate about spending time with my daughter Maeva. Together we are really interested in reading books and exploring nature! I thoroughly enjoy skiing, running, swimming, and growing fresh, organic vegetables and look forward to sharing these experiences with Maeva.
Maize Aerheart - Lead Teacher
Hello, my name is Maize, and I have been working at Bee Balm since February 2023. I grew up in New Jersey and lived all over before settling in the Madison area about 2 years ago. I started my Bachelor’s in Marketing at Valparaiso University and finished it online while falling in love with childcare working in Beijing, China. I worked in an international kindergarten in China for about 4 years before moving back to the States and working in several daycares, head-starts, and even a middle school before settling down at Bee Balm. Some of my favorite things to do with my class are dancing and getting outdoors! Some other hobbies I have are crocheting, playing with my cats, and hiking with my wife, Jesse, and dog, Velvet!
Alix Colegial - Lead Teacher
Hello I'm Alix and have worked at Bee Balm since February 2020! I am currently the Lead Teacher in the Cherry Blossoms, but have also been the lead in the Winter Berries and Tiger Lilies! I am originally from Rockford, IL but moved to Madison after graduating from UW-Whitewater in 2017! I have two daughters (Nani & Kaia) who currently attend Bee Balm. When I'm not at work you can find me spending time with family, reading books and finding new places to explore around Wisconsin!
Cara Leege - Teacher
Hello my name is Cara Leege and I started with Bee Balm in September of 2023 in the Water Lilies room. I have worked in childcare for many years, including my last two positions as a teacher’s aide in a preschool and as a nanny. I currently attend college part time in pursuit of a literature degree. I also have one daughter who also attends Bee Balm. In our free time we both enjoy hiking, going to book stores, and just being outside. I look forward to getting to know the Bee Balm community!
Lilly Heffner - Teacher
Hello! I’m Lilly, I have been a float teacher at Bee Balm since April 2024. I’ve
always loved being around children because they look at the world in such
a unique and special way. I believe they can teach us just as we teach them.
I grew up on a farm in southwest Wisconsin but moved to downtown Madison
last summer. I don’t have any pets that live with me, but my parents have a dog
and two cats back at home that I miss very much. In my free time, I enjoy
listening to music, going to concerts, and spending time outside in nature,
especially around water.
Mel Turskey - Teacher
Hi! 😊
My name is Mel and I am so excited to be here! I am a student in the Early Childhood Education Program and in my second year. It has been such an adventure so far. I am a mom of 3, recently married, and a fur mom to 3 amazing beautiful kitties. I enjoy the outdoors and spending time with my family while crafting or playing a board game. A couple of fun facts about me: I am a U.S Navy Veteran! My favorite color is rainbow. My favorite animal is a Red Panda or cows (mostly highland cows). If you see me around say hi! Thank you for giving me the honor of working with your children and helping them grow and flourish! ❤️
Maya Adams - Float
Hello everyone! I am Maya, I am a float teacher here at Bee Balm. Prior to this, I was a nanny for about 3 years. I also coach volleyball for the club starlings, which I have been doing for about 4 years now. I am very excited to get to know everyone.
Kendahl Morrison - Lead Teacher
Hello, My name is Kendahl Morrison, and I’m delighted to join the BBLC team! Come December, I will be taking over a Lead Teacher position in the Sweet Peas room. I am new to the Madison area, originally hailing from East Lansing, MI. I attended Michigan State University to study child development and special education. Go green! I have been working with young children collectively for four years, with a large majority of my time spent with infants. I love working with babies especially, every day we are meeting milestones and working on new skills- there is something profoundly special about that first year. Outside of teaching, I love to read, practice my ASL skills, and spend time with my partner, Jordan, and our cat.
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Shayna Wederath - Floater
Hello my name is Shayna (Ms.Shay). My teaching inspiration is Ms.Frizzle from the Magic School Bus. I like her fashion, and her immersive learning style. I enjoy spending my time in nature, hiking and fishing the most. I spend a lot of time on the water. I am also an Artist, and enjoy crafts. I love inspiring young minds to create. I am currently studying Human Services and have a background in working with kiddos with disabilities. I enjoy drinking tea, going to live music, and farmers markets. I am so happy to be teaching your kiddos. My core values are kindness, respect, and honesty, all things we will be practicing in and outside the classroom.
Breanna McGrane - Teacher
Hey! My name is Breanna (Bree) McGrane. My pronouns are she/her. I am from Washington Island, WI which is a small island off the tip of the Door County Peninsula. I am studying at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in hopes of receiving a degree in Elementary education. In my free time, I love to crochet, bake, and spend time with my friends and family. Overall, I am super excited to be here at BBLC!
Destiny Peoples - Floater
Hi, my name is Destiny! <3 I’ve been teaching in a daycare setting for about 2 1/2 years now. I have some college education in early childhood development, and I have always loved working with kids/people since I was young! I am passionate about the care I give to littles, and I enjoy helping them grow, smile, learn, and reach their milestones! I have a son named Theo, who has taught me so many things that I bring to my work! When I’m not helping young minds bloom, I enjoy reading, listening to music, playing with my son, and creating nail art!
Aria Schindler - Teacher
Hi! I’m Aria. I was born and raised in Baraboo, WI. I’ve lived
in Madison for about a year and a half and I absolutely love it here. I’m the oldest
of my cousins and have a brother who is 8 years younger, so I’ve been around/
caring for kids most of my life. I began babysitting on my own around age 12,
helped my grandma with her in-home daycare for several years, and I was a
nanny full time for about a year and a half. My favorite part of working in
childcare is watching the kiddos meet milestones and develop their own little
personality; it’s very rewarding and so special to be able to play a part in that
development. In my free time I enjoy listening to music, thrift shopping, reading,
and running. I used to run cross country in high school and was not a fan. Now I
run for fun! I ran my first half marathon in November of 2024 and can’t wait to
do more. I’m very excited to work at BBLC. I look forward to meeting everyone!
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Mariah Hulsether-Brugge - Teacher
Hello!
My name is Mariah and I will be joining the amazing team at Bee Balm, as a float teacher. I have 13 years of experience in Child care working with children ages from 3 months to 7 years old. I am currently a student at Madison college in the Child and Development program. I am very passionate about children and helping them meet their developmental goals and milestones. I worked at an in-home preschool for three 1/2 years and through those years taught me a lot about being flexible throughout the day. I have a very outgoing personality with tons of energy. I am looking forward to getting to know you and your child/children!
When I have time to myself I like to take walks and listen to music. Family and friends are really important to me and I like to spend time with them over the weekends.
I am very excited to start my new journey at Bee Balm!