Kids Junction Before and After School Care Teachers’ Bios, Madison
Ms. Tara – School Age Director
Education
I graduated from Beloit College in 2014 with a bachelors degree in biology and a minor in music.
Experience
Right out of college I began working at a camp leading various outdoor education courses for nearly 2 years. From there I worked at a childcare center in Mount Horeb for 1.5 years where I earned my lead teacher qualifications. I have been at Kids Junction since June 2020 where I have enjoyed hanging out with the school-agers and teaching music classes to the littles.
Personal
In my free time I enjoy spending time with my husband and daughter. Together we enjoy going for walks, spending time up north and playing in our yard.
Ms. Sidney – Team Leader
Education:
I graduated from Madison Memorial High School in 2020. In Fall of 2021, I started my gen eds at Madison Technical College to further my aspiration and desire towards a major in Elementary Education. I plan to transfer to UW Madison in the Spring of 2024 to continue towards my degree in Elementary Education.
Experience:
My work has always been through child care since I was 12 years old. From 12 years old, to now, I have babysat for numerous families from ages newborn- 14 years old. Outside of babysitting, I worked at the Kids Club for Princeton Club Gym for 2 years. Then in June of 2020, I started my employment through Kids Junction and have been here ever since. Here at Kids Junction, I have worked with infants/toddlers, after school, and summer camp.
Personal:
In my spare time, I enjoy all sorts of outdoor based activities. Some of my favorites are deer hunting, fishing, hammocking, tubing, and spending the day on our family pontoon boat up north.
Ms. Nicole – Sac SR Coordinator
Education
I graduated UW River Falls in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Conservation Science and a Minor in Outdoor Adventure Education. In 2019 I got my license in Special Education and started the process to get my masters in 4-12 grade math & science with a marketing minor.
Experience
In 2009 I started working at local day camps and in 2014 that changed to overnight trip camps. I have worked for 7 different camps and lead trips both back and front country in over 15 states. In 2019 I took a break and taught math and science in high school. I missed the summer camp life so in January 2022 I relocated to Madison to work at Kids Junction.
Personal
In my free time I enjoy hiking, photography, fishing and spending time with my family.
Mr. Erik
Education
I graduated from poynette high school in 2018, I’ve started working towards my early education degree with plans on graduating in the near future.
Experience
I started working with children at my neighbors in home center in 2019 then I became a lead teacher at a childcare center in my hometown for 4 years!
Personal
In my free time I like to hang out with my friends and family, I love movies and I’m always trying to catch the newest movie in theaters!
Ms. Summar
Education
I hold an associate in science degree from Madison Area Technical College and am excited to transfer to the University of Wisconsin-Madison this spring semester of 2025 to pursue my degree in Neurobiology. My passion for caring for and helping people of all ages drives me to provide the tools necessary for them to lead fulfilling lives.
Experience
My experience working with children began at a young age growing up in a large family with over 100 cousins and 5 siblings of my own. This environment has given me plenty of opportunity to care for children with a loving outlook. Its a natural inclination of mine to care for others and I’m grateful for this gift.
Personal
In my free time I enjoy creating art and have traveled across the country getting much of my work into small businesses throughout the united states. I also love spending time with my family, reading, playing music and hiking outdoors. A fun fact about me is that I love hiking and have a goal of hiking rim to rim at the grand canyon in Arizona. I joined Kids Junction in 2024 and am thrilled to be part of such a wonderful community where I can share my love for learning and support the growth of each child.