Joan Beck

Administrator

I opened Willows in 1993 after seeing the need in our rural area for licensed childcare. My commitment from the beginning was to provide a high quality, safe environment for children in an atmosphere where parents felt comfortable leaving their child.

An important part of reaching these higher quality standards was my own education. I completed my Bachelor degree in Business Administration, through Marian University in 2004. Within this degree I have 36 credits in Early Childhood Education. I also completed the WI Administrative Credential in 2000, through Nicolet College, and the WI Leadership Credential in 2013, through UW-Milwaukee.

My focus on high quality, affordable childcare for all Wisconsin children has lead me into advocacy work through Wisconsin Child Care Administrators Association (WCCAA) where I served as President of WCCAA from 2019-2022. I also serve on the Governors Early Childhood Advisory Council, Wisconsin Early Childhood Coalition, WCCAA Conference Committee and WCCAA Advocacy Groups. 

My involvement at the local, regional, and state levels has helped Willows navigate through the COVID Pandemic. The relationships that are built have been essential in supporting Early Childhood Incentives which, in turn, benefits our children and families.

Brenda Schumacher

Program Director and Internal Coach

I am the Program Director here at Willows Christian Child Care Center, and the Internal Coach for our Pyramid Model Social Emotional Framework that we implemented in 2019.

I have my Associate degree in Early Childhood, along with The Program Development, Infant and Toddler, and Administrator credentials through the state of WI. I am currently enrolled at The University of Whitewater to achieve my Early Childhood bachelor degree.

I live in Allenton, WI., with my husband, Paul, and our two puppies, Oakley Ray and Greta May.  I also have an adult child, Dale, who is out on his own, succeeding and living his best life, and for that I am a very proud mom!

I welcome teaching as an opportunity to inspire and empower. Working in the childcare field, it is my goal to enhance children’s learning as a creative play-based experience. I want children to become honest, curious, creative, and confident when they experience our instruction here at Willows. As the Program Director and Internal Coach for our social emotional teaching, it gives me the opportunity to share my passion for early childhood education. I work with my fellow teachers to inspire, engage, and awaken the wonder inside each child while teaching them their social emotional skills along the way!

Jennifer Kirchoff

Assistant Director and BIR (Behavior Intervention Planning) coordinator

I am the Assistant director at Willows Christian Child Care center and the BIR (Behavior Intervention Planning) coordinator for our Pyramid Model social Emotional framework which was implemented in 2019.  I am a teacher in our 3-4 year old room and school-age, when they are at the center.

I have my teaching degree from UW-Whitewater in Early Education and my Associates degree from MPTC in early childhood.  I have obtained 2 credentials from MPTC for Preschool and Administration.  I have been trained to help with TPOT and TiPTOS evaluations as part of our Pyramid Model and ASQ and ASQSE2, which are developmental and social and emotional screenings.  I have been a coop teacher to students from MPTC and NWTC doing their student teaching.

I live in Hustisford with my husband Ronald where we have a farm and raise steers.  We have two grown children, Caitlin and Cody, who have gone into Physical Therapy and teaching Physical Education. 

I enjoy working with the 3-4 years to help them learn how to handle their emotions, prepare for school, and their future.  I like to see their faces when they learn a new skill and solve a problem by themselves, with the skills we have taught them.  Most of all, I love the excitement in their voice when they enter the room and see me, the hugs, and reading stories with them surrounding me. 

I enjoy mentoring future teachers that come to our center to continue their learning, but maybe they come back or stay at Willows to become members of our team.  Not only do I hope I am helping them become a better teacher but they are also helping me become a better teacher too.