Meet our Staff
Our staff members are handpicked by our administrative team and have undergone a careful background check, taken multiple certified training courses and have an early childhood education certificate. Each lead teacher provides lesson plans that include all areas of our learning program, encourage loving and accepting peer relationships among the children, and enhance their learning in a motivating and enriching environment.
HEATHER RAABE
Center Director
Hi, I have been in the childcare field since 2002 and became the Director here in 2019. Previously, I was a librarian for JC Elementary and LOVE BOOKS! I am now interning to be the Youth Pastor here at the Crossroads Church. I have been volunteering in our youth ministry since 2010. I am married with three children, two Huskies, and three cats. I look forward to serving you all and following the path God has for me.
JOE POTUZNIK
Lead Pastor
Hi Ho, I'm Pastor Joe (Joepaaa)! I came to this church in 2010 and began serving as the Youth Pastor. June 2018, I took the Lead Pastor position and am still leading our middle school youth group, NextGen. I have a beautiful wife, daughter, and son. We also have various pets like dogs, parakeets, and chickens. I love the Cubs and Bears and still love my wife even though she is a Brewers and Packers fan…
ALISHA JAQUITH
Assistant Director
Hey there! I’ve been a member of the Crossroads Church since 2020 and love being involved here! I also help lead our high-school youth group, Re-Gen, and our Women's Bible Study Group. I am a wife and mother of two boys and three dogs. I love reading, the outdoors, family time, volunteering, and taking road trips. I am lactose intolerant, but love trying and cooking new foods! I’m currently pursuing a master’s degree in psychology, which I hope to use to help children and families in need of support and care.
NANDY VONDRA
Lead Teacher
Hola! I have worked at the Crossroads Kids Connection for since 2012. I love teaching and interacting with children and watching them grow. I am bilingual and enjoy teaching children Spanish and seeing them learn. I am a wife and mother of four kids. I do not like to watch TV, but instead stay very busy cooking, sewing, and being outdoors. I enjoy traveling with my husband and walking my dog.
HANNAH WEIHERT
Lead Teacher
Hi! I am new to childcare, and currently taking the classes to become the lead infant room teacher! I am a new mommy to two baby girls, who are 15 months apart! Some things I love to do are spend time with my family and friends and I love to do crafts! I look forward to growing my skills and taking care of your little ones!
AMANDA EGGERS
Lead Teacher
Hello! I have a bachelor's degree in early childhood education and have worked in childcare since 2006, with the last 3 years running my own in-home center. I have 5 children of my own, two girls and three boys. I had a dream of being in the childcare business since my little sister was born when I was 6 years old! I love being in the childcare business because not only am I helping to teach your children but I am also learning new things from them every day! I can't wait to watch them grow and prosper into little adults. I love taking my family out on hikes, playing sports, jumping on the trampoline, or going camping :) We really enjoy being outside, especially during the warmer months!
MEGAN JONES
Lead Teacher
Hello there! I’ve been with CKC since August 2021, but I’ve taught Sunday School, VBS, Summer School, and other children’s programs growing up. I’m currently taking online classes at Madison College to become an Early Childhood Elementary teacher. I’m the middle child of two sisters. I love to go fishing, babysit, play sports, travel, and spend time with family and friends. I’m super excited to spend time with your kids and watch them grow!
TANYA CONLAN
Lead Teacher
Hi, I’ve been working at CKC since January 2022. I have many years of child care experience with all age groups, but enjoy teaching two-year-olds the most! My husband Frank and I are from Watertown. I have three children, teenage and up, and two animal children, Ruby and Raven!
AMBER NELSON
Lead Teacher
My name is Amber, and I am the co-lead infant teacher for your child. I have been working in the infant room for the past 5 months now. I have always wanted to work with children just never knew how or what I needed to accomplish to do so. I have a 6-year-old son who is my whole world. If I'm not at work, then I'm at home spending time with my son and fiancé. We love to watch our son play sports, and we also enjoy hunting together. The children in my class will always be treated equally and I would treat them just like they are my own.
RYLIE THOMAS
Lead Teacher
Hi, I graduated High School in 2018 and am currently attending UW-Whitewater to become a teacher! I have played softball since I was about 7 and I love to play pretty much any sport! I started at CKC in late summer of 2021 and I love it here! Spending time with kids and encouraging them to use their imagination is my favorite! I can't wait to get to know your kids more and help them grow!
HAILEY ZOELLICK
Lead Teacher
Hi, I'm Miss Hailey! I graduated from Jefferson High School in 2021. I started with CKC July 2022 through an outside training program. I officially joined the team in October 2022 and have been able to work in every classroom. I love working with kids of all ages and am excited to be with the ones! I enjoy playing with kids and teaching them new things.
Some of my favorite things are chocolate and tacos from Panchos in Jefferson! My favorite colors are purple and black. I am a Harry Potter fan, love to read, and spend time with friends.
CYNTHIA KLENTZ
Lead Teacher
Hello! I am Miss Cynthia! My son and I live in Jefferson. I had the privilege of being a stay-at-home mom until my son started school. I've also worked at Starbucks and therefore love coffee.
I like going to the zoo and spending time outside in the summer. I do not like the cold. My favorite color is purple. I'm a foodie, but I hate vegetables.
CARLEY KORANDA
Lead Teacher
Hello! I love spending time with my husband, Mason, and my daughter, Willow. We love doing new things and going on adventures! I always love trying new food, and my favorite food will always be pasta. My favorite color is purple! Fun fact, when I was younger, my room was purple, and I have dyed my hair purple a couple of times.
BROOKE EICKSTEADT
Substitute Teacher
Hello, I'm Miss Brooke! I graduated early from Watertown High School and am attending UW Whitewater for a degree in Early Education. I am hoping to become a kindergarten teacher in the future or work with younger kids in general.
I love cows and animal print. I also enjoy watching volleyball.
DYLAN THOMAS
Seasonal Substitute Teacher
Hi, I am truly a nerd at heart and I love anything, Marvel and Harry Potter. I also really enjoy reading, arts and crafts, and even though I'm allergic to nature, I love any reason to get outside. I also have a dog named Homer, and a tortoise named Udway. I am currently a senior at Johnson Creek High School and I will be attending UW Eau Claire for college.
LINDSEY BRAATZ
Seasonal Substitute Teacher
Hi! I am currently attending the Univerity of Wisconsin-Madison pursuing a degree in elementary education, with a minor in early childhood education, and a certificate in educational policy. I have been with CKC since May 2020. Working with children has always been a passion of mine and I look forward to running my own classroom in the future.
During my free time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, cooking, and shopping. I also enjoy staying active and spending lots of time outside, especially in the summer!
BELLA HERMAN
Seasonal Substitute Teacher
Hi, I have taught lessons for softball for a couple years and babysit occasionally, but recently decided to get into the childcare field. I graduated from Bryant & Stratton College with an Associate's in Business and am now currently enrolled in elementary education at the University of Green Bay. I play college softball and love watching all sports. I look forward to getting to know all of the kids and learning along the way.