Biography's:

Name: Margaret

1. Born/Raised: Cameroon, West Africa

2. Family: I am married with 5 children. My husband's name is John. Our wonderful children are: Mirian, Adeline, Messa, Derek and Brian.

3. Hobbies: I love to read, shop every other day and watch basketball games.

4. Education: AA Degree in Economics, BA in Elementary Education with a minor in Language Arts. I also have an MS degree in Adult Counseling/ School Counseling.

5. Experience: I have worked as a School Counselor (Grades Pre K to 8th grade) since 1998. I worked 1 year at Cuba City Elementary School, 2 years as a School Counselor at St. Marys School in Platteville. And 1 year as an Interum Director of the Women's Center at UW Platteville and 9 years as Elementary School Counselor at Edgewood.

6. Years in the field: Since 1998

7. Years at Animal Crackers: I was hired on 9-14-98

8. Why did you choose to teach in early childhood education? The kids are fun to work with. I love to help and guide them through their thinking process. As a result, they will grow up to be good citizens of the future.

9. What do you appreciate about the age group you are working with?
I do appreciate their developmental levels of learning, interaction with each other, and how thier thought process changes as they grow yearly. I also appreciate their imagination and creativity in artwork and the education and life skills they learn at Animal Crackers.

10. What is your favorite childhood memory? Riding on a white horse with my dad. Dancing with my mom every weekend during social hour.

11. What is your favorite children’s book and why? "When I Feel Angry" the book teaches students different strategies to cope with anger.

12. Tell us something surprising about you that we wouldn’t otherwise guess about you? I speak different languages.

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Name: Patricia Fisher

1. Born/Raised: I was born and raised in Pewaukee, WI.

2. Family: Husband: Frederick, Daughters: Anna (21), Sarah (18), Rachel (15)

4. Education: I have a BA in Theatre History and Criticism fromTemple University.

5. Experience: I have done lots of catering for large groups, as well as being a pastry chef and a breakfast and lunch chef in Door County restaurants

6. Years in the field:I’ve cooked professionally for 14 years.

7. Years at Animal Crackers: I was hired on 9-14-98

8. Why did you choose to cook in early childhood education? Providing young children with a high quality, nutritious diet gives them a head start in both physical and intellectual development. I feel that I’m making a contribution to that development.

9. What do you appreciate about the age group you are working with?
They love to eat!

10. What is your favorite childhood memory? When I was 12, my family took an October trip to Philadelphia and Washington D.C. It was the only time I got to miss school for a trip. For two weeks, we toured historic sites, including Williamsburg, the Capitol and White House, museums, Mt. Vernon and more. For the first time, I realized that sometimes you can learn more out of school than in it.

11. What is your favorite children’s book and why? “ Charlotte’s Web”, because it’s a beautiful story of love, friendship, courage and tolerance.

12. Tell us something surprising about you that we wouldn’t otherwise guess about you? I am trying to learn Japanese.

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Name: Jenna

1. Born/Raised: Monroe, WI

2. Family: Husband Tyler and Cat Magoo.

3. Hobbies: Volleyball, Fishing, Working out and hanging out with friends and family.

4. Education: Edgewood College: Elementary/Middle Education. Spanish and English as a second language.

5. Experience: I am a teacher here in Madison and enjoy coming back to Animal Crackers when my school is closed for breaks during the year.

6. Years in the field: Since 2002

7. Years at Animal Crackers: I was hired in 2006

8. Why did you choose to teach in early childhood education? Kids energize me. I love playing and pretending. Educational activities at this age are so much fun.

9. What do you appreciate about the age group you are working with?
I love working with a varitey of ages. That is why I love being a float teacher. I get to know all the children at the center.

10. What is your favorite childhood memory? I spent most of my childhood outside and barefoot!

11. What is your favorite children’s book and why? "Bridge to Terabithia" It is the first book I enjoyed reading as a child.

12. Tell us something surprising about you that we wouldn’t otherwise guess about you? I know Spanish.

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