Washburn Early Learning Center
ELC Staff
Betsy Carrier has been in the field of education for 26 years. She has a BA in Early Childhood and Special Education, as well as a BS in Elementary Education. Her passion to build a seamless transition for children into the public school setting has driven her to build the Washburn Early Learning Center into a thriving educational setting for our youngest learners. Her love for the outdoors and environmental education is evident in the environment within the WELC. Her goal is to create partnerships with families to foster development in their child/children. Betsy's love for children and families is evident in all she does. A smile on a child's face bring the utmost joy to her.
Jamie Moore has a strong interest in being able to work in the area where she has lived all her life and to have to opportunity to work with children and families throughout the community. She graduated from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in Ashland in 2004 with her Associates of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education. She is a friendly, energetic and caring provider with 5 years’ experience caring for children in her home while operating a family child care center licensed by the State of Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. As a child care provider, it is her goal to provide all children in her care with a clean, safe, comfortable environment where they can play and learn with guidance and loving care. She and her husband live in Washburn with their daughter Avery and their 3 dogs. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors and traveling. Jamie has a passion for working with young children and could not imagine herself in any other profession.
Frances Seefeldt grew up in the Mason area. She was homeschooled until the 9th grade when she attended Ashland High School. She graduated in 2011, and went on to receive an Associate’s Degree in Elementary Education from Gogebic Community College. Frances has had three practicum placements. She spent time in a Kindergarten, second grade, and seventh grade classroom. Each age group gave her wonderful insight into the way children learn and explore. She is happy to be joining a district that fosters learning and play so well. Frances has been with the WELC and CGK since January of 2015. She currently lives in Ashland with her husband Kevin and dog Lola. She is excited to be a part of the WELC staff this school year.
Melissa Gustafson moved to Wisconsin in 2002 from Ohio to attend Northland College. She majored in Natural Resources and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Science. While attending Northland, and for six years after, she was in the Wisconsin National Guard. While serving, she met and later married her now husband Michael. They have been married and living in Washburn for six years. Melissa realized her passion for working with and helping young children once she had a child of her own. Her daughter, Katelynn, is four and also goes to the WELC. Levi is Melissa's step-son and is in the eighth grade at Washburn also. Melissa is excited about being part of the Washburn School District and being able to help children learn and grow.
Jessica Kempf has lived in Ashland her whole life. Teaching in the area she has grown up in is a passion for her! She is a graduate of the 2015 class from Ashland High School, and is currently on her second year at WITC-Ashland to get her Early Childhood Education degree. From there, she will attend UW-Superior's Elementary Education program! Growing up around her father as a physical education teacher, her mother as a child care provider, and older sister as a guidance counselor, teaching and guiding children is in her blood! She hopes of being a Kindergarten or 4K teacher after college. Here at the ELC, she is enjoying every minute watching the children learn new concepts and helping them grow into wonderful people of the community. She currently lives in Ashland with her family and black lab, Gunner! You can always find Miss Jess enjoying the day out on the water wake-boarding or with her family camping.
Emily Schlager has always enjoyed working with children and is very excited to have finally realized that it can be a job she does every day. She graduated with a degree in Studio Arts from Northland College in 2012, worked on a few farms, and nannied three boys in Switzerland teaching them English while their antics rapidly taught her French. Since returning from Switzerland, Emily has lived with her husband on their farm where she also makes art. She is particularly interested in facilitating the development of age-appropriate independence and confidence and encouraging creativity and curiosity. She is excited to join the WELC team and to keep learning right along with the kids.