The current staff at Meeting House Nursery School boasts a combined tenure of over 65 years at the school.

Staff

Administration

DEVON ZULEGER, Executive Director
Devon has been an active part of the Madison early childhood field for the past 17 years. She has held roles as a teacher, family childcare provider and most recently an Executive Director. She received her education from Madison College and UW-Whitewater, where she still attends. Devon continues to peruse her passion of early childhood development by attending classes focusing on leadership and program development.  Devon grew up in Madison and now lives in Windsor with her husband, two children, and dogs. On her days off she enjoys camping, gardening and cooking.

MO LANCASTER, Administrative Assistant
Mo started working at Meeting House in 2018. Having both of her children attend preschool here meant that she was able to see the school through the eyes of a room parent, snack helper, and board member. She spends a lot of time cooking and baking with her children. Besides eating related endeavors she really enjoys reading and anything that involves being outside. Mo lives in Madison with her husband, two children, one dog and three chickens.

Classroom Teachers

KARI ARCISZEWSKI, Three-year-old teacher (Room 1)
Kari graduated from Madison College with an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. She taught both at Meeting house and in the Milwaukee area before staying home to raise her kiddos. Both of her girls attended Meeting House and she herself is a Meeting House alumni! Kari lives on the west side of Madison with her husband, Ben and two teenage daughters, Abby and Ella. She enjoys spending time outdoors and can usually be found sitting in the stands watching her girls play softball or volleyball.

MEGGAN BEYER, Two-Year-Old Teacher (Room 2)
This will be Meggan’s 12th school year as a teacher. She has a dual degree in Early Childhood Regular Education and Special Education from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. First having taught 4K as a regular education teacher in Oshkosh, then shifting to an early childhood special education teacher as part of the Brillion Area School District, and finally in the Kimberly Area School District. Meggan, along with her husband  and two cats, moved to Madison in the summer of 2022. They love the area and are taking advantage of being closer to their families. In her free time, Meggan loves to read, travel to new places, bike, and spend time at their cabin in St. Germain.

CHERIE CARVER, Two-Year-Old Teacher (Room 3)
Cherie has worked at Meeting House since 2004, and has been working with children and families since 1985.  She has an Associate’s Degree in Child Development from MATC, and spent 13 years operating an accredited family childcare program. A life-long resident of Madison, Cherie lives on the near Westside and has three grown children. She enjoys organizing, decorating, art and music.

JULIE CUSHMAN, 4K Teacher (Room 6)
After 15 years as a Meeting House Nursery School parent and serving as a board member, Julie has finally joined the staff. She has a B.S. in Elementary Education (PK-3 certification) from UW-Madison. She taught preschool in Illinois before becoming a parent. She has eight Meeting House alum. Julie lives with her family in Middleton. She enjoys travelling, walking, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

TERA DISCH, Two-Year-Old Teacher (Room 3)
Tera began teaching at Meeting House in 2004.  She is a graduate of MATC with an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. Tera lives in New Glarus and in her spare time she enjoys biking, going on walks, doing hot yoga, and spending time with friends and family. She enjoys organizing, decorating, art and music.

PAIGE FLIETNER, 4K Teacher (Room 6)
After graduating with a degree in child development from UW-Madison, Paige spent seven years living and teaching in New York, NY. She also had the unique experience of helping set up multiple new preschool programs and worked with students ranging from ages 2 to 5. She is thrilled to be back in her hometown of Madison, along with her fiancé Alex, their three-legged cat, and their pet guinea pigs.

DAWN GEBLER, 4K Teacher (Room 4)
Dawn has been an early childhood educator for 25+ years in various settings.  She began her career teaching 1st and 2nd grade in northern California, then Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.  Dawn spent the best seven years of her life teaching and raising her own children at home. As they all became school aged, she started substitute teaching in MMSD, taught 4K at Bernie’s Place in Madison, and most recently she was teaching two-year-olds at SSMHealth Child Care Center.  Dawn is excited to come back to 4K at Meeting House, where her sons went to preschool. Dawn lives in Madison with her husband, Derek, and their 3 children, ages 14, 16, and 19. She says her kids are the best thing that has ever happened to her. The family also has two cats, Sol and Martha.  Dawn’s happy place is outdoors.  She loves to hike, going camping, riding her bike, playing in the snow, reading and playing board games with family.

KARI HACK, Three-Year-Old Teacher (Room 1)
Kari joined the Meeting House family in September 2020. She has spent the last 20 years teaching 3 and 4-year-olds at a City of Madison accredited center. Preschoolers are her favorite age group to work with. Kari received her degree in Early Childhood Education through Madison College. She lives in Deforest with her daughter, Brooke, their puppy, Stella, and two cats, Sophie and Fritz. She loves to spend time with her daughter, doing yard work, traveling and reading.

MICHELLE LEINBACH, Three-Year-Old Teacher (Room 5)
Michelle joined the Meeting House staff in 2001. She has been in the early childcare and education field for 25+ years. Before becoming a preschool teacher, Michelle worked with developmentally disabled children and adults in a group home setting. She lives in Marshall with her fiancé Steve and their German Shorthair Pointer, Wyatt. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, antiquing, flea markets, camping, visiting relatives in Iowa and spending time with family and friends.

KATIE NORCROSS, 4K Teacher (Room 4)
Katie joined the Meeting House teaching team as a 4K teacher in 2013. She is a Madison native, and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota in 2007. She spent the following five years teaching preschool both in Minneapolis and Madison, and taught English to children in rural France. Those experiences made her realize Early Childhood Education is where her heart is! Katie lives in Madison and spends her spare time biking, doing yoga, reading, and watching the Badgers.

LISH ST. PIERRE, Two-Year-Old Teacher (Room 2)
Lish joined the Meeting House staff in 2021. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Master’s degree in special education from Cardinal Stritch University. She has worked in education and childcare since 2009. Lish lives in Cross Plains with her daughter, Layla. She loves to spend her free time crafting, listening to music, and cooking.

Resource Teacher

BECCA RAMEY
Becca is so happy to be joining the Meeting House family! She has been teaching for over 12 years (8 years in early childhood, 4 years in art education).  She holds a Master’s degree in art education from Ohio State University, and has taught in Ohio, Seattle, Oslo, Toronto, as well as here in Madison. When not teaching, Becca enjoys reading, hiking, baking, traveling, being in nature, and spending time with friends and family. Becca lives in Middleton with her husband, 2 kids, and their big shaggy dog.