Our Staff
Each of our classes has an experienced teacher certified in Early Childhood Education and an experienced and consistent aide.
Mrs. Jodie Winkler-
4K Teacher
The Co-op is a great place to send your children, be involved on the board, be a parent helper, and teach at, I should know because I have done them all. My oldest son began at the Co-op in 1998 and since then I have been a parent, board member, and substitute teacher here. Both of my boys have attended the Co-op from 1998 to 2001.
I have a degree in Elementary Education and taught 1st grade in Fond du Lac for 13 years before deciding to stay at home with my boys in 1999. I began teaching at the Co-op in 2001 in the 3K program when Mrs. Henningson retired. I was very excited to return to teaching when offered this position at a preschool that I love and strongly believe in the program. I began teaching the 4K program in 2014 and currently teach the 4K program full-time.
I have been married to my husband Tad for 27 years. Tad is a HRIS manager at BMO Harris Bank. We have two wonderful boys – Zack graduated from UW-Madison in May and works for 3M in Alabama and Kyle will be a senior at UW-Madison this fall. For fun as a family, we enjoy golfing, traveling, attending all types of sporting events, movies, and the Packers. I enjoy reading, stamping, crocheting, crafts, and scrapbooking when I find the time.
I am involved in a variety of groups at our church, Holy Cross in Menomonee Falls and a few organizations in the Germantown community.
I look forward to meeting my new young friends and their families at the Co-op this year.
Mrs. Michelle Armstrong -
4K Aide
Hi Co-op families! My name is Michelle Armstrong and this is my 2nd year as the 4K teacher’s aide in Mrs. Winkler’s class. As a parent, both of my children attended the Co-op and I was a board member as well.
My background is in Social Work and Psychology. I worked for Milwaukee County foster care and Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee for over 10 years combined. I then stayed at home with my two children, ages 8 and 11 now, until deciding to get back into the work force.
Once I saw that a position opened up here at the Co-op, I knew it was the perfect fit. My husband, Andy, and I have been married 15 years and have lived in Germantown for the past 7 years. He works for Wells Fargo in Menomonee Falls as a financial advisor.
We keep busy with our children in various activities-basketball and baseball for our 8 year old son, and watching him practice American Ninja Warrior moves on the playground. Our 11 year old daughter enjoys Destination Imagination, Girl Scouts, school choir, and has performed in a couple of shows with Falls Patio Players.
When I find a quiet moment, I enjoy reading, walking/running our dog Lucy, and listening to music. In our family’s spare time, we enjoy vacationing with family and friends, having family movie nights, and attending sporting events, especially Badger football and basketball and Brewer games.
Mrs. Gina Peissig-
3K Teacher
My name is Gina Peissig and, simply stated, I love being a 3K teacher at the Co-op!!! I have been involved with our school for over 15 years and have worn many hats… as a mom, board member, aide and teacher. It began with enrolling both my son and daughter in our program. I eagerly awaited the days I was scheduled to help in the classroom and also took an active role on the preschool board. It is with this involvement that I knew I found something I was extremely passionate about – teaching children.
My husband, Corey, and I met at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and have been married for over 20 years. After graduating from college, I worked for Andersen Consulting and BORN Information Systems in both information technology and human resources. Although my career brought much excitement, travel and challenge, becoming a stay-at-home mom was the easiest decision I ever made. It was during this time that I realized working with children was something I was truly passionate about. I decided to go back to school to obtain my certification in Early Childhood and, thus, my exciting adventure in education began!
Aside from enjoying the many activities and sports my children participate in, I cherish the time we spend together hiking, boating, and sharing “Pasta Sundays” at my parent’s home. Recently, I started a small cookie business with a friend where all the profits are donated to local charities. When I am not teaching, baking cookies, or spending time with my family, I enjoy reading and volunteering at our church. My job as a 3K teacher at our preschool is also an important part of my life. I am blessed to be a part of an amazing school filled with such special children and families!
Mrs. Vicki Haensgen-
3K Aide
I can’t believe it is my 6th year as the teacher’s aide in the 3K class and I am enjoying every minute of it. As a parent, I spent 5 years at the Co-op with my three children and I also served as a board member. Since then, I have been a substitute aide before accepting the full time position.
I earned my degree in Biomedical Engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and that is where I met my husband. We have been married for 20 years and have been residing in Germantown for the past 19 years. I worked for WAGO Corporation until 10 months after the birth of our twin
daughters and soon realized that it was more important that I stay home. I am grateful for the opportunity I had been given.
In our spare time, we are very busy with our daughters’ who are in competitive gymnastics, tennis, Destination Imagination and girl scouts (where I am the leader). Our son’s activities, which are Jr. Warhawk football and baseball, basketball, and Destination Imagination, also add to the busy schedule.
Besides being active at my children’s schools, I enjoy reading, sewing, family vacations, and socializing with friends.