MEET OUR LEAD INFANT TEACHERS
Kaylee Olson
Infant 1 Lead Teacher
Hello! My name is Kaylee Olson and I am the lead teacher of infant one! I am originally from St. Paul but I am currently living in Mankato! I am a full-time student at MSU seeking a degree in social work and a minor in alcohol and drug studies! When I am not at work I am oftentimes spending time with my friends or doing homework! I have been working in childcare for almost 5 years mainly with infants. My favorite part of working with infants is watching them learn new things and develop into their personalities. I love creating relationships with all of my children and their families! I am so happy to have the opportunity to care for the children in my classroom and watch them grow! I love working with the babies because everyday is a new opportunity!
Tera Van Keulen
Infant 2 Lead Teacher
Hello! My name is Tera Van Keulen and I am the lead teacher in the infant 2 room. I grew up in St. Clair, MN. Currently, I live in Mankato with my husband, Doug and our 7 month old son, Logan. I have a degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. In the past few years, I have had the opportunity to teach in both a child care and school setting.
My favorite part about work with infants is getting to witness the development that the children go through in their first year. I am so blessed to get to help the infants learn and grow each day. I am so excited to bring my passion for teaching to the Cultivate team!
Britni Greenfield
Infant 3 Lead Teacher
“Hi! My name is Britni and I’m a teacher in one of the infant rooms at Cultivate Mankato. I live in Mankato with my husband and 3 kiddos. You can usually find me having a dance party with my kids or in the kitchen baking cakes for my baking business.
I am so excited to start this journey at Cultivate! Working with children has always been a passion of mine. There is something so special about being apart of a child’s life and helping them grow and develop.
As a childcare provider my overall goal is to focus on each individual child’s needs and potential. I strive to create a trusting and safe atmosphere for children to explore, question, practice, play and become the best version of themselves. I think that it is extremely important to build relationships with not only the children but with their families as well. Our classroom will always have an open door policy with a listening ear and helping hand inside! I am excited to start making and strengthening relationships with the kiddos and families that I am lucky enough meet!”
Cassandra Norris
Infant 4 Lead Teacher
Hi! My name is Cassandra and I am the lead teacher in Infant 4. I started at Cultivate in January of 2020 and have loved it ever since. I was born and raised here in Mankato and graduated in 2020 with my Bachelors degree in Child Development and Family Studies at Minnesota State Mankato. I am currently engaged and will be getting married in December of 2020.
I have been working with children of all ages for as long as I can remember, but infants have won my heart over. I love watching them develop, grow and learn how to move their little bodies. They have such fresh minds that are making connections everyday. I am so grateful I get to work at Cultivate and be able give these children the love they all need.
Ashlie Fitzpatrick
Infant 5 Lead Teacher
“Hello! My name is Ashlie and I am the lead teacher in Infant 5. I was born and raised right outside of Mankato in a little town called Rapidan. After I graduated high school in 2014, I earned my Child Development Associates and I have been a lead teacher at a childcare center since obtaining my degree. I have been working around and with children for about 14 years. I recently got married in October of 2018 and have a little boy of my own who was born in June 2019. I have always worked with the infant and toddler age and look forward to getting to know many more children and families at Cultivate.