Maria Aguilar is the bilingual registry commissioner for the Wisconsin Registry. In her role as the commissioner, she is responsible for reviewing the work of students hoping to receive a Wisconsin Child Care and Education Credential. At each credential commission, students from across Wisconsin present their work through a live presentation and portfolio of work.  Maria’s job is to evaluate the students’ work and ensure that every student has mastered the strict criteria of competencies required to effectively care for and educate Wisconsin’s youth. The registry commissioner is an important and prestigious position in the Wisconsin childcare field.

Dr. Betzaida Vera-Heredia is the new online instructor for the Children’s Program Administrator Credential program taught in Spanish at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. This innovative college program is taught 100% online and in Spanish to meet the professional development needs of childcare directors and administrators whose first language is Spanish. Betzaida has also worked for more than 20 years in the early childhood education field in a variety of capacities. She has worked as a childcare provider, Head Start evaluator, an educator with the Educare organization, and has been a bilingual college professor for many years. Betzaida earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Puerto Rico and her master’s and doctorate degrees in human development and family studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

This year, Patricia Rodriguez achieved her lifelong dream of earning her college degree. At the age of 60, the owner of Rodriguez’s Safe Haven Childcare Center in Kenosha, Wisconsin, earned her bachelor’s degree in early child care and education. Now she hopes her story will inspire others to achieve their dreams.

“You need to believe in yourself, keep going even when things are difficult, and never give up on your goals,” said Rodriguez. “Life has many challenges, but you can never give up on your goals. Just keep going. I am stubborn like that, and I never gave up.” 

Early childhood educators, parents and caregivers from across the country will have the opportunity to attend this year's University of Wisconsin-Platteville Early Childhood Conference on Saturday, March 19. The annual conference provides participants a day of learning and collaborating within the early childhood education field. This year, the conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. online via Zoom. Registration for the virtual event is now open.



"We're thrilled to offer this great opportunity for our area's early childhood teachers to connect and collaborate with experts from across the country," said Chenoa Ruecking, education and training program manager. "This is our second year offering this conference virtually – and I know this year's conference will bring the same level of engagement, interaction and fun."

Ashley Lundt was already working in the childcare field, but recently took the opportunity to develop her expertise and skillset with the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Infant-Toddler Credential program, offered through the Continuing Education Institute. Lundt completed her credential in December and, along with other teachers, was honored at a ceremony on Dec. 4, 2021. 

Lundt will now take what she has learned back to her childcare center. In addition to the knowledge and skills she gained in the program, it has helped her to become more confident in her role. “I made huge gains through this credential and feel very good about the teacher I am becoming,” she said. “I would recommend this program to anyone who works with infants or toddlers.”

When Michelle DeVoe opened her family childcare business in Black Earth, Wisconsin, she never imagined the challenges she would face.

She started her family childcare program because she wanted to provide a quality early learning environment for kids. Dedicated to quality, DeVoe decided to go back to school to make sure she had a handle on early childhood education best practices. 

"I knew that I was providing a loving, home-like daycare, but I found myself frequently questioned about my capabilities," DeVoe said. "I knew that I wanted to create a continually engaging daycare space and curriculum, and I wanted to stay current with the learning standards for young children. So, I decided that I would go back to college and earn my Child Care Administrator Credential from UW-Platteville."

Going back to college while working full time, parenting and running a childcare business is not easy. 

University of Wisconsin-Platteville Division of Professional Studies is in the design phase of expanding programs to be offered in Spanish. Currently, professional studies has five child care credential programs being offered in both English and Spanish.

“We want to provide a pathway where a person can learn a subject within their own language,” said Dr. Craig Wilson, dean of the Division of Professional Studies. “As they acclimate to the way things are done in the U.S. and gain mastery of a particular topic, an important next step would be to help these students increase their English language proficiency to introduce them to even more opportunities.”

Early childhood education professionals from across Wisconsin and the region will gather at the 2019 Early Childhood Seminar on Saturday, Nov. 9 at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Markee Pioneer Student Center.

The Continuing Education Institute, which hosts the event, provides child care education through nine Registry Child Care Credentials, seminars, early childhood training courses, and degree completion programs with partner institutions. Their reach extends throughout the state of Wisconsin and from New York to California.

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville announced today that early learning educators and childcare operators from around the state will come together on Saturday, Oct. 26 for a day of learning provided by the “Wonder Guides” of the Wisconsin Nature Action Collaborative for Children. The group is committed to connecting children with the natural world by making nature education a sustaining and enriching part of their daily lives.

​“The Wonder Guides’ mission aligns with everything my experience has shown me to be true,” said Chenoa Ruecking, early childhood education program manager for UW-Platteville’s Continuing Education Institute. “Children learn best when they are invited to examine and explore the natural world. Research proves that the first few years of a child’s life have the biggest impact on their future, and the Wonder Guides will show us how nature-based instruction can foster a lifetime love of learning.”

When Matthew Janisch started coaching youth and high school football in Stoughton, Wisconsin, it unlocked a passion for teaching he didn’t know he’d had. Working with students of any age drove him to be a positive influence in their lives. However, he didn’t have a degree to pursue a full-time teaching career. Thankfully, he found a position as a Head Start Teaching Assistant with Reach Dane, an organization that was willing to help him advance his career.

With working full-time, coaching, and returning to school Janisch knew he’d need a flexible program. The Human Resources department at work recommended the UW-Platteville Preschool Credential program because they offered the program online, as well as all the credentials offered by The Registry.