Core Staff

Holly McFaul, UW-Whitewater Children's Center Director

Welcome to the Children's Center! I started at the Children's Center as Director in November 2009. Prior to my arrival at UW- Whitewater, I worked for 15 years as an early childhood educator with six and a half years as in administration at three other campus based children's centers. I hold a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education from Eastern Michigan University and 42 post graduate credits in Early Childhood Education and Human Development from Pacific Oaks College and Oakland University. My areas of research interest are Non Traditional Families; Child Development from Birth to Three; Brain Development and the use of Multiple Intelligences and Strength Based assessment in Early Childhood Education.

Our family lives in Whitewater and consists of my husband Bryan and our high school aged daughter named Katharine Elise, who is a campus children's center graduate herself!

Peggy Lean, Program Assistant

Peggy began working with the Children's Center in Spring 2004. She has a vocational degree from WCTC.  She also is a proud mother of 3 very active girls.

Shannon Frye, Lead Teacher (Toddlers - Twelve Months and Up)

Elizabeth Backes, Lead Teacher (Young Preschool - Twenty Four Months and Up)

I am Elizabeth Backes and I am the lead teacher in the Little Hands room. I have been the lead teacher for 3 years, but I also worked as a TA for 4 years while I was a student, making my total time at the center 7 years. I graduated from UW-Whitewater in May of 2007 with a degree in Elementary Education (Early Childhood - Middle Childhood).

I am working on my Professional Development Plan to renew my license at this time. I am focusing on science in the toddler classroom. I am also interested in early brain development, social emotional development, and family/school relationships.

I grew up in Hartford, Wi with my mom, dad, and younger brother. Now I am living on my own in Jefferson. I enjoy going to hockey and baseball games, I have season tickets for the Milwaukee Admirals and a Brewers pack, so that is where you can find me most weekends!