Janell Wheat

Janell Wheat has owned a Child Care Center since 2007.  This was a brand new venture for her as her background prior to this point was in business.  She obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Oklahoma City University. She also has an Associate’s degree from Oklahoma State University, OKC in Business Management with an emphasis in Accounting. She has served on the Licensed Child Care Association board since 2019.  She is a graduate of Leadership Academy. Her business experience allowed her many opportunities to travel the world for an international investment company.  She also sat on the investment companies Fiduciary board.  Prior to that she was the Investment Account Manager for Chase Bank United States Operations. She worked three years for Norman Regional Health System as the Supply Chain Director, before opening her first childcare center.  “Child Care is a tough business.  This is an industry that isn’t valued and has slim profit margins”.  Janell’s Center, Thrive Early Learning Center is licensed for 172,  located in Purcell, OK. The Center is Nationally Accredited with NAC. Her and her husband Greg, decided to open a center based on need in their rural community.  “It’s a business that beats you up but you can’t stay away from it”, stated Janell. Additionally, she has a training and consulting company that provides coaching and training services for small businesses. 

In addition to owning child care programs, Janell and her husband Greg have a fireworks store in South OKC, own a Fitness Center and own rental houses. Greg recently retired from decades of service as the Pastor of Christian Life Church.   They have two children Kylie, (Son in law Shane), and Kyston plus an adored grandson with another coming soon.  They love to vacation and spend time together as a family. 

Katie Quebedeaux 

Katie Quebedeaux has been in the educational field for 13 years.  She began her career working as a teacher in a public and private school setting before finding her passion... early childhood education.  Katie is currently the co-owner of Faith Learning Center & Academy, which includes two child care centers and a private school.  Katie has obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Associate’s degree in Child Development, and her BS degree in Early Intervention and Child Development.  She recently earned her Masters in Early Education. Katie is a Platinum Level Director, Master Teacher and a Level 10 OPDL. She is a PD Specialist for the CDA Council and also serves as validator for NAC Accreditation, as well as a contract educator for CECPD. Katie is also a Board Member for the Oklahoma State Department of Education School Board.  In her spare time, Katie enjoys advocating for children, being active in her church, traveling, watching her husband’s sports teams and spending time with her family.  Katie loves being able to influence each child’s life and encouraging them to “Go Be Great!!”

Tammy Maus

Tammy Maus has been devoted to the field of Early Care and Education for over 40 years. She holds an associate's degree in Early Childhood Education, a bachelors degree in Education with an emphasis and Family Relations & Child Development and Business, Master in Human Relations, and a Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching. Having served in many roles, including Teacher, Center Director, District Manager, Regional Area Operations Manager, Trainer, Educator, Coach, Director of Operations, President/CEO - she has expertise in all aspects of the early education industry. Tammy owns Kinderberry Academy Early Learning School in Norman. Tammy has an Oklahoma Directors Credential - Platinum level,  Level 11 - OPDL, and also serves as a Professional Development Specialist (PDS) for the CDA Council. Tammy is an adjunct instructor of Child Development for Gordon Cooper Technology Center's  Child Development Program - adult education section.   She also attended the Marshall Wythe College of Law at the College of William and Mary for the inaugural ISEA program. She is a graduate of Leadership Academy and Leadership Norman. Having knowledge of nationally and locally owned programs, Tammy is very familiar with all aspects of early education program operations. Legislative, public policy, and regulatory issues are very important to Tammy, and she stays involved on both the state and national levels. When asked to describe herself, she will tell you that she is a passionate and driven early childhood leader. She has worked with children in some capacity her entire adult life and loves it! Tammy was awarded the Friend of Children Award in 2010 by the Central Oklahoma Friends of Early Education/Norman Success by 6 initiative. Additionally, she has a training and consulting company that provides coaching and training services for small businesses and also volunteers as a disability/education advocate. Tammy and her husband Paul have five incredible adult children and five adored grandchildren (two grandsons and three granddaughters). In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family, traveling, crafting, sewing, quilting and photography. 

Dr. Christy Kastl Ed.D

Christy has been in education her entire life. Her mother is a retired OKC public-school teacher. She is born and raised in Edmond but moved to Yukon when she got married in 2013. She currently lives in Yukon, OK with her husband and two children.  

She started working in childcare as a preschool teacher. She soon found her love for leading others and training educators. She worked her way up through leadership, starting at an assistant teacher to lead then School Age Coordinator, Assistant Director and then to Director. She has also worked as the Quality Education Coordinator statewide. She spent five years she has been working as an Executive Director for Oklahoma's largest program - an on-site corporate childcare program. Curently, she is the Director of Operations for Kiddie Acadey in Edmond, OK. 

Christy is very active in Oklahoma. Currently serves as a board member on the Licensed Childcare Association of Oklahoma. For the past five years, she has worked as an Adjunct Professor for Mid-American Christian University. In her free time she volunteers with OKC Jr League. Her passion is working with OKC Jr. League on the OU Children’s Hospital project and planning their spring prom. 

Christy has her Associates Degree in Child Development from Redlands Community College. Her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education/Adult Education from the University of Central Oklahoma. Her Masters Degree is in Child Psychology/ Child and Adolescent Psychology Development from Walden University. In 2019 she received a postgraduate certificate in Higher Education. She was awarded her Ed.D. from Walden University in Educational Leadership in 2024.

Amie McDaniel

Amie McDaniel has worked in Early Care and Education for over 30 years.  She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.  Amie graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2001 as the Class Marshal, with a 4.0 grade point average.  While she was in school, she started out owning a large home child care center, then became a Master Teacher at a preschool, and began the footwork to open her own large child care center.  In 2001, she opened Adventurous Beginnings for Children in Moore.  Here, she served as Owner/Director for 7 years.  Then in 2008, she opened a large child care center in Shawnee.  She served here as Owner/Director from 2008 to 2017.  Her center is nationally accredited and is licensed for 125 children.  Amie is a member of the Association for Early Learning Leaders and has attended their yearly national conferences since 2011.  Amie has served as a Board Member for the Licensed ChildCare Association since 2019.  With 30 years of experience, she has earned numerous training certificates with a focus in leadership, classroom management, administration, and center operations.  Amie is a certified level III specialist and educator for Oklahoma and the Center for Early Childhood of Professional Development.  She has an Oklahoma Director’s Credential-Gold level.  Her new ventures include becoming a Child Development Associate Professional Development Specialist and national validator for the Association of Early Learning Leaders.  She has been very active in her church, where she has volunteered to lead the youth for several decades.  Amie has worked with children her whole life, since the age of 13.  She has expertise in all aspects of early education program operations.  She is passionate about bringing positive change to support systems for the child care industry, reducing regulatory issues. “Child care is a high stress and undervalued industry.  It lacks support systems needed for success to maintain the best practices possible for children,” stated Amie.  Amie’s passion for children has become the missionary field for her life.  Although Amie has devoted her life to early care and education, her heart is just as much devoted to her family.  She has four amazing children.  The two oldest are OU graduates in Biochemical Engineering and Medical School - Neurology.  Amie lives on a farm in Meeker, OK with her husband and youngest children.  Together, they are enjoying the addition of two grandchildren.  

Shaunda Williams

Shaunda Williams is the owner of Faith Learning center in Guymon, which includes two child care centers and a private school.  Shaunda has been active in education for 10 years.  Prior to finding her passion of child care, Shaunda spent many years in the medical field working as a nurse and in the operating room.  She is a graduate of Leadership Academy and currently attending Leadership Academy II. Shaunda is an accreditation validator for NAC as well as a contract educator for CECPD.  With an educational background in the medical field, Shaunda is now continuing her education in early childhood education and administration. She lives in the Oklahoma panhandle with her husband and their two daughters. In her spare time she enjoys traveling and spending time with family.

Brandy Madden  

Brandy has been working in the early childhood field for nineteen years. Brandy has an Associate’s Degree from Seminole Community College and is pursuing a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education. She holds an Oklahoma Director’s Credential - Silver. She has earned numerous ECE training certificates, with a focus on special education, classroom management and center operations. She is a graduate of Leadership Academy. She has taught all age groups from infants to school-age.  Although she absolutely loves being in a classroom, she truly enjoys being in a Director’s role, mentoring staff and forming wonderful relationships with families who cross her path. Though Brandy spends many hours working with children and her team, her heart is at home with her husband and three amazing children. 

Tina Feltman 

Tina is the owner of See Saw Learning Center in Durant, OK.