Board Members

I have been in Randolph for 8 years and currently serves as Chairman for the Randolph Planning Commission, Randolph Area Foundation, and the Cardinal Kids Learning Center. Prior to moving to Randolph I spent over a decade working with a top Fortune 500 company learning valuable grassroot skills that can apply to the Randolph community.

During my time working with the Foundation and Planning Commission I have learned that in order to make Randolph sustainable for the future a quality and reliable childcare center is a must. The business model that has been put together provides this need and also creates a unique niche that makes Randolph a very attractive town to prospective new residents in the future.

I am the Elementary Principal at Randolph Public Schools.  I have been involved with Randolph Public Schools for 30 years.  I started my career in teaching at Wheeler Central High School and moved to the Randolph community in 1986.  At Randolph Public Schools, I have had many roles including middle school and high school social studies teacher, coach, and sponsor of various activities.  

Five years ago I became the elementary principal and still have the pleasure of teaching at the middle school and high school level.  I have a Bachelor Degree from Dana College, Social Science endorsement from Wayne State College, Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Doane College, and a Administrative Endorsement from Wayne State College.  

I became involved in the learning center because:

• I see the Learning Center as a way for the school and community to work together to build our school.  As numbers in rural communities decline, this is a way to help young families be able to live in small communities and obtain a quality education in a small school atmosphere.
• The Learning Center can equalize learning experiences for all children and help make the transition to school less tramatic for parents and child.
• I feel like this puts our school on the cutting edge of early childhood education.
• There is a definite shortage of child care in our community and children of all ages need experiences with a consistent care giver to develop into trusting, caring, responsible adults.

I have lived near Randolph my entire life. I attended Randolph public schools. I now farm with my family in the community of Randolph.

I stay in the community of Randolph, because I believe all of us living in the rural area are a part of a greater community and share in the benefits and responsibilities of our town.

Some of my reasons for serving on the board for the cardinal kids learning center ;

• I want to see our community grow, and without additional quality child care, I don’t think it will happen.
• I want to see our school enrollment increase and not need to co-op or merge.
• I believe this learning center offers a much-needed child care service, as well as a learning environment.
• I believe this nonprofit business is the best option and can be self-sustaining if we get enough donations to start it.
• I do not want child care to be another property tax responsibility.

I have been in the field of education for 13 years. I began my career as an educator in the Norfolk Public Schools System teaching Kindergarten at Jefferson Elementary School for 9 years. During that time I had the opportunity to network with multiple early childhood educators as well as assist in creating smooth transitions for students from preschool to Kindergarten.

I also served as a member of the Student Assistance Team which assists students and teachers in providing meaningful learning environments for all students.
I began teaching First Grade in the Randolph Public Schools System in 2014 where I myself attended school and my own children are now attending. I currently serve as the Student Assistance Team Coordinator for grades K-3.

I have an Associates Degree from Northeast Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree from Wayne State College with Endorsements in English as a Second Language and Coaching as well as a Masters Degree from Doane College in Curriculum and Instruction with an Endorsement in Early Childhood Education.

I became involved in the Learning Center because:

• Randolph is in need of a reliable, high quality facility capable of preparing young children for success in school
• The Cardinal Kids Learning Center will empower children to become independent, self-regulated, lifelong learners
• I believe the Learning Center will help increase our school enrollment while filling a great need for young families in our community and also attracting new families
• There’s an explosion of activity in the first five years of life, more profound than any future years. I believe the Learning Center can capitalize on that and maximize the support and learning opportunities needed to set our young children on a trajectory of success.

I grew up on a farm east of Creighton. After graduation I earned my Associates Degree in Accounting at Northeast Community College and finished at Wayne State College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management.

With the dream of owning our own business and raising a family in a small town, my husband and I moved back to Randolph in 1992 and started Wattier’s True Value and Service Center. In 2001 we opened our second store in Laurel. I currently oversee the managing of both stores with 24 employees.

I have served on the Randolph Ventures, Laurel Chamber, True Value Rewards Board, and currently on the St. John’s Lutheran Church board.

My reasons for serving on the Cardinal Kids Learning Center Board:

1. The last townhall meeting showed daycare to be one of the top 5 priorities. It is an important part of young families moving to and staying in Randolph and keeping Randolph vital.
2. I currently have 2 employees that have been looking for full time daycare for over a year.
3. I felt I could help with the business side of organization to remain a stable part of the Randolph Community.

I am going in to my ninth year of teaching math at Randolph high school.  This was my first job out of college. Since I have been in Randolph, I have gotten married and started a family.

My reasons for joining the Cardinal Kids Learning Center board are:

1. As a parent I have been fortunate enough to find daycare, but know it is hard and I am afraid I will need other options in the future.
2. I was asked to join because I am a parent.
3. As a teacher I realize if we as a community do not have daycare, we will lose some children to other communities.

Gary has an under graduate degree from UNL and MBA from Wayne State.

Has been a community developer for nine years and also owned & operated a Main Street business for 28 years in Wayne.

Taught college-prep courses and English classes to 3-5 year old overseas for 3 years.  He has two children and is the grandfather of one.

Van Meter and his wife, Jen, enjoy traveling overseas and around the U.S.  They are passionate about early child development after seeing what works in other countries and States.

Reasons for serving on the Cardinal Kids Learning Center Board:

• 73% of Nebraska’s children under age six live in households where both parents work.
• Because of size, small communities often lack a facility offering. consistent, year-round care for infants, toddlers, and after school programs.
• The first three years of life offer a unique stage in the human lifecycle—the stronger that foundation; the more likely children are to lead healthy, productive & successful lives.
• There are key components to attracting families to small communities—safe, effective childcare is one key to making communities “magnetic” for families.

I have been involved with Diversified Insurance for 39 years. During my career, I have been licensed to sell insurance as well as
securities, real estate, and to also assist with farm and house loans. Currently, I serve on the Board of Directors at Madison County Bank. I also serve on 2 nonprofit organization boards, the Randolph Area Foundation and the Cardinal Kids Learning Center.

My reasons for dedicating my time to serve on the Cardinal Kids Learning Center board are:

1. My granddaughter will benefit from a quality care and learning center.
2. Randolph’s future success is linked to this learning center.
3. This learning center creates a new business in Randolph, which employs 6 citizens at its startup.

I have been involved in the field of education for 23 years. I’ve taught at every level K-8, started a bilingual preschool/kindergarten program, and been the director of an international school for grades K-12. I currently teach 7th/8th grade English and Spanish for LCC. One of my deepest passions is influencing the lives of children so they can recognize and achieve their potential.

I’m serving on the CKLC Board because I want the opportunity for quality child development/care to be available to the children of our community, and I want to be part of helping Randolph grow and thrive.