Museum Staff
Katey Kamoku, Executive Director
I have been an educator in one capacity or another for 20 years. I have been a special education teacher in Sun Prairie School District, a preschool teacher at Sun Prairie Nursery School, an in-home daycare provider, and I currently serve on the Sun Prairie Board of Education.
I am thrilled to be a part of Explore Children’s Museum of Sun Prairie. Children’s museums are built to spark children’s imaginations, allow them to follow their passions and discover new passions, a place where children can show us how they play and in doing so, how their brains are developing. Explore Children’s Museum is a community hub; a place for families to enjoy one another, expand and explore their knowledge, develop skills and connect with their community and the world around them.
My own four children are my inspiration today and every day. They were the “market research team” during the research phase of Explore Children’s Museum and still enjoy spending afternoons playing, “working”, and creating at Explore Children’s Museum. I am proud to spend my days creating a space for my children, and all the children in our community, to learn through play. Children give me hope for our collective future.
Taylor Delmore, Director of Operations
My name is Taylor Delmore and I live in Sun Prairie with my husband MJ, our daughter Rory, and our golden doodle Calvin. I graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University with my degree in Elementary Education. Before joining the Explore team, I was a teacher in the Sun Prairie Area School District.
I am grateful to be a part of Explore Children’s Museum and the opportunities it provides for our youngest community members and their families. I am passionate about the work we do at Explore to create a space that inspires creativity, exploration, engagement, and fun. Connecting with families and witnessing children learn and grow through play brings me so much joy and fuels my passion to continue the vital work it takes to make sure Explore Children’s Museum remains a resource for families for years to come.
Amanda Solem, Team Lead
Originally from Indiana, I spent 13 years as a teacher in Nevada, before choosing to be a stay at home mom in 2018.
In 2022, my husband and I and our two small children, now 6 and 4, moved to Sun Prairie, WI. I started an in-home daycare shortly after getting settled into the new community, and quickly, Explore Children’s Museum became a part of our weekly routine.
When the Team Lead job opportunity came up in late 2023, I jumped at the chance to join this incredible team. I love the focus on play, the inclusivity of every child, and of course, all the opportunities to be creative and learn new skills.
Kerri Brunk, Team Lead
I joined the Explore Children’s museum staff in May 2022 and have felt so thankful to be a part of an organization that has such a positive impact on the Sun Prairie and other local communities. I have enjoyed serving children and families as they play and learn within each exhibit in the museum. I have a love for learning and supporting children in their overall development.
I have had the privilege to teach children in my previous careers as a Speech-Language Pathologist, gymnastics coach, and daycare provider. Interacting with children and their families at Explore Children’s Museum, continues to foster my own knowledge and growth in all aspects of childhood development. I currently find much joy staying at home with my two boys (age 4, and 1) who also love spending time at Explore Children’s Museum.
Tarah Connolly, Team Lead
I am a PhD student in the department of Curriculum & Instruction at UW-Madison. My research focuses on museums and museum education, particularly the role of children’s museums in the broader educational landscape and the professional lives of museum educators. Before coming to Wisconsin for grad school, I lived in California where I spent the last 10 years working in various children’s museums and science centers, developing maker education programs, summer camps, field trips, and more.
I am a Team Lead at Explore Children’s Museum. I enjoy seeing so many diverse families come to the museum and take pride in supporting the visitor experience from open to close. I love spending time with children and families at the museum because it fills my cup and keeps my academic work grounded in the realities of our local communities.
Board Of Directors
Adam Schleicher, Board President
I am a graduate of UW Madison with a degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering. I have also received a graduate certificate in Public Administration from Northern Illinois University. I am the Director of Public Works and City Engineer for the City of Sun Prairie. My wife and I have two children in the Sun Prairie School District and are proud to be part of the community.
I am excited to bring a children’s museum to our community. I am passionate about bringing learning opportunities for science, technology, engineering and mathematics to children in a fun play-based atmosphere. A dedicated space for our children to play, learn and grow will be a tremendous asset for our community for years to come.
Kyle Ager, Board Treasurer
I am a graduate of University of Minnesota, Duluth with a degree in accounting. I have spent my entire career at Wegner CPAs assisting nonprofit organizations with their various accounting needs and I’m passionate about helping nonprofits grow and succeed. I’ve lived in Sun Prairie for three years with my wife and daughter. I know my daughter and others like her will have fun learning in this wonderful new space.
Elizabeth Knudten, Secretary
My name is Elizabeth Knudten. I live in Sun Prairie with my husband David and our three children, Anna, Claire, and Julia. I graduated from the University of Puget Sound with a degree in Elementary Education and have a Masters Degree from UW in Educational Leadership.
Since 2004, I have been deeply involved with early childhood education in Sun Prairie. I have seen early childhood education from many angles; a parent, a teacher, and the program director at Sun Prairie Nursery School. Then, in 2018, I took on the role of SP4K Program Supervisor for the Sun Prairie School District overseeing all 4-year-old kindergarten programs in the district.
I believe that childhood should be filled with purposeful play experiences, and full hands-on learning that engages the whole body and all the senses. Explore Children's Museum is such a treasure for the children and families of Sun Prairie. I am honored to be a part of this amazing resource that is focused on providing creative ways to engage children's brains, hearts, and hands in learning.
Emily Arevalo
I am a graduate of Belmont University in Nashville, TN with a degree in Applied Mathematics and Chemistry. I am currently a Data Analytics Manager at Huron Consulting Group and work with hospitals and health systems to work on complex analytics needs and communicating data in a meaningful way. I am also a mom to an 18 month old and am passionate about having opportunities for play and growth for our little ones in Sun Prairie. My family loves spending time at the museum and I look forward to helping the museum grow to continue serving our community and providing a safe place for children to explore and learn.
Jennifer Apodaca
It is my pleasure to join the Explore Children's Museum Board. I have served as a special education leader in the Sun Prairie Area School District since 2004 and have been the Director of Student Services for Sun Prairie since 2011. Serving on the Board ofECM is one way I am able to support early learning opportunities for the young children of Sun Prairie, networking for the caregivers of the children in Sun Prairie, and business development for the larger Sun Prairie Community. The Explore Children's Museum adds value to the Sun Prairie Experience. I am proud to be a part of this organization.
I am a graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee with a Bachelor of Science in Exceptional Education, a Masters in Educational Leadership and an Education Specialist in Educational Administration-Superintendent. It is important to me to support Explore Children's Museum as a cornerstone of healthy and accessible child development for our littlest members of our Sun Prairie Community. The possibilities of this young organization are endless and align with my personal values of inclusion and connection. As a member of the Board, I am committed to helping this Sun Prairie gem develop a deep root system to support its future.
Caroline Strauss
I graduated from Presbyterian College with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and the University of South Carolina with a Master of Social Work focused in nonprofit administration. I then served as a youth volunteer in the Peace Corps on the coast of Peru before getting my teaching certification in special education. I have over 8 years of classroom experience and led a therapeutic preschool program in a small nonprofit organization.
Our family moved to Sun Prairie in late 2022. I currently stay home with our two young sons and serve as an active volunteer in our community. Witnessing a child learn through play is nothing short of magical. I am thrilled to be a part of the magic Explore Children’s Museum is bringing to Sun Prairie.
Deanna Popke
I am a graduate student of Madison College with an Associate’s Degree in Business Mid Management. I am currently working as a Senior Branch Manager for The Bank of Sun Prairie at the Broadway location, and I oversee our Sun Prairie West High School branch. I have been in banking over 25 years and have worked in the Sun Prairie community for 15 of those years. I reside in Sun Prairie with my husband and 2 children.
I am very excited to serve as Board Member of the Explore Children’s Museum as I am a firm believer in having a safe place for children to explore and learn through their creative play. My children especially love the art studio where they let their innovative minds go to work creating some amazing pieces of art.
Josh Page
Josh Page is a dedicated professional with a background in early childhood education and a passion for child development. With over 15 years of teaching preschool at Country Creek Learning Center, he has honed his skills in nurturing young minds and fostering growth. Transitioning into the real estate industry, Josh now channels his expertise into helping families find their dream homes, leveraging his understanding of family dynamics and needs.
Outside of work, Josh treasures spending time with his wife and two daughters, indulging in leisurely walks, and cherishing moments with friends and family.