Lindsey Stapel
President
In 2005 Lindsey began her career with Futura Language Professionals as a Wisconsin teacher, serving the Madison area schools for two years. While in college, Lindsey had the opportunity to live and study in Oaxaca, Mexico. In Mexico she cultivated an interest in teaching at Instituto Mckinly, a bilingual elementary school where Lindsey volunteered. This experience not only enhanced her language skills, but also inspired her love of the Mexican culture. It was there that she realized her desire to spread the goals of second language acquisition, primarily Spanish, in the United States. Lindsey graduated with Distinction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with degrees in Spanish and Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies. Lindsey has also traveled, volunteered, and studied at Escuela La Union, in Antigua, Guatemala. As a veteran Futura teacher, Lindsey continued to help grow the teaching staff and programs in Wisconsin and was a co-writer on the curriculum development team. In 2013 Lindsey was promoted to the leadership role as the Director for Futura working alongside the President to oversee management as well as coordinating company goals and strategies. As of September 2020, Lindsey took over ownership of Futura Language Professionals and is excited to continue promoting the company’s mission through quality Spanish education programs.
Telephone: 414-793-9698
Email: LindseyM@FuturaAdventures.com
Sandy O’Keefe
Program Coordinator for Wisconsin and Minnesota
Sandy came to Futura Language Professionals in 2011 with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of WI – Madison. Her degree provided her with the knowledge that exposing children to ethnic and cultural experiences at an early age will allow them to become diversified and confident young individuals with an increased appreciation for life. Upon graduation Sandy taught 4-year-old preschool at a learning center in Madison, where she designed and instructed lesson plans focused around specific themes. She also assisted the center in becoming nationally accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). After Sandy moved back to her hometown near Milwaukee, she began an extensive 7-year career in marketing and administrative services. In addition to serving as the liaison for our parents and schools in the Wisconsin and Minnesota regions, Sandy is an active mother of two high school-aged children. She believes that exposing children to early language learning is a bridge to another culture and a doorway to a larger world.
Please contact Sandy with any questions related to our Enrichment programs:
Telephone: 262-719-9332
Email: SandyO@FuturaAdventures.com
Kaycie Barron
Bilingual Area Madison Manager
Kaycie is a passionate advocate for accessible foreign language education, particularly in empowering Spanish instructors in the Madison area and surrounding communities. During her Master’s program in Educational Psychology – Learning Analytics, she immersed herself in the rich cultural landscape of Galicia, Spain, teaching elementary-aged students as a Cultural Language Assistant for two years. She also holds a B.A. in both Spanish and Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Her commitment to inclusive language education extends beyond traditional boundaries. Kaycie actively seeks innovative strategies to support and empower Spanish instructors. Drawing from her own experiences as an educator and learner in a non-English speaking environment, she understands the challenges faced by both students and teachers in acquiring a new language.
Utilizing data-driven approaches, including qualitative and quantitative research methods, Kaycie has completed multiple projects addressing the unique needs of her students and non-native English Language Learner (ELL) educators. Her dedication is evident in her focus on investigating the effectiveness of hands-on engagement in language learning environments to enhance language proficiency. Through her work, Kaycie strives to foster a sense of cultural appreciation and linguistic proficiency in the Madison community and beyond.
Please contact Kaycie regarding employment opportunities in the Madison area:
Telephone: 414-949-1210
Email: Kaycie@FuturaAdventures.com
Citlali Villafuerte
Bilingual Area Milwaukee Manager
Citlali joined Futura Language Professionals in 2022 as an Enrichment Instructor for the spring semester at three different locations and has since desired to become more involved with the company and program. She graduated from Alverno College in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Spanish/English Healthcare Interpretation. Citlali has spent time interning at both middle and high schools with a higher Hispanic population and at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin to interpret for Spanish speaking families. Following her exposure with younger populations, Citlali knew she wanted to continue working with children.
Citlali grew up exposed to her family’s Mexican culture and explored other Latin cultures during cultural events at Alverno College. Both of these series of events inspired her to want to combine her love of culture and her enjoyment of working with children within her career, which led to her applying with Futura. Citlali looks forward to being able to work with Futura’s instructors to inspire the love of Spanish as a language and the cultures that come with it to schools across the Milwaukee Area.
Please contact Citlali regarding employment opportunities in the Milwaukee area:
Telephone: 262-622-2637
Email: Citlali@FuturaAdventures.com
