Meet Our Team
Nikki Baldwin
Director
A commitment to merging theory and practice in early childhood classrooms is what motivates Nikki's work at the University of Wyoming. She believes that opportunities to reflect and collaborate open up unlimited possibilities for growth in early childhood educators and in the children they work with every day.
Nikki draws from her 25 years of experience in early childhood education as she directs the University of Wyoming Early Childhood Outreach Network and leads the Wyoming Early Childhood Professional Learning Collaborative.
When not thinking and talking about early childhood education Nikki enjoys spoiling her granddaughters, reading, listening to podcasts and adventuring in the surrounding mountains with her dogs Scout and Shasta.
Email: nikb@uwyo.edu
Lauren Carlisle
Senior Program Coordinator
At a young age Lauren discovered joy in learning and teaching and knew she was an educator at heart. After taking a job as an infant/toddler teacher she knew she wanted her passion for early childhood education to become her profession.
As the Program Coordinator for the Wyoming Early Childhood Professional Learning Collaborative supports learning specialists, early educators, leaders, and caregivers throughout the state. By sharing her strong image of children with families and educators, she hopes to empower them to provide better care and advocate alongside her for higher-quality early childhood experiences. Lauren has worked in infant/toddler, preschool, and early elementary classroom settings. She has a B.A. in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood, and a M.S. in Early Childhood Inclusive Education.
Lauren’s greatest joy is being with her family. She loves finding new places to explore, getting lost in a good book, and playing games. She lives in Laramie with her husband, Jason, and their three children.
Email: lauren.carlisle@uwyo.edu
Char Norris
Learning Specialist
Char was born and raised in a small town in Utah, but don’t hold it against her! She has lived in Evanston, Wyoming for the last 16 years and never wants to leave. Char has been a Learning Specialist for the past four years as part of the Wyoming Early Childhood Professional Learning Collaborative and has found her passion in the field of early childhood education.
Char has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Utah State and a master’s degree in Teaching and Learning, with an emphasis in Early Childhood, from the University of Montana. She has worked in elementary and preschool settings. As an education coordinator in a Head Start program, Char discovered the excitement of working with educators and caregivers.
She loves riding horses on the ranch, camping, reading anything she can get her hands on, and going on adventures with her husband, four children, and two dogs.
Email: cnorris9@uwyo.edu
Heather Kibler
Learning Specialist
Heather grew up in the mountain town of Coeur D’Alene, Idaho. Heather and her family are an Air Force family, and in 2010, they were stationed at FE Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She has been working in early childhood for the last ten years as a co-teacher, a lead teacher, and an Assistant Director. Heather was a Parent Educator with the nonprofit organization Parents as Teachers, and in 2021, she joined the Wyoming Early Childhood Professional Learning Collaborative. As a learning specialist Heather is eager to partner with the educators who do the amazing work of supporting the children and families of Wyoming!
Email: hikbler@uwyo.edu
Kara Cossel
Learning Specialist
Raised outside of Fairbanks, Alaska, Kara Cossel ventured to extreme heat to find her husband in Phoenix, AZ. There they began their family by having three boys within six years. During that time Kara pursued an education in early childhood and special education. Her and her family then picked up their roots and planted them in Sheridan, Wyoming.
After moving to Sheridan, Kara earned her master’s degree in Management and Leadership. Recently she began her favorite stage of life, grandparenting! In her spare time Kara enjoys being with her family and finding spaces in her home remodel.
Email: kcossel@uwyo.edu
Kelce Eckhardt
Learning Specialist
Kelce has worked with a range of ages, from infants to college-aged students and everything in between. Most recently, she worked as a 1st grade teacher in a district. She received a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction in Education with an endorsement in Teaching Indigenous Children and a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Spanish, as well as an endorsement in Early Childhood Education. Coming from a mixed-race home, Kelce has always had a passion for honoring all under-represented cultures and her passion continued to grow through her education and teaching experience. She loves spending time with her family in the mountains and coaching the Lander High School swim team.
Email: keckhar5@uwyo.edu
Taylor Dory
Learning Specialist
Taylor Dory is a Wyoming native who grew up on a cattle ranch Savery, WY. She moved to Laramie to attend the University of Wyoming and after completing her degree, Taylor taught as a Lead Teacher for the University of Wyoming’s Early Care and Education Center. Her experience and expertise in the classroom led her to a position as a Learning Specialist with the Wyoming Early Childhood Professional Learning Collaborative in 2021. Outside of education, you will find Taylor spending time with her family, riding her horse, and perfecting sourdough recipes.
Email: tdory@uwyo.edu
Tyler Gonzalez
Learning Specialist
Tyler attended the University of Wyoming and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Sciences with a minor in Early Childhood Education. Tyler has over a decade of experience in the field and has worked in a variety of settings and roles. Her favorite part of being a Learning Specialist is getting to share celebrations and learning new things alongside the educators she works with. She is inspired by the passion and determination of Wyoming early childhood professionals. Tyler loves learning about how the environment and nutrition impact children’s development and learning. She lives in Powell with her husband and three boys. Together, they love adventuring outside and finding all the best treats at local restaurants.
Email: tgonzal6@uwyo.edu