From world champion to childcare champion

How one NWTC student is helping to elevate early education

Elaine Fatla set her sights on becoming a world champion barefoot water-skier at a young age. Today, she focuses on supporting her family, running her business, and expanding access to quality childcare – an issue vital to her community and across the state.

Every summer, as temperatures in Wisconsin begin to soar, NWTC student Elaine Fatla feels a familiar tug – to get back on the water and relish the joy of barefoot waterskiing. 

Fatla learned to waterski at age 4, took up barefoot skiing at 8, and joined a waterski team at 10. She went on to become a world champion in barefoot, winning the Elite Woman’s Overall World Championships title in 2010 along with several other titles (see “By the numbers” box, below).  

Inducted into the USA Water Ski and Wake Sports Hall of Fame in 2024, Fatla is recognized as the first and only American woman to fly inverted off a barefoot ramp, land, and ski away in competition. 

Skis down, sleeves rolled up

While no longer waterskiing competitively, Fatla continues to be goal-driven, elevating her life and the lives of others. 

She is now a business owner, wife, and mother of four young children. She is also a student in NWTC’s Early Childhood Education associate degree program, currently taking classes online while running her own daycare center in the village of Alma Center, located about three hours west of Green Bay.  

Fatla would be among the first to admit that being a working parent and college student is not easy.  

“Fitting schoolwork into my life has had its challenges,” she said. “I’ve had to sacrifice time in the evenings, often replacing office chores with homework.” 

She’s already seeing results from her efforts, applying her knowledge immediately in meaningful, real-world ways. 

“I’ve gained a deeper understanding of child development, especially in the areas of social and emotional learning, which has allowed me to better support the children in my care,” she said. “I’m more confident as a leader and director, and I’ve been able to use what I’ve learned to improve classroom practices, mentor my staff, and strengthen communication with families.”  

“This journey has shown me that I’m capable of balancing school, work, and family life,” she added. “It has been a lot of hard work and determination, but it is truly paying off.”  

As Fatla builds a strong future for her family, she is also involved in advocacy efforts to support her fellow childcare providers throughout her community. 

She currently serves as a board member for the Jackson County Childcare Network, an organization that advocates for children, families, and providers. Through its work, the organization has received grants to help providers access much-needed supplies and offer quarterly bonuses to staff. In addition, Fatla is serving as a consultant for the local school district as they plan to add a childcare center to a school building, helping develop a high-quality program.  

In addition to owning and operating her own childcare, Elaine Fatla is a consultant for childcare programs in the Alma Center-Humbird-Merrillan School District. “The children I work with every day continue to inspire me,” she said. “I love watching them grow and develop.”

“My goal is to continue finding ways to provide and expand access to quality childcare in our community,” she said. “Strong early education builds a stronger future for everyone.” 

Mary Beth Boettcher, NWTC’s Early Childhood Program director and lead faculty, shares Fatla’s viewpoint. “Access to early learning programs helps close learning gaps before they begin,” she said. “Early education teachers, like Elaine, with specialized training, understand how young children learn and develop, and they are well-equipped to create safe, nurturing, and stimulating environments that support every child’s individual needs.” 

“Children who receive quality early education are more likely to graduate from high school, attend college, and become active, contributing members of their communities,” Boettcher added. “Strong early learning helps build stronger, more resilient communities and society for everyone.” 

Read more about the impact of quality early education and NWTC’s early childhood education programs. See “High quality early education starts with high quality training,” below.  

Learning, leading, parenting: Q&A with Elaine Fatla

Learn more about Fatla’s education and career journey – in her own words. 

Elaine Fatla met her husband, Greg, through barefoot waterskiing years ago. Now they share their love for the sport with their four children – Tucker, 10; Cooper, 9; Cayson, 7; and Karsyn, 5. “We are a very active family,” Fatla said. “Our children are involved in many different sports and activities, and, of course, they love to waterski!”

What has driven you to pursue your education?  

While I was in school, I did a lot of nannying and found that I loved working with children. In 2014, I opened an in-home daycare, named Little Toes, after my passion for barefoot waterskiing. I quickly realized the great need for quality childcare and expanded Little Toes into a small center in my childhood home, located on a dairy farm. 

Through this experience, I learned a lot about running a business, child development, and the importance of advocacy and community involvement. I was inspired to encourage some of my staff to further their education and raise their Registry levels*—and I decided to do it alongside them.  

As I learned more about children’s social and emotional development, I became hooked and decided to pursue an associate degree in early childhood education. I also wanted to back up my experience as a childcare provider and director with a solid educational foundation. 

* Wisconsin Registry is the state’s professional development recognition system for early childhood care and education professionals.  

What would your life look like today if you hadn’t chosen NWTC?

Less busy! Haha! In all seriousness, I have no regrets about working toward my associate degree. I am truly thankful for the opportunity to pursue this education, and I’m especially grateful for the strong support system I have at home and within my staff, which allows me to continue working toward my goals.  

I also wouldn’t be able to do this without the incredible support from WECA (Wisconsin Early Childhood Association) and the TEACH Early Childhood Scholarship, which have made furthering my education possible. Choosing NWTC has been a meaningful step in both my personal and professional growth.  

How do you fit college into your busy life/schedule? Do you have any tips/advice for parents who want to pursue their academic goals?

Fitting schoolwork into my life has had its challenges. I’ve had to sacrifice time in the evenings, often replacing office chores with homework. At times, I’ve had to delay certain work duties to meet assignment deadlines. However, being able to complete coursework from home has allowed me to stay present with my children while continuing my education. My advice to other parents is to stay organized and avoid procrastination; while I sometimes push tasks to their due dates, which works for me, it can definitely be stressful. 

What are your future goals?

My future goals are to continue providing quality care to children and to find meaningful ways to help educate and support teachers so they can offer the best care possible. I want to encourage and connect them with the resources and education they need to grow professionally. In addition, I hope to work more closely with local school district daycares and eventually apply for a position as a center director. I also plan to continue operating Little Toes.  

On a personal level, once I complete my degree, I hope to create a better work-life balance. I love watching my kids learn and grow and want to be present to support them every step of the way. 

High quality early education starts with high quality training  

By Mary Beth Boettcher, NWTC Early Childhood Program Director and Lead Faculty 

The early years of a child’s life are a critical time for brain development, learning, and emotional growth – that’s why high quality early education matters. It helps children build important skills like communication, problem-solving, and emotional regulation, skills that shape how children learn, interact, and grow. 

Access to early learning programs helps close learning gaps before they begin. Early education teachers, like Elaine Fatla, with specialized training, understand how young children learn and develop, and they are well-equipped to create safe, nurturing, and stimulating environments that support every child’s individual needs. Children who receive quality early education are more likely to graduate from high school, attend college, and become active, contributing members of their communities. Strong early learning helps build stronger, more resilient communities and society for everyone. 

Juggling full-time work, running a business, and raising a family, Elaine needed a program that could fit into her busy life. Our flexible online and blended format made it possible for her to pursue higher education without putting everything else on hold. Elaine took advantage of the eight-week online and blended courses and also committed to evening field experience sessions, attending synchronously with her instructors and peers, in addition to completing weekly field placements. 

NWTC prepares future educators  

Mary Beth Boettcher, above left, works with a student who is gaining practical experience in the Early Childhood Infant Toddler certificate program.

What truly sets our online program apart is the personal connections we build in our virtual classrooms. For busy students, learning from home without having to delay their education until life slows down makes a big difference. It removes barriers like travel, transportation, and time away from family—making higher education more accessible and achievable. 

Through these live virtual field experience sessions, we foster meaningful relationships with our students, which we deeply value. We introduce new concepts, discuss professionalism, and explore topics such as understanding the reasons behind children’s behavior. Students actively share real-world experiences from their work and placements, participate in small group case studies, and learn collaboratively – all within the virtual classroom.  

Supporting students in the field is at the heart of NWTC’s Early Childhood Education program. Helping students like Elaine apply what they learn in real-world settings has always been our priority. We’re proud to offer a program that’s not only flexible but also deeply meaningful – and we’re incredibly proud of our students, and graduates, especially Elaine. 

The Early Childhood Education program at NWTC is known for its high-quality, hands-on approach to preparing students for careers working with young children and families. The program is led by experienced faculty who bring real-world expertise into the classroom, and it offers flexible learning options, including eight-week courses, online and in-person formats, and credential-based pathways. Students gain practical experience through field placements in diverse early learning settings, ensuring they graduate with the skills, confidence, and credentials needed to succeed. With strong community partnerships and a focus on developmentally appropriate practices, NWTC’s program equips future educators to support the growth, learning, and well-being of every child they serve.