March 3, 2020

Mary Jo Fesenmaier | Eastview Elementary School

• Teaching in Year 31:  Grades 2, 3, 4, and 5 at Central, Eastview, and Star Center now in the Library at Eastview Elementary School
• My favorite part of teaching is providing opportunities for our youth to learn new things and see the world from different perspectives. The best way to do that is through books and loving to read.
• I have loved teaching in all three elementary schools but enjoy Eastview because of its small size providing the best chance to make meaningful relationships and connections with and for our students. Outside Eastview, you can find me tending my yard, volunteering at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, and enjoying our small-town features such as the public library, local shops, lakeshore path, and glacial hills. You will also find me reading fiction and nonfiction materials and speaking at City Hall to advocate for the citizens of Lake Geneva.

February 25, 2020

Elizabeth (Sanders) Hughes | Lake Geneva Middle School

Hello, I am Mrs. Hughes and this is my 5th year teaching at Lake Geneva Middle School.  I earned my BA from Ripon College with a major in Exercise Science and Early childhood and a Minor in Health.

My favorite part about my job is helping students learn their potential and watching them grow from 6th grade to 8th grade. I like teaching at the middle school because of the people I work with, both staff and students.  My goal is to help students find confidence in themselves as they venture through middle school. 

In my spare time, you can find me spending time with my family, coaching soccer, hiking or traveling.  

Hello, I am Mrs. Tamara (McDaniel) Pettijohn and this is my 20th year teaching at Lake Geneva Middle School.  I teach 7th grade Science, Project Lead the Way, and Math Applications in Science at LGMS.  I also advise a daily Homeroom class where we prepare for the school day.

I graduated from Darlington High School in Darlington, WI in 1994.  I received my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary/Middle Level Education with a Natural Science minor from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and a Master's Degree in Education from Viterbo University.  

My favorite part of teaching is creating an environment where students have a hands-on approach to learning science.  In science lab, students are able to connect with the content and continue to strive toward meeting and exceeding the academic rigor we provide at LGMS.  Watching my students grow academically while interacting in science lab stations, has opened my eyes to the impact I have as a teacher and how creativity, passion, and student choice can positively influence a child's experience with learning.  

My goal for my students is to provide an environment that puts our students in a position to succeed.  My classes focus on helping students find their talents, grow with confidence, and extend their leadership beyond our four walls.  

I feel quite fortunate to work with the amazing teachers and caring students in seventh grade Lake house at LGMS.  We have an amazing staff and facility that provides many opportunities for our students.

Outside of school, you can find me coaching cross country, advising chess club, painting and hiding rocks for our LGMS Rocks club, and spending time with my family and friends. 

Hi there! I am Ms. Suchy! I work at Lake Geneva Middle School. I am in my fourth year of teaching and all four have been spent at LGMS. Prior to teaching, I was a nanny during my high school and college years. I have always enjoyed working with kids. My favorite part of my job is seeing all the success students are able to achieve. I enjoying teaching at LGMS because middle school can be such a fun and tough time of life, I just want to be able to offer a friendly smile. My goal is to help students see they are capable of much more than they believe. Outside of school, you can find me reading, watching movies, going on walks with my fiancé, dancing to any and all music, or right now, planning my wedding. I am looking forward to a great rest of the school year!

January 28, 2020

Erin McNally | Badger High School

Hi, I am Erin McNally. This is my 6th year in the Lake Geneva Schools District. I have worked as a one-on-one Special Education Aide at LGMS, Reading Aide at Badger and one of the Badger Main Office Secretaries. I am currently finishing up my Bachelor's in Psychology with a concentration in Child and Adolescence and will be starting my Master's in the fall of 2020 for School Counseling as a stepping stone for my School Psychology degree. My favorite part of my job is meeting so many people throughout the day, enjoying the company of my coworkers in the front office along with the staff at Badger. I am so fortunate to be working with such a great group of people who have shown so much care to my family and me over the last 6 years and give so much compassion to the students that attend here at Badger. My goal as a secretary is to make sure that the students that walk through the front doors of the school, start their day off on a positive note. So many students have a multitude of things that can be happening outside of the school setting, and since I am one of the first couple faces they see right away in the morning, it is my goal to make sure they start the day out right with a laugh or smile. Outside of school, you can find me spending time working on my classwork for my diploma, hanging out with my children and planning my upcoming wedding. You can also find me at just about any sporting or event that Badger offers as I enjoy so much in helping out the clubs and activities. 

January 21, 2020

Erin Koepke | 4-Year-Old Kindergarten Teacher | Star Center Elementary

My name is Erin Koepke and I am a four-year-old kindergarten teacher at Star Center Elementary School. This will be my fourth year teaching 4K at Star Center and my 6th year teaching. Previous to teaching 4K I spent a lot of time as a substitute and aide for the community of Lake Geneva. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in Early-Childhood Education. There, is where I met my loving husband of almost ten years and we began our lives together as a family. We have four beautiful children and our family dog. Our time spent together is generally out in the yard, traveling, or doing house projects. My favorite part of teaching four-year-old’s is the abundance of hugs! I love their sense of joy in the smallest things that we take for granted as we get older. There are many reasons I love working at Star Center but if I must choose just one, it is the community in which everyone is so supportive and caring of each other. My goal this year is to help my students build self-confidence and independence and instill a life-long love of learning along the way. I mean, it does begin in 4K... mine as well make it a fun educational experience after all!

 
January 14, 2020

Amy Pulokas | Lake Geneva Middle School

Hi, my name is Amy Pulokas.  I am an 8^th Grade Science Teacher at Lake Geneva Middle School. I have a degree in Elementary Education and minor in Science.  I love to teach science and see my students enjoying learning through simple activities as they make connections to the world around them.  I enjoy teaching at Lake Geneva Middle School because of our team approach to support students.  My goal is to help students become informed citizens who are able to make decisions based on evidence and their understanding of the world.  Outside of school, you can find me playing with my dog, cooking, playing tennis or gardening.

My name is Mrs. Dani Madecky and I teach English classes at Badger High School. I mostly teach 11th grade American and 12th grade World Literature and Composition courses, but I have also taught AP, ACT prep, Shakespeare, 10th grade English, and Creative Writing. I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English at CSU in southern California. I also have a Master of Arts degree from St. Xavier University in Teaching and Educational Leadership. Since 2004, I have certified twice as a National Board recognized teacher in English-Language Arts for young adolescent through adult age groups and currently hold a Master Teacher license for the state of Wisconsin.

My favorite part of my job is talking with students about literature. I love when students find real value in a book that reveals their energy and interest about a topic. I encourage students to discover authentic experiences with their educations. I especially like teaching at Badger because of all the opportunities available for students and teachers. The elective selections provide real choice that allows everyone to work towards their greatest strengths. My goal is to help students find meaning and purpose in their English education. This understanding will create a value that will help them to develop necessary skills for their success throughout high school and beyond. Outside of school, I like to be outdoors and traveling with my family (and my dog). I also like sporting activities, so you might see me at a Packer or Brewers game!

Mr. Curtis | Badger High School | Math Teacher 

Hello, I am Mr. Curtis.  This is my 9th year teaching at Badger High School.  I received my BA from the University of Iowa and my MA from Concordia University Wisconsin.

My favorite part about my job is helping students learn their potential and watching them gain confidence in themselves.  I like teaching at Badger because of the staff, the school allows teachers to be creative with the curriculum, and every day has different challenges.  My goal is to help students put themselves in a position to achieve their goals.

Outside of school, you can find me coaching football, coaching track, spending time with my family, watching the Badgers and Packers, and golfing.

Hello, I am Mrs. Machan, the Library Media Specialist at Lake Geneva Middle School. I spent 7 years in an elementary school library in Brookfield before I leveled up to the middle school here in Lake Geneva. My favorite part of my job is matching kids up with great books. It is so much fun to hear that they liked my recommendations, and I like hearing theirs too. My goal is for every student to find at least one book that they really like while they are here.  LGMS is a great place to work because the teachers, staff, and students are so friendly and interesting. Outside of school, you can find me with my family at the Bristol Renaissance Faire in the summer or craft fairs during the fall and winter.

October 29, 2019

Rachel Harmeling | Library Media Specialist | Badger High School

My name is Rachel Harmeling.  I am the Library Media Specialist at Badger High School.  I have a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Carroll University, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology from Cardinal Stritch University.  I began my teaching career in the year 2000 as a Social Studies and English teacher and became a Media Specialist after receiving my Master’s Degree. My goal for the Badger Library is to create a space where students are able to explore their ideas through literature or technology.  I love working at Badger High School because they support my goal and work with me to bring the best possible library learning environment to the students, including a state-of-the-art PHabLab (fabrication lab with 3D printers, laser cutter, CNC machine, etc.).  Outside of school, you can find me golfing, reading, or watching my kids play baseball, basketball, or soccer.

October 22, 2019

Kyle Blechner | 1st Grade Teacher | Central-Denison Elementary School

My name is Mr. Blechner.  I received my Bachelor’s Degree from UW-Green Bay and my Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Concordia University-Milwaukee. During the summer months, I take on the role of Program Director at Red Arrow Camp, an all-boys sports and adventure camp in Woodruff, WI. My favorite part of being a teacher is the relationships I build with both my own students and others around the school.  I enjoy working at Central-Denison Elementary School because the opportunities for growth and development are fantastic for both students and staff.  Outside of school, you can find me: playing soccer, cooking and going on adventures in the outdoors with friends.

October 15, 2019

Mr. Rob Granger | Computer Science Teacher | Lake Geneva Middle School 

Educational/Work Background: I have a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary English Education from UW-Whitewater and a Master's Degree in Instructional Technology from Cardinal-Stritch. I worked one year teaching English at Nova Group in Fukuyama, Japan, then a year teaching in Elcho, Wisconsin. After that, I came to LGMS, and this is my 12th year.

Favorite Part of Job: I like seeing kids get pumped up about a lesson or a project. We will do so many different things in Computer Science that there's something for everyone.

Why I like teaching at LGMS: There is a true community feel here. Everybody is invested in the same goal, and we're all working together to get there.

My goal for students is pretty simple. I hope that everyone tries something new and makes something cool. In a class where students are creating with technology, there is a lot of room for different interests. I’m extremely excited to see where the kids go!

Outside of school, I’m either running around with my two sons or building something in my garage. On the rare occasion, I get to leave the house alone during the weekend, I’m usually on a bike.

October 8, 2019

Mrs. Katelyn Leach | Central-Denison Elementary School

HI!  I'm Katelyn Leach and I teach first grade at Central-Denison Elementary.  I'm currently in my 8th year of teaching - proud to say all eight years have been in the Lake Geneva School District.  During my time in Lake Geneva, I've been an ESL teacher at Eastview and a first grade teacher at Central-Denison.  I graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point in 2010 and earned my Master's Degree from George Williams University in 2013.  My favorite thing about teaching is being silly with a purpose.  Laughing and learning makes for a pretty awesome day, if you ask me!

When I'm not at Central-Denison you will find me with my husband and two children.  You can spot us all around, but our favorite places to go together are the library and the zoo. 

October 1, 2019

Mrs. Lauren Klement | Lake Geneva Middle School

What school do you work at?
Lake Geneva Middle School (6th - 8th grade), teaching 4th - 5th grade students from Eastview and Star Center as well

What is your position?
4th through 8th Grade Orchestra Director

What is your educational &/or work background?
This is my 11th year in Lake Geneva Schools. I received my Bachelor’s Degree from UW-Eau Claire and my Master’s Degree from VanderCook College of Music.

What is your favorite part of your job?
I love to see the development of the orchestra students from 4th through 8th grade. It is amazing thinking back to the first day that they open their instrument case through what they are capable of in 8th grade and even beyond into high school!

Why do you like teaching at Lake Geneva Middle School?
I love that we are invested in the student’s academics as well as building their character. I think music is a great avenue that teaches students even if they do not get it right the first time, they should continue to work toward achieving success. Middle School is such an imperative time to help students develop in all areas of their lives and I like helping them improve these skills.

Outside of school, you can find me…
traveling, cooking, baking and visiting with family and friends. I also play oboe with the Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra.

May 28, 2019

Teacher Feature | Mrs. Jena Ecklund | Star Center Elementary School

My name is Mrs. Jena Ecklund. I am a fourth grade teacher at Star Center Elementary School. This is my 6th year teaching. This is my third year teaching fourth grade at Star Center.  Outside of school, you can find me spending time with my two sons. We love to go to the park, library and visit Green Meadows Farm together.  My favorite thing about teaching is seeing the amazing growth that occurs within my students every year. I’m so lucky to spend my days with the most caring and thoughtful children, they are truly wonderful. I love that Star Center Elementary is the heart of the surrounding community.  We are like a family, everyone cares for each other and is so proud of Star Center Elementary. As a teacher, my goal is to help children believe in the power of their capabilities and help them to discover their potential to change the world. 

Mrs. Marie Collins | Badger High School

Career Tech Ed (CTE) and Community Education

I have a BA from UW-Whitewater

As Director of Community Education, I love extending opportunities to the public through all of the wonderful community members I have met who teach the programs we offer. In my CTE role, I enjoy working closely with our teachers to enhance their programs through industry certifications, transcripted college credit and grant opportunities. Seeing students leave Badger with 18 college credits is a great feeling!

Badger High School offers all students phenomenal opportunities to prepare for college and careers. Students who attend Badger have no idea how many opportunities they have here that other students in districts across the state and nation do not have. Working with supportive administrators and a School Board that finds ways to provide the resources we have for our students is a bonus! But, as in all of education, it's the things we can do to benefit students that make my job the best.

My goal is to help our students find their pathway to future success. And also to provide opportunities for non-school families to find value in our schools.

Outside of school, you can find me with my friends and family. I am a people person.

May 14, 2019

Mrs. Julie Kolb | Central-Denison Elementary School

Hi! My name is Mrs. Kolb and I teach first grade at Central-Denison Elementary School.  I received my undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse.  In 2010 I had the privilege of becoming a Nationally Board Certified Teacher.  I enjoy seeing my students smiling faces as they are learning new things.  It is fun to teach at Central-Denison for many reasons BUT it’s so great for me because I used to be a student here when I was in elementary school!  I enjoy teaching students to love learning and to be kind.  Outside of school, you can find me as a mom, doing many activities, especially swimming, camping and reading! 

May 7, 2019

Ms. Elizabeth Bart | Star Center Elementary 

My name is Ms. Elizabeth Bart and I am currently a 5th grade teacher at Star Center Elementary School. I received my bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. I majored in elementary education and minored in early childhood education. I also have a masters degree in teaching and leadership from St. Xavier University.

The BEST part of my job is getting to know my students. I enjoy learning what makes them who they are and I get to help shape who they will become. My goal is to always provide an welcoming learning environment where students become creative, independent, and engaged thinkers. Star Center provides the perfect environment to achieve this. I feel Star is the center of our community and every teacher, parent, and student an important part of it.

Outside of school I enjoy traveling to historic places, reading, crafting, and relaxing with my dog Buster Brown.

April 30, 2019

Ms. Alyssa Markuson | Lake Geneva Middle School 

Hello! My name is Ms. Markuson and I am a 6th-Grade Math teacher at LGMS. I attended UW-Eau Claire for my undergraduate studies and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and a double minor in Mathematics and Coaching. I later attended Concordia University Wisconsin for my Master’s in Educational Design and Technology. I briefly taught in the Madison area before beginning my career here in Lake Geneva. This year is my 6th year of teaching.

As I tell my students my goal is to change as many students minds about math as possible. I may not be able to make it everyone’s favorite subject, but I want to at least make it enjoyable and something they can use in their real lives. Seeing a student light up because they finally understand something, is my favorite!

One reason I enjoy teaching at LGMS is the students I get to work with. They bring a smile to my face everyday, and hey, they still think I’m funny so that’s a win! But I also really enjoy teaching at LGMS because I have some amazing co-workers. We support one another and the team bond we have cannot be beat!

My first goal is to help students navigate through their early teenage years of school, friendships, and life in general. My second goal is to share my love for math with my students.

Outside of school you can find me remodeling my house. This often works into math problems. If Ms. Markuson buys 500 sq ft of patio pavers that are 8” by 14”, approximately how many pavers did Ms. Markuson have to load and unload from the truck?

April 2, 2019

Mrs. Berta Zorich | Lake Geneva Middle School

Hello, I am Mrs. Zorich. I teach 8th grade Math 8 and Algebra I in Delta House at the middle school. Some of you may remember me as Ms. Martinez. The name has changed because I got married during the summer of 2017.

I have just started my 17th year with this district and my 24th year teaching. Prior to teaching, I was home for 10 years raising my children and being actively involved in their school community. Teaching is a second career for me as I worked for Illinois Bell Telephone and AT&T Information Systems before starting a family.

My undergraduate degree, a BS-Education, is from UW-Whitewater. I also have a ME-Professional Development with an emphasis in Mathematics Education from Cardinal Stritch University.

The greatest part of teaching mathematics is seeing the “Oh my gosh, I get it now” moments when students realize that they can learn, understand, and do well in mathematics. My goal for all of my students is to recognize that education is power...I want all of them to be powerful!

Outside of school time, you can find me walking the dog and loving the lake!

Miss Amy Stanfield | Central-Denison Elementary School

Hi there!  My name is Miss Amy Stanfield, and I am the music teacher at Central Denison Elementary School.  You can find me singing, moving, and playing all day long in the music room!  I went to the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire and received a bachelor’s degree in music education with a general music and choral emphasis.  During my student teaching, I fell in LOVE with elementary music, and I’ve had a blast teaching it ever since.  I’ve begun my Kodály and Orff Certifications at the University of DePaul, been certified in World Music Drumming Level 1, and have a master’s degree in general music education from Vandercook College of Music.  Central Denison is wonderful because of our diverse population of students!  We may all be different, but we come together create, perform, and respond to music.  One of my favorite sayings is “Music is the universal language of mankind,” and I love being able to unite our students through song.  This is also what I love about teaching music in general.  Through music, we can experience other cultures, express our feelings, connect to patterns mathematically, and work as a team to create a masterpiece.  Seeing children get excited about singing in another language, listening to classical music, or doing other musical activities to help broaden their horizons is by far the best part of my job.  When I’m not at Central Denison, you can find me teaching KIDZ Yoga at the YMCA, working at a small boutique in downtown Lake Geneva, singing in a choir in Chicago, paddle boarding, or snuggling with my French Bulldog, Olive!

February 26, 2019

Mrs. Julie Milligan | Lake Geneva Middle School

My name is Julie Milligan and I am a School Counselor at Lake Geneva Middle School.  I received a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Lawrence University and a Master's Degree from UW-Milwaukee in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in School Counseling.  I furthered my education at Viterbo University and obtained my license for Principal and Director of Instruction.  I began my career in Kansasville and then Waterford, where I worked for 20 years before coming to Lake Geneva in 2013.  I am thrilled to be back in the town where I grew up and love working at Lake Geneva Middle School.  I especially enjoy our amazing staff, supportive families, and learning new things from our incredible students.  My goal is to help the students gain the skills and confidence they need to be successful at school and prepared to enjoy their future.  Outside of school, you can find me going for walks with my family, reading, and enjoying my daughter's concerts and gymnastics meets.

February 19, 2019

Ms. Brandi Powell | Badger High School

Hello!  I am Ms. Powell and I work at Badger High School. This is the start of my 8^th year with Lake Geneva Schools.  I began my career at LGMS as the main office secretary and moved over to Badger a couple of years ago in the Student Information Systems Support position.  I am currently attending Gateway Technical College and plan to graduate with an Associate Degree as an Administrative Professional in December of 2019.  I enjoy the many challenges that my job brings on a daily basis including creating the master schedule for Badger, pulling all sorts of data needed by staff and state reporting agencies, and of course, working with the students!  Students are the best part of my job and I enjoy watching them grow while at Badger and learning about their life outside of school.  It is my goal to make sure every student leaves my office knowing that they can always walk through my door and feel comfortable talking to me.   Outside of school, you will find me with my family – I may be cheering on my youngest daughter, Payton, at a softball game, or heading up to Carroll University to visit my oldest daughter, Emma.  I also enjoy watching football (GO BEARS!), traveling and going to music festivals like Summerfest.  

February 5, 2019

Mrs. Kelly Peters | Central-Denison Elementary School

My name is Kelly Peters and I’m a third grade teacher at Central-Denison. I completed my student teaching in Lake Geneva and began teaching here in 2003. I attended UW-Whitewater and received my Bachelor’s degree in Education with a minor in Psychology. I continued my education and received a Master’s in Education from Aurora University. I have taught second and third grade. My favorite part about teaching is sharing my passion for learning. I love trying new things with my students to peek their interests and foster their love of learning. I have a wide array of interests including science experiments, incorporating technology in the classroom, game based learning in math, and encouraging students to have a growth mindset. My husband, Jason, works for Walworth County Highway Department. We live in Lake Geneva and our 3 children attend Lake Geneva Schools as well. We love being a part of this beautiful community. I love working at Central-Denison and living in the same community because I have met so many amazing students and families! Outside of school you may see me outdoors with my family, kayaking, or enjoying the beach. I enjoy walking and have walked all 20+ miles of the Geneva lake path 16 times. I also love to travel with my family. I am always up for an adventure.

January 29, 2019

Mrs. Ashley Schmidt | Eastview Elementary School

My name is Mrs. Ashley Schmidt, and I am the Spanish Teacher at Eastview Elementary School. I graduated from UW-Whitewater with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, and I also received my Master’s Degree from Cardinal Stritch University in Educational Leadership and Curriculum and Instruction. I love working at Eastview because of the students and staff. I get the opportunity to work with all 4th and 5th graders and hope that by the time they leave they have an appreciation for the Spanish language and culture (and had some fun while learning about it). When I am not at school, I can usually be found spending time with my family. My children, Whitney (9) and Wells (7), are involved in many youth sports that keep our family busy. My husband coaches almost every sport that they play which leaves me to be the cheerleader!

My name is Mrs. Lazzaroni and I teach math at Badger High School.  I attended the University of Wisconsin - River Falls where I earned my bachelor of science degree.  I received my master’s degree in education from Viterbo University in LaCrosse.  My favorite part of my job is hearing students say, “That was easy. “, “Math is fun!” or “That’s all I have to do?” when they understand the lesson.  I enjoy teaching at Badger High School because we work in teams.  Everyone has input and the diversity leads to a stronger program.  Our lessons are richer because of everyone’s combined strengths.  My goal is to help students understand math so it can be used as a tool outside of math class.  Outside of school you can find me doing a variety of volunteer activities.  I am a member of the Ice Age Trail Alliance, which is a non-profit group that supports the Ice Age Trail (one of the National Scenic Trails).  This is a group that protects, builds, maintains and promotes the 1200 mile hiking path in the state of Wisconsin.  I am a Girl Scout Leader.  I am currently working with a scout who is running a sign language club at BHS for her gold award project.  I do a variety of things at my church:  singing in the choir, providing hospitality and running bake sales, and cleaning the church to name a few.  I go camping, biking and kayaking with family and friends.  I enjoy watching my family members play different sports and attend their concerts and plays.

December 18, 2018

Mrs. Abby Rouce | Star Center Elementary School

My name is Mrs. Abby Rouce and I am the School Psychologist at Star. This is my first year at Star Center but my 4th year as a School Psychologist. I grew up in Burlington, Wisconsin and graduated from Burlington High School. I graduated from UW La Crosse with a Bachelors in Psychology and a minor in Nutrition. I furthered my education and UW Whitewater and received a Masters degree in Education and an Educational Specialist degree to become a School Psychologist. My favorite part of being a school psychologist is being able to work with all students so they are able to reach their fullest potential socially, emotionally, behaviorally, and academically. I love when I am working with a student and see the light in their eyes when they do something they never thought they could do. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family, playing softball, baking, taking vacations, and being outdoors.

Mrs. Heather Hutchinson | Eastview Elementary School

My name is Mrs. Heather Hutchinson. I am a fifth grade teacher at Eastview Elementary School. This is my 21st year of teaching in the Lake Geneva School District. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Psychology at Augustana College in the Quad Cities. Then I went back to school and received a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Aurora University in Williams Bay, WI. My favorite part of my job is when my students get motivated to learn a new topic. At Eastview, there is a nurturing environment that encourages students to take chances, make mistakes, and learn! My number one goal for my students would be to teach them that any goal is possible with perseverance! Outside of school can you find me playing at the park with my husband, son and dog, Bentley!

December 4, 2018

Mr. Beau Roddy | Badger High School

My name is Beau Roddy and I work at Badger High School as a special education teacher. I went to the University of Wisconsin-Madison for an undergraduate degree in International Relations and received a Master's Degree in Special Education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. The favorite part of my job is having the ability to work with students in many different settings. The ability to work in the classroom, on the field and in the community is what makes this profession rewarding. I love teaching at Badger because of the many different opportunities provided for students and teachers. If you want to be a better version of yourself, you will be supported. I also appreciate the positive atmosphere that is present at Badger throughout the academic school year. My goal as a teacher is to assure that each student is maximizing their potential and developing plans for life after high school. Outside of school, you can find me at sporting events, going for bike rides with my wife, and checking off bucket list trips as often as possible.

November 13, 2018

Mrs. Amanda Krause | Lake Geneva Middle School

My name is Amanda Krause and I teach band at Lake Geneva Middle School.  This is my 11th year teaching middle school band, and my 5th year in Lake Geneva.  I received my Bachelor of Music from the University of Minnesota in 2004, and my Master of Education and Professional Development from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse in 2013.  Prior to teaching in Lake Geneva, I taught in Anoka, MN and Union Grove, WI.  My favorite part of my job is working with my students, especially since I get to work with them year after year.  I love getting to know my students and watching them develop into outstanding musicians and individuals.  Teaching at Lake Geneva Middle School is very special to me.  I was a member of the first graduating class of LGMS in 2000, and I am proud to teach band where I got my start in music.  My goal as a band director is to help students become lifelong musicians and for them to connect the skills they gain in my class to their everyday life.  Outside of school, you can find me spending time with my husband and two daughters.  Some of our favorite things to do are cheer on the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Gophers, eat ice cream and listen to music.

November 6, 2018

Mrs. Patty Goff | Star Center Elementary School

My name is Mrs. Goff, and I am a fifth grade teacher at Star Center Elementary. This is my tenth year teaching fifth grade in the Lake Geneva Schools. I earned my undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. After working in business for a few years, I pursued my passion and went on to earn elementary education teacher certification from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater. In the spring of 2016, I earned a Master’s degree in Education Administration from Concordia University. My absolute, undeniable favorite part of my job is the time I spend with my students each day helping them grow and learn!! On the first day of school each year, I share with my students that it is my job to teach them academic skills, but I think it is equally important, if not more important, to help them to grow as people. After all, we will be remembered by our character and how we treat each other more than anything else. I love working at Star Center Elementary because of the amazing students, the supportive families, and the collaborative colleagues. It is truly a warm and welcoming school community. Outside of school, you can find me spending time with my family and walking my one year old black Labrador retriever!

Mrs. Stacy Smith | Central-Denison Elementary School

My name is Stacy Smith and I am a reading specialist at Central-Denison school. In the spring of 2004, I graduated from Carroll College with an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education. In 2009, I received my Master's Degree from Aurora University in Reading. Throughout my time teaching I have taught 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade and in 2012, I took on the role of a reading specialist. My favorite part of my job is teaching children the tools or strategies to become a confident reader. There is no better feeling than seeing a child take what you have taught them and apply it independently. It is the absolute best part of my job. Central-Denison is such an amazing place to learn and grow. I am so fortunate to work with the people I do. I love this place so much and am so confident in our curriculum and our teachers that deliver our instruction that my own children are a Central-Denison alum, current student and future student. This is absolutely the place to enroll your future learner. Outside of school, you can find me with my family doing all things active. You may recognize my husband as Mr. Smith from Eastview. He shares my love for teaching as a fifth grade teacher. Together we have three children, Maelynn (9), Kinlee (6) and Koa (3). As a family, we enjoy running races, paddle boarding, camping, hiking, exploring and traveling.

October 23, 2018

Ms. Nora Giesbers | Eastview Elementary School

My name is Nora Giesbers and I teach special education for the fourth and fifth grade at Eastview Elementary School. This is my second year as a special education teacher, however, my fifth year working in a school. After I graduated from UW-Eau Claire with a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders I began working as a special education paraprofessional. From there my love for the field grew and I decided to go back to school to get my teaching license and Master’s Degree in Education.

The best part of my job is when the students demonstrate they are understanding the concepts being taught and want to teach others. I love seeing the light in their eye as they share their joys of learning. The kids make it all worth it! I also am extremely grateful to be an Eagle. I was blessed to be given this job opportunity and love working and learning from the wonderful staff here. I love coming to work every day and seeing the kids have a love for learning and I am grateful to be part of the team at Eastview. My goal is to instill a love for learning in the students as well as teach them the confidence they need to be successful. It is important to me to teach to the whole child and make sure they have the tools they need to be successful.

Outside of school, you can find me with family or friends. I love to spend my time with those close to me. Often at a game night, working on projects, having a movie night, or planning my wedding. Any time that we can have together is cherished.

October 2, 2018

Mrs. Britt Ecklund | Star Center Elementary School

My name is Mrs. Ecklund, and I am a second-grade teacher at Star Center. I have been teaching there since 2004 after I graduated from North Central College with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in Spanish. I obtained my Master’s degree in Teaching and Leadership in 2008 from Saint Xavier University. I absolutely love watching my students grow into independent, respectful, and kind learners during the school year! Star Center is a special place to be because of the amazing teachers and staff, supportive parents, and wonderful students! My goal is to help students develop a love for learning and also be kind, caring members of our community! Outside of school, you can find me spending time with my family (I have a wonderful husband and two amazing boys), or swimming/biking/running! I love spreading inclusion by helping people with disabilities participate in races like triathlons or half-marathons with an organization called myTeam Triumph!