Friday, December 6, 2024

Antigo School District welcomes in new staff for 2016

Posted
These brief biographies were provided by the new teachers of the Antigo area themselves and compiled by Tina VerHagen, human resources coordinator of the Unified School District of Antigo.

Karen Aschenbrenner

AHS English Teacher

“I always wanted to teach, but didn't know in what capacity, so I worked the college level in curriculum design, writing centers, and online prior to 6-12 license. I write for fun because I like history and storytelling. One project is YA magical realism with historical references to 1890s Laos and the other is YA fantasy set around 600 A.D. in the foothills of Mongolia. I like hiking, tennis, ATVing and cartooning. I want to visit Seville, Spain and Santorini.... and Mexico, specifically for Dia de las Muertos.
Anita Berner

Library Clerk/AIMS Administrative Assistant, East Elementary

“I graduated from Antigo High School in 1992.  I have been a stay at home mom while providing childcare for the last 20 years. I started subbing for the school district last year and enjoyed it so much that I applied for a full-time position this year. I enjoy reading, biking and spending time with my family.”
Dan Chandler

AHS Math Teacher

“I was raised in Watertown, WI – Home of the Goslings! I attended UW-Oshkosh and received a degree in Secondary Math and Chemistry. I have two daughters, Rachel and Carly. I taught science and math at Menasha for 20 years. I enjoy camping, skiing, golfing, and traveling. I ran my first 10k race this past summer. One thing on my bucket list that I have done is to see the Dave Matthews Band live (40+ times).  One thing I would like to do is to go skydiving – planning to go sometime this fall with my oldest daughter.  Excited to be a Red Robin!”
Sarah DuBore

District Director of Food Service

“I have been a registered dietitian for over 10 years and have worked in various aspects of nutrition. Prior to taking the position as the District Director of Food Service, I had worked for 5 1/2 years at Eastview Medical and Rehab Center in Antigo as their Registered Dietitian and Dietary Supervisor. Previous employment includes working as a contracted certified diabetes educator, a registered dietitian at a clinic providing patient education, and as a hospital dietitian.  I received my Bachelor of Science in Dietetic with a minor in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and then my Master of Science in  Food & Nutritional Sciences from the University of Wisconsin -Stout. My family consists of my husband, Kurt, my daughter Madelyn (age 10), and my son Justin (age 9). My children are looking forward to school starting; they are in the 5th and 4th grades respectively. My social life revolves around my children's clubs and sporting activities at this time. My hobbies include gardening, reading, and spending time with my family. I am looking forward to this upcoming school year.”
Carol Engebretson

Library Clerk, Pleasant View Elementary

“Hello! I have worked for the Antigo Public Library for almost five years before coming to work at the library at Pleasant View Elementary. I am originally from Denver and moved to Antigo with my husband, Don, and three children in 2000. My two eldest children are graduates of Antigo High School and my youngest will be a sophomore this year. I am a musician and am active in the community with my music through church and Of Chorus. I also accompanied the high school choirs and vocalists for many years. I enjoy theater and act in a few community productions, including one that starred Ron Palillo who was best known as Horshack in "Welcome Back, Kotter."  In addition to my library work, I also keep busy as a Senior Consultant for Thirty-One Gifts.”
Lori Gintner

Title I Teacher, West Elementary

“Hi! My Bachelor's Degree is from UW-Madison. I taught first grade in Abbotsford, WI for three years. Then I earned my 316 Reading Teacher Degree from Silver Lake College, followed by Reading Recovery Training with the Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rapids School District, where I taught Reading Recovery and Title I - first and second grade. I was then hired by Mosinee School District where I taught Title I, kindergarten and first grade for 13 years. During this time I earned my Reading Specialist Masters at Viterbo. My next position was Title I at Menominee Indian Middle School with sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. Presently, I reside in Gresham but am looking to relocate to Antigo. I have two sons. My oldest, Drew, attends chiropractic school at Life University in Atlanta. He has a year and a half to go. Caleb, 22, has graduated from UW-Platteville and was hired as a Manufacturing Engineer with  Greenheck Fan in Wausau. My mom Germaine, 87, resides in Manitowoc, WI and stays active every day. Michael is my significant other. We enjoy camping, shooting pool and playing cribbage. I like to walk and also enjoy lap swim. The charming community of Antigo offers activities, shopping and events that are similar to my home town. I also value a collaborative effort in teaching students and that is exemplified in the name of this district....  Unified School District of Antigo. I look forward to working with you all as a reading teacher at West Elementary.”
Andrea Hippe

Educational Interpreter

“Hello! My name is Andrea Hippe and I am an Educational Interpreter for the Deaf.  I previously had worked for the Unified School District of Antigo at both the high school and East Elementary and will be returning to the Middle School this year. For the past four years, I have been at home raising my twins and building our small homestead. I spend my time tending to our 10 chickens, six ducks, three dairy goats and a large garden. Our family goal is to produce as much of our own food as we can and teach our children where food comes from.  In the rare event I find myself with free time I enjoy reading and yoga. I look forward to working again and couldn't be more pleased to be back in Antigo.”
Jacquelynn Kuyoth

AHS English Teacher

“Hello! I went to school at UW-River Falls. I have been teaching for the last three years in Kingman, Arizona, about 1.5 hours south of Las Vegas. Something on my bucket list that I have accomplished was visiting Ireland through a study abroad program in college. Something on my bucket list I would like to accomplish is traveling to New Zealand as well as to travel to all 50 states. General interests: I really enjoy playing trivia, watching plays, doing puzzles and reading.
Tami Malina

AMS General Music Teacher

“Hello! I am excited to teach in Antigo because I have spent most of my life trying to get back ‘home.’ Living and working here, doing what I love where I love, is a dream come true.  Also, I went to school at Vandercook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois, and Roosevelt University also in Chicago. I earned my Master of Music Education and BM Flute Performance.  Also, goodbye to all that Chicago traffic and Bears fans. I have been teaching music for over 30 years and can play just about all instruments well. I have raised four daughters, including a set of triplets! On my bucket list: a four-wheel drive vehicle, hopefully grandkids and ice fishing. I enjoy working with animals and gardening and love a good Scrabble game!”
Kaylee Marien

Special Education Instructional Assistant, West Elementary

“I'm Kaylee Marien. I'm very excited to be working at West Elementary as an IA. I love working with children and am excited to join such a great team. I live in Antigo with my husband and our dogs. I love to be with family, and enjoy being outdoors.  I look forward to meeting and working with all of you!”
Robert "Bob" Schroeder

First Grade Teacher, North Elementary

“Hi! I went to Concordia University and UWM and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education, Social Studies, and  Athletic Coaching. After college, I moved to Europe for two years. My first year I lived in Riga, Latvia and my second year I lived in Dachau, Germany. Some things I enjoy on my free time are reading, working out, playing sports and spending time with my family and friends. On my bucket list, I'd like to travel to South America and Australia. They are the only 2 continents I haven't been to...except for Antarctica. I'm really looking forward to this upcoming year in Antigo!”
Lindsey Stratton

Elementary Consulting

“I got my Master's in School Counseling at UW-Stout. I got my BS in Psychology at UW-La Crosse. I grew up just north of Madison. I get excited about dogs and dog training. I have a two-year old Rottweiler named Bogus. I enjoy outdoor activities like mountain biking and snowshoeing. I love working with kids and learning from them.”
Blair Westfahl

4K Teacher

“Hello!  I hail from Van Dyne, Wisconsin. A recent graduate of St. Norbert College, I am excited (and nervous) to start teaching! I am proud to acknowledge my love of life-long learning as a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. I have been fortunate enough to have many exciting travels during my life so far, but hope to see more of the world when I can! A few things to know about me are that I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, cuddling with my dog, Chance, reading, and finding new and creative ways to paint my nails!”
Amy Woodward

AHS Math Teacher

“Hello! I graduated from UW-Stevens Point with a B.S. in Elementary Education and a Mathematics minor. I have five years teaching experience besides being a substitute and summer school teacher. I have worked in security, insurance/account auditing and have been an adjunct instructor at NTC. I have always wanted to become a teacher because I enjoy learning new things and I love to share my love of learning. I am married and have two boys. I enjoy photography, traveling, spending time with my family and volunteering when I can.  Hopefully, when I retire I will move to the Caribbean and volunteer my time in the schools or communities as needed.  The islands hold a special place in my heart.”
Lisa Zeit

Special Education Teacher, North Elementary

“[I was] raised and spent most of my years living in the West Bend, Wisconsin area. I started out going to school for accounting which lead to many years working in the business field while fixing up homes on the side. I went back to school for 911 dispatching, ATF hostage negotiations, Milwaukee Bomb Squad training, prisoner intake and searches, and to become an EMT and First Responder. This schooling resulted in working several positions in Milwaukee area communities. I spent 15 amazing years raising my wonderful daughter whom I have had the pleasure to home school. I started tutoring students on a regular basis which helped me decide to go back to school again to get my bachelor's degree in special education, cross categorical with an EBD emphasis from UWO. Last August, I moved to Deerbrook with my daughter and began as a substitute aide and teacher last spring with the Unified School District of Antigo. This year will be my first year as a full-time special education teacher at North Elementary.”

 

Antigo School District

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