We might be a little biased, but we think the people who work for the
School District of Janesville are more than a little AMAZING! And once you get to meet them, we think that you'll agree!
But SDJ has nearly 1,500 employees -- so getting to know each one would be just short of impossible.
In an effort to get you started, we present this story series titled "Know the District." Included here is a collection of question-and-answer profiles that feature SDJ staff members at facilities throughout the district. These include teachers, social workers, principals, paraprofessionals, counselors, directors, food service workers, IT people and other front-line folks whose commitment to students is integral in helping shape our leaders of tomorrow!
So check these out, and come back regularly for new additions!
Lisa Peterson - Rock River Charter School
Position: Principal, Rock River Charter School; School District of Janesville Charter School Coordinator.
Awards and Honors: Herb Kohl Fellowship, 2005; All-USA Today Teacher, 2005.
Family: Husband, Tom; daughter Haley Peterson (Wilson Elementary School teacher); daughter Alyssa Peterson (special education teacher); daughter Kira Panzer; grandchildren, Lukah Byrd, Vivian Panzer and Felix Panzer. Boston terriers Roxy and Bella.
Can you offer a brief description of what you do for the School District of Janesville? I work to guide students for whom the comprehensive high school was not the correct educational learning environment. I try
to help them find the right fit so they can fulfill their graduation requirements and launch a successful post-secondary plan.
Share something you find rewarding and something you find frustrating about being a principal. I find it rewarding when I see students who really struggle graduate. I find it frustrating when students don’t attend school.
What was the very first job you ever had? My first job was as a cook at the Pizza Hut in Monroe.
You have two hours of free time. What do you do? Play with my grandson, Lukah. He named me JuJu, and he loves to read books and play games.
Share the last good book you read or the last good film/TV show you watched? I loved “I Wish You Were There” by Jodi Picoult. It offered a great look at the Covid pandemic with a twist that kept me up late into the evening.
What were your favorite subjects in school? English and history. I wanted to double-major to teach both of those subjects. My high school guidance counselor talked me out of that plan, so I focused on English.
You have a fairly extensive collection of coffee mugs in your office. When did you start collecting them, and why? I started collecting the mugs because they were inexpensive souvenirs when I travel. That has morphed into family members picking me up a mug when they travel. Now I purposefully select my mug
each morning to correspond with my outfit and mood.
Share something people would be surprised to find out about you. I love to play the board game “Catan.” My sister-in-law introduced us to it in 2018 during Thanksgiving. My favorite part is that no two games are ever the same, and that there is a little luck and a lot of strategy involved.
Share one item at the grocery store that goes into your cart whether you need it or not. Caramel with dark chocolate. A person can never, ever have too much of that!
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Ireland. I have a little Irish in my background, and I am fascinated by Celtic culture. I have always wanted to travel there.
Who is your favorite Muppet? Snuffalupugus. He was the most imaginative and creative character. He was also loving and kind.
In your opinion, what is the most valuable characteristic to being an effective educator? The belief that all students can succeed.
You have a bell hanging in the lobby at Rock River Charter School. What is its purpose, and what does it symbolize? When a student completes graduation paperwork with his or her family, that student rings the bell. The bell symbolizes everything.
Name one person from history you would most like to meet. Martin Luther King Jr. His work served as the foundation of social justice work in the United States.
If you weren’t involved in education, what do you think you would be doing as a career? I have always wanted to be a teacher. As a little girl, my stuffed animals were my class, and my mom’s cookbooks were my texts. The surprise for me was going into administration. I did that because the changes I wanted for my students needed me to gain more systemic leverage. Thus, my second master’s degree.
Position: Families in Transition Coordinator (Homeless Liaison), School District of Janesville.
Hometown: Janesville, Wisconsin.
Education: Master of Science, Counseling, UW-Whitewater; Certified Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor and Certified Advanced Practice Social Worker.
Awards and Honors: State of Wisconsin Leadership in Prevention Award; Wisconsin Community Leadership Award; Partners in Prevention Asset Builder Award; Rock County Youth-2-Youth Member of the Year; City of Janesville Administrative Volunteer of the Year.
Family: Husband, Ken; daughter, Megan; son, Thomas (TJ); dog, Hank; cat, the black cat.
Offer a brief description of what you do for the School District of Janesville? Under the Federal McKinney-Vento Act, every local educational agency is required to designate a liaison for homeless children and youth. As the Families in Transition
Coordinator, I coordinate services to ensure that homeless children and youth are enrolled in school and have the opportunity to succeed academically. It is my job to make sure all barriers are removed so students can receive a quality education. I set up services for children experiencing homelessness including free lunches, school fee waivers, transportation and any other items the student might need to meet his or her basic needs. I work with community partners through outreach, referral and coordination. I also write grants for the district and community.
Share something you find rewarding and something you find frustrating about being a liaison for homeless students. I’ve always been a helper, so I often tell people I don't feel like I have a job. I get paid to help people. The most rewarding part of this job is offering hope to someone who is experiencing hopelessness. Hearing a single mom cry happy tears when I tell her I can set up a school bus to help her get her kids to school. That's one less thing that mom needs to worry about in a stressful situation. Making another person's life easier and making a difference in the community. The most frustrating part of my job is not being able to find a family a home.I go to bed some nights knowing a family is sleeping in their car; sometimes I just feel so helpless. I offer resources and referrals, but sometimes there is just no housing available or the family has exhausted all resources.
What was the very first job you ever had? My very first job was working at Riverside Park, where I ran the concession stand. I sold pop, candy and ice cream to the kids who visited the park. In college, I worked at GM building trucks on the night shift.
You have two hours of free time. What do you do? During the school year, I don’t have much free time. I help to take care of my dad, who has dementia, in the off hours. During summer break, I like to spend time up at our cabin in Mole Lake. My grandpa was a fishing guide in Eagle River, so I have been fishing since I was a kid. Most of the time, you can find me fishing or wandering around the woods with my camera. I enjoy nature photography. My husband and I also bowl in a league during the winter months. We took second place this season!
You are an accomplished photographer. How did you get involved in that, and what inspires your art? Wow, not sure about “accomplished.” I have won some photo contests and belong to numerous national and international photography groups. It started in my senior year of college. I needed to take an elective class for three credits, so I took photography. I didn't realize it would be so much work! I learned to develop my own prints and spent lots of time in the darkroom on campus. I think I like nature photography because it's quiet and peaceful. It feeds my soul. I see so much in my job that is not pretty. Being in nature grounds me and offers beauty.
Share the last good book you read or the last good film/TV show you watched? I finished “Ozark” on Netflix. It was so good. I also like to watch the TV show “Yellowstone.” I love to read a good psychological thriller, and I try to read at least two or three books during the summer.
What was your favorite subject in school? I loved music class! I attended Craig High school in the 80s and was in all of the musicals, a cappella choir and Spotlighters. I was such a shy, quiet child all through school. Music really helped me to find my voice and boosted my confidence.
Share something people would be surprised to find out about you. People might be surprised to know that the former Governor of Wisconsin, Tommy Thompson, is my cousin.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? I had a trip planned to Ireland in 2020. Needless to say, with the pandemic, I never got there. I have five years to use my plane tickets, so I plan to go next summer. I’m 77% Irish and still have family in Ireland. I have a cousin who has already mapped out our family locations, so all the work has been done for me. I bought a new camera especially for my trip, and I can't wait to get some fantastic photos.
Who is your favorite Muppet? I’m not sure. I love those little guys who sing “Mah-na, Mah-na,” and Animal, of course. I always wanted to learn to play the drums.
What is your favorite food and your favorite place to get it? Coconut shrimp at Bahama Bob’s in Gulf Shores, Alabama! I’m pretty sure I was a flamingo in my former life. It’s always been shrimp!
When I think about it, the single coolest thing that has ever happened to me is: That's a hard question, because so many experiences come to mind. I think I might have some psychic abilities, because many times my dreams have come true. For instance, I dreamt of our house before we moved in. It's fascinating and scary at the same time. I don't analyze it too much. I just go with the flow.
Name one person from history you would most like to meet. Probably Mother Teresa. She believed that service to the poor is service to God. I think we would have a lot in common and have an extraordinary conversation.
If you could ask your pet one question, what would it be? I would ask my dog, Hank: “How would you describe your perfect day?” (then make sure I do those things to make him happy).
Share a quote that inspires you. My all time favorite quote is “Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping him up” by Jesse Jackson, because I believe we are all put on this earth to help others.
Can you offer a brief description of what you do for the School District of Janesville? I am in my tenth year as a teacher of Students With Disabilities at Franklin Middle School. Currently, I teach grades 6-8 literacy and math strategies as well as co-teach literacy in grades 7-8. I am also an IEP (individualized educational plan) case manager for students in all three grades at Franklin.
Share something you find rewarding and something you find frustrating about being a teacher. There are many things I find rewarding about being a teacher. The most rewarding aspect is being able to work with young people on a daily basis and watching them grow through their successes and learn through their mistakes. I find it very rewarding to be there to guide our kids through the difficult times of middle school. Although there are frustrating aspects at times about being a teacher, I can’t think of a better job. You get paid to make connections with young people in a place where you hear laughter in conversations daily and make lasting impacts on kids through learning.
What was the very first job you ever had? What did it entail? There was no laughter! My first job was at an area pheasant farm (not the well-known one). In high school, my friends and I worked on the initial construction of a purchased farm. The job entailed finding old barbed-wire fencing, tearing down said fencing, and putting new fencing up 50 hours a week for $6.25 an hour. I worked at this pheasant farm for two months and never saw a pheasant.
Share the last good book you read or the last good film/TV show you watched? I recently watched a documentary about an attorney that was exposed to gamma radiation through cross-contamination with a family member. The documentary chronicled her life’s work of upholding law and justice.
If you could learn to do one thing, what would it be? I always wanted to be able to play the piano, for some reason. The recorder is the extent of my music skills, so I am not very musically inclined. The piano is such a peaceful instrument.
What were your favorite and least favorite subjects in school? Both were reading. I struggled as an elementary student with literacy and looking back, I now understand that I was in intervention groups in early elementary school. Nothing gets a kid feeling good about himself better than being in the grackle group when all of your other friends are blue jays and robins. Although I had struggles, I had an amazing third-grade teacher who took time and care to make sure I was bridging those gaps. All throughout elementary school, literacy was a struggle. But through her care, I was able to develop some strong skills. There were several teachers in middle school and my ninth-grade English teacher who continued to foster this desire to read. Although it was still a struggle at times, they showed me the care and support I needed. They were the guides that developed my love for reading and eventually turned it into a desire to do the same for our kids now.
What drew you toward working with students who face special challenges? I initially wanted to be an adaptive phy-ed teacher, and in high school I did some job shadowing with one of the phy-ed teachers at Parker. I liked the idea of helping others, but I didn’t fully understand what special education or Students With Disabilities was. I had a college professor who steered me towards teaching students reading and math. I used my struggles as a learner to guide how I taught students and how to care for students who have deficits or differences. I was not the greatest student growing up, but my roadblocks were often self-imposed. I had great teachers at Madison, Franklin and Parker that guided me through those roadblocks, and I wanted to do the same for other kids. I wanted to give students a voice and an advocate like I had in my time as a young person in school. Those connections I made with teachers helped guide me to this profession, but a desire to connect to the community that I grew up in brought me to Janesville. I had taught for five years in other districts in the area before I felt the importance of becoming a piece of this community again. I wanted to give our kids the same promoter I had growing up in Janesville.
Share something people would be surprised to find out about you. Despite my physical stature, I am terrified of small birds. They're deceptively fast.
Share one item at the store that goes into your cart whether you need it or not. You can never have too much coffee.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? I would like to see the wilderness of Montana or Idaho. I have a lot of hobbies that revolve around the outdoors
Who is your favorite Muppet? I have a lot of respect for Oscar. No matter how rough his life is, he still shows up every day for those kids that live on Sesame Street.
When I think about it, the single coolest thing that has ever happened to me is: I’m in Sports Illustrated. Well, you can see half of me if you squint and use your imagination. A long time ago, a guy named Brett Favre retired a bunch of times, and they used a picture of him jumping into the stands for his retirement issue. I’m the blurry area to the right of him.
If you weren’t involved in education, what do you think you would be doing as a career? Social work or human services would be an equally important profession. I would still get to work with what matters most – people.
Share a common misconception about special education and explain why it is a misconception. I think the biggest misconception is that special education is a place, an actual physical location in our school. I feel fortunate that our district has a strong foundation of inclusion and equity – especially at Franklin. Special education is a support, not a class. Our teachers of Students With Disabilities are a support to all of our kids and often are not known as teachers of SWD, just teachers. Students With Disabilities in classrooms are not viewed by their peers as different, they are viewed as friends or table partners. Janesville has made that a priority, and in my time here, inclusive practices and access to all has been the standard. I cannot say the same about some of the other school districts I have worked in.
Knowing what you know now, share the one piece of advice you would like to give your younger self. Don’t make fun of your dad and uncles for their male-pattern baldness. Genetics are stronger than jokes.
Position and school: School social worker, Jackson/Lincoln Elementary Schools.
Hometown: Janesville, Wisconsin.
Education: Bachelor's degree, Social Work; UW-Whitewater; Master's degree, Social Work, UW-Madison.
Family: Husband, Matt; sons Gavin and Kenny. Two dogs, Lucy and Roxy, and LOTS of cows and chickens.
Can you offer a brief description of what you do for the School District of Janesville? I am a school social worker for the district and I am currently between two buildings – Jackson and Lincoln. I help support students and families inside and outside of school, connect them with resources within the community, help remove any barriers they might be experiencing in regard to basic needs or getting their students to school, and provide support to teachers by working with students to support their emotional well-being and improve their academics. I work closely with school administration, counselors and other district social workers to support all students, families and staff.
Share something you find rewarding and something you find frustrating about your position. By far, the most rewarding thing about my position is the relationships I get to build with students and their families. School is their home for seven hours a day, and making sure students know there are people other than their family members who love and care for them is something I don't take for granted. We are their safe place and their constant. School social workers are, at times, in the thick of some of the toughest moments in some families’ lives, and we get the honor of being trusted enough to help support them and help them try to come up with solutions. Having students light up when they see you or run to you for a hug makes all of the tough days and situations worth it. The most frustrating part of my position is the need for more mental health services in schools. Over the past few years, that need for support by not only students but families has grown exponentially. When that need grows at such a rapid pace and you don't have enough staff to feel like you are effective, it takes a toll.
What was the very first job you ever had? Being a swim instructor in summer school for the School District of Janesville back in 2000. I was at Marshall Middle School, and I taught little kids how to swim. I was on the swim team at Parker, and a bunch of us got jobs doing this in the summer. After we got done teaching lessons, we would go right to our summer swim practices at Parker.
You have two hours of free time. What do you do? I am a homebody, so if I had two hours of free time, I
would sit on my couch and watch “Scrubs” on repeat. That’s my favorite show, and comedies are my jam. After being around struggles and serious things all day, I need laughter. Something that makes my soul happy.
Share the last good book you read or the last good film/TV show you watched? The “Obi-Wan Kenobi” series. Seriously. The BEST “Star Wars” adaptation to date! I have already watched it about 10 times. Sooo many jaw-dropping moments and audible gasps throughout the series. If you haven’t watched it, do yourself a favor and watch it right now. Like RUN – don’t walk – to your TV, turn on Disney+ and binge the entire series.
If you could learn to do one thing, what would it be? I have always wanted to be able to draw. Like REALLY draw. I can scribble and copy some things, but I have never been able to think of something and then put my idea down on paper. I joke with the kids that "Mrs. Everhart can only draw a stick figure, but she keeps trying." And I do, but it never seems to get any better. I admire those artists who draw, and their drawings or paintings look so realistic.
What was your favorite subject in school? History. I actually have a degree in history along with one for social work. I fell in love with history when I was in eighth grade at Franklin Middle School back in 1995 with Mr. (John) Brikowski. There is just something about history that intrigues me. My favorite is WWII history and everything it encompasses.
You are in a position that requires round-the-clock positivity. What methods do you use to maintain that perspective? There are two things that make this happen for me. The first is that I truly believe the energy you put out there makes a difference. It's a must that I am genuine and caring and positive because kids and families can see right through that. My hope is that the more positive I am, the more it might rub off onto other people or might cheer up a student or staff member when they're having a hard day. The other method is having "your person" at the school who “gets you.” I am blessed that I have people I can talk to and they will understand where I'm coming from. They get my position, and they listen without judgment. Having people in your corner who have "your brain" makes things exponentially better. Sometimes you feel as though you're on an island by yourself because you are the only social worker in your building, but when you can collaborate with other social workers and realize you're not alone, it makes the hard things a little easier.
Share one item at the grocery store that goes into your cart whether you need it or not. Peppermint mocha coffee cream. I have been known to have as many as 4-5 giant bottles of this in my fridge at times. I drink coffee all day, every day, and unfortunately, I am not a black coffee drinker (I admire those who can). I need my coffee cream. It's a must.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Hawaii. It has everything I love – beaches, the ocean, history. It's on my bucket list, especially to visit Pearl Harbor.
Who is your favorite Muppet? I'm laughing as I think of this, but my favorites would have to be Statler and Waldorf – the two old, grumpy men who heckle the Muppets from the audience. I think they're hilarious, and I always have. They're to the point and don't take things too seriously. I thought of those two right away.
When I think about it, the single coolest thing that has ever happened to me is: In 2019, my oldest son and I went to Summerfest for the first time. I surprised him with concert tickets to see Thomas Rhett, a country artist who was his favorite at the time. Gavin was 11 at the time, and this was his – and my – first real concert experience. The tickets we had let us get in early and go to a "lounge" area where we ate some food, hung out and got into the concert a little early. As luck would have it, they were doing some trivia that offered prizes. I missed the first question (the prize was a hat), but the last question was for meet-and-greet tickets. The question was, "What was the name of Thomas Rhett's high school band?" The answer was "The High-Heeled Flip-Flops." I was the first to get it, so Gavin and I got to go backstage to meet Thomas Rhett. It was an experience and adrenaline rush I will never forget. I have a picture hanging in my office of Gavin and I with Thomas Rhett. Gavin was so excited that he was crying. That was by far the coolest thing that has ever happened to me.
You’re in your car, listening to the radio. Which song makes you turn the volume up, and which song makes you turn the radio off? My jam right now is “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. It's just such an iconic song that everytime I hear it, I turn it up. And when the progression of the song hits its apex, you'll see me pretending my steering wheel is a drum and I'll be bobbing my head like I'm Wayne and Garth (from “Wayne’s World”). Every. Single. Time. I have a very eclectic and diverse taste for music, so there's not a lot that I turn my radio off for. But … I am not a fan of rap. Not like 90s and early 2000 rap (because that's my jam), but the new stuff. I don't get it. Maybe that means I'm old, but I don't listen to it and turn it off right away if it comes on.
Name one person from history you would most like to meet. Either Frank Sinatra or Walt Disney. I've always felt as though I was born in the wrong generation. Both of those individuals have accomplished and overcome so much. Frank has always been my favorite artist since I was in high school, and being able to talk to him and ask questions would be amazing. And Walt Disney is, well … Walt Disney!! Seeing how he built Disney, how he knew the world would be evolving and how he would think outside the box and do what he loved is something I admire.
Give one of your favorite examples of a time where nontraditional methods helped you reach a student who was struggling. I am a firm believer that you have to meet students where they are or you are never going to get anywhere. Back in 2017, I had just come back from maternity leave and had a kindergartener who had been struggling. She was having a hard time with everything – being disruptive, banging her head, and she was not able to stay safe in the classroom. We made our way down to my office, and she continued to throw my things on the ground and try to get a reaction from me. She eventually laid on the ground. The normal reaction would be to tell her to "get up" and "sit in the chair." Insead, I laid down next to her, stared at the ceiling with her for what seemed like 30 minutes, and then asked her what she was looking at. She looked at me and laughed and said that I wasn’t supposed to be laying on the floor. I asked why not, and she said because I'm the grown-up, and grown-ups don't sit or lay on the floor. To her surprise I laughed and said I preferred the floor, that we could lay there as long as we wanted. We laid there looking up at my ceiling for a little while longer until she said, "OK, I'm better now." I met her where she was. I wasn't hovering over her or telling her to do something she didn't want to do. I gave her permission to do what she needed to do to center herself and regain control. From that moment on, we never sat in the chairs when she came down – it was always on the floor. To this day, we have an AMAZING relationship, and the best part of this is that one of the special education teachers was walking by and snapped a picture of us. It's something I'll always remember.
Position and school: Science teacher/Link Crew coordinator, Craig High School.
Hometown: Janesville, Wisconsin.
Education: Bachelor of Science, Education, UW-Whitewater; Master of Education - Interdisciplinary Studies, National Louis University; Master's certificate, biology, American College of Education.
Can you offer a brief description of what you do for the School District of Janesville? As a science teacher, I see my role in helping youth develop a sense of curiosity about the world around them and develop their skills in answering those questions. This sometimes results in students identifying problems that exist in
the world, so my role is also to help facilitate their problem-solving skills. As a Link Crew coordinator, my job is two-fold. First, the Link Crew leaders I work with help freshmen transition to high school through a first-day orientation and with meetings throughout the year in advisory. The second role is to help underclassmen leaders develop their leadership skills.
Share something you find rewarding and something you find frustrating about being a teacher. I absolutely love seeing students fall in love with content and eventually pursue their passions in life as they grow up. It is most rewarding to hear from former students that are now earning degrees in science and are grateful for the role I played in their education. I have to admit, it can be frustrating to see a lack of empathy students can have for each other and not understanding everyone is going through something difficult at some level.
What was the very first job you ever had? I had to get my first job after I received my first speeding ticket at the age of 16. My father asked me how I was going to pay for it, and I remember just looking dumbfounded by the question. He said, “I guess you better find a job!” I ended up working at Foot Locker in the Janesville Mall, which probably was the start of my obsession with shoes!
Share the last good book you read or the last good film/TV show you watched? “George Carlin’s American Dream.” I am absolutely amazed at how long his comedic career lasted and truly believe in comedy as an art form. George Carlin was not afraid to share his voice and thoughts on any controversial topic, which really challenged his audience to consider other perspectives. I respect that.
If you could learn to do one thing, what would it be? A back handspring. I have always been nervous about jumping head-first backwards, even from a diving board into a pool!
What was your favorite subject in school? Science, obviously. My favorite classes were biology, microbiology, anatomy & physiology and genetics – probably because of the teachers I had.
You are a fifth-degree black belt and own AmeriKick in Janesville with your husband, Joe. When did you first get involved in karate, and why? I started my freshman year in college at a karate club on campus at UW-Whitewater. One of my instructors was the dean of the college of education. I loved the physical and mental challenge it provided, besides the stress relief. I was involved every year in college and later moved away to get my first teaching job in Arizona. I never made it to black belt until I moved back to Janesville and started training again. I tested for my red-recommended belt the week before I gave birth to my son and then tested for my black belt about five months later. The school I was attending closed, so once my husband tested for his belt along with another friend from Chicago, we started our own school in 2004.
Share something people would be surprised to find out about you. I love to sit with blankets and be cozy really any time of year!
Share one item at the grocery store that goes into your cart whether you need it or not. Chips and salsa. I could live on it!
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Okinawa, Japan, as that is the birthplace of the martial arts styles in which I train. Otherwise, I have heard Thailand and Vietnam are stunning, the food is spectacular and the people have an amazing culture to experience.
Who are your favorite Muppets? Statler and Waldorf are absolutely my favorite. To this day, I still giggle at their side comments from stage left. Plus, I have a couple of friends who remind me of the two of them!
When I think about it, the single coolest thing that has ever happened to me is: The most recent would be in martial arts training, where I had the opportunity to compete in with female kata Olympic gold-medalist Sandra Sanchez and her coach, Jesus Del Moral, in Lenexa, Kansas. She is an absolute beast and the most impressive athlete and human being I have ever met.
You implemented the Link Crew program at Craig High School. What is Link Crew and how does it work? Link Crew is a freshman transition program that utilizes the talents of upperclassmen to provide peer support and mentorship academically, emotionally and socially. Each spring, juniors and sophomores can apply to be a leader for the next year. We bring the leaders together at the end of the school year to inspire them to create some excitement for the program. In August, leaders come in for 10 hours of training that includes the activities they will lead on the first-day orientation for freshmen. It also includes developing skills of support for each other, our school and, of course, the freshmen. Throughout the year, we visit during advisory periods once a month to connect with the freshmen and provide support.
If you weren’t involved in education, what do you think you would be doing as a career? I am very interested in epidemiology and the spread of disease. I could see myself as a researcher or traveling to countries during outbreaks to help track and study the infection.
You are a graduate of Craig High School. What does it feel like to be back teaching at your alma mater? There is a sense of pride coming back to your alma mater and giving back to the community you grew up in. It was very interesting returning and working with the same teachers that inspired me to become an educator. Not everyone has that opportunity, and I am very grateful for it.
Position and school: Social Studies and Fine Arts Coordinator, School District of Janesville.
Hometown: Genesee Depot, Wisconsin.
Education: Bachelor of Science, History/Education, UW-Madison; Master of Arts, Educational Leadership/Curriculum and Instruction, Viterbo College.
Family: Partner, Scott; dog, Juna.
Can you offer a brief description of what you do for the School District of Janesville? I’m the district’s social studies and fine arts coordinator, which is a middleman of sorts. I help with the transfer of district goals to the classroom and help represent teachers at the district table.
What was the very first job you ever had?
When I was in third or fourth grade, my mom’s boss started paying me $2 an hour, cash, to sort huge stacks of medical bills by the insurance company and seal them into envelopes. Two nights a week, I’d have stacks strewn across the living room floor. But I still remember how rich I felt when I got up to a hundred singles in my sock drawer.
You have two hours of free time. What do you do? Something outside. Take the dog somewhere, work in my gardens, hang out with my neighbor and her chickens, do trail maintenance on my property, split wood for my furnace, pull buckthorn … I live in the woods.
Share the last good book you read or the last good film/TV show you watched? I have an hour's drive to get to work, so I listen to tons of books. So far, my favorite of 2022 is “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston. Sometimes, a book makes you feel like you were meant to read it.
If you could learn to do one thing, what would it be? Taking this job has really renewed my desire to learn to play the piano. The other day, I watched (Marshall Middle School music teacher) Traci Schneider effortlessly play beautiful music, and it reminded me how much I wish that I could do that.
What was your favorite subject in school? Anything but physics. My lab partner and I set a “three stupid questions a day” limit for ourselves. I was always more drawn to history, English and band. I liked that they were more about the complexities of people and less about exact answers.
Do you have a background in music or theater? Not as an educator, but I did go through grades 5-12
playing clarinet and saxophone in the band, jazz band, marching band and pit orchestra for school musicals. I also grew up going to many musical performances since my grandma, dad and aunt were all involved in the Waukesha Civic Theater and the Waukesha Choral Union. My grandma made many of the costumes, so we always had fun playing dress-up when they did shows like “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “The Mikado” or “Hello, Dolly!”
Share something people would be surprised to find out about you. I don’t know -- maybe that I’m an OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom) III veteran. Or that I run a series of dartball tournaments every winter and somehow convince the participants to dress thematically by month.
Share one item at the grocery store that goes into your cart whether you need it or not. Broccoli. I get made fun of for always having about 10 bags of broccoli in my freezer.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? I like to go on vacations that many would consider odd. I once went dog sledding through Siberia in the middle of winter, but right now I would really like to go to the Sossusvlei region of Namibia.
I understand your family once won free cheese for an entire year. You have to share that story. When I was a kid, my dad never missed a chance to moo at cows. One day, he read in the paper that they were holding a mooing contest at the Wisconsin State Fair. He put on his Holstein hat and cowbell and ended up mooing his way into second place. A cute 7-year-old dressed as a cow won, but our family still got free cheese and two Subway footlongs every week for an entire next year.
When I think about it, the single coolest thing that I have ever seen is: My dad used to get paid by a karaoke company to be their planted ice-breaker. We were watching one night when a frail, hunched man came shuffling in with a walker, a Korean War hat and a fiery woman on his arm. He was immediately handed the mic, the DJ cued up Paul Anka’s “Diana,” and he brought down the house with his stunning performance. Dumbfounded by his transformation, I asked my mom what was going on, and she explained that they had broken him out of hospice because he wanted to sing for his wife one last time. Andy died of cancer a few days later, with his wife, Diana, at his side, and that song will always remind me of what is truly precious in this world.
You’re in your car, listening to the radio. Which song makes you turn the volume up, and which song makes you turn the radio off? Turn it up: “Let Your Love Flow” by The Bellamy Brothers. Turn it off: Anything Luke Bryant. No … just no. You want me to start a dance party? Elvis – “Such a Night” or Walk the Moon’s “Shut Up and Dance.”
Name one person from history you would most like to meet. I feel like I should have a more meaningful answer here, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say Teddy Roosevelt. The man fascinates me. I make my neighbor celebrate his birthday with me each October, and I may have a drawer full of Teddy Roosevelt clothing from my days as a history teacher.
If you weren’t involved in education, what do you think you would be doing as a career? There’s no doubt in my mind that I would own a little diner in a small town. It would only serve breakfast, lunch and a Friday fish fry, but it would be the type of place where you can talk to me behind the counter while I’m making your food.
Position and school: Earth Science Teacher, Parker High School.
Hometown: Pardeeville, Wisconsin (also Random Lake and Sauk Prairie, WIsconsin).
Education:Bachelor of Science, Education, UW-Madison; Master of Science, Interdisciplinary Education, National Louis University.
Awards and Honors: Parker High School Teacher of the Year (2013).
Family:Wife, Rebecca; daughters, Brianna and Naleah.
You have two hours of free time. What do you do? I would either play backgammon with my daughter, play card games with my family, or go outside for a good family nature hike.
When did you decide you wanted to be a teacher? I decided I wanted to be a teacher during my senior year in high school. I had a great earth science teacher that sparked my interest in the subject and helped me see that I would also have an interest in teaching. Also, I knew I was interested in coaching, and I felt teaching would provide the avenue for this. At Parker, I coached shot put and discus for a few years and football for nine years. I also continued to help the program for several years after that.
Share the last good book you read or the last good film/TV show you watched? I enjoy listening to some podcasts, specifically Clark Howard and Dave Ramsey. As far as movies, we have been watching some of the iconic pop culture movies like “Forrest Gump” and “The Princess Bride.”
What was the very first job you ever had? During high school, I was a stocker and bagger at Sentry Foods. Shortly after, I worked maintenance at the local golf course.
Share something you find rewarding and something you find frustrating about being a teacher? I find it rewarding to share something related to science and see the light bulb click in my students. It is like they finally understand why something works the way it does. It frustrates me when some students are satisfied with mediocrity and do not strive for their full potential.
If you could learn to do one thing, what would it be? I would train to be an astronaut because I would love
to take a short trip into space. I feel it would be amazing to experience weightlessness and see the vastness of the Earth from afar.
Share something people would be surprised to find out about you. I have always enjoyed outdoor adventures including hiking across the Grand Canyon, running a couple of marathons and a 50K. During summer, I painted for the district for quite a few years and realized I was more interested in getting outside and getting young people interested in the outdoors. I started two summer school classes that have students exploring the outdoors and learning survival skills. Through one of these classes, I ended up being approached by the parent of a BVI (blind and visually impaired) student to work on IDATA (Innovators Developing Accessible Tools for Astronomy). This program developed a software that helps BVI individuals experience deep-space objects. Most recently, I was co-lead author on the software manual.
You were part of NITARP (NASA/IPAC Teacher Archive Research Program), a prestigious program partnering scientists with high school educators for astronomical research. Can you briefly describe that experience? Through NITARP, I was paired with a NASA research scientist and a group of teachers and students from across the country. Our research goal was to map the size of active galactic nuclei (which are like black holes). We started by reading research papers from similar research projects and creating a research proposal. Then, we created a list of sources and ultimately checked if more than 500 potential sources would be candidates. The last step was to create a research poster that was presented at the January 2021 virtual American Astronomical Society meeting, and another poster for the January 2022 American Astronomical Society meeting (which was postponed to June). I was lead author on the second poster.
What initially sparked your interest in space? When I was a mere lad, a childhood bedroom had rocket wallpaper, and I thought it was the coolest thing. Then, at some point, I was able to see Saturn through a telescope for the first time. I was amazed by what you could see, and I knew I wanted to explore it more.
Share one item at the grocery store that goes into your cart whether you need it or not. Frozen fruit, but I couldn’t decide on just one, so it’s a three-way tie. You can never have too much mustard: dijon, stone ground, horseradish … Frozen fruit, blueberries in particular, make a great healthy evening snack. Then, you can never go wrong with smoked salmon. I like to make it myself, but sometimes it’s a lot easier to get it all ready to go.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? I would do a European river cruise to see our family's heritage countries. I would also love to go to Iceland in order to see the Northern Lights.
When I think about it, the single coolest thing that has ever happened to me is: My wife and I had the goal to take our daughters to all 50 states. We went on an Alaskan cruise the summer of 2019 for our 49th state, and then I was selected to be part of the NITARP team that fall. The first meeting was in Honolulu, Hawaii, in January 2020. We made it a family trip and all hit our 50th state together.
Name one person from history you would most like to meet. I would most like to meet Neil Armstrong. I feel like going into space would be such a neat experience, and I would like to know more about how he felt being the first human on the Moon.
If you weren’t teaching science, what would you be doing for a career? After visiting many national parks around the U.S., I think working as a park ranger in a national park would be very interesting and enjoyable.
If you were given the opportunity, would you like to travel into space, or do you prefer to study it from down here? I would like to go to space to experience it for a short period of time, but for the long-term, I would like to study it from down here.
Position and school: School counselor, Marshall Middle School.
Hometown:Janesville, Wisconsin.
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Social Work, UW-Oshkosh; Master’s degree, School Counseling, Concordia University.
You have two hours of free time. What do you do? If it’s outside of the months of December and January, there is a really good chance I will be playing or practicing disc golf.
You’re an accomplished disc golfer. How did you get into the sport, and what are some of your greatest achievements? I played a couple of times in high school, but I joined the college disc golf team the first week at UW-Oshkosh (where I attended college). They had a table during orientation week, and I signed up. Fifteen years later, here we are. I had several wins over the years, but the highlight would be winning the state championship and heading down to Emporia, Kansas, for Nationals.
Who is your favorite Muppet? Fozzie Bear is the best because he remains positive and continues to try despite multiple failures. He is also a great friend to others on the show.
What was the very first job you ever had? I helped my brother with his paper route, but my first job was at Culver’s.
If you could learn to do one thing, what would it be? I think I would pick video editing. I think it can be fairly complex to learn all of the details and possible options you can do, but I think it would be a useful skill in my daily life.
What was your favorite subject in school? The simple answer would be to say Phy Ed, which I did enjoy. But if I dive a little deeper, I enjoyed a lot of sociology classes that I had over the years because of the discussions that would happen.
Share something people would be surprised to find out about you. I have only ever attended one concert in my life. It was back in eighth grade at Riverfest in Beloit. I believe it was Shinedown and Evans Blue.
Who is the person in history you would most like to meet? I think people always go with someone famous, but I think we know a lot about most of those people already. Therefore, I would pick someone in my family that I never got a chance to meet – my grandpa (my mom’s dad).
Share one item at the grocery store that goes into your cart whether you need it or not. I’m a big fan of Combos. They tend to be my go-to snack.
When did you decide you wanted to be a school counselor? When I had my internship during my undergrad. I worked with students that were often tardy or absent from school. After that experience, I knew I wanted to work in the schools, and I thought becoming a school counselor was my best path.
Share something you find rewarding and something you find frustrating about being a school counselor. I think what can be rewarding is to see some of the positive changes that students can experience with your support. I think the frustrating part can be that, sometimes, students move on to high school, and you often lose touch with them.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? I would go to Norway, because I am Norwegian. It looks amazing, and they also have lots of disc golf.
Share the last good book you read or the last good film/TV show you watched. “Moon Knight” on Disney+. That has been one of the better shows I have watched in the last few years.
What is your favorite food and your favorite place to get it? Mac & cheese from Noodles is my quick, go-to meal.
When I think about it, the single coolest thing that has ever happened to me is: Several years ago, I was able to win a small jackpot in Las Vegas, which was pretty exciting on a $5 wager.
Position and school:Counselor, Youth Services Center, School District of Janesville.
Hometown: Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
Education:Master of Science in School Counseling, UW-Whitewater; Master of Science in Community Counseling, Substance Abuse Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist, UW-W; Bachelor of Science in Sociology with minor in Family and Health Studies, UW-W.
Family: Cooper (son).
You have two hours of free time. What do you do? Pack it full of tasks. There is nothing more fulfilling than getting things done. I enjoy yard work and home projects both for myself and for others.
What was the first job you ever had? My cousins owned and operated a family-run carnival business that provided amusement park rides and games for fireman’s picnics and other small-town events. Working for them was my first job. I made $25 a DAY.
You are a professional snowboarder. How did you get into the sport, and what do you enjoy about it? I was introduced to snowboarding through an adaptive program called BOLD–Blind Outdoor Leisure Development. My career in snowboarding expanded from there. I became driven to advance the world of adaptive sports while pursuing my own professional riding. The joy of helping others that often didn’t have the same accessibility as able-body athletes fueled my love of snowboarding. As much as I enjoy snowboarding myself, the most satisfaction for me comes from being part of others’ snowboarding experiences.
You are also an Air Force veteran. Have you always been interested in joining the military, or was there a particular reason you signed up? Watching 9/11 unfold as a middle school student had a profound effect on me. Since then I have wanted to serve my county and be a part of something larger than myself. The honor and pride of wearing the uniform is something that you feel through your whole body, and my service is something that I am very proud of.
You spend a great deal of time volunteering to work with other veterans who take part in adaptive sports. Explain what adaptive sports are and why they are so important. Adaptive sports are competitive or recreational sports for people with disabilities. Adaptive spots often run parallel to traditional spots. However, they allow modifications and adaptations necessary to assist a person’s disability area. I feel passionately about adaptive sports because I believe it is a therapeutic tool. My mental health background helps me see that adaptive sports programs aid in rehabilitation, improve mental and physical health along with promoting healing and a supportive recovery process.
If you could learn to do one thing, what would it be? I would love to learn Spanish. I have tried a few times with no success. If anyone has a sure-fire way to learn, please send it my way!
What was your favorite subject in school? Physical education! Who doesn’t love to play dodgeball?
Share something people would be surprised to find out about you. I have an irrational fear of snakes. I’m positive they have extreme athletic abilities and can bite me even when I am on my mountain bike.
Who is the person in history you would most like to meet? Harriet Tubman. The impact she made on our country is noble, and she is someone I would cherish speaking with.
Share one item at the grocery store that goes into your cart whether you need it or not. Pringles. It’s always a need.
When did you decide you wanted to be a school counselor? I worked in the mental health sector for some time before recognizing my passion was working with at-risk youth. After only three years in the mental health field, I returned back to grad school to pursue my master’s in school counseling. My desire was to start interventions earlier with the goal of promoting healthier adults.
Share something you find rewarding and something you find frustrating about your job. I absolutely love the students I work with and having the ability to build connections with them. One frustration I have is only being able to do so much for them. Students are at a vulnerable age – one that needs consistent and reliable support.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Ireland. I have been there but hope to return. It felt like around every curve it became more and more beautiful.
What is your favorite food and your favorite place to get it? I love Chinese food, and really any place will do! I am open to suggestions!
When I think about it, the single coolest thing that has ever happened to me is: Teaching my son to snowboard, though he has a few things to learn. For 3, he’s tearing it up!
