CESA 6 Staff Directory

Alicia has her Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Wisconsin - Stout. Prior to joining CESA 6, Alicia worked as a Culinary Arts Educational Assistant; a Substitute Teacher for Hartford Union High School and other locations as needed; and as a Personal Caregiver.

What I Value:

• Motivation
• Respect
• Honesty
• Loyalty

What I Can Contribute:

• Adaptability
• Dedication
• Organization
• Empathy
• Support
• Patience
• Inclusivity

“If you learn from defeat, you haven't really lost. Failure is an event not a person.” - Zig Ziglar

BIO

San Diego State University Masters, Curriculum and Instruction

Bilingual Crosscultural Language in Academic Development (BCLAD) credential 

Nationally Board Certified Early Adolescence/English Language Arts

University of California, Irvine Bachelor of Arts, English. 

Universidad del Pais Vasco. San Sebastian, Spain

My career spans K-12 and is varied and diverse. I have spent ten years working at the elementary levels in several different positions. I have taught Kindergarten through 5th grade as a classroom teacher, with many of those years in a bilingual classroom. While working at the elementary level, I earned my Math Specialist Certification and worked as a Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) provider supporting new teachers. My positions also included working as a Staff Developer and Peer Coach. In that role, I was responsible for all staff development regarding literacy, math and second language acquisition. 

The second half of my career consists of teaching middle school and high school. I have spent the last ten years working predominantly as a high school English teacher in grades 9-12. At the high school level I have also taught upper division Spanish, a Mental Health Matters course, and geometry. I have continued to support beginning teachers as a Master Teacher and Instructional Coach at the 6-12 grades in all content areas. I spent time working in a middle school as the humanities teacher for grades 6-8. 

I continue to work with Corwin, ASCD and Solution Tree as a national and international consultant. My areas of expertise are in the Gradual Release of Responsibility, Close Reading (K-12), accelerating learning for English Language Learners, collaborative learning, diferentiated instruction, summative and formative assessments, academic vocabulary acquisition, inclusion, and incorporating literacy into all content areas. 

My books, Text Dependent Questions K-5 and 6-12 are published by Corwin and focus on Close Reading, text selection and creating text dependent questions. 

When I have free time I try to make myself a priority! I enjoy driving and exploring. Traveling to new locations is something that energizes me and allows me to meet new people. Being new to Wisconsin has presented me with exploring different towns while appreciating all of the greenery and beautiful lakes and rivers! My favorite author is Nora Roberts and when she publishes something new, I become ridiculously excited! You can find me exploring the Farmer's Market down at the Capitol early on Saturday mornings. I am also crafty and artsy. If I encounter a good flea market, I cannot help my creative side from popping out and trying to repurpose vintage finds! 

"Life is trying things to see if they work." Ray Bradbury 

BIO

Licensed Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Specialist

Certified Low Vision (LV) Therapist

Master of Arts in Special Education and Rehabilitation

Bachelor of Arts in International Liberal Arts

M.A.University of Wisconsin - Madison, Educational Administration

B.A. Marquette University, Political Science and Public Speaking Education

Director of Teaching and Learning, Clintonville Public School District (6 yrs.)

Principal - Washington Middle School, Green Bay (14 yrs.)

Assoc. Principal - Preble High School, Green Bay (4 yrs.)

Teacher, English/College Reading/Reading, Green Bay

Program Manager - Junior Achievement of WI, Inc., Milwaukee

I love spending time with my family and friends and enjoy being active, travel, and cooking.

My mission is to be of service in any way I can to help others reach their potential.

BIO

Degree in Physical Therapy from Marquette University

27 years experience within the school setting

BIO

Tim is trained in many facets of special education and parenting, and has a special interest in helping others who work with or raise children with disabilities and special needs. Tim has family experience with his own children with disabilities and special needs, has 14 years of public school teaching experience, and has also been a foster parent for over 14 years. All of these experiences combine to give him a unique and well-informed perspective in helping schools and families connect.

BIO

Degree(s): BSE: Elementary Education - Northern Illinois University; MS:  Early Childhood: Exceptional Education Needs - University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Current Teaching Licensure(s): 1088 - Elementary/Middle Level Education
Years of Experience in Education: 39 years

Career Highlights:

• Public School teaching: 19 years
  • Elementary: 15 years
  • Middle School: 4 years
• University of Wisconsin: 18.5 years
  • Senior Lecturer
    • DPI required Supervision of Student Teachers course for new cooperating teachers 
    • mentoring certificate courses for the New Teacher Project workshop participants desiring college credit
    • portfolio preparation course for education majors seeking admission to professional schools of education at baccalaureate institutions
    • intro to teaching KSCADE course for state high school juniors and seniors
    • intro to education course for inner city middle and high school students
    • gateway course for education students
  • Supervisor
    • clinicians at the elementary level
    • student teachers at the early childhood, elementary and middle school levels
  • Co-Director of the Center for Additional Teaching Licenses
    • EC-MC/MC-EA Program Coordinator
  • College of Education and Human Services edTPA Coordinator

I graduated from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh in 1971 with a B.S. Degree in Education.

I majored in both Regular and Special Education.

In 1982, I completed the requirements needed to receive my Reading Teacher License.

In 1989, I completed my Masters Degree in Reading Education.

My education continues to grow as I attend numerous workshops each year, as well as the Wisconsin State Reading Association Convention.

I have been working for CESA 6 for 49 years.  During that time, I have had a variety of jobs.  I taught Special Education for 5 years, migrant students during the summer for 5 years, Title I for 22 years, and then became Title I Support/Coordinator until June of 2008.  I have done numerous reading presentations and workshops across the state, as well as being a ROFAH Trainer (Reading on First and Home - an early intervention program)  Since 2003 I have been the Literacy Professional Development Coordinator, and take pride in scheduling nationally renowned speakers for our workshops.

I enjoy traveling, shopping, reading, getting together with friends and going to restaurants.  I also enjoy attending plays and visiting museums. 

I truly love to cook and bake.  Getting away to my condo in AZ is always special.  I seldom sit still while I'm there and I'm always eager to learn something new.

My greatest joy comes from spending time with my family, especially my 6 grandchildren.  I run grandma camp for them every summer.

Associate degree from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

Started working for CESA 6 in 1990

During the summmers I teach the Pediatric Physical Therapist Assistant class at NWTC

BIO

I received my undergraduate degree in Special Education K-8 (Learning Disabilities) and Regular Education K-8 from Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, WI in 1990.  I continued my education at Marian College in Fond du Lac, WI in 2002, to earn my Masters in Administration.  I have obtained my license for Special Education Director, Principal, and Curriculum Coordinator.

I began my education career as a Kindergarten Teacher in a private school for two years. Then I taught in Markesan for 10 years as a Cross Categorical Teacher for Kindergarten through Sixth Grade. I began leadership duties while in Mareksan and enjoyed the challenge. This increased my desire to become a Special Education Director. I have been a Director of Special Education since 2005. In 2014, I became the Executive  Director of Special Education at CESA 6. 

I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. In my spare time I also enjoy reading and cleaning.

BIO

BIO

Completed a PhD in Urban Education with a superintendency certification; and Master's degree in Administrative Leadership with a principal certification from UW-Milwaukee. Graduated from St. Norbert College with a BS in elementary education.  

Started a career in education by teaching core academic areas in grades 6, 7 & 8.  Continued to contribute to education by serving as an associate principal and then principal at J. R. Gerritts Middle School in Kimberly, followed by serving as principal at Roosevelt Elementary School in Oshkosh while also serving as the Oshkosh Area School District summer school director.

While serving in the principal role, also served on the Wisconsin Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development board of directors.

BIO

• Certified with additional Master's degree as a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Cross-categorical license
• Bachelors in elementary education with a minor in ELL
• Associates in Educational Interpreting

I have been with CESA 6 since 1998 starting as an Educational Interpreter and currently working as an itinerant teacher of the Deaf and hard of hearing.

Activities I enjoy include spending time with my family camping, biking, doing crafts, and being their number 1 fan at sporting events.

Masters of Arts:General Education from U.W. Stevens Point 2000

Bachelor of Science:  Family and Consumer Science from U.W. Stout 1985

Family and Consumer Science Teacher at School District of Princeton 1987 to 2019

School to Work at School District of Princeton 1990-2019

Family and Consumer Science Teacher at Berlin Area Schools 1985-1987

Culinary Arts, Gardening and Golfing

Scorekeeper for Ripon College Women's Basketball team

I graduated from UW-Oshkosh with a dual education degree for elementary and middle school regular education and special education with an emphasis in emotional/behavioral disabilities.  I also completed the Autism Certification program.  I continue to develop myself professionally by learning about trauma-informed care, mental health, the neuroscience of the human brain, and best practices to meet the social/emotional and academic needs of children with emotional/behavioral disabilities.  

After graduating from college, I began my teaching career as an EBD teacher at an on-site school at a residential treatment facility.  I enjoyed my time there and learned a great deal!  Then I took a teaching position in the Winneconne Community School District as a special education teacher.  I taught in cross-categorical programs for a couple years until I had the opportunity to move into a position which I was truly passionate about.  I spent the last several years at WCSD teaching in an EBD program. I'm now teaching at New Horizons alternative school as an elementary EBD teacher.  I'm excited for this new journey!

When I'm not learning more to better myself as an educator, I am spending time with my family.  My husband and I have three beautiful children and two dogs that keep us busy!  We enjoy spending time outside.  One of our favorite summer activities is being on the lake with friends and family on our boat.  My oldest son is a go-kart racer, so we also spend much of our time at the racetrack! 

BIO

Graduate of Laconia High School

I worked for 2 years after graduation as a Photo Dept. Manager at Stein Drug Store in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin. After that I got married and was a stay at home Mother for 12 years. I started working at Fox Lake Elementary School in 1990 as a Assistant in the ED Classroom.  After 1 year in Fox Lake I transferred to Chester Alternative and have worked their since. I have taken Non-Violent Crisis Intervention and refresher classes, First Aid, CPR and First Responder Classes, attended numerous workshops at Special Education Conferences, worked on several committees for CESA. I served on the Strategic planning (GREAT System); I was on the site council at Waupun High School for 4 years; and served on referendum committees. 

Some of my hobbies or interest are gardening, shopping, walking, working-out and going to Country USA in Oshkosh every year, watching Waupun High School Football and Basketball and the Packers play ball. The thing I enjoy the most is  spending time with my family. I enjoyed watching them play sports while they were in school and now that they have grown and have families of there own I enjoy watch my grandchildren do activities. I love babysitting for my grandchildren, they are the best, they keep me young. My children and grandchildren mean the world to me.

The University of Iowa, Doctor of Audiology, Au.D., Audiology

Luther College, Bachelor of Arts, B.A., Music

My audiology experience began at the University of Iowa Hospitals working with pediatric cochlear implant patients. I then moved to Massachusetts and worked in clinical audiology at an Ear, Nose, and Throat clinic. After moving to Wisconsin, I worked in clinical audiology at Bellin Health Ear, Nose, and Throat, and am now excited to be an educational audiologist with CESA 6!

I enjoy spending time at home with my husband and 3 sons. We love to go hiking and on bike rides. I play the violin and guitar, and my boys are also learning to play violin, so we spend a lot of time practicing at home. I also love baking bread and spend lots of time in the kitchen working on that!

National Louis University- Administration and Supervision 2011
Silver Lake College- Cross Categorical Special Education (LD emphasis) 2007
Northern Michigan University- Special Education EBD K-12/Regular Education K-8 2001

I am excited to support CESA6 Pupil Service/Special Education Directors with Wisconsin's continued focus on special education procedural compliance and the increased focus on improving outcomes for students with disabilities. In my previous role as Director of Special Education with CESA6, I was able to gain a broad perspective on not only the diverse population of students serviced in Wisconsin school districts but also the unique challenges this poses for each district. Even in the face of decreasing budgets and increasing accountability, it was incredibly humbling to see educators and leaders continue to maintain a student focus as they met these daily challenges. 

Prior to joining CESA6, I worked for 10 years in the Kaukauna Area School District as a special education teacher. It was there that my passion for RtI and data-based decision making emerged. I had the privilege of working with administrators to further the district’s RtI and PBIS vision. I was able to assist in initiating the Student Support Team (SST) process and provide professional development to build capacity for RtI implementation. 

Working at CESA6 has afforded me the opportunity to work with a dynamic group of professions to further Wisconsin’s vision for Special Education. The leadership at CESA6 is continually pushing my thinking and encouraging risk taking. I don’t think there could be a more exciting time to be an educator. We are at a tipping point and our children are counting on us to get it right. I believe we can.

BIO

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

B.S. Natural Resource Management - Environmental Education, Youth Programming and Nature Center Management

City of Green Bay - Forestry Department- Green Bay, WI 

Invasive Species Specialist (2017)

Central Wisconsin Environmental Center - Amherst Junction, WI

Environmental Educator (2016)

Wild Rivers Invasive Species Coalition - Kingsford, MI

Invasive Species Technitian (2015)

YMCA Camp U-Nah-Li-Ya - Suring, WI

Waterfront Director (2014)

Specialty Trip Counselor (2013)

Resident Camp Counselor (2012)

BIO

Masters in Education and Professional Development with Initial Teacher Certification

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, WI, May 2004

Major: Broad Field Science  

Certifications: Broad Field Science (6-12) 21 601, Biology (6-12) 21 605, Chemistry (6-12) 21 610

Bachelor of Science 

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI, December 1999

Major: Biology   Minor: Physical Science

Director of Outdoor Environmental Education and Leadership

YMCA Camp U-Nah-Li-Ya, Suring WI

Paraprofessional Educator

Greenway Elementary School, Greenway,MN

High School Science Teacher 

Harborside Academy, Kenosha, WI

Eighth Grade Science Teacher 

Bullen Middle School, Kenosha, WI

BIO

BIO

Bachelors of Science Nursing (BSN) (RN) - U.W. Milwaukee School of Nursing

BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) for Healthcare Providers - current

BCLS Instructor - previous

ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certified - previous

I have 5 years’ experience in Cardiac nursing at St. Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee, followed by 5 years working as a surgical nurse in the operating rooms of St. Luke’s and Kenosha Medical Center. Upon relocating to the Fox Valley area in about 2000, I opted to stay home and raise my young children. Within a few years however, I had begun working as a part time paraprofessional in our local school and substituting for the school nurse. I loved utilizing my nursing skills in the school setting. It was a great fit for me to serve others! In the summer I am one of the Medical Directors for Lifest. I hope to see you there in 2016.

My hobbies and interests begin with my family. I have been blessed with a wonderful husband, married for 22 years, and 3 awesome yet challenging children. My 20-year-old daughter attends college at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York for Intramodal Transportation and Engineering. One of the 5 Federal Service Academies. It is very demanding, requiring approximately 22 credits a trimester in engineering while alsoencouraged to become a licenced EMT in the state of NY in the evenings. She is just finishing up her first Sea Year, a 4-month term shipping from Anchorage, AK to Seattle, WA.  My 18-year-old son is finishing his senior year, signed his NLI to play football for Augustana University, and working toward making his dreams come true. My 11-year-old son is in 5th grade and enjoying life!

We live on the water and enjoy boating in the summer. My husband is determined I will find fun in snowmobiling and ice fishing. I will admit, the ice fishing can be fun but I’m still not sure about the snowmobiling. I prefer to visit my daughter in New York in the dead of winter! Finally, my hobby is raising French lop rabbits. I have had them as pets since I was 18 years old. My older children began showing them for 4H several years ago. At the height of our 4 H project we had twenty nine 15 -18 lb French Lops. My daughter won Best of Breed at the Wisconsin State Fair in 2012. I currently have three bunnies.

BIO