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Contact | Staff Bios | Enrollment
I grew up in Escanaba, Michigan, and graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Biology and Chemistry. After teaching Science in Michigan at Kingsley High School for three years, I found my way to Appleton and settled in at Wilson Middle School where I met my future VNS colleagues. I have since completed a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and most recently earned licenses in Administration and Director of Instruction. As one of the founders of Valley New School, I have been involved in this project since 2000. It amazes me how much VNS has changed my life and opened my eyes to what true learning can be. I am most proud of how our culture of learning continues to evolve at Valley New School, and I am thankful to work with such dedicated, visionary people.
My family has been incredibly supportive throughout the development of Valley New School. Many sacrifices were required of them during those formative years. Personally, I enjoy traveling and spending time with my family (my wife, Joanne, and three children, Max, Gus, and Ella). I also like to read, cook, and eat.
After moving eight times in my first 17 years, 1967 found me in Appleton as a freshman at Lawrence University. When I graduated with a degree in Psychology and Math, and contrary to my declared plans of escaping ASAP, I stayed in the Valley and discovered it to be a wonderful place to live and raise a family. I have three children and two stepchildren, all grown, married, and living on their own. My wife, Marcia, and I spend much of our free time traveling to Ann Arbor, Denver, and Tucson to visit our children and our one grandson. When not on the road, we enjoy gardening, reading, and spending time with friends. In addition, I collect and maintain vintage Corvair automobiles, spending most of the summer in one of my two convertibles.
I have taught (mostly high school and middle school math) in Appleton for 38 years. I pioneered team-teaching in the seventies and experimented with project-based education as early as 1990 at Wilson Middle School. The development and implementation of Valley New School has been the highlight of my career, both personally and professionally. I work with a fantastic and supportive group of people who share the joy of helping and watching young adults grow and change daily. I love coming to VNS everyday . . . what more do I need to say!?!
I was born and raised in Moline, Illinois, right on the Mississippi River. I am the oldest of four children. I attended Northern Illinois University on a softball scholarship where I majored in Education and minored in English. I lived and taught in Boulder, Colorado, for several years before making my home in Appleton, Wisconsin. In Boulder, I had the opportunity to start a fully-integrated, project-and student-centered school, much like Valley New School. In Wisconsin, I have taught middle and high school students in all subjects, as well as coached varsity and middle school sports. VNS has been an exciting and progressive endeavor for my professional career and for education in general. I am very proud of the successful community we have built. I know VNS changes lives because it has definitely bettered mine! I am passionate about my family (Bill and my daughter, Eliza, my son, Reader, and my mutt, Maddie), the outdoors, simple living, reading, and VNS.
A native of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, I earned a Bachelors of Arts in Studio Art from Lawrence University in 1995. After applying for teaching jobs around the U.S., I landed my first job in Mishicot, WI, fifteen minutes from my hometown, teaching kindergarten through sixth grade Art and directing elementary and high school Theater. In 1999, I accepted a position at Wilson Middle School in Appleton where I continued to teach Art, direct Theater, and also coached cheerleading. While at Wilson, I had the privilege of meeting my current colleagues and beginning the incredible journey that would become Valley New School. As we planned our new endeavor, I completed a Master of Education in Creative Arts in Learning from Lesley University, which allowed me to interdisciplinarily combine my passions for visual art, music, dance, theater, and poetry.
I have always liked teaching, but I love teaching at Valley New School. It is a gift to truly play an integral role in students’ lives and educations and, more importantly, see them become purposeful adults. The sense of community we (students, parents, and staff) have created is unlike any previous teaching experience I have had, and I look forward to many more years!
Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Adam, and daughters, Meredith, Hazel, and Veronica. I love to try new gourmet recipes, create my own artwork, and sing in our church choir. I enjoy seeing family, traveling, and, when I have time, performing in and choreographing community theater productions.
I have been an advisor at Valley New School since 2009 after teaching in the traditional classroom for ten years. I sought non-traditional methods that would allow students greater ownership of their learning. It is exhilarating to work in a purely project-based environment. PBL offers a transformative opportunity with every project because the topics are student-designed, require a sustained effort and hone new skills that are relevant to new learning. Though challenging, it is evident at the culmination that students have a greater sense of satisfaction and confidence. I love the energy PBL advisors exude, especially my colleagues at VNS who are pioneers in progressive education. VNS is a dynamic environment where students own and direct their learning, create a hopeful culture, and in many cases become experts in particular disciplines prior to graduating high school.
I grew up in Marinette, Wisconsin, and graduated from NWTC in Green Bay with a vocational degree. After working in the medical field and then in the legal, I found my way to the Appleton Area School District in March of 2000. I started as the secretary for the Therapy and Special Physical Education Department for several years, had a brief stint as attendance secretary at East High School and since then I have been so fortunate to become the secretary for Valley New School!
I have been and continue to be impressed on a daily basis with the vision, dedication, and passion of the VNS advisors and I feel very lucky to be able to be a part of this school community!
Outside of school I really enjoy spending time with my husband, John, and my daughters, Jennie and Brooke. I also enjoy cooking, boating, reading, crafts, spending time with friends and traveling to places where it’s always summer!
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