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Meet Our Staff

Teacher Bios

Trust the Expertise of Wisconsin's Best Teachers

WIVA's teachers are among the best in the state for virtual education. And they're a big part of why we're the top scoring virtual school in Wisconsin. They consider themselves your partners in your children's education and they are available every school day to help you and your children through any challenges you may face. Here are just a few of the 15 regular education, special education, and other teachers you'll get to know at Wisconsin Virtual Academy:

Elementary Level (Grades K-5)

Kathy Hennings (Grades K-2)

Kathy Hennings has been a WIVA teacher since the school opened in 2003. Her past experience includes 17 years of teaching primary grades in the Cedarburg School District and 12 years of working in the Maple Dale-Indian Hill School District with fourth through eighth graders in the Special Education and Academic Support programs. Throughout her education experience, Kathy has emphasized individualized education. WIVA exemplifies her education philosophy, and she is excited to be a part of this unique approach to education.

Michelle Maas (Grades K-2)

Michelle Maas came to WIVA in 2006 with more than13 years of teaching experience in Milwaukee Public Schools. She has taught a variety of grades at the primary level, including a split grade classroom and a SAGE classroom in which she team-taught. Michelle was instrumental in moving her former school from a self-contained special education model to one in which inclusion was valued. She received her undergraduate degree in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire. Michelle earned her master's degree in environmental education for elementary teachers from the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point in 1995. She is excited to continue this chapter in her career and looks forward to working with the dedicated WIVA families.

Nancy Peerenboom (Grades K-2)

Nancy Peerenboom has enjoyed teaching and raising a family in the Arlington area. As a UW-Madison education major she holds a lifetime teaching license for K-8. Earlier in her career, she taught at South Madison Kindergarten and Madison's Wingra School. Mrs. Peerenboom began teaching at WIVA in 2003 and continues to be impressed with the school's students and families.

Stacy Sorensen (Grades K-2)

Stacy Sorensen joined the WIVA staff in 2003 with seven years of experience teaching at both the elementary and middle school levels at Lakewood School in Twin Lakes. There, Stacy taught seventh and eighth grade science and computers for two years and second grade for five years. She is DPI certified to teach grades 1-8. Stacy received her Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a major in elementary/middle education and a minor in social studies. She also earned a Master of Arts in teaching from Aurora University in 2002 with a perfect grade point average.

Shari Smith (Grades K-2)

Shari Smith has been with WIVA since it was first established in the fall of 2003. Shari graduated summa cum laude from St. Cloud State University (MN). She is certified to teach grades pre-K-6. Shari has several years of teaching experience in a variety of settings, including Head Start, traditional brick-and-mortar school in grades K-3, and a multi-age Montessori classroom. She enjoys working with parents in WIVA's innovative approach to education, and appreciates the unique parent-teacher partnership through WIVA.

Jonelle Erickson (Grades 3-5)

Jonelle Erickson was a fifth grade classroom teacher for seven years in the Wautoma School District, and then took time off to stay home with her young children. When her children reached school-age, Jonelle enjoyed the privilege of homeschooling them for eight years. Working for the Wisconsin Virtual Academy will be a great opportunity for her to incorporate her professional experience as both a classroom and a home teacher. She looks forward to meeting students and their families. In her free time, Jonelle enjoys spending time with her husband and family, fitness walking, hiking (particularly in national parks), singing, and reading.

Cheryl Frye (Grades 3-5)

Cheryl Frye brings 20 years of teaching experience to WIVA. Most recently, Cheryl taught reading, language arts, and science to grades 5 and 6 at Ozaukee Elementary and Middle Schools. Prior to that, Cheryl served as a Title 1 teacher, providing supplemental reading and math instruction to students in grades 1-3. She received her bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and has attended graduate courses in the areas of balanced literacy and differentiated instruction.

Brad Olson (Grades 3-5)

Brad Olson joins the WIVA staff with 15 years of teaching math and science at the middle school level for the Northern Ozaukee School District. Brad holds his BA from UW-Oshkosh and his MA in curriculum and instruction from National-Louis. He enjoys technology and is excited to be providing instruction through the use of computers and the Internet.

Lorie Phalen (Grades 3-5)

Lorie Phalen joined the WIVA staff in 2005 after teaching fourth grade in the Northern Ozaukee School District for 14 years. Lorie is a graduate of UW Platteville, where she majored in elementary education with a minor in language arts. She is certified to teach grades 1-9. Lorie also has a degree in dental assisting from Western Wisconsin Technical College.

Jon Williamson (Grades 3-5)

Jon Williamson joins WIVA with 19 years of teaching experience in Kansas school districts. Most recently, Jon served as a curriculum technologist for a high school in Salina, Kansas, where he collaborated with teachers as they planned and implemented technologies in support of the district curriculum. Jon also taught grades 3-5 for 14 years in Wichita, Kansas, along with evening ABE/GED outreach classes. In addition, Jon served as a resource teacher for a school in a high poverty area, focusing on career and character education, technology integration and network maintenance. Jon comes to WIVA with a BA in elementary education, a graduate certificate in technology, and is currently working on his master's degree.

Jeanne Coerper

Jeanne Coerper came to WIVA with more than 15 years of teaching experience. She has taught in Milwaukee, Sparta, and La Crosse. Most of her teaching has been in the middle school teaching math and science. She has also taught fifth grade and second grade. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater and her graduate degree from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.

Middle School Level (Grades 6-8)

Jennifer Trattner (Grades 6-8)

Jennifer Trattner joined the WIVA team in 2005. Mrs. Trattner comes to WIVA with a master's degree in administrative leadership and her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. In addition to her master's degree, she brings her teaching experiences from Bayside Middle School in Bayside, WI and Malcolm X Academy in Milwaukee, WI, where she taught both math and science.

Kevin Schmid (Grades 6-8)

Kevin Schmid has been a member of the WIVA staff since the school opened in 2003. With more than 30 years of experience in grades 3-12, Mr. Schmid holds licenses in health education (K-12), physical education (K-12), and elementary education (1-8). Mr. Schmid earned his bachelor's degree from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and his master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He has also earned over 60 graduate credits in addition to his master's degree.

Liz Wedereit (Grades 6-8)

Liz Wedereit joined the WIVA staff in 2004 from Ozaukee High School (part of the Northern Ozaukee School District), where she worked for 10 years. Liz received her Bachelor of Science degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and her math certification from Cardinal Stritch College. She is looking forward to working with all of the dedicated families who have chosen this educational path for their children's learning.

Catherine (Trina) Michalsen (Grades 6-8)

Trina Michalsen came to WIVA in 2006-2007, with six years of teaching experience she gained in the Fond du Lac Parochial School. She taught at the eighth grade level specifically in math and science, as well as language arts. She received her undergraduate degree in elementary education from Marian College in Fond du Lac, with a minor in computer science. She also has her master's degree from Marian College in curriculum and instruction, with additional courses and a licensure in alternative education. Trina's focus is on individual instruction for student success and she aligns that philosophy with the learning goals of WIVA students.

Janel Mielke (Grades 6-8)

Janel Mielke joined the WIVA faculty in the fall of 2005 after serving the Northern Ozaukee School District for 9 years. Janel received her undergraduate degree in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in December of 1995. In August of 1996, she began teaching at Ozaukee Middle School. She spent eight years teaching reading and language arts and one year in science and social studies, all at the seventh and eighth grade level. In May of 2002, she completed her master's degree in reading and language arts at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee.

Marjorie Altman (Grades 6-8)

Marjorie Altman joined the WIVA middle school staff in the fall of 2007. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Marjorie's first teaching placement was in Shorewood, WI, where she taught fifth grade for six years. During her years at Shorewood, Marjorie obtained her master's degree in science in educational psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Marjorie went on to teach middle school in Colorado for nine years. Her love for travel led her to Africa, Italy, and Australia, where she taught English as a Second Language in a comparative education study; and England, where she did her student teaching. When Marjorie returned to Wisconsin, she worked for Mequon-Thiensville School District as a fifth grade teacher. She is happy to be back in Wisconsin and thrilled to be part of the WIVA team.

Special Education

Jeff Nylander (Special Education)

Jeff Nylander is one of the pioneer teachers with WIVA. Before joining WIVA he taught special education in the Lacrosse area and worked for two years as the lead instructor for the Challenge Academy at Fort McCoy. Jeff has a master's degree in Cross- Categorical Special Education and a bachelor degree in Broad Field Social Studies. Immediately out of high school, Jeff joined the U.S. Navy and spent five years on active duty and an additional six years in the reserves. During his time in the Navy, Jeff travelled the world as a construction electrician in the Seabees. Jeff stays busy in his personal life as a volunteer fire fighter, scoutmaster, religious education teacher, and a member of veteran groups. .

Kaye Martin (Special Education)

Kaye currently holds a Professional Educator's license with dual certification in Elementary Education (Pre-K-6), Adaptive Education (grades 1-8), and Cross-Categorical Special Education (ages 3-14). She has been teaching for more than 15 years. In that time, Kaye has taught just about everything, ranging from kindergarten to middle school math. Kaye is a graduate of Alverno College, and is currently pursuing her Master of Education degree in Inclusion and Reading Difficulties at her alma mater. Kaye enjoys anything that keeps her active and gets her outdoors, especially motorcycle riding, playing softball and golf in the warmer months, and attending football games in the cooler ones. She is an avid runner, and actually likes snow.

Jeri Liebergen (Special Education)

Jeri Liebergen comes to WIVA with nine years of teaching experience. She holds licenses in Elementary Education (grades 1-8) and Special Education-Learning Disabilities (grades K-12). Her teaching experiences have included teaching students in grades 6-10 with learning disabilities, working with at-risk students at the middle school level, and teaching fourth grade. Jeri is excited to be part of the WIVA community and looks forward to working with all of the dedicated families.