The Advisors

Background: Secondary Math Education from UW – LaCrosse

Interests/Passions: A few of my interests include gardening and plants, I have over 50 houseplants. I also enjoy sports, my favorite to watch Formula One and NFL, my favorite to coach is basketball, and my favorite to play would be pickleball. I also enjoy everything about music, production, writing, listening, etc. I also have a large collection of vinyl records.

Why are you an educator at Polytechnic?: I am an educator here because of the environment I witnessed at Polytech’s showcase. Polytech has clear values that I closely align with in my personal and professional life. I wanted to be a part of this environment as I believe this school empowers students to become the best version of themselves.

Background: After teaching for 20 years in San Antonio, I’ve returned to the midwest to continue my journey as an ELA educator. My degree is in Communication, Arts, and Literature from Winona State and I’m about to embark on my Masters of Education degree with a concentration in Reading Specialist or Speech therapy.

Interests/Passions: I love to read, and sharing a good story or novel with my students is a great pleasure. As a journalism teacher in my previous district, I was able to supervise and help to produce over 4,000 pages of student work and have the privilege of seeing those students hold their accomplishments in their hands and revel in pride of their work. I also had the honor to assist my creative writing students create a Literary Magazine, similar to the magazine I created in high school. I enjoy spending time outdoors, hiking, biking, and swimming. I also enjoy crafting at home, making home improvements, and painting on canvas.

Why are you an educator at Polytechnic?:I decided to join the Poly team because I believe in the choice students have to explore their passions with projects. My years teaching journalism allowed me to observe project-based learning and see how much more students will get out of a project they are truly interested and invested in. I relish sharing my love of reading, writing and research with my students.

Background: I’ve worked with agile teams on technology implementation, and public administration. I obtained a Masters in Education from UW-La Crosse. 

Interests/Passions: I am an absolute nerd! I love D&D, Lord of the Rings, and board games. I’m a sucker for a great hero story, Shera: Princess of Power standing out lately. I enjoy these hobbies with my partner, (Michelle) and two children (Otto, and August).

Why are you an educator at Polytechnic? I became an educator at Poly because I get to see students work on projects they are interested in with passion. I get to infuse my love of social studies (history, human behavior, and economics) into their work. And push their educational experience forward with my interest and professional development around A.I. literacy.

Background: I started out my educational career on a full rodeo scholarship to Missouri Valley College where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. From there, I pursued my Master’s Degree in Special Education alongside my 316 Reading Certificate.  This will be my 19th year teaching with a span of experience in grades K-12. In addition, I’m also a college adjunct for Viterbo University in their education program.

Interests/Passions: I come to you as a mother of four who loves to travel, explore and bake. When I’m not teaching, I’m supporting my kids in their many endeavors, running a small baking business, and leading a summer travel program. My passions are traveling, baking, rodeo, and servant leadership.  I continue to learn about the world around me in order to make my own world better.  I also enjoy thrifting, antiquing, and road trips with no destination in mind.

Why are you an educator at Polytechnic?: I am entering this new role excited for the opportunity to embrace the future of education.  tudent-led learning is innovative and provides both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation for all.  With a servant-led mind, I look forward to pushing boundaries and working together to embrace this ever-changing world we live in.

Background: Education Background: I graduate from Viterbo University in 2023 with a degree in Broadfield Social Studies Education. I obtained my Broadfield English Language Arts license while working in Cambridge, WI, and obtained my Alternative Education License from UW-Whitewater in 2025, further strengthening my ability to support diverse learners and educational pathways. After working in Cambridge for 2 years, I returned home to La Crosse to work as an ELA advisor here at Polytechnic!

Interests/Passions: I proudly embrace my inner “nerd,” with a love for Dungeons & Dragons and video games. I’m also a lifelong Wisconsin sports fan. Beyond that, I enjoy spending time in the community, finding a good place to read, and connecting with friends through new experiences and adventures. I am deeply passionate about supporting students both inside and outside the classroom. I value opportunities to build relationships, foster confidence, and help students discover their interests. I also enjoy contributing to the broader school community by supporting school programs and assisting with events in any way needed.

Why are you an educator at Polytechnic?: My connection to La Crosse Polytechnic began during my time at Viterbo University, where I had the opportunity to visit and quickly developed a strong appreciation for its project-based learning approach. Those experiences shaped my teaching and deepened my belief in student-centered, real-world learning. Since then, becoming an educator at Poly has been a goal of mine, and I am grateful to be part of a community that aligns so closely with my passion for meaningful, engaging education.