Meet the Burleigh Elementary Staff Principal Hello, I’m Christian Pleister! I am currently in my seventh year as Principal of Burleigh Elementary! I lead our compassionate and engaging staff as they strive to positively influence all students as they grow into lifelong learners. In 1998, I earned my teaching degree from UW-Milwaukee in Special Education and I later continued my education, earning my Educational Leadership degree alongside my Principal and Director of Curriculum and Instruction licenses from Cardinal Stritch University in 2006. Prior to Burleigh, I served as an elementary special education teacher for a combined nine years in Whitefish Bay and Milwaukee, and was a school administrator in Greendale for six years before joining Elmbrook. At Burleigh, we use a workshop model for literacy and math instruction and meet with each student on a regular basis to set goals and monitor progress in order to ensure a personalized learning experience. We have been recognized as a Wisconsin Title I School of Recognition for our work in closing the achievement gap for certain student groups. I am also the Director of Elmbrook Schools’ Preschool, a member of the AWSA Elementary Principals’ Commission, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have an impact on the lives of so many students and staff. In my spare time, I like to lead an active and healthy lifestyle by working out on a regular basis, doing as much as possible outside, and going to concerts!
Associate Principal Hello, I’m Mekenna Ellis! This is my fourth year as Associate Principal at Burleigh! I love being able to see a wide variety of students each day and develop personal connections with them throughout the year. Burleigh is a big school with a small, community feeling, full of people that work to care for and connect with every student. Our staff models lifelong learning for our students each day as they consistently seek out opportunities to learn and grow! I earned my Bachelors in Middle Childhood-Early Adolescence Education from UW-LaCrosse in 2007 and my Masters in Reading from Concordia University in 2012. I later received my administrative license in 2015 from UW-Milwaukee. Prior to Elmbrook, I taught for 11 years at both Trevor-Wilmot Consolidated School District, and as a Reading Specialist and Literacy Coach for the Wauwatosa School District. I have presented for the Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA) and the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators (AWSA) numerous times. Outside of school, my husband and I have three sons, a dog, and two cats. I enjoy running, playing volleyball, reading, and exploring the outdoors.
Administrative Assistants Hello, I’m Pam Peters-Colclasure! I love being able to welcome our new families to Burleigh and working with our students as they grow over the years. Burleigh’s wonderful staff has so much to offer our students academically and in additional enrichment opportunities throughout the school year. I work alongside Nancy Rusk to welcome visitors to our school, and make sure our students’ needs are met. I believe our students pride themselves on their ability to be open to new challenges in and out of the classroom. Our administration and teaching staff always have the best interests of the students and their families at heart. Our students are always actively engaged in the number of activities and opportunities that we offer. Elmbrook is a special district and Burleigh is an incredible school.
Hello, I’m Nancy Rusk! I enjoy working with students and being able to interact with visitors to our school each day. At Burleigh, our students pride themselves on growing their independence and making everyone feel welcome and included. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering from UW- Milwaukee, and I have been with Elmbrook for over 11 years as a parent, 2.5 years as a Kindergarten and Special Education Substitute, and this is my fourth year as Burleigh’s Receptionist! I work alongside Pam Peters-Colclasure to welcome all visitors and new families to our wonderful school. My husband and I have three daughters that have all attended Burleigh! I enjoy spending time with my family as we hike, attend musicals, play tennis, and watch movies.
4K Teachers H ello, I’m Kari Derr! I love being able to instill a love of learning in our youngest learners and watching the excitement in a child when they have mastered a new skill for the first time! I received my dual certification in Early Childhood Special Education and Elementary Birth-3 Education from UW-Oshkosh. This is my 11th year of teaching and my second in Elmbrook! Outside of the classroom, I love spending time with my family as we enjoy movie nights, game nights, and puzzles. Hello, I’m Betsy Heun! Every day in 4K is unique and brings new ideas, new challenges, and something funny to laugh about! My students make every day exciting and magical. Teaching kindergarten gives me the opportunity to provide our youngest learners and families with a strong foundation that the rest of a child’s education can build on. I earned my degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from St. Norbert College and have been teaching for 21 years! In my free time, I love spending time with my family, boating up north, and watching my children play football, basketball, and soccer. Hello, I’m Jennifer Kucharski! I love helping to shape young minds and making learning exciting for my students. It is very rewarding to see the growth that children make throughout the year, and having the opportunity to shape the beginning of their educational career brings me pride and enthusiasm as they learn each day. I received my Bachelors in Early Childhood Education from UW-Milwaukee and have been teaching in Elmbrook for a total of 14 years! In my spare time, I love spending time with my family at our cabin up-north - fishing, swimming, snowmobiling & relaxing. I also love to read, do puzzles, and scrapbook!
5K Teachers Hello, I’m Pam Cline! I love teaching because of the difference I’m able to make in my student’s lives. Building a social-emotional connection with students is really fulfilling, and watching them grow in reading, learning and in relationships throughout the school year is tremendous! I earned my Masters in Education from Cardinal Stritch and have been teaching for 16 years, with 5 of those years in Elmbrook! When I’m not teaching, I enjoy exercising, spending time with loved ones, and reading mystery novels. Hello, I’m Johnell Eales! I love making a difference in a child’s life both in and out of the classroom. One of the things I love most about kindergarten is watching the students learn to read- it is so exciting to help them open the door to the new adventures they will find in books. I earned my degree in Elementary Education from Rockford College and have been teaching for 24 years! In my spare time, I love spending time with my family and friends, reading, swimming and hiking. Hello, I’m Katie Hillig! I love being responsible for helping children learn to read, discover, reflect, communicate and overall LOVE school! I believe teaching kindergarten is the best profession in the entire world! I received my Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2001, and my Masters in Reading (316) and Learning Disabilities from Cardinal Stritch University in 2008. I have been teaching in Elmbrook since 2002, and in my free time I enjoy traveling, photography, shopping, and watching my children play hockey and baseball! Hello, I’m Kayla Moffatt, and I love seeing the excitement that each student has for learning and trying new things in Kindergarten! The limitless creativity of my students and their wonderful stories fill each day with fun and joy. This is my tenth year of teaching and my fourth year teaching Kindergarten! I received my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from Cardinal Stritch University. In 2018, I received a Golden Apple for Excellence in Elementary Teaching at the Engaged in Excellence Awards. I enjoy sports, reading, and spending my free time with my family and friends. Hello, I’m Aimee Simek! My favorite part of my job is getting to see my students experience success and continuously helping them strive to be their best. I love being able to build a foundation for future learning in my students. I received my Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, and my Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction: Interdisciplinary Studies from National Louis University. This is my 22nd year of teaching and my fifth year in Elmbrook. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, going to parks and the zoo, reading, and cheering on the Packers, Brewers, and Badgers! Hello, I’m Jackie Topp! My favorite part of my job is being able to see life through a kindergartener’s perspective! Being able to see their confidence grow and how they change socially and emotionally is a joy to experience. I have been teaching kindergarten at Burleigh Elementary for 19 years. I received my degree in Early Childhood from UW-Milwaukee and my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University. In my free time, my husband and I love spending time with our son, Colton, and daughter, Charlotte. We enjoy traveling, biking/hiking/exploring the outdoors and attending sporting events!