Swanson Kindergarten Staff 2024

MEET THE STAFF OF

SWANSON ELEMENTARY MARTIN CASTRO

PRINCIPAL Hello, I’m Martin Castro and I have been Swanson Elementary’s Principal since 2022 and served as the Associate Principal beginning in 2019. I love leading educators that are passionate about changing kids’ lives!

I earned my Bachelor's (2008) in Psychology and Master's (2012) in Educational Psychology from UW-Milwaukee as well as my MBA (2012) in Educational Leadership from MSOE. Currently, I am pursuing my Ph. D. and Superintendent Licensure through Cardinal Stritch University. Prior to Elmbrook, I worked as a school counselor at Oak Creek-Franklin School District for 7 years and 6 years as a Lead Counselor within a residential treatment center for WellPoint Care Network.

Swanson is well-known for having dedicated staff that absolutely love kids and makes sure everyone feels welcome. We are a vibrant learning community with professional staff committed to making our school an exceptional place to learn and work together.

Outside of school, my wife and I have three children and in our spare time, we enjoy engaging with our church to give back to our community. I grew up playing soccer which afforded me the opportunity to play in college, highlighted by winning a National Championship in 2009 with the Bavarians Soccer Club.

CHRISTIE JOHNSON

ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL Hello, I’m Christie Johnson and I have had the pleasure of being Swanson’s Associate Principal since 2022!

I love helping students get excited about their learning and their successes. I aim to create a sense of belonging for each student at Swanson.

Swanson has a long-standing reputation of being a big school with a small school feel, and dedicated staff that collaborate around each child’s learning. Our teaching teams build strong relationships with our students and families, and are passionate about helping each child achieve their goals.

I earned my Graduate Degree from Cardinal Stritch University in 2007, my Reading Specialist Certification in 2013, and my Administrative Degree from Carroll University in 2022. I have worked in education for 19 years and have been with Elmbrook since 2014.

My husband and I have two children and outside of school we enjoy hiking, camping, and watching our kids play basketball, baseball, and softball!

OFFICE STAFF

4K TEACHERS JEN BEUG-HOFFMAN

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Hello, I’m Jen Beug-Hoffman. I love the friendly atmosphere that our staff and students create at Swanson. This is my fifth year in the Swanson office and I just love it here! Our students pride themselves on being helpful and compassionate towards each other as we aim to make everyone feel welcome.

I earned my Bachelor’s in Psychology and Sociology from UW-Whitewater and have been with Elmbrook Schools for 10 years. I am the proud mom of two amazing children, and in our free time, my husband and I enjoy staying active with our kids, trying interesting foods, and traveling near and far.

KAREN KRZYZAK RECEPTIONIST

Hello, I’m Karen Krzyzak and I love seeing our students as they grow each day and interacting with our families at Swanson. I have worked throughout Swanson in various roles including Special Education and Kindergarten Assistant since 2007, and I joined the office staff in 2018. Families will love the diversity and friendly staff and students at our school.

I earned my Bachelor’s in Secondary Education in Speech Communication, English, and Theatre from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. My husband and I have three daughters and a son who all attended Swanson, and we enjoy taking family vacations and watching movies together. I also love attending theatre productions and performing on-stage when I have the opportunity!

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VESILE YILMAZ Hello, I’m Vesile Yilmaz! I love witnessing the growth, independence, curiosity, and excitement in my students throughout the school year. As a first schooling experience, I understand the importance of making a positive impact on a child’s learning journey.

I was born in Turkey and my big Mediterranean family gave me the roots to remember where I come from and the wings to soar the world and make a difference, one student at a time. Later on, those wings and my passion for education took me and my family to Australia where we lived for 6 years. I earned my Bachelors & Masters in Education in Turkey and my Master in Early Childhood Education in Australia. I have been teaching for 16 years, with five of those years in Elmbrook! When I’m not teaching, I enjoy cooking, reading, spending time with my family, and creating Ebru paintings - a traditional Turkish art.

REBECCA LEHNERT Hello, I’m Rebecca Lehnert! I love the "light bulb" moments a child has when they finally understand something that has been hard for them, or when they learn something new for the first time! 4K is an important time to help establish our littlest learners for lifelong success in learning.

I earned my Bachelors in Elementary Education from UW-Whitewater and my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University. I’ve been teaching for a total of 16 years, with this being my first year in Elmbrook! When I’m not teaching, I love to read and spend time with my family traveling and being outside.

LAUREN WILLS Hello, I’m Lauren Wills! I love watching my students explore their environment and grow throughout the school year. They get such an incredible excitement when they learn something new - it's really magical and all my students bring such happiness to our classroom every day!

I received my Bachelors in Early Childhood Education from UW-Milwaukee and have been teaching for 12 years and this is my second year in Elmbrook. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family and pursuing my interests in photography.

5K TEACHERS ALEXA BUSALACCHI Hello, I’m Alexa Busalacchi! The excitement my students have for learning is contagious, and I love seeing the pride they take in their accomplishments each day. I think the greatest pleasure in teaching is seeing each child grow academically, socially, and emotionally throughout the year.

I earned my Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. This is my 11th year of teaching and my sixth here at Elmbrook! In my spare time, I enjoy running, going to sporting events, and spending time with my

CAITLIN LOCANTE Hello, I’m Caitlin Locante! I love teaching the foundational academic and life skills that set students up to be successful in their future! The moment when something ‘clicks’ for a student is magical, and I enjoy supporting each student as they accomplish new skills and overcome challenges.

I received my Bachelors in Elementary Education from Ball State University and have been teaching since 2022! Outside of school, I love to read, coach Gymnastics, Diving, and Track for Brookfield Central & East.family.

MARY RICHTER Hello, I’m Mary Richter! I love the relationships I’m able to build with my students. My goal is to help them build their self-esteem so they can believe in themselves and their ability to learn! Kindergarten is a great place to build social skills, and learn how to handle emotions, and the kids are so much fun.

I received my degree in Elementary Education from Edgewood College and have been teaching for 22 years, with 17 of them in Elmbrook! When I’m not teaching, I love to read, play golf and pickleball, and watch a good Badger football game.

STACEY TRAUDT Hello, I’m Stacey Traudt! Every day in Kindergarten is a brand new day with so many possibilities and learning opportunities. I love experiencing the growth Kindergarten students make socially, emotionally, and academically. Being a part of children's early education is important and rewarding to me. Together, we build a caring, safe classroom community and develop a love of learning.

I earned my Bachelors in Elementary Education from UW-Oshkosh and have been teaching for 20 years with 17 of those in Elmbrook!

Outside of the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends including attending sporting events, vacations, and boating.

TRISHA VANTORNHOUT Hello, I’m Trisha Vantornhout! I love the tangible excitement of a Kindergarten classroom and seeing the excitement on the faces of my students when they learn something new. I also love challenging them to think outside of the box and explore the ‘why' behind the things we learn. Watching my students grow socially, emotionally and academically over our time together is truly incredible.

I earned my degree in Elementary Education from Miami University and have been teaching for 14 years, with three years in Elmbrook! Outside of the classroom, I enjoy reading, walking, playing games, and spending time with my family and friends.

JENNY VICENIK Hello, I’m Jenny Vicenik! I love seeing the growth of my students over the course of the year. Helping them learn new skills and watching them become independent with those skills is magical. There is so much joy, excitement and energy each day and I love seeing the joy on their faces when they’re successful with new skills.

I earned my degree in Elementary Education and Reading from Carroll University and have been teaching all 21 years here at Swanson Elementary! When I’m not teaching, I enjoy reading, riding my bike with my kids, and playing softball.

MEREDITH WAFLE Hello, I’m Meredith Wafle! Being able to work with children and help them grow academically and socially each day is a joy. I love the enthusiasm and excitement that fills the classroom as my students grow into readers and writers.

This is my 16th year of teaching and tenth year in Elmbrook! I earned a Bachelor’s in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin Madison and my Masters in Teaching from Cardinal Stritch University. Outside of school, I enjoy my time reading, watching movies, and being active in the outdoors with my family.

ENROLLMENT PROCESS Complete your child’s online enrollment at www.elmbrookschools.org/enroll.

STEP 1 | Complete New Student Online Enrollment Application. Verification documents should be uploaded directly to the application www.elmbrookschools.org/enroll. If you already have a child in the district you can complete the application using your Infinite Campus Parent Portal by clicking “More”, then “New Student Enrollment.” Verification documents are required even if you have a child currently attending in the district.

STEP 2 | Receive Enrollment Confirmation Email STEP 3 | Participate in Strong Start Conference in August STEP 4 | Attend 1st Day of School in September

ELEMENTARY STRONG START CONFERENCES All Elmbrook elementary schools conduct Strong Start Conferences for students entering Kindergarten through fifth grade. These conferences are designed to provide an opportunity for elementary students and teachers to meet each other, one-on-one, prior to the start of the school year to develop positive relationships that will support a strong start for all students!

Conferences conducted over two days | August 29th & 30th Your child’s 2023-24 classroom teacher will invite you to sign up for a conference in August after class assignments are made public.

SUMMER SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES Summer school opportunities are available for your Elmbrook student! Our students are enrolled in summer school at their current school year grade level, with a separate "Jumpstart" Program that is offered to incoming 4K and 5K students every August.

The current school year grades 4K and 5K summer school Momentum Program will be held this year at Brookfield Elementary. This session will run Monday, June 17 to Friday, July 19. There will be no classes on Thursday, July 4th, and Friday, July 5th. Students enrolling in 5K for the 24-25 school year will be eligible to participate in our 4K Momentum Summer School Program.

Elmbrook's summer school Jumpstart Program will be in session from Monday, August 12th to Friday, August 16th. Our Jumpstart Program is a separate summer school program offered to incoming 4K and incoming 5K students at their school buildings in an effort to acclimate our youngest students to their new school environment.

Registration for summer school offerings will open on Tuesday, March 12 and close on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at noon. Prior to registration, you will need to complete the District's Online Enrollment. Online enrollment link is located on the Elmbrookschools.org website. Please click the “Enrollment for New Students and Families” tab. Once your child's enrollment has been processed, and your online account has been created, please visit the Infinite Campus link located under the Quicklinks section on the Elmbrookschools.org website. To access your account for the first time select Campus Parent, enter your email address, then choose Forgot Password. You will receive an email with a link to create your own password to access your account going forward.

Please visit www.elmbrookschools.org/summerschool for all summer school-related information which will be updated prior to the opening of registration. Feel free to contact Jered Bares at baresj@elmbrookschools.org with any questions!

ARE YOU READY TO BECOME WHAT’S NEXT?

ENROLL TODAY

elmbrookschools.org/enroll