Tonawanda Kindergarten Staff 2024

MEET THE STAFF OF

TONAWANDA ELEMENTARY KRISTIN OLSON PRINCIPAL

Welcome to Tonawanda Elementary School! I’m Kristin Olson, the proud principal of Tonawanda Elementary since 2015. Tonawanda is the smallest elementary school in the School District of Elmbrook. We are excited about our growing enrollment where we are focused on developing a sense of belonging for all in our community!

I graduated from the University of Wisconsin- Madison in 1993 with a degree in Elementary Education and received my Masters Degree in Educational Administration and Leadership from Northern Illinois University - DeKalb in 1999. I have 18 years of experience as an elementary school teacher and have served as an administrator for a total of 13 years.

Our teaching staff is dedicated to our students and to the profession. The educators are continuous learners and implement best instructional practices. The students bring joy to each day and are at the center of all we do at Tonawanda! Being a part of the Tonawanda school community of engaged learners, dedicated teachers, caring staff, and supportive families is truly one of my life's greatest gifts.

My husband, Cory, and I have two sons, Evan and Andrew. We are so proud of them! Over the years we have enjoyed watching them grow both in school and on the fields as they play football and baseball. As a family, we enjoy water sports, snow skiing, and traveling!

MEGAN GRAY

ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL Hello, I’m Megan Gray! I’ve been the Associate Principal of Tonawanda Elementary since 2023, and working alongside such talented educators, students, and families is why I love my job. Tonawanda takes great pride in creating a warm and welcoming environment for all kids from the moment they step through our doors. As lifelong learners, our staff continues to learn and grow each day alongside our amazing students.

I graduated from Carroll University in 2012 with a degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education and earned my Masters in Educational Leadership there in 2016 as well as a Cross-Categorical Special Education Certificate. Prior to being Associate Principal, I taught for 11 years and have called Elmbrook my home since 2017!

My husband Corey and I enjoy taking our son, Jack, out fishing on our boat. In my free time, I enjoy reading and spending time with family.

4K TEACHERS

OFFICE STAFF MICHELLE KIESE

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Hi, my name is Michelle Kiese and I have the opportunity to greet and assist our students and families at Tonawanda Elementary! I love being able to build relationships with our students and their parents, as well as supporting our students’ growth and development through the years. We are a strong little community and we are very fortunate to have so many engaged families and classroom volunteers.

I’ve been with Elmbrook Schools for 12 years and am continually impressed with our students’ efforts to include all of their classmates in our school community. I am originally from the sunny shores of Oahu, Hawaii, but am proud to now call Wisconsin my home. I have two children, four grandchildren, and a Golden Retriever and Chihuahua. When I'm not at Tonawanda or with my family, I can be found in your coziest coffee shop studying for my MS in IT.

MARY WALKER Hello, I’m Mary Walker! I enjoy watching the excitement and love my students have for learning as they gain confidence and master new skills. The biggest reward is seeing their growth from the beginning of the year to the end.

I received my Bachelor of Science from Indiana University in Business Economics and Public Policy and later my Master’s degree from DePaul University in Education - Teaching and Learning. I have taught for a total of 19 years and this is my seventh year in Elmbrook. I love spending time with my family, going for bike rides, watching movies, and working in our garden.

5K TEACHERS JENNIFER FORSETH Hello, I’m Jennifer Forseth! I love teaching because I can make a difference in the lives of children and I can help create a love of learning that will last a lifetime.

Kindergarten is magical- the children are so curious and always excited to learn new things. The growth I see in each child is unbelievable and their energy is contagious!

I received my Early Childhood degree from the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point and have taught for a total of 23 years, 22 of which have been here in Elmbrook! I enjoy spending time with my family and going on vacations with them- our favorite vacation spot is Door County.

THERESA WESTPHAL Hello, I’m Theresa Westphal! I love that I have the opportunity to not only make a difference in every child's life but that my work has the ability to change the future. I am able to improve the world by nurturing, teaching, inspiring, loving and believing in each and every one of my students.

Teaching is not only a job for me but a true passion. I love that on a daily basis, I get to watch children explore, question, and learn while discovering the world around them.

I received my Bachelor of Science Degree from UW-La Crosse and my Masters of Education Degree from Aurora University. I have been teaching Kindergarten and First grade for a total of 30 years, with 26 years in Elmbrook! I love spending time with my family more than anything in the world. We enjoy hiking, traveling, cheering for the Packers and Badgers, and doing projects around the house!

LEIGH ANN GABBARD Hello, I’m Leigh Ann Gabbard!I love that I get to be part of laying a strong learning foundation for each child that walks into my classroom. Teaching Kindergarten is my passion because the students are so excited for school and are eager to learn and try new things!

I earned my Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education, minoring in Early Education from Carroll University and my Special Education certification from St. Mary’s of Minnesota. I have been teaching for 10 years and this is my third year in Elmbrook! In my spare time, I love crafting on my Cricut machine, exploring nature and visiting new places. A little fact about me is that I grew up in this district. It has been exciting to be able to give back to the school system that helped raise me!

GO TIGERS!

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