Brookfield Elementary Kindergarten Staff 2023

MEET THE STAFF OF BROOKFIELD ELEMENTARY

ERIN KING PRINCIPAL

Hello, I’m Erin King and I’ve been Principal of Brookfield Elementary School since 2021. I am honored to lead an incredibly diligent, thoughtful, and caring group of teachers and staff. New students and families will love the personal approach we take to learn about and teach every child to their strengths!

I earned my Bachelors in K-12 Cross Categorical Special Education in 2006 from the University of Wisconsin. I later continued my education to earn my Masters in Educational Leadership and Principal License from Viterbo University in 2013, followed by my Director of Special Education and Pupil Services License from Cardinal Stritch University in 2017. Prior to Brookfield Elementary, I taught for seven years across Madison, New Berlin, and Waukesha before serving as Associate Principal and Principal of Forest Park Middle School in Franklin for a total of 8 years.

I absolutely love working with students and staff to ignite a passion for learning! I love positively impacting lives and knowing that each interaction we have with one another can positively impact the trajectory of a life. The Brookfield Elementary community is incredibly supportive, kind, and involved in the well-being of all students, staff, and the overall community. Brookfield Elementary welcomes each student each day and challenges them to learn and grow. Each day our staff is challenged to see the potential in each child, beyond what that child thinks is possible. In 2021, I was awarded the Herb Kohl Principal Leader of the Year Award. My family and I are a part of the Elmbrook Schools community and understand the importance of a high-quality K-12 education. I live in Brookfield with my husband Brad and our two children. We enjoy spending time outside, attending sporting events, and reading!

AMY BENOTCH ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL

Hello, I’m Amy Benotch and I have been the Associate Principal of Brookfield Elementary since 2021! I am passionate about getting to know each and every student and making sure they feel a sense of belonging here at Brook El. I enjoy working with dedicated teachers and staff as we create the conditions for meaningful learning and feel blessed to partner with such supportive and resourceful families in our community.

I received my Bachelors in Education from UW-Green Bay (2007) and my Masters in Educational Leadership and Principal’s License from Viterbo University (2012). Prior to my role as Associate Principal, I taught for 14 years in Sussex and at Tonawanda Elementary as a Math Teaching and Learning Specialist.

The teachers and staff at Brook El are true champions for kids. We rally around each and every student and are creative problem solvers, knowledgeable about best instructional practices, and devoted to continuous improvement as life-long learners ourselves.

My husband and I live in Menomonee Falls with our three children. We are avid fans of all things Wisconsin sports and love cheering on our own budding baseball players!

OFFICE STAFF 4K TEACHERS

KAREN HAMILTON ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Hi, I’m Karen Hamilton and I am the Office Manager at Brookfield Elementary. I am proud of the role I play as a school ambassador, striving to deliver the highest level of customer service to our Bobcat families. I have been with Elmbrook Schools for 28 years and I am committed to creating a welcoming atmosphere for our staff, students, families and community members.

I understand the perspective as a staff member as well as of a parent because my three children are Brookfield Elementary alumni! When I'm not at school I love spending time with my family. In my spare time I love traveling, relaxing by the lake, reading a good book, and decorating!

STACY DAMUTH ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Hello, I’m Stacy Damuth! I am excited to be a part of the Bobcat staff! I have been working at Brookfield Elementary since 2016, and I am confident new families will love our warm, caring teachers and staff. I enjoy meeting the families of the Elmbrook community and being able to help them get acquainted with our school.

My family resides in Brookfield and have two boys in the Elmbrook Schools and one graduate. We have a dog named Eddie, a cat named Biff, and greatly enjoy our family game nights.

LAURIE BENZ

Hello, I’m Laurie Benz and I have had the privilege of teaching for the past 20 years! There are so many reasons I love teaching 4K. First and foremost, I love having a front row seat to watch and be part of this magical time of learning. A time when your little ones are acquiring important foundational skills and concepts, navigating friendships, striving to become independent, and filling each day with giggles and gasps.

This is my tenth year in Elmbrook. I taught kindergarten for 8 years and made the move to 4K in 2021 to help develop and grow the new program. I earned my teaching degree from Medaille College in Buffalo, NY and in 2015, I was named a Kohl Fellowship Award Recipient for my work as an outstanding educator in Southeastern Wisconsin. With a strong desire to grow as an educator, I entered the Special Education Certification Program at Carroll University and in May of 2020, I received my Cross Categorical Special Education License. When I am not in the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my husband Ken of 30 years, our daughters Cassidy and Madalynn, and our lovely little granddaughter Luna. I am an avid reader and enjoy writing. Over the years, I have written many poems, songs, chants and short stories for the classroom to help teach and secure various skills and concepts across content areas.

EMILY KOSCIELNIAK

Hello, I’m Emily Koscielniak! There are so many reasons why I love teaching and being surrounded by 4K friends. They are wonderfully honest, optimistic, eager to learn and some of the funniest people I’ve ever met. I love being able to guide students as they learn skills and explore ideas that will influence their future world.

This is my 16th year of teaching and my fifth year in Elmbrook. While in Elmbrook, I taught kindergarten for 3 years and made the move to 4K in 2021 to help develop and grow the new program. I earned my teaching degree from UW Madison. With a strong desire to grow as an educator, I completed the Special Education Certification Program at UW Milwaukee and received my Early Childhood Special Education License. When I am not in the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my husband Jordan and our boys, Charlie and Henry. I also enjoy spending time with my friends, cooking, reading, exercising, and remodeling our home!

TEACHERS

KATE MARX

Hello, I’m Kate Marx! I knew I wanted to be a Kindergarten teacher by the time I was in sixth grade! I have always loved working with and being around young children. I love the excitement and the passion they have for life in general. There is never a boring day in Kindergarten.

I earned my BSE in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Emphasis from UW-Whitewater, my Reading Teacher License from Cardinal Stritch, and my Master’s Degree in Education from National Louis University. I’ve taught kindergarten for 32 years and, when I’m not working, I love cooking, baking, reading, spending time with my husband and children, and playing the piano.

MEGAN MILLER

Hello, I’m Megan Miller! Growing up, becoming a teacher was a dream of mine. The part of teaching that I cherish the most is making connections and building relationships with my Kindergarten students. I want to inspire all my students to develop a love for learning, and for us to make lasting memories and friendships along the way.

I earned my Bachelors in Elementary Education from Iowa State University in 2016. This is my 7th year in teaching, with this being my second year in Elmbrook! In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, reading, watching a good tv show, and spending time with my friends and family.

LAUREN RADOSEVICH

Hello, I’m Lauren Radosevich! I love being with the kids and being able to have a positive impact on their lives. I love teaching kindergarten because everything is always exciting and I get to watch the kids grow and learn! My favorite part is when their little lightbulbs go on and they begin to make meaningful connections between our classroom and their everyday lives.

I earned my Bachelors in Early Childhood Special Education from UW-Whitewater and my Masters of Education from Aurora University. I’ve been teaching for a total of 25 years, with 17 of those years in Elmbrook! When I’m not teaching, I love spending time with my family, reading, bicycling, and boating on local lakes!

CORTNEY STOHL

Hi, I’m Cortney Stohl! I love helping my students grow and gain confidence as learners and fostering positive relationships that last far beyond our kindergarten year together. There is nothing compared to the excitement and genuine interest kindergarteners have in learning. Kindergarten is a year filled with immeasurable academic, social, and emotional growth, and it is so rewarding to watch my students develop as they prepare for first grade.

I earned my Bachelors in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Winona State University and my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from UW-Whitewater. This is my sixth year teaching and my second in Elmbrook! Outside of the classroom, I enjoy reading, exercising and spending time with my family and friends

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.”

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 31st & September 1st

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 OPPORTUNTIES

Summer school opportunities are available for all Incoming Kindergarten and current Kindergarten students. The Kindergarten and 1st grade Momentum program will be held this year at Brookfield Elementary.

Classes will take place Monday, June 19 to Friday, July 21 for all students. There will be no classes on Monday, July 3rd or Tuesday, July 4th Summer Jumpstart Program will begin August 7th - Friday, August 11th. The Jumpstart program is offered to Incoming 4K and Incoming 5K students in their homeschool buildings.

Registration for summer school will open on Tuesday, March 14 and close on Thursday, March 21, 2023. Prior to registration you will need to complete the Districts Online Enrollment. Online enrollment link is located on the Elmbrookschools.org website. Please click the “Enrollment for New Students and Families” tab. You will receive an email with your personal Infinite Campus login, which will allow you to register for summer school.

Visit www.elmbrookschools.org/summerschool for all summer school related information. Please contact Monica Bianco at biancom@elmbrookschools.org with any questions.