Swanson Kindergarten Staff 2023

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 18 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!

TEACHERS

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.

OFFICE STAFF

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 9 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

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.

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!

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.

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.

TEACHERS

SADIE ADAMS

Hello, I’m Sadie Adams! I love teaching because getting to know my students and instilling a love for learning in each and everyone of them. Building relationships with my students and getting to know them individually is a cornerstone of my teaching philosophy. In Kindergarten, every day is exciting and new, and I’m thrilled to help set up my students in a positive early school environment that will lead to successful learning for years to come.

I earned my Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education and my Masters in Administrative Leadership and Curriculum Instruction from UW-Milwaukee. I’m also currently studying to get my Reading Specialist license! I have been teaching for a total of six years, with two of those in Elmbrook.

Outside of school, I spend my time hanging out with my friends, family, and English bulldog. I love trying new restaurants and traveling to tropical places with my husband!

LILY AUGUSTYN

Hello, I’m Lily Augustyn! I love helping students develop their social/emotional skills, so they can be socially and academically successful in the classroom! My goal is to give students a place where they feel safe, loved and ready to learn, and I love challenging my students everyday as I guide them to develop and grow as learners and contributing members of our Swanson community. My kindergarten motto is, "WE CAN DO HARD THINGS!"

I earned my Bachelors in Elementary Education from Northland College and have been teaching for 9 years. In my free time, I love to go on outdoor adventures with my husband, daughter, and our two black labs!

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 15th year of teaching and ninth 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.

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 10th year of teaching and my fifth here at Elmbrook! In my spare time, I enjoy running, going to sporting events, and spending time with my family.

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 19 years with 16 of those in Elmbrook! Outside of the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends including attending sporting events, vacations, and boating.

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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.