Tonawanda Kindergarten Staff 2023

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 12 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! We will be sending Evan off to college this upcoming fall 2023. 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!

OFFICE STAFF 4K TEACHERS

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 11 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 - my son Nicholas is a Brookfield Central graduate and a dad to my grandchildren Wolfgang, Alice, and Owen, and my daughter Meghan is also a Brookfield Central graduate who is currently attending the

MARY WALKER

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 18 years and this is my sixth year in Elmbrook. I love spending time with my family, going for bike rides, watching movies, and working in our garden.

LYNDLEY WOODD

Hello, I’m Lyndley Woodd! I love teaching our littlest learners and the enthusiasm and joy they bring to each day in the classroom. Kindergarteners love to sing and dance, and they do not judge my love for those things either!

I earned my Bachelors in Early Childhood Education from UW-Milwaukee and have been teaching on and off for the last 13 years in-between raising my three kids. I have taught summer school for Elmbrook for the last several years, and this is my second year at Tonawanda! Outside of school, I enjoy reading, taking my dog for walks, exercising, and singing musicals in the car while forever-driving my kids to their activities. All three of my children are Tonawanda Tigers so I know first-hand what a special place this school is for students.

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 22 years, 21 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.

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 nine years and this is my second 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!

ALEXANDRIA LIRA

’m Alexandria Lira! Every day in Kindergarten is new and filled with excitement for learning. I love creating a classroom community each year - seeing my students encourage each other, have conversations, and getting to know each other more each day. Throughout the year, we learn how to use our words, problem-solve, and we have a lot of fun!

I earned my Bachelor’s in Education and my Masters degree in Learning PLC with an emphasis on Culturally Responsive Teaching and Adventure Education from UW-La Crosse. I have been teaching for six years and this is my first year with Elmbrook! Outside of the classroom, I love to read, hike, hangout with my cat, sing karaoke, dance, and go to the gym!

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 29 years, with 25 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!

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.”

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 OPPORTUNITIES

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.