LAUNCH Impact Report 2023-24

ABOUT US

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Below are five key guiding principles that unite, define,and guide the LAUNCH experience:

PROFESSION-BASED LEARNING

Instructors develop real-world, project-based learning strategies through collaborations with business and community partners. These interactions enhance the learning experience, preparing students for college and career.

RESPONSIVENESS

LAUNCH supports high-skill, high-demand careers through ongoing innovation in curriculum development, programs and services based on local business and community needs.

SELF-DISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION

Students realize their strengths and passions by exploring and experiencing potential professions This allows them to make informed decisions about their future, while learning to exhibit leadership

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

Unique experiences allow students to cultivate transformative professional skills such as understanding expectations, time management and other essential business values.

ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET

Instructors create an environment where creative thinking and problem solving is encouraged An innovative culture is key to fostering entrepreneurial learning and design thinking

OUR MISSION

LAUNCH represents the collaboration of education, business and community, providing students with a unique, immersive experience, resulting in highly skilled, adaptable, global innovators and leaders.

BY THE NUMBERS

15

STAFF MEMBERS

11

ACADEMIC STRANDS

5

HIGH SCHOOLS SERVED

3

PROJECT CYCLES

STUDENTS FOR 2024-25

MEET DR. HALL

Dr. Bob Hall is the Executive Director of LAUNCH. During the last seven years, Dr. Hall has reimagined what opportunities the Elmbrook School District offers Juniors and Seniors, believing that students are capable of solving real world problems. Under his leadership, LAUNCH has become a hub of client problem-solving projects, professional training, and the development of competencies that incorporate 21st century knowledge and skills. Dr. Hall believes that students realize their strengths and passions by exploring and experiencing high-demand professionalism, which allows students to make informed decisions about their future.

Through unwavering dedication and a shared commitment to advancing storytelling and literacy for students, our team propelled LAUNCH to unparalleled success in 2023-24. This year was not merely a result of our efforts but a testament to our passion for empowering young minds through dialogue with our community, practices of narrative writing, and building transferable skills. LAUNCH projects continue to ignite a spark of curiosity and imagination in the hearts of countless students, fostering a future generation of storytellers and problem solvers.”

LAUNCH NETWORK

LAUNCH is a member of the CAPS Network - over 112 affiliate profession-based learning programs across 22 states and four countries.

Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) programs are nationally recognized, innovative high school programs. Students fast forward into their future and are fully immersed in a professional culture, solving real world problems, using industry standard tools and are mentored by actual employers, all while receiving high school and college credit. CAPS is an example of how business, community and public education can partner to produce personalized learning experiences that educate the workforce of tomorrow, especially in high skill, high demand jobs.

The collaboration between Elmbrook Schools, the Wauwatosa School District, and the School District of Monroe within the LAUNCH Program has been immensely fruitful and rewarding. Through this partnership, we ' ve been able to provide students with unique opportunities for growth and exploration in various fields. Together, we ' ve designed tailored curricula and workshops that empower students to cultivate essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. The program has fostered a vibrant atmosphere of collaboration and innovation, where students are encouraged to pursue their passions and pursue ambitious projects. By bridging the gap between education and real-world application, the LAUNCH Program has become a beacon of experiential learning, preparing students for future success in academia and beyond.

THANK YOU ELMBROOK LEADERS

District Leaders

Dr. Mark Hansen

Kristin Sobocinski

Chris Thompson

Dr. Tanya Fredrich

Dr. Amie Farley

Pam Casey

Rick Domach

Lisa Rettler

Dan Scott

Brookfield Central Leaders

Brett Gruetzmacher

Dominic Bauer

Lindsay Charles

Don Kurth

Brookfield East Leaders

Andy Farley

Darcie Fellmeth

Paige Lightner

Ben Westphal

OUR STAFF

Nicole Augustin

Emily Barmantje

Heather Brennan Jim Brennan

Missy Fogltanz

Eric Gruenwald

Stephanie Kelly Megan Fisher

Jill Michalak

Micah Nelson

Ryan Osterberg

Pat Perez

Mark Ritter

Phonekeo Siharath

Marianne Streit

CELEBRATIONS

Golden Apple - Excellence in Teaching - High School - This teacher builds positive and impactful student and family relationships leading to success in the classroom. They are professional and prepared for each day, respected by peers and colleagues, model strong teaching and learning practices, and inspire students to pursue excellence.

Golden Apple NomineePhonekeo Siharath

Dr. Siharath's dedication as a teacher not only allows him to excel in teaching English, but he also shows genuine care for each of his students. Under his guidance, many students have shown significant improvement in the English section of the ACT. Dr. Siharath's approach to teaching allows students to choose their learning paths, which boosts student engagement and effectiveness in the classroom. His efforts in teaching grammar and making complex concepts understandable have allowed students to reach new levels in their learning. His passion for teaching is palpable in every lesson, making his classes something to look forward to.

Golden Apple WinnerStephanie Kelly

In just her second year with the LAUNCH program, Stephanie has made a significant impact on students and her teaching colleagues. This year she stepped into the Future Teachers program and works to build the next generation of teachers in Elmbrook. Additionally, Stephanie has led the program ’ s efforts to embed literacy into the LAUNCH curriculum, earning the respect of her peers and strengthening the curriculum in all LAUNCH courses.

CELEBRATIONS

The Kohl Teacher Fellowship program recognizes and supports teaching excellence and innovation in the state of Wisconsin, USA. Our goal is to support Wisconsin teachers in the pursuit of their unrealized goals for their classrooms or professional development. The 100 Herb Kohl Fellowship recipients and the 100 Wisconsin schools of those teachers will each receive a $6,000 grant. Nominations for the Herb Kohl Fellowship are only using this website's online nomination form.

NICOLEAUGUSTIN KOHLEXCELLENCE TEACHERFELLOW

Wisconsin Business World – a program of WMC Foundation – announced the six winners of its second annual Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology (MET) awards program. The program, sponsored by Plexus Corp. recognizes outstanding Wisconsin high school and middle school teachers who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing manufacturing, engineering and technology principles in their classrooms.

RYANOSTERBERG MANUFACTURING,ENGINEERING& TECHNOLOGY(MET)AWARD

LAUNCH PROJECTS

The mission of LAUNCH is to provide students a competitive advantage in postsecondary pursuits through an engaging, rigorous,and profession-based program. LAUNCH enhances student learning by connecting knowledge, skills, and dispositions to high-demand careers that cultivate entrepreneurs and innovators who expand the region’s workforce capacity.

STORYTELLING WITH DATA GLOBAL BUSINESS

MTL HOLDINGS GLOBAL BUSINESS

Create a business case for incorporating AI into various aspects of MTL’s Business – Marketing, Customer Service, Manufacturing, etc The business case should include exact software recommendations, financial impact to the business, both the cost and gains, and impact to the customer, and impact to MTL’s employees

MANPOWER GLOBAL BUSINESS

Create a framework for a procurement categorization playbook so that Manpower has a comprehensive set of strategies for classifying and managing the $175,000,000 spend on Selling, General, & Administrative Vendors.

QUEST DIAGNOSTICS

MEDICINE & HEALTHCARE

Create an overall better customer experience for diagnostic testing in healthcare (at Quest).

Develop and start implementing a marketing plan to promote the new children's book, Daphne Draws Data, focusing on increasing pre-sales among parents and educators, all in partnership with best-selling author and local CEO Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic

WAUKESHA COUNTY GLOBAL BUSINESS

With the interest in cybersecurity, the project question could be “if we ' re exploring commercial vendor systems A, B, and C- what would be a good approach on quantifying the risk of each system?” In essence, recommend an approach to a base risk assessment through a weighted scoring of various risk factors?

MIDWEST ENGINEERING SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

Develop a simulation model for a robotic automation cell in a manufacturing window rubber - analyzing efficiency, cost, and performance.

PROJECT TAKEAWAYS

Sadhaya Senthilkumar, Brookfield Central

Law & Public Policy

Through the public policy project that I worked on for LAUNCH, I learned how ideas impact the real world. We were steered to look at what we were doing from different perspectives throughout the process of the project, and the experience has taught me to look not just in the classroom, but into the world that exists beyond

Oleksa Onyskiv. Brookfield East

Engineering

Being in LAUNCH and working with Milwaukee Tool and HUSCO has helped me gain soft skills that I will need as an engineer I now understand how to write professional communications, explain topics to a wide variety of people, and present information with professional slide presentations. I would like to thank Dr. Polik and Mr. Radtke for providing me with the experience of researching, developing, prototyping, and testing engineering solutions.

Aiden Klick, Brookfield East

Global Business

LAUNCH taught me how to apply key life skills such as leadership and communication. Working with local business executives helped me gain realworld experience, create a business network, and feel prepared for my future career.

Shilpa Kumar, Brookfield East

Data Science

Not only did this project hone my Python and data analysis skills, but it also enhanced my ability to collaboratively work in a team, think critically, and communicate professionally with a corporation. Altogether, this project allowed me to gain realistic consulting experience and will thus certainly be applicable towards my future career, no matter which path I choose to pursue

Max Hansen, Brookfield East

Global Business

LAUNCH has provided me with great experience in my field of interest while giving me the proper foundation for success both in college and beyond LAUNCH has done this by giving me templates and projects that have real world implications with actual leaders in their industry.

Mia

Schlee,

Brookfield Central

Global Business

This year through LAUNCH, I was lucky to have worked with 3 wonderful coaches who guided me through 3 very different aspects of business I look forward to using my experiences while pursuing a degree in business management.

MEDICAL PLACEMENTS

Our Medicine & Healthcare and Foundations of Body Systems students had opportunities to build empathy and learn how to foster relationships. Students had two objectives: be helpful and make connections.

Thank you to our partners for hosting over 100 LAUNCH students!

Our residents have voiced how wonderful it was to have the students in the dining room because they were always so friendly and willing to help. The residents especially enjoyed being offered more coffee during mealtimes, but they also loved chit chatting with them about school and upcoming events. Having the students helping our team members allowed everyone to slow down just a little bit more to give everyone better individualized attention during meals too, which makes everyone happier. Multiple students have asked to come and volunteer to further build the connections made with our residents as well.

Attending my placement at St.Camillus each week gave me a new perspective on the way I care for people. I realized that the emotional and social well being can be as important as physical well being and really enjoyed having daily conversations with various residents-leaving a smile not only on their face, but mine as well. It was inspiring to see how such a small act of kindness could make such a large difference in someone ' s day. This placement experience will impact me life long as it taught me to approach every patient interaction with empathy to make it as enjoyable as possible at what can be a difficult time in an individual's life.

Ashley Taft, Senior Vibrant Life Director Heartis Senior Living

Sarah Simmons, Wauwatosa West

FUTURE TEACHERS

LAUNCH's Future Teachers program offers students with a passion for education an opportunity to engage in a rigorous curriculum focused on educational best practices while gaining unparalleled in-classroom experiences

SOPHIALIEPERT

My name is Sophia and I am a second-year LAUNCH Future Teachers student! I have really enjoyed my time in LAUNCH and it has changed my perspective of my future. I started Future Teachers terrified to talk in front of students and spent a lot of time observing history classrooms I spent half of my placements in history classrooms and realized I wasn't interested so much in teaching it, but more in learning for myself. This past year, I was encouraged to try English classes and loved it from the start. Opportunities like teaching lessons on vocab and sentence structures in English 9 were so important to my college decisions. The teachers and students I work with are very understanding and supportive of my learning, during their class time. Through LAUNCH's partnership with Marquette University, I was able to get an early start on my college career My experiences with the Education Program convinced me that MU is where I belong. I am now proudly a part of the Marquette Class of 2028, majoring in Secondary Education and English Because of these opportunities, I am graduating with 650 hours of shadow student placements and a clear vision of my future!

ELLIATROCHELMAN

Through LAUNCH, I got the opportunity to work in Mrs. Wafle’s Kindergarten class this past year, from November to May. I didn't exactly know what the experience was going to be like but I didn't think that at the end of my senior year I would be able to say that I have led countless small groups, worked one on one with students who needed extra support, learned a classroom routine to the minute, and most of all, developed incredible relationships with all of the students A few weeks ago, when I walked into the classroom after I had been on a trip, many of the students ran up to me, giving me hugs and asking if I had seen any cool animals while I was gone. They then asked me, "Ms. Ellia, why can't you be our new helper teacher?" That is what made me realize that I have developed such a strong relationship with all of my students and this class has impacted me and my journey more than I could have imagined.

INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS

LAUNCH provides opportunities for students to explore skillbased learning and earn industry recognized credentials.

This year, LAUNCH students earned 165 certifications!

15

CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT

MICROSOFT OFFICE SPECIALIST

ADOBE CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL

ABB

LAUNCH COACHES

Brian Hagerstrand

Brianne Malliet

American Family

Jeff Hansen

Shelley Stewart

Brookfield Central High School

Jason Lopez

Jon Mroz

Lindsay Charles

Nina Gevelinger

Shannon Maki

Brookfield East High School

Andrew Flegel

Claire Zagar

Darcie Fellmeth

Isaiah Tyree

Jenna Zieman

Justin Diderrich

Kate Woodson

Kristi Simek

Kristin Simek

Michelle Schueller

Mike Greuel

Molly Mathia

Paige Lightner

Rachel Broge

Samantha Smith

Tara Kielblock

Vicky Molitor

Brookfield Elementary

Allison Vosters

Emily Polowy

Holly Zahn

Kristen Wolf

Kristin Petersen

Lauren Radosevich

Lindsey Klappenbach

Burleigh Elementary

Amie Simek

Erin Thomson

Jackie Topp

Kari Derr

Katelyn Hauer

Katie Hillig

Kayla Moffatt

Leeana Garcia

Marlo Dentice-Johnson

Nancy Sossong

Carroll University

Mike Mortensen

Clear Process Solutions

Connor Orzen

Melissa Gregory

Concurrency

Amy Cousland

Nathan Lasnoski

Paige Wamser

Tabatha Frozena

Discover Brookfield

Anna Antoine

Miranda Boerger

Dixon Elementary

Amy Jacobsen

Doug Johnson

Gina Mc Elherne

Jaclyn Durham

Sarah Wieland

Sheila Hamill

Eaton

Adam Popchock

Aly Scharf

Andrea Gillman

Caleb Carlson

David Morris

Jackie Pride

Jen Vogel

Tim Hoppe

Elmbrook Education Foundation

Beth Dobrzynski

Jessica Gonzalez

Kelly Ebbole

Elmbrook Schools

Pam Casey

Eric Hagen

Erin Kokta

Mark Hansen

Erin Hills

Kris Schoonover

FabLab

Tina Berna

Faith, Hope, and Love

Heather Lojeski

First Tee SEW

David Cohn

Wyatt O'Loughlin

Fitness Together

Kevin Baker

Friends with Food

Rochelle Gamauf

Froedtert

Alexis O’Leary

Alicia Brinkmann

Amanda Nunez

Angie Cofta

Bala Narayanan

Brittney Panfil

Carina Salas, RN

Christie Kulas

Ginger Knapp

Karly Tate

Lisa Gingerich

Maria Castellanos

Melissa Nolte

MichaelChad Bonnell

Rachel Kenitz

Rosa Salas

Serra Sudemir

Shawna Boehlen

Tiffany Voss

Tricia Bohlke

Whitney Stearns

Chrystal Otto

Tim Petrie

GE Healthcare

Luke Delaney

Manoj Unnikrishnan

Generac Luann Hopkins

Nick Karfonta

Girls on the Run

Angela Cooper

Good Friend Inc

Allison Katula

Great Lakes Fishing Association

Bob Krecak

Brian Haydin

Greenfield Chamber of Commerce

Tracy Champagne

HAWS

Andres Garcia

Maggie Tate-Techtmann

Home Building Trades Foundation

Jonathan Synovic

Julie Metzger

HUSCO

Mark Dreikosen

LAUNCH COACHES

ITS

Josh Vogt

Sarah Lohnes

ITU Absorbtech

Heather Chung

Mike Bond

Christine Petroff

Sara Harycki

Manpower

Wilson Lima

Marquette University

Marko Bastl

Marsh McLennan

Dan Nolde

Metal Era

Erin Inhof

Tony Mallinger

MWES

Brad Wood

Milliman

Brian Studebaker

Nellson Swasono

Milwaukee Tool

Anthony Coffey

Ashley Becker

Brian Diner

Chloe Nelson-Arzuaga

Daniel Medeiros

Emma Nelson

Eric Albrecht

Hunter Burazin

Hunter Prins

Jeremiah Rauwerdink

Jordan Pekar

Jose Loor

Kaitlyn Kasper

Katie VanWolvelaere

Manas Mahaddalkar

Maria Krutikova

Mitchell Eckstrand

Nate Miller

Naveen Sivasubramanian

Sarah Westphal

Seth Hopfensperger

Sowmya Kethireddy

Taher Ujjainwala

Tatum Burazin

Zoltan Polik

Minuteman Brookfield

Angila Allen

MS Run the US

Carrie Berg

NARI

Christopher Grow

Network Health

Mushir Hasan

Pieper Automation

Amy Crosby

Erin Mulholland

Luke Warnes

Pilgrim Park Middle School

Ashley Van Galen

Deb Blaha

Jeff Deist

Jennifer Van Acker

Jenny Walsh

Kim Liepert

Megan Peterson

Michael Ruth

Thomas Freesmeier

Quest Diagnostics

Vivek Bhatt

Rundell ReDesign

Jennifer Rundell

ServPro

Seth Dougherty

St. Camillus

John Willhelm

Pam Loveless

Storytelling with Data

Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic

Randy Knaflic

STRIVE

Andi Espinosa

Coutney Heller

Karen Kaltenbrun

Katie O'Rourke

Mary Jo Kelley

Swanson Elementary

Caitlin Locante

Calli Waitrovich

Courtney Heller

Katie Turley

Kim Wittenberger

Krista Radtke

Makayla Dedert

Megan Sanfelippo

Meredith Wafle

Nicki Consiglio

Stacey Traudt

Trisha Vantornhout

Swanson Elementary

Caitlin Locante

Calli Waitrovich

Courtney Heller

Katie Turley

Kim Wittenberger

Krista Radtke

Makayla Dedert

Megan Sanfelippo

Meredith Wafle

Nicki Consiglio

Stacey Traudt

Trisha Vantornhout

Wisconsin Hills Middle School

Amanda Patino

April Heyden

Lisa Baranowski

Mary Jo Jaskie

Michelle Simons

Rebecca Murray

Sarah Toellner

Shannon Longrie

Tammy Dentice

Wisconsin Sports Performance

Stephen Linzmeier

Team Awesome Coaching

Katie Rasoul

The Adulting Coach

Sara Deacon

The World in Leather

Eva Bongard

Tonawanda Elementary

Candace Wittrock

Janet Leffler

Jean Anderson

Jenny Forseth

Leigh Ann Gabbard

Michelle Bond

Miranda Glembin

Nicki Dahms

Theresa Westphal

Tosa East Booster Club

Matthew Dapelo

Treehouse for Kids

Koko Cooper

Two3Solutions

Kyle Fritz

USGA

Allison Burns

Kelly Grant

Walworth County HHS

Patty Stritesky

Waukesha County

Amber Botsch

Nicholas Corozza

Wilson Center

Sam Kuhl

Tyler Nikolas