Welcome to Between the Lakes Virtual Academy and the Kiel eSchool!

My name is Sarah Scovell Muraski, and I am honored to be of service as your administrator. I have been an educator in some capacity for over two decades in public, private, charter and virtual schools. To date, I have earned degrees in English, French, history, and Educational Administrative Leadership from Silver Lake College and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and recently added a certification in Structured Literacy and dyslexia intervention from Carroll University and the Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI).

When not enjoying the hiking trails, fishing holes, and inspirational views for painting around Wisconsin, you’ll find me reading or writing, having adventures with my creative and brilliant family, learning more languages (Spanish & ASL), traveling with friends, volunteering, or growing things to eat! 

Teaching and learning are my passions. Everything I do – for fun or to live – has something to do with those two things. There is no greater thing we can aspire to as human beings than discovery — of the world, the universe, each other, or ourselves — and ultimately love and respect for what we find. 

We are so excited to have you on the journey with us!

Hello, I’m Jennifer Owen and I’m the BTLVA and Kiel eSchool Program Leader. I have been teaching with the eSchool since 2009. I earned my bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Montana State University -Billings and my Master of Science in Science Education degree from Montana State University – Bozeman.  I teach a number of science classes for the eSchool and have enjoyed researching blended learning.  I appreciate the opportunity to work with such a diverse group of students in the online environment, learning about their stories and what has brought them to the eSchool.  I have been married to my husband since my undergraduate years and we have two sons who are both pursuing STEM careers. 

Phone: 920-894-5169

Mrs. Zoelle (pronounced “Zell-ee”)

Hi! I’m the Kiel eSchool Registrar. I earned my MBA from Lakeland University and hold a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Economics from UW-Oshkosh. I also maintain several professional certifications, including PMP, ITIL, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, and CSBI.

Before joining Kiel eSchool, I served as an IT Manager for a debt recovery company and spent 14 years working at Lakeshore College. I have a strong affinity for learning and take pride in being a lifelong learner. I enjoy encouraging and supporting others, solving problems, and finding ways to streamline processes so things work more effectively. I also try to bring a positive, “glass half full” perspective to the work I do.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family. During the summer, you’ll often find my husband, son, and I paddle boarding, swimming, and biking. We’re happy to call Kiel home and share our house with two cats we adore. I also enjoy baking and searching for sea glass with my family. I’m excited to be part of the Kiel eSchool community and look forward to supporting our students, families, and staff.

I am Reed Trueblood and I have taught high school Mathematics for several years in the Dodgeville School District. I have a Masters of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from UW-Madison. My undergraduate degrees are Economics and History also from UW-Madison. Currently, I am pursuing a Masters of Arts in Secondary Math Education from Western Governors University. In my spare time, I enjoy biking, long walks, reading nearly any book I can find, and hanging out with friends and family.

Hello! My name is Victoria (Tori) Leonard. I started my teaching career in Kiel in 2003 and taught there for 8 years as the high school PE/Health teacher. I started with Kiel eSchool in 2008. In the summer of 2011 I moved back to my hometown of Mineral Point and spent 1 year as a substitute teacher before becoming the high school PE/Health teacher at Dodgeville. I spent 1 year at Dodgeville before getting my current job at Pecatonica Elementary School as the PE teacher. I also coached Varsity volleyball for 15 years. My husband, daughter, son, and I live in Blanchardville, WI on a dairy farm.

My name is Robert Landwehr, and I am a high school science teacher for Kiel eschool. I have my Bachelor of Science from Concordia Chicago, with a minor in History. I have taught in KIel since 2003 and have taught Physics, Earth Science, and Physical Science. I also coach football, kayak, and hike with my dog.

I am Margo Kalepp and I earned my undergraduate degree in Broadfield Social Studies with licenses in History, Psych, Economics and Social Studies from UW-Eau Claire and my Master’s degree from UW-Madison in Educational Policy. My husband, daughter and son are also graduates of UW-Madison; so now you know why I am such an avid Badger fan!  I have been a teacher for 40 years and look forward to the start of every school year. I find teenagers to be fascinating individuals!  My spare time is filled with travel, cheering for Badger football and basketball teams, reading, decorating and walking.   My favorite activity is spending as much time as possible with my two awesome grandchildren.

Hello and Welcome! I am Sheila Ramminger, and I am excited to serve you as a Visual Arts teacher for Between the Lakes Virtual Academy and Kiel eSchool. I will be teaching MS 2D Studio Art, Drawing, Beginning Painting, and Digital Photography. I have a K-12 Art Education License and my Master’s Degrees in Curriculum and Instruction license, Director of Pupil Services license, and Administrative Leadership license. 

I have been teaching since 1996, and am in 18th year at Kiel High school. Over my 24 years teaching I have had the true pleasure of teaching Art to students at all grade levels as well as some adult education classes. I am the Head Coach for Kiel High School Girls Tennis Team. Outside of teaching and coaching you will find me spending time with my husband and 3 kids, friends and family.

Welcome! I’m Jill Fritsch, and I will be teaching Family and Consumer Science at the high school level for Kiel eschool. After teaching 39 years, I recently retired from teaching face to face. I taught 28 years for the Kiel Area School District for middle and high school in Family and Consumer Education and Health.

Previously, I taught 11 years at Oakfield High School. I graduated from UW-Stout and obtained a Masters in Educational Computing from Cardinal Stritch College. I truly enjoy spending time with my husband, three children and four grandchildren. In my free time, I love to cook, sew, read, garden and spend time with family and friends.

Hi, I am glad to work as a virtual Social Studies teacher! I enjoy teaching and learning about people, decisions, and why people make decisions. This helps me to excel in my mission for class which is to support students to Grow their stories using experiences and engaging within this learning community.

My story is diverse and has changed over time. I have had many different jobs that include the service industry, architecture, military, and now education. While in college, my story added another character in my husband Paul. He is a paramedic. We live in Kiel, Wisconsin with our daughters, Emma & Ava. A big part of my story includes being outside. I like to get out and canoe, hike, bike, snowshoe or ski. I am excited to learn and grow as I hope each of you will as well.

Greetings to everyone! My name is Rebecca Luedeman, and I’m excited to join the Between the Lakes and Kiel eschool programs. I started teaching in 2004 as a high school English teacher. Teaching Shakespeare to freshmen was a dream of mine, and I enjoyed it for the first part of my career. My next goal was to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing which required me to leave my home state of Wisconsin. My new degree allowed me to spend the next six years teaching college composition and literature in five different states. While this was fun and life-changing, I missed the Midwest and my family. Upon returning home, I added a special education degree, and I’ve spent the last decade working with at-risk youth in a variety of settings. My educational experiences have been unpredictable, challenging, inspiring, and always thought-provoking. My goal as an educator is to help students visualize possibilities and embrace curiosities. I believe there is no one perfect recipe for teaching yet I embrace the chaos in the kitchen.

When not teaching, I enjoy being outdoors with my labrador, Koa, and cat, Punky. Although I live in Green Bay, I’m a steadfast Detroit Red Wing hockey fan, and I never miss a WSL surfing event. I’m a great auntie to five adorable nieces and nephews.

Hello! My name is Korben Biersack and it is my pleasure to serve this community as a special education for both Kiel eSchool and Between the Lakes Virtual Academy. I have been in education for over ten years in the school districts of Sussex-Hamilton, Elmbrook and West Allis-West Milwaukee. I received my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Wisconsin Lutheran College and then later earned my Master’s Degree in Leadership and Innovation from WLC. I also have experience coaching baseball at Greenfield High School and Wisconsin Lutheran College. Additionally, I have been serving as an adjunct professor at Wisconsin Lutheran College.

At both Kiel eSchool and Between the Lakes Virtual Academy I will assume the role as special education teacher. I will be serving as the case manager for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEP) to help oversee and/or implement the services and supports for students on my caseload. I strive to be an advocate, energizer and support system for the students and families I serve.

Outside of education, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. My wife and I reside in a suburban city of Milwaukee with our 3-year old daughter and two rescue dogs Max and Gus. We enjoy walking the dogs, watching and reading all things Disney, cooking and trying new foods, and cheering for Wisconsin sports teams.

One quote that has grounded me throughout my educational journey is: “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” This Walt Disney quote helps encompass my belief system in education that we can help every student learn and assist in helping them achieve their goals in life.

My Name is J. Braun, I am the current Agriculture Education Teacher for Kiel E-school and have been working in education for 8 total years together. I graduated from UW-River Falls with a bachelor's degree. I have coached football and golf and enjoy playing these sports as well. I grew up on a dairy farm near Green Bay WI, and just moved to the Madison area. My hobbies are traveling, video games, watching sports, movies, and shows. Favorite show currently is Ted Lasso. I am excited to be part of the school! 

Hello! I’m an experienced and passionate special education teacher with 17 years of success supporting cross-categorical students in both La Crosse and Sevastopol, Wisconsin. My background in therapeutic recreation, psychology, and outdoor education allows me to bring creativity, empathy, and hands-on strategies to every lesson, ensuring that learning is engaging, meaningful, and tailored to each student’s strengths and needs. 

I’ve also had the privilege of teaching Leisure Education courses at Winona State University, including immersive travel study programs in New Zealand and Australia, where I helped students build skills in independence, social-emotional growth, and cultural awareness. Throughout my career, I have been a fierce advocate for students with diverse learning needs, designing lessons that foster confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning.

Outside of the classroom, I bring energy and curiosity to life with my husband and our two adventurous boys, ages 12 and 10. I’m thrilled to bring that same enthusiasm to an online classroom, creating a supportive and inspiring environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and personally.  I’m ready to make a difference in your students’ learning journey!

¡Hola! Mi nombre es Joseph Schauwitzer, your Spanish teacher. I am from the Milwaukee area, I studied education and Spanish in Milwaukee and Oshkosh. I began my career 15+ years ago teaching bilingual education in Green Bay. About a decade ago I moved to Costa Rica for 7 years to teach English. Most recently, I was teaching high school Spanish in both Waukesha and Milwaukee. In 2023 I spent a year traveling all over Latin America and simultaneously teaching Spanish online. When I am not teaching I am definitely traveling, road tripping the USA to see national parks or climbing volcanoes in Central America. I enjoy hanging with friends and family, including my quadruplet siblings, as well as meeting new people, learning Portuguese, hiking mountains, kayaking, or just about anything outdoors. I am thoroughly looking forward to “abriendo puertas” to a world language and culture that could (quizás) change students’ lives forever. Who’s with me on this “viaje”?

Hi! I’m Steve Schmitz and I started teaching with Kiel eSchool and BTLVA in 2025. Even though I’m new to the online teaching environment, I’ve been an educator in the Kiel Area School District since 2005. Currently I teach MS STEM and run Kiel’s GEDO#2 Program in the traditional classroom settings. I am also the advisor for the Chess Club and History Boardgamer’s Club.

My formal education includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Policy and Planning from UW-Green Bay, a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Lakeland University, and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Marian University.

Before finding my way to the awesome profession of teaching, I had a variety of other rewarding career experiences: I was a land surveyor, apprentice funeral director, municipal treasurer, and worked with CADD/GIS software.

As far as my leisure time goes, when I’m outdoors I enjoy hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and relaxing in a hammock with a good book. When I’m indoors I like playing Sheepshead and historical boardgames, binge watching TV shows, and relaxing in a recliner with a good book.

Hello! My name is Jacquelyn Seidler and I am excited to be your speech-language pathologist! I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota and completed my master’s degree at UW Madison. Throughout my years of schooling, I conducted special research projects related to child-language acquisition and specialized in working with the pediatric population. I love learning so much that I recently went back to school to obtain an endorsement in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health through UW Madison! Outside of being an online speech and language teacher, I have experience working with the Birth to Three population. When I am not in the classroom, you can most likely find me in vacationing in Door County with my husband, spending time with our big families (including 10 nieces & nephews!), or spoiling our two-year-old dog, Duke. I am looking forward to this school year with you!

Hello! My name is Rebecca Knepfel and I started working as the school counselor at Zielanis Elementary School in January of 2024. Throughout my time at Kiel Area School District, I have absolutely loved getting to know all of the students and have enjoyed seeing the progress they’ve made over the last few years. I graduated from Lakeland University in 2020 with a master’s degree in School Counseling. Before attending Lakeland University, I attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison and received a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies and a certificate in Global Health.

My family and I currently live in Elkhart Lake, which is where my husband and I are both originally from. We have been married for 4 and 1/2 years and have two daughters. Lainey, our oldest, is 3 1/2 years old and Elsie is 10 months old. We took our first vacation as a family of 4 this past fall to Georgia and are looking forward to taking many more!

I am Luke Stachovak and I am a high school math teacher for Kiel eSchool. I have my Bachelor of Science in mathematics from UW-Stevens Point and my Administrative Leadership and Curriculum and Instruction degrees from Marian University. I have been teaching math since 2000 in both traditional classrooms and project-based learning environments in the Wausau area.
 
Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my wife and two children, golfing, running, traveling, and cheering on the Brewers and Packers!

My name is Amber Hanson. I live in East Troy with my husband, 2 sons (Levi-8 and Nolan-5). We have 2 cats and 2 dogs (one is a massive dalmatian!). I enjoy fishing, playing games, building Legos with my sons and watching the weather. 

I am new to BTLVA this year as the middle school science teacher. I have spent the last 10 years teaching in Waukesha West High School as a physics teacher which included two levels of AP (Advanced Placement). I have also taught physics and Earth Science during summer school in the Wauwatosa School District.

I can’t wait for the new opportunities this year has to offer and can’t wait to “take changes, make mistakes, and get messy” in words of the famous Ms. Frizzle.

Hello and welcome to Between the Lakes Virtual Academy! I am Jess Gruenke, the 6-8th  social studies teacher. I aim to ensure students reach their full potential, embrace their challenges, and connect with others.

Besides teaching with BTLVA for the past four years, I have previously been a special education teacher at Kiel High School and a high school in Vancouver, Washington. In addition to my previous teaching experience, I am a National Board Certified teacher- Exceptional Needs Specialist. My WI certification includes General Ed. (K-8) and Special Education (K-12).

My husband, daughter, dog, and I all enjoy finding new adventures and experiences. You will find us packing for road trips, exploring the outdoors, spending time with friends, reading various books, and watching everything MARVEL.

Lastly, together, we are going to make it a great year!

My name is Alice Wanty and I will be teaching middle school Math for Between the Lakes. I am a middle and high school math and English teacher. I have been teaching since 1994, and I have a masters degree in computer science.

When I am not teaching, I love spending time with my family kayaking, fishing, hiking, skiing, and having adventures, learning about the natural world around me. I live in a rural unincorporated town of Charlesburg, Wisconsin.

When I am forced to be inside, I enjoy going to libraries or museums and researching random topics. Some of my favorite topics are: plants and weeds that can be used for food or medicine, how to build solar panels, weird facts about historical events and people that aren’t taught in school, and how to make art out of junk. I want to learn more about electrical circuits and soldering of all kinds, and I would love to start my own maker space. I also enjoy all things Star Wars, Legos, and games of all kinds.

I look forward to working with you and finding out what inspires you to learn!

My name is Olivia Durant. This will be my fourth year with Between the Lakes Virtual Academy teaching grades 4K-5. I received my Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education from William Woods University in Fulton, MO. My family resides in Simpsonville, South Carolina prior to moving here, we lived in Green Bay for 5 years and Kansas for 2 years! My husband, Tyler and I have three kids, Sutton (4), Tatum (3), Bexley (5 months) and a Goldendoodle named Piper. We love to spend time with family, travel and get outside as much as possible! If I’m not doing those things, then I’m usually running.   I’m looking forward to meeting you and learning alongside you and your family this school year!

My name is Kim Pencil, and I’m thrilled to be serving as your 4K–5th Grade Student Success Coach. With nearly three decades in education, I’ve worn many hats—from classroom teacher to instructional coach to data specialist—and every role has reinforced one simple truth: I love helping people grow.

I began my teaching journey in a fourth-grade classroom and eventually found myself coaching educators across entire districts. Currently, I work as an Assessment and Data Specialist, guiding educators and administrators in using data to improve instruction and student success. I also teach future educators at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, which lets me share my passion for education while helping to prepare the next generation of teachers.

What excites me most about this role is the opportunity to build meaningful connections with students and families. I believe every learner deserves to feel seen, heard, and supported—and I’m here to make sure that happens. Whether it’s through a quick check-in, helping set goals, or simply being a steady presence throughout the school year, my goal is to be someone students (and parents!) can count on.

Outside of school, you might find me coaching CrossFit classes, diving into a new tech tool, or cheering on students from the sidelines. I bring that same energy, curiosity, and encouragement into everything I do.

I’m so excited to be part of the BTLVA community and can’t wait to support your learner on this virtual adventure!

I am Maggie Vonck and I am the Kiel eSchool English teacher.

I worked in the Green Bay School District for 8 years prior to coming to Kiel. In Green Bay I was a school librarian, an English teacher and a technology coach. I joined the Kiel eSchool in 2014. I really enjoy the online environment and working with so many students.

In my spare time I enjoy working on house projects, traveling and trying delicious new foods.

My family moved in 2020 (as if the pandemic wasn’t chaotic enough!) to Richmond, Virginia. We love life in the south and we enjoy visiting friends and family in Wisconsin!

I’m Becky Wilson. I’m thrilled to teach grades 4K-2 for Between the Lakes Virtual Academy! I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Wisconsin Lutheran College. I have experience teaching grades K-6 both in public school buildings and virtual schools. In addition, I spent time homeschooling my children and then supporting them as they attended virtual school! 

My family resides in St. Francis, just south of Milwaukee. My husband, Andy, and I have three kids, Ethan (13), Noah (15), and Anna (17). We have a rescue dog named Ninja. We also foster more rescue dogs, so you might get a peek at our bonus dogs during the year. I have grown-up hobbies like drinking coffee and traveling. But I still love building Legos, playing outside, and eating popsicles on hot summer days!

I’m excited to work with your family and help each student grow and develop a love for learning!