New Teacher Features: Elementary

Mrs. Leonard, ABLE with Grades 2-5 – North Grove

What do you like to do in your free time?
Read, as well as spend time with my toddler, husband, two labs, and friends.

What school memory from when you were a student still impacts you today?
My third-grade teacher showed faith in me and I’ll never forget her (thank you, Mrs. Yontz!).

Why did you choose to become a teacher?
That aha moment a student has when they’ve worked so hard for something is unbeatable.
 

Miss Michels, 2nd Grade Teacher – North

What do you like to do in your free time?
Spend time with my friends and family! 

What school memory from when you were a student still impacts you today?
Getting the opportunity to study and travel abroad in Spain. 

Why did you choose to become a teacher?
Because of the amazing teachers that supported me growing up.
 

Miss Sexton, 2nd Grade Teacher – North Grove

What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy reading, hiking and traveling with my dog, spending time with family and friends, and trying out local coffee shops!

What's the most interesting job that you have ever had?
Outside of teaching, I worked at Starbucks and a gym! Both were fun and interesting in their own way.

Why did you choose to become a teacher?
During my senior year of high school, I was what we called a Future Teacher. Each morning I went to our elementary school and helped in a 1st-grade classroom. I fell in love with watching young minds grow and their faces light up when they finally caught on to difficult concepts!
 

Mrs. Sheahan, ELA Instructional Coach – West, North, North Grove, South Prairie, Southeast

What do you like to do in your free time?
Spend time with my 5-year-old daughter, Elleson, and my husband, Tim. We love travel, good food, and being active. I love to walk and listen to audiobooks and podcasts as well as get to Northern Wisconsin to our family lake house as much as possible.

What's the most interesting job that you have ever had?
The most interesting job I ever had was as a laundry girl for a summer camp. It was a dirty job and a humbling experience!

What school memory from when you were a student still impacts you today?
A school memory that still impacts me involved my high school AP English teacher who was ahead of her time in the late '90s. To assess whether we read the assigned literature, she allowed us to create anything we wanted and present it to the class. I remember sewing a pair of pants with patches for The Color Purple and building a birdcage for To Kill a Mockingbird. It was so fun and so engaging that we actually enjoyed all the reading!
 

Ms. Kerns, Social Worker – Southeast

What do you like to do in your free time?
Watch movies, hang out with my dogs, go on walks, go out to eat.

What's the most interesting job that you have ever had?
The Illini Bookstore (three-story bookstore).

Why did you choose to become a social worker?
I want to be someone that the students can feel comfortable with going to for help. I want to help make sure that students feel supported, wanted, cared about, and heard. 
 

Mrs. Pondelick, 4th Grade Teacher – North Grove

What do you like to do in your free time?
I love to spend time with my three children (Joe - 11, Mike - 3, and Aubrey - 10 Months) and pets (2 dogs, a tortoise, and fish). I love rollerblading so you may see me flying through town with Mike and Aubrey in the double stroller enjoying the breeze.

What's the most interesting job that you have ever had?
I used to work for my father-in-law and husband at their excavation businesses. I never in my entire life would have thought I would be delivering mulch, driving large machines, and loading semi trucks, but I jumped in wherever they needed extra hands. 

What school memory from when you were a student still impacts you today?
My favorite memory was the schoolwide talent show. Everyone participated, even the teachers. It was so much fun to see everyone showing off their dancing skills, jokes, karate, and so on. 
 

Mrs. Miklas, Social Worker – Southeast & West

What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy taking yoga classes, listening to music, running, and reading. I especially love going on walks, bike rides, or to the park with my two young kids. 

What school memory from when you were a student still impacts you today?
A memory that still sticks with me today is when a friend of a friend was having a particularly hard time in middle school. She was hurting badly inside and was taking out the hurt on herself. I'm drawn to social work because it allows me to be part of a system designed to build support around those who are most vulnerable. 

Why did you choose to become a social worker?
I chose to become a social worker because I've always been drawn to the idea of being "the change you want to see in the world.” I've seen amazing things happen just through the simple act of attentive listening and building trust with students. They flourish when they know that someone is on their side and cheering them on. 

 

Ms. Sondgeroth, Special Education – South Prairie

What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, I love to read, watch tv, and write.

What school memory from when you were a student still impacts you today?
To be honest, I don't have any clear memories. Overall, what impacted me was how school has always made me feel. I remember feeling excited to learn and a little nervous about letting my amazing teachers down.

Why did you choose to become a teacher?
I became a teacher because I want to help my community and follow in the footsteps of the great teachers I have had.