New staff members announced at Greenwood School District
The TRG recently put out a questionnaire for all incoming staff members at the Greenwood School District to provide an opportunity for readers to get to know them. The new teachers — Kelly Nielsen, Brandon Elmer, Madelin Nikolai, Abby Magnuson, Michelle Blohm, Amanda Kosar and Claudia Wampole — provided answers to the following questions: Where is your hometown? Nielsen: Greenwood. Elmer: Greenwood. Nikolai: Greenwood. Magnuson: Galesville. Blohm: Ashwaubenon. Kosar: Fort Worth, Texas. Wampole: Vicenza, Italy.
What is your position at the Greenwood School District?
Nielsen: Middle and high school choir. Elmer: High school tech ed. Nikolai: K-12 school counselor. Magnuson: First-grade teacher. Blohm: Special education teacher. Kosar: Third-grade teacher. Wampole: Fifth-grade teacher.
What degree(s) and licensure(s) do you possess and from which institutions?
Nielsen: Bachelor of music, piano and vocal performance.
Elmer: Diesel and heavy equipment technician/CVTC. Nine ASE certificates in both auto and heavy diesel.
Nikolai: Bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies from UW-Stout. Currently pursuing my master’s in school counseling through UW-Superior.
Magnuson: Bachelor’s degree in early childhood through middle childhood education from the UW-La Crosse.
Blohm: Bachelor of science — elementary education learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities and crosscategorical. Master’s in general education.
Kosar: Bachelor of science — child development and family studies. Master of education — early childhood education.
Wampole: Master of Arts in teaching elementary education (k-9). Bachelor of science in interdisciplinary studies. Associate degree in early childhood education. Italian elementary education degree and license from the University of Padua.
What experience do you have in education or related fields?
Nielsen: This is my first year teaching (at a school). I have been teaching private piano lessons for five years, but am very excited to teach a room full of kids and young adults.
Elmer: Worked in the diesel/automotive field for 11 years. Shop owner for the last 10 years of Hometown Auto LLC. Fire department training officer for five years.
Nikolai: This is my very first year in this role. I am a Greenwood High School alumni so I am extremely excited to be able to be back within my hometown community.
Magnuson: This is my first year teaching, but I have worked in childcare centers since I was 16. I also worked at Chileda, a school and residential facility for students with severe disabilities, while in college. While in college, I had the opportunity to work with 4K, kindergarten, first grade and fifth grade.
Blohm: Nine years as a special education teacher and two years as a second grade teacher at the Stevens Point Area School District.
Kosar: Taught nine years, mostly in third grade, math and science.
Wampole: 2022-2023: Student teaching and long-term sub in Greenwood. 2023-2020: Long-term sub in South Carolina. 2020-2017: Teacher aide in Texas. 2017-2013: Assistant director in Colorado for the Army Child Development Center. 2013-2010: Lead teacher in Hawaii for the Army C.D.C. 2010-2001: Elementary teacher in Italy.
What do you enjoy about schools/what made you enter the education field?
Nielsen: I enjoy being surrounded by like-minded individuals who are passionate about learning and teaching. I also enjoy the opportunity to share my passions to students and promote them to follow their passions.
Elmer: The opportunity to show kids the opportunities of the technical arts world.
Nikolai: I have always had a passion for helping people, so I knew that in whatever career path I chose, I wanted to be able to make a positive difference in their lives. I have always enjoyed working with children and what better job to do than combine the two to help kids and be a positive individual in their lives.
Magnuson: I have always wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. I love working with children as well as being someone that can positively impact a person’s life.
Blohm: I love the excitement and new opportunities each day brings. I enjoy the connections and relationships with students and co-workers.
Kosar: I like working with kids, watching them grow and building relationships with them.
Wampole: The love for children drew me into teaching. The love of learning made me passionate about teaching. I entered this profession because I’m eager to make a difference. Children remember their teachers for an entire lifetime, long after school is over.
Any family members? What are their names? Nielsen: Mom and dad, Sheryl and David Nielsen. Elmer: N/A. Nikolai: Daughter of Tim and Jeni Raese. Fiancé is Matthew Nikolai. (I am going by my married name to make the transition easier for students). Magnuson: I am the youngest child of my parents, Darren and Shari Magnuson. I have two siblings, Alex and Emily Magnuson. I am the first teacher in my immediate family.
Blohm: Yes, two children (Colton and Bailee). Kosar: Husband, Tim, and two daughters, Lauren (15) and Hannah (20).
Wampole: Jason Wampole, husband. Marcus Wampole, son (seventh grade). Sophia Wampole, daughter (fourth grade).
What are your hobbies/interests? Anything else you would like the community to know?
Nielsen: I enjoy being active by CrossFit, running and biking. I recently did my first bike tour, biking from Seattle, Wash., to San Francisco, Calif. In my downtime, I enjoy reading, writing and gardening.
Elmer: Building and pulling tractors, snowmobiling, motorcycles, ATVs and UTVs, anything with a motor. Have been a fire department member since 2015, currently a lieutenant.
Nikolai: Hobbies: remodeling our old farmhouse into our new home, walking outside and spending time with my family. I would like the community to know that I am super excited to be working in the district that I grew up in/attended school in. I am super excited for the school year and all that is to come.
Magnuson: Outside of school, I love spending time with my family and friends. I also enjoy sewing and crafting when time allows.
Blohm: I love the Packers, boating/swimming and reading, as well as watching movies.
Kosar: Never experienced winter or the cold, I’m worried about hitting deer. Hobbies are reading, spending time with family and traveling.
Wampole: I love gardening, arts and crafts, and cooking/ baking. We are a military family; my husband retired after 20 years of service in the Army. Our family loves to support and give back to the community.
VALORIE BRECHT/STAFF PHOTO
New staff members at the Greenwood School District this year and their subjects/grades taught include (front, l-r) Amanda Kosar, third grade; Abigail Magnuson, first grade; Maddi Nikolai, school counselor; (back) Claudia Wampole, fifth grade; Brandon Elmer, technology education; and Michelle Blohm, elementary special education. Also new to the district, but not new to the area is Shaylee Croxall, who is teaching 7-12 grade instrumental music and being shared with the Loyal School District. Additionally, Lindsey Schubert from CESA 10 is the new director of pupil services.
