Loyal School District welcomes new staff members

The TRG recently reached out to the Loyal School District, and offered new staff members the chance to fill out a questionnaire for the community to learn more about them. New staff members for Loyal are Josue Arias, Jeff Bell, Robert Cypher, Shannon Funston, Megan Haselow, Kristin Ikert, Mary Krause, Jessica Meinders, Autumn Ninke, Amanda Rohloff, Natalie Ruttger, Seth Schilling, Annalyse Stratton, Joe Treffinger and Erin Wilke. The following are the responses of those staff members that submitted them.

What is your hometown?

Bell: Marshfield Cypher: Medford Funston: Neillsville Ikert: Minnesota Krause: Milwaukee Meinders: Spencer Ninke: Clark Lake Rohloff: Blaine, Minn. Ruttger: DuPont, Wash. Schilling: Edgar Stratton: Colby Treffinger: I live in Rib Lake but grew up in East Troy. What is your position at the Loyal School District?

Bell: Assistant principal, athletic director Cypher: High school math teacher Funston: Kindergarten teacher Ikert: High school special education Krause: Art teacher Meinders: General music and K-12 choir Ninke: Kindergarten teacher Rohloff: Middle school Title I interventionist Ruttger: First-grade teacher Schilling: Middle school social studies teacher Stratton: Elementary special education teacher Treffinger: Middle/high school science teacher What degree(s) and licensure(s) do you possess and from which institutions?

Bell: I have my bachelor of science degree in physical education with a health minor and add-on certification in adaptive physical education from UW-Stevens Point. My master’s is in educational leadership from UW-Oshkosh.

Cypher: Bachelor of science degree in secondary mathematics from UW-Eau Claire, master of science in education with a math specialist certificate from UW-Stout, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction teaching license 1400 in mathematics.

Funston: Bachelor’s degree, UW-Eau Claire, double major in elementary and special education; master’s degree, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, early childhood special education.

Ikert: I have a degree from UW-La Crosse for physical education and health, and an adapted physical education license from UW-Stevens Point. I am currently back in school at UW-Stevens Point for my special education license. Krause: Bachelor of fine arts in pre-K-12 art education from UW-Milwaukee.

Meinders: Bachelor’s degree in general and choral music education, and a master’s in music education, both from UW-Stevens Point.

Ninke: Early childhood, elementary/middle school from Northland College.

Rohloff: Bachelor of science in broadfield social studies education, bachelor of arts in music and liberal arts, UW-Eau Claire, Class of May 2023.

Ruttger: Bachelor of arts in elementary education and a bachelor of arts in Bible and theology from Multnomah University in Portland, Ore.

Schilling: My degree is in broadfield social sciences with a political science minor and psychology and history emphases.

Stratton: Early childhood and special education. Treffinger: Associate’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of Phoenix, bachelor’s in biological science secondary education from Western Governors University.

What experience do you have in education or related fields?

Bell: I was a high school physical education teacher at Marshfield, and also served as the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports coordinator and Multi Tiered System of Supports director. Prior to that, I taught physical education, health and leadership courses at the Fond Du Lac School District. I also taught K-6 physical education in Kewauskum. I have held a variety of coaching positions. Cypher: I have taught math for the past 13 years to grades eight through 12. Most recently I was the head of the Mathematics Department at German European School in Singapore.

Funston: This is my 26th year in education. I have taught every grade, pre-K through 12. One year in Waupaca, 23 years in Las Vegas, one year in Neillsville and now starting in Loyal.

Ikert: I have been teaching for eight years as a physical education, adapted physical education and health teacher.

Please see Loyal staff, page 7

VALORIE BRECHT/STAFF PHOTO

Shown are the new staff members at the Loyal School District. Staff members and their positions are (front, l-r): Jessica Meinders, general music and K-12 choir; Natalie Ruttger, first grade; Amanda Rohloff, middle school Title I interventionist; Mary Krause, art; Erin Wilke, special education paraprofessional; Megan Haselow, 4K teacher assistant; Autumn Ninke, kindergarten; (back) Joe Treffinger, middle/high school science; Jeff Bell, assistant principal; Seth Schilling, middle school social studies; Shannon Funston, kindergarten; Kristin Ikert, special education; Josue Arias, English language learners paraprofessional; and Robert Cypher, high school math. Not pictured is Annalyse Stratton, who taught kindergarten at Loyal for part of last year, but is in a new position this year as an elementary special education teacher.

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During those years, I taught students from 4K to 12th grade. I recently took a couple years off, stayed home with my own children and did daycare for a few families. I am excited to get back into school this year in a new role!

Krause: 14 years in Muskego, grades K-4; two years in Antigo, grades K-6; two years in Greenwood, grades K-12; two years in Kansasville, grades pre-K-8.

Meinders: Two years of experience teaching K-12 general and choral music.

Ninke: I taught fourth grade in Ellsworth last year. Rohloff: This is my first teaching position. Ruttger: Three years in Beaverton Public Schools, Oregon – one year in fourth grade and two years in first grade.

Schilling: I student-taught in Lomira, and taught American government at the high school and geography at the middle school. After student-teaching, I substituted in multiple districts in every grade level. This will be my first year as a full-time teacher!

Stratton: Four months teaching kindergarten at Loyal Elementary Treffinger: I worked in welding and manufacturing prior to three years as a substitute teacher at Rib Lake.

What do you enjoy about schools/what made you enter the education field?

Bell: My passion for education started from my experiences enjoying school, especially physical education. As I started to teach and work more in education, I really enjoyed problem-solving and helping students who didn’t feel like they fit in or had a place. That became my passion and what led me to administration, to have a larger impact on schools.

Cypher: I enjoy working with students. I had some fantastic teachers in school, and I hope that I am that fantastic teacher for my students.

Funston: I like the “aha” moment and that every day is different. I like working with a variety of people (teachers, parents, administration and students).

Ikert: I have always loved working with children of all ages and watching them learn and grow. Throughout the years, I had always really enjoyed my time working with children with disabilities, and because of that, I decided it was time for a change from physical education to special education.

Krause: I’ve always wanted to work with children and share my love for art. Teaching art has always been my dream. I enjoy watching students grow through their talents and realize their own potential. I believe art helps us to heal, solve our own problems and communicate that which cannot be said with words.

Meinders: I enjoy building relationships with students and helping them achieve their goals.

Ninke: Being in education warms my heart. Getting to be someone who guides students to learn and be the best version of themselves will always be one of the top feelings ever!

Rohloff: Building relationships with my students and coworkers. Teaching students to think critically about the world around them.

Ruttger: I love helping students discover how they are gifted and what makes them unique.

Schilling: I chose to become an educator because of the influence my teachers had on me. They created a fun environment to learn and were always willing to help when needed!

Stratton: One of my favorite parts of being a teacher is seeing the students grow into their personalities more and more each year. Helping the students discover new interests is extremely rewarding for me.

Treffinger: I coached basketball for years and realized the connection I had with all my players and how they responded when I taught them new aspects or scenarios. I felt being a teacher was my calling.

Any family members? What are their names?

Bell: I am married to my wife, Michele, and we have two young daughters.

Cypher: N/A Funston: I am married to Dottie and have an eighth grader, Ethan, and sophomore, Ariana, and two standard poodles, Rupert and Oliver.

Ikert: I am married to my wonderful husband, Eddie. I have a stepson named Kellen and two daughters, Addi and Emmi.

Krause: I have two sons. Nick is a pipefitter in Waukesha. Sam is a machinist in New Berlin. Both are very creative and registered trappers.

Meinders: N/A Ninke: Oh, my goodness! I come from a large family. First my Grandma Garnet, second my parents Mike and Carla, next my four brothers. I’ve been blessed with five nieces and nephews. My boyfriend Craig and I have a 2.5-year-old black lab named Luna!

Rohloff: Husband Ben Rohloff, golden retrievers Corsaire and Finnegan.

Ruttger: Husband, Thomas; daughter, Colbie, 6; son, Rory, 4; daughter, Mila, 1.

Schilling: I have three siblings: Taylor, Jake and Justin. Stratton: I am married to Joseph Stratton. Treffinger: Wife – Amanda, sons – Joseph and Royce. Joseph will be a sophomore at Loyal High School. Royce will be attending Rib Lake.

What are your hobbies/interests? Anything else you would like the community to know?

Bell: I enjoy doing activities with my family, whether it’s traveling, swimming, going to the library or visiting our extended family. I am excited to be a part of the Loyal community and learn more about the community’s values and needs.

Cypher: My hobbies are hiking, reading and learning languages. Currently, I am looking forward to logging some miles on the Ice Age Trail.

Funston: I have a Cricut and like to make t-shirts and crafts. I like to travel and camp. I enjoy playing board games with friends.

Ikert: As a family, we love to be outside in nature and be active. We enjoy camping, four-wheeling, hunting, fishing and having bonfires together. We spend a lot of time outside playing catch, shooting baskets, running around and biking. When relaxing at home, we love to play board and card games and read a good book.

Krause: I have recently taken up rug-making using recycled clothing. Clay work and painting are my favorites, but anything art-related makes me happy.

I have a love for nature, all things organic and enjoy cooking, baking and gardening. I’m very excited to start the new school year here in Loyal and create some very beautiful things with our students.

Meinders: I love board games, trying new coffee shops, reading and kayaking.

Ninke: I absolutely love being outdoors! Going for hikes and walks with our dog is a daily thing.

Rohloff: Weightlifting, traveling and music – I play the clarinet in the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra.

Ruttger: I enjoy spending time with my family, as well as singing and playing guitar.

Schilling: In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors, whether it’s hiking, kayaking or fishing. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family.

Stratton: N/A Treffinger: I enjoy spending time with my family, being outdoors, fishing and attending my sons’ sporting events.