Spencer School District introduces new staff members
The Spencer School District has five new teachers in its building this year: Nicole Biederwolf, Ashley Heiman, Brooke Hinker, Ben Martin and Jordan Winegar. To help readers get to know the new staff a little better, the TRG asked them to fill out a questionnaire, with the answers to the questions provided below.
What is your hometown?
Biederwolf: Marshfield Heiman: Marshfield Hinker: Greenwood Martin: Marathon Winegar: Hammond (St. Croix Central High School) What is your position at the Spencer School District?
Biederwolf: Elementary physical education Heiman: Family and consumer sciences, health Hinker: First-grade teacher Martin: Middle/high school physical education and health Winegar: Middle/high school social studies What degree(s) and licensure(s) do you possess and from which institutions?
Biederwolf: Pre-K to 12th grade physical education and adapted physical education degree from UW-La Crosse, master’s of education in professional development from UW-La Crosse.
Heiman: Bachelor of arts in family and consumer sciences from UW-Stevens Point.
Hinker: I earned my bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education from UW-Eau Claire.
Martin: I received a bachelor of science in education degree in physical education, health education and adaptive physical education from UW-Stevens Point.
Winegar: I went to Wisconsin Lutheran College, where I got a degree in broadfield social studies, history and secondary education.
What experience do you have in education or related fields?
Biederwolf: This will be my 18th year teaching physical education. I have experience teaching grades Pre-K to eighth grade, as well as K-12 specially designed PE.
Heiman: I spent 14 years in the corporate world before working in education the last two. Before joining the Spencer family I worked in the Marshfield School District at both Nasonville Elementary and Marshfield Middle School.
Hinker: Throughout college, I was placed in several school districts via my university to gain experience in the education field. I was placed in firstgrade classrooms and special education classrooms that focused on intellectual disabilities, emotional/behavioral disabilities and learning disabilities. Also, during my college experience, I subbed at two local school districts at many levels and in several different roles, which allowed me to gain a better grasp of the education system.
Martin: This will be my fourth year in education and my third as a full-time teacher. I have taught pre-K through 12th grade physical education.
Winegar: This is my second year of teaching. Last year I taught sixth through eighth grade social studies in Milwaukee.
What do you enjoy about schools/ what made you enter the education field?
Biederwolf: I entered the education world because of my love for children. My goal in teaching PE has always been to create a learning environment where students feel confident, safe and cared for, while having fun and getting active!
Heiman: I enjoy the kiddos the most and that is why I entered the world of education. I am so excited to meet all of the kids of Spencer and help them learn more about life skills that they can take with them as they grow.
Hinker: What I enjoy about schools is the atmosphere. I enjoy the atmosphere the most because it radiates excitement and enthusiasm from both students and teachers. This makes me excited and proud to be a part of the education field. What made me enter the education world was my experience in high school working as a paraprofessional in my hometown’s summer school program. During that summer I found it rewarding to see the “light bulb” moments when students were learning and growing. I knew I wanted to pursue the education field after that because nothing is as rewarding as being a part of a student’s growth.
Martin: I enjoy the daily interactions with students and staff, as well as seeing kids improve.
Winegar: I was inspired to join the world of education because I had wonderful educators help inspire me to become the best version of myself that I could be. I hope I can inspire students to become the best versions of themselves like what those teachers did for me Any family members? What are their names?
Biederwolf: Husband, Matt; daughter, Maria; son, Bennett; dog, Mila.
Heiman: My husband Adam will always be a part of our family. He passed away almost three years ago in a tragic work accident. I am raising our two amazing daughters, Allison and Abbie. We also have two cats, Stella and Archie.
Hinker: My parents, Randy and Gina Hinker; my brothers, Derek and Jamie; my sister-in-law, Erin; and my two nieces and two nephews: Edynn, Archer, Cash and Lariah. My fiancé Trenton proposed in January 2022 and we are getting married in June 2024. Trenton and I have two pets: a cat named Cleo and a puppy named Luna we just got in April.
Martin: Mother, Kristine; father, Andy; brother, Nathan; and fiancé, Courtney.
Winegar: I have an older brother named Justin and a younger sister named Lillian.
What are your hobbies/interests? Anything else you would like the community to know?
Biederwolf: My spare time is best spent being outside, reading, cooking, spending time with family and friends, and working at my clothing boutique with my best friends on the weekends!
Heiman: My hobbies/ interests are playing volleyball and scrapbooking. I am excited to be coaching middle school volleyball this year. I wish I had more time to do both, but I spend most of my time with my daughters as they are involved in dance, hockey, volleyball and softball. If you don’t find me at school this winter, look for me at the hockey rink or the dance studio.
Hinker: In my free time, I love to read, travel, bake and spend time with family and friends.
Martin: I spend my free time with family and friends, fishing, golfing and being on the lake.
Winegar: I enjoy watching sports — mainly football, baseball and basketball. I enjoy playing video games and spending time with my friends and family. I am also coaching middle school football this year.
VALORIE BRECHT/STAFF PHOTO
