Meet the Presenters

School Counselor - RHS

School Social Worker - Crescent

Lauren graduated with a bachelors degree in Sociology and Social Work from UW-Stevens Point. She went on to get her masters degree in Social Work with an emphasis in clinical mental health at UW-Madison. Lauren has worked in community social work, inpatient mental health, mental health day treatment services, and most recently was a child and adolescent clinical psychotherapist specializing in trauma before becoming a school social worker. She has worked at Crescent for the last two years. Lauren's favorite part of her job is getting to know all of the students and families to ensure that everyone has what they need to be successful. She loves that she gets to laugh every single day! Outside of school, Lauren loves spending time with her husband and two children every spare second she can get. They especially love to be outside for all of the seasons the Northwoods has to offer!

School Psychologist - JWMS

Britney has worked in the School District of Rhinelander for nine years, working at both the middle school and high school level. She truly loves working with middle school students and being a part of the JWMS team. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors or watching sports with her husband Chad and their two little boys Braxton (6) and Kash (4).

School Counselor - JWMS

Missy Clark has been a School Counselor at James Williams Middle School for eight years. She also worked at the elementary level for four years and was a social worker in the community for 12 years. She enjoys working at JWMS because of the supportive team she can collaborate with every day and the positive culture and climate with the staff. They are truly a family navigating the daily weirdness of middle school. She has extended her learning about trauma, mental health, and self-care over the years and encourages wellness practices for students, staff, and herself on a daily basis.

School Psychologist - RHS

Brianna was born and raised in Three Lakes, WI and moved back last year to be with family. Marrying her high school sweetheart, they have three children, ages 1, 3 and 4 years old (Can you believe she does not have a family photo of all five of them yet?!). This year is her first time in a high school only. She has previously worked as a school psychologist for a small Pre-K through 12th grade, one building school. Brianna loves being a part of a team of school psychologists, coming from a singleton psych. role. She has a passion for creating systems to support students with IEPs and mental health.

Dept. of Learning Support - Admin

Currently serving as the Assistant to Director of Learning Support, one of Traci's goals is to help identify and provide each staff member with the tools, resources, knowledge, and support needed to be the best practitioner they can be. Prior to joining SDR, she served as a teaching assistant, special education case manager, nature-based preschool teacher, Summer Camp & Early Childhood Program Administrator, and a waitress. More interesting things about her include that she recently took up rock climbing, she enjoys backpacking trips that her daughters beg to join her on, and her family essentially moved to Rhinelander on a whim about two years ago.

Instructional Tech Coordinator - District

Megan is currently in her ninth year with the School District of Rhinelander. In those years, Megan taught 1st, 2nd, and 4th grade at Pelican and Central. She became interested in technology integration when she became a digital learning coach at Pelican. Megan is passionate about learning new facets of technology that help make instruction engaging and accessible for all learners and preparing students for an unknown future. Outside of school, Megan enjoys listening to podcasts and audiobooks, watching her two daughters Summer (2) and Brooke (1) learn and grow, and cheering on the Milwaukee Bucks with her husband, Andy.

School Counselor - RHS

Aaron has been a school counselor for 13 years. He says that he probably should not be doing a session on stress management because he has never handled stress well.

School Counselor - RHS

School Psychologist - Pelican

Program Support Teacher - Central/NCES

Ben is in his 5th year with the School District of Rhinelander. He has been working in special education since his first experience at the Wisconsin Lions Camp during the summer of 1995. Ben has worked mainly as a special education teacher in programs for students with autism or significant behavioral challenges in Early childhood through 5th grade. He has worked in five states (IN,IL,CO,WI,FL) and seven districts in his career (Indianapolis Public Schools, Chicago Public Schools, Park Ridge Schools, Jefferson County Schools, DC Everest Schools, Lee County Schools). Ben also spent three years as an early intervention teacher and five years as a Special Education Coordinator. Ben lives in Rhinelander with his wife Sarah (TA at JWMS), his stepson CJ (6th grade at JWMS), and their two dogs and cat Apollo, Karlie, and Lola. Ben loves to spend time outside on the water or in the snow doing the typical "Up North" activities.

Math Specialist - District

Lori is very proud and honored to be a teacher of 30+ years for the School District of Rhinelander. As a veteran teacher, she has had the privilege to learn from so many students and colleagues throughout her career. She looks forward to each new school year because she knows it will be completely different from any of her previous years. She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education and considers herself to be a life-long learner. She realized the more she learns, the more she is aware of how much she still does not know. Her first 24 years teaching were in the classroom with 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. From there, she moved into a math interventionist position for four years and is currently in her 4th year as the 4K-12 Math Specialist. Somewhere along her journey in education, she found herself developing a passion for teaching mathematics and for many, teaching or learning math isn’t easy. She loves being able to work with teachers yet is still able to get into the classrooms with the students. Her goal is to build the love and joy of mathematics for both students and teachers.

When she is not doing school, she enjoys spending time with her husband, her two grown children, and her cat. She enjoys traveling and being active. Kayaking, gardening, mowing the lawn, and exercising are a few of her favorites. On lazy days, she loves to lounge on the couch and watch Hallmark movies with a bowl of cheetos and M&M’s.

Instructional Coach - Pelican

Kelly graduated from UW-Eau Claire and has a masters degree in education from UW-Stevens Point. She has been an educator in the School District of Rhinelander for the past 33 years. Kelly began her teaching career in the early elementary grades where she taught 1st and 2nd grade for over 20 years. She then moved into a math interventionist role and is currently working as an instructional coach. Kelly enjoys her time in the classroom as she works with teachers to strengthen instruction and to make learning fun for all students. During her free time, she loves to be outside walking, kayaking, snowshoeing, and playing with her dogs!

Instructional Coach - Crescent

Mandi has been working in education for approximately 20 years in a combination of teaching young learners and adults. She has been with the School District of Rhinelander for 16 years. Mandi earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Adaptive Education through Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, an Associate Degree in Early Childhood from Nicolet Area Technical College, a Master’s Degree in Professional Development from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, and recently earned a certificate in Instructional Coaching from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Mandi has a passion for encouraging and supporting others to be their best selves. The Olson family has four wonderful boys ages 10, 15, 25 and 30 and a 2 year old black Labrador. Her family enjoys waterskiing, alpine skiing, traveling, spending time together and being active outdoors. Mandi also enjoys cooking, learning new things, watching movies, swimming, and boating.

School Psychologist - Crescent

Instructional Coach - Central/NCES

Jenny is a 2011 graduate of Northern Michigan University where she majored in Elementary Education and Language Arts. She has been with the district since December of 2011. Recently, she has finished her Math Specialist and Instructional Coaching Certifications. She likes to play volleyball, cook, and go for walks with her family when she’s not busy coming up with new and exciting ways to make learning in the classroom FUN!

Instructional Coach - RHS

Jeff Rauworth has a Masters degree in Educational Leadership and is currently an instructional coach at Rhinelander High School. His 28 years of experience have included environmental education, outdoor education, leadership development, and the traditional classroom. For the past 21 years, he has been a part of indigenous communities from whom the restorative practices approach was built. He has been a part of implementing these practices across several school districts and is a certified trainer for IIRP Restorative Practices.

Instructional Coach - JWMS

My name is Meghan Retallick, and I am the instructional coach at James Williams Middle School in Rhinelander, WI. I graduated in 2007 with an undergraduate degree in English Education from the University of WI-Stevens Point, completed my Masters of Science in Education (literacy focus) in 2016 from Concordia University, and received my Certificate in Instructional Coaching from UW-Madison in 2021. I spent eight years as a classroom teacher working in several districts in Wisconsin teaching English/Language Arts in grades 6-12. I have been working as a coach at SDR for the last eight years, and I coach so that others feel seen and heard, know that they matter, and can do great things. As a coach, I work to provide a supportive, inspiring partnership while focusing on empowering students and staff in their learning and growth. One of my favorite aspects of working in classrooms with teachers and students is unlocking the passion and joy each learner has inside of them. When a student understands how what they learn connects to their own identity as well as understanding and empathizing with identities outside their own, we change the world. On a personal note, I am a wife and mom, happily raising my two daughters (grades 6th and 8th) and my son (Kindergarten). I believe in working to live a balanced life and enjoying the little things.

School Social Worker - District

Mary has a Master's Degree in Social Work along with licensure as a School Social Worker and an Administrator.

She has worked for the School District of Rhinelander for 22 years and has held a variety of positions including school counselor role at JWMS, Elementary Social Worker as part of a SEL grant, Associate Principal at JWMS, and district social worker.

Her most important accomplishments are being a spouse, parent and grandparent. Mary loves living in the Northwoods, experiencing all four seasons and being outdoors.

School Counselor - Pelican

Tracy moved to the Northwood’s from Monticello, In. in 2013. She has an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Studies, and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work with a concentration in addictions. Tracy was recently accepted into a Doctorate program in Educational Leadership and looks forward to starting the program this coming June. Tracy has worked as a Pre-k teacher and a Director of a Head Start program. She left the field of education for about 8 years for a new path in Human and Social Services. She later decided that her passion was in the school system so she returned to the field as a School Social Worker for SDR. Tracy is currently filling the role of a School Counselor for Pelican, NCES, and the two off site 4K programs. Tracy enjoys working with students in a one on one, small group, and whole class setting.

Reading Specialist - District

Rachel is currently in her third year with the School District of Rhinelander. Prior to that, she was a High School English teacher in Wabeno. Rachel works diligently to ensure every teacher has the skill set and knowledge to teach their students how to read. In her free time, Rachel enjoys reading, hiking, Jeeping, and finding other outdoor adventures.

School Counselor - Crescent

Kevin was born in the Northwoods and has called Rhinelander his home for the past 30 years. He has an Associates of Arts Degree from Nicolet College, a Bachelor of Science Degree from U.W. Stevens Point in Physical Education, and a Masters Degree from Southern New Hampshire University in Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for Children, Youth, and Families.

Over the past 30 years , he has worked in the Northwoods as a Substitute Teacher for Rhinelander and surrounding school districts, Supervisor/Case Manager at Petersen Health Care, Case Manager at the Human Service Center for the CCS and Children’s Waiver programs, Child Welfare Coordinator for the State of Wisconsin, and as a Licensed Professional Counselor.

School Counselor - Central

Dani has 2 dogs that she enjoys spending time with when she is not working. She moved to Rhinelander four years ago from Wisconsin Rapids where she previously worked for five years with students of various abilities as a teaching assistant at an elementary school. She enjoys working with students one-on-one and taking time to get to know the students and the staff that support them.