What is your name and department?

Michael Vander Zee, and English

 Why did you go into teaching?

I was inspired to go into teaching by mother, who was (and still is) an elementary school. My siblings and I would help her set up her classroom all the time and spent a lot of time there. I really enjoyed these experiences, her stories about working with students, and more. When I was in high school, I also was inspired to teach by two of my high school teachers: my high school Chemistry teacher and an English teacher that I had for accelerated English. Ms. Butitta, my Chem. teacher, was probably the best teacher I ever had. Be knew her content backwards and forwards, could always think of a new way to explain things to students, and truly cared about her students as people. She stayed with me into the night once, so I could finish a big lab in AP Chem. We talked about life, family, work, and more the whole time. I will never forget some of the stories we told each other. My English teacher, Ms. Parker really got me back into reading in high school. She was incapable of sugar coating some of the challenging literature we read and expected her students to be mature enough to deal with mature topics. She was sharp-tongued and hilarious, which has definitely shaped how I teach difficult topics in my own classroom.

Why did you choose that department to go into?

I loved reading as kid and sort of regained this love in high school. I enjoyed engaging with ideas from philosophy, different social issues, working with language, etc., really getting into the depth of texts. This influenced me in going to college for English, where I tried to take as varied of literature and writing classes as I could. I wanted to be able get kids to read deeply and find enjoyment in reading and writing, or to at least see the value in these things. I want to help kids also develop their own ideas about politics or other areas and to see the connection between the world around them and literacy.

What did you do before coming to RAHS?

RAHS is my first teaching job, and this is my eighth year teaching here. Before starting, I worked at Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream on State Street in Madison during college and at a Culver's during high school. I attended UW Madison for bachelor's degree in English Literature from 2013 to 2016 and then earned a master's degree in education there during 2016 and 2017.

What is the difference between Reedsburg and the other places you have lived/taught, community wise? 

I grew up in Delavan, Wisconsin, which is also a rural town based around agriculture. However, the population was pretty different than Reedsburg, with about 50% of students being Latino and speaking Spanish. Similarly, I lived in Madison all through college and student taught at different schools there. Similarly, I would say that the schools there were more diverse racially, ethnically, and in terms of the religious faiths of the students there. I have learned that different communities have different barriers in terms of students accessing their education. Different people have different needs, and I have had to adjust how I engage with kids here to account for this.

What classes do you teach and which one is your favorite?

I teach English 10 and Advanced Composition and sometimes have an SLC.

Why is that class your favorite to teach?

My favorite class is probably English 10 because I really like this age group of students. They're both more mature and comfortable in their skin than younger students. The things I love to teach, like Shakespeare, teaching writing related to social issues, etc., require kids to be able to discuss difficult topics, consider opposing opinions respectfully, and sometimes be willing to share their own experiences. Personality-wise, I think tenth graders are ready to do these things, and my sense of humor is a good match for them.

What is one fact you want our community to know about you?

I love connecting with students both as their teacher but also as the Key Club advisor. With Key Club, I go into the community with high school students to help people who need it, which I love doing. Schools should feel integrated into the community at large as much as possible.

Q: Why did you go into teaching?

A: I wasn't one of those people who knew from a young age I wanted to be a teacher, but I have always gravitated towards "teaching roles" without ever realizing it. Growing up I was really involved in Dance and was a TA at my dance studio. I spent a lot of time helping teach students who were younger than me. While in high school, I was a peer mentor helping my classmates attend classes, being a note taker, and attending speech and language sessions with them. Because of this, I was interested in becoming a speech and language pathologist who worked in schools. In college, I was encouraged by an academic advisor to take an introduction to education course as an elective. Through this I volunteered at an elementary school and I loved it. I enjoyed it so much I ended up staying way past the required amount of hours, and then came back the next year to volunteer more! At that point, I began looking into teaching. Looking back it makes a lot of sense I became a teacher, especially a social studies teacher, but my path to it was an adventure! My grandmothers on both sides of my family were teachers, so it feels special that I am now following in both of their footsteps.

Q: Why did you choose that department to go into?

A: I have always been a HUGE history lover. I think it is so interesting to look at the past to see how we got to the present. My dad and I watched a lot of the History Channel together when I was younger, so it was a bit of a bonding thing for us that definitely helped me love learning about history more. As I got older I loved reading historical books and learning about different historical events. The fun thing about history is there is something for everyone. There will always be one event, or one topic that appeals to you, even if you do not think you are a "history person", and there is SO much of it. History is literally being made every single day, so you can never run out of things to study or learn! I like to joke that I was always sharing history facts before, but now I at least get paid to do it haha

Q: What did you do before coming to RAHS?

A: This is my first teaching position, but before I came to work at RAHS I completed different practicums and student teaching placements at a few towns in our area! I have had some experience in the Sauk HS, Wi Dells HS & MS, a placement in Madison, at Prairie Ridge & Pineview here in town, and I completed my full student teaching here at RAHS! I graduated from Reedsburg in 2017, I then went on to get my Associates Degree at UW Baraboo/Sauk County. I transfered to Edgewood University to complete my Bachelors degree, and then continued on to get my Masters in Education from there as well. When I was completing my student teaching a position opened up here in the Social Studies department, I applied and was hired :)

Q: What is the difference between Reedsburg and the other places you have lived/taught, community wise? 

A: Throughout my different student teaching/practicum placements Reedsburg was one of the smallest school district I was in. I think it is really cool that after a student has been here for 4 years, as a teacher, you have most likely had them at least once in your class, or know of them. I think this is awesome, because as a student you are more than just a face in the hallway. People here get to know you, and I think it is so special to hear my colleagues talk about people that they taught 10,15, 30+ years ago and still remember their names and details about them. You genuinely build relationships with the students you teach, and the teachers you have. This was not the case in other schools (Madison schools).

Q: What is one fact you want our community to know about you?

A: I am really glad that I was able to return to my hometown and help make a difference here. I love being able to connect with students and try to make their time here better. High school is hard, and students need as many cheerleaders as possible. I am grateful I get to be one here at RAHS!

Q: What is your name and department?

A: Mr. Brandt (Mathematics)

Q: Why did you go into teaching?

A: I was good at math and actually liked high school

Q: Why did you choose that department to go into?

A: Math came naturally to me

Q: What did you do before coming to RAHS?

A: Taught math at Homestead HS in Mequon, WI

Q: What is the difference between Reedsburg and the other places you have lived/taught, community wise? 

A: At my old school, 95% of the student body went on to a 4-year college.  The community was very affluent being made up of a lot of doctors, sports professionals, lawyers, business owners, etc.

Q: What classes do you teach and which one is your favorite?

A: AP Calculus AB, Algebra 1, College Prep Math, Algebra A, Intro to Statistics...not really a "favorite".

Q: What is one fact you want our community to know about you?

A: 1989 Webb HS graduate

Q:What is your name and department?

A: Mrs. Anstett -- English

Q: Why did you go into teaching?

A: I really enjoyed my subject and wanted to make others excited about books and writing.

Q: Why did you choose that department to go into?

A: I love writing and reading. 

Q: What did you do before coming to RAHS?

A: I was a college student! This was my first job after graduating college. 

Q: What is the difference between Reedsburg and the other places you have lived/taught, community wise? 

A: I grew up in Mazomanie, Wisconsin. The rural community is much of the same. Our high school was surrounded by cornfields and cow manure wafting through the halls. Reedsburg is much bigger, though. I did not have fast-food options in my hometown while growing up! 

Q: What classes do you teach and which one is your favorite?

A: English 9 and English 10. I love teaching English 9. 

Q: Why is that class your favorite to teach?

A: Freshmen students always have awesome energy and generally they want to do better in high school than they did in middle school.

Q: What is one fact you want our community to know about you?

A: I love coffee. Sometimes I love coffee creamer more than coffee. ;) 

Q: What is your name and department?

A: Kristin Gesteland, English Department

Q:Why did you go into teaching?

A: I loved the four years that I spent at my own high school, and I wanted to provide for and share with my students the same kind of positive learning experiences that I had.

Q: Why did you choose that department to go into?

A: I chose to teach English because of my love for literature, especially dramatic literature. In college I became involved in the theater department, and I developed an interest in directing plays.

Q: What did you do before coming to RAHS?

A: Before coming to Reedsburg in 1992, I attended Westby High School, UW-LaCrosse, and then taught 8th grade in Watertown, South Dakota for one year.

Q: What is the difference between Reedsburg and the other places you have lived/taught, community wise? 

A: Reedsburg is larger than Westby and smaller than Watertown, but all three places are wonderful communities.

Q: What classes do you teach and which one is your favorite?

A: I teach Accelerated English 9/10, Dramatic Literature and Introduction to Theater Arts. I honestly like them all equally because I get to work with great students and all of the classes involve the study of drama in different ways.

Q: what is one fact you want our community to know about you?

A: I'm really excited about directing Romeo and Juliet this spring. We have a fantastic drama department here at RAHS, and it's going to be an excellent production! Performance dates are April 17-19. The RAHS Drama Club would love it if you could attend!!! 

Q: What is your name and department?

A: Nicole Bruer English

Q: Why did you go into teaching?

A: I sort of "fell" into it. I loved my English classes and also reading and writing throughout school. When my advisor my freshman year of college asked what I wanted to do with my English degree, I told her, "Well, I can't make a living as an author, at least not right away". She suggested education. After that, I realized I wanted to try to bring some joy and relevance to young people like I had in the English classroom. 

Q: Why did you choose that department to go into?

A: It was my favorite subject next to music, but I didn't like the performance aspect of being a music teacher, so English was the better option.

Q: What did you do before coming to RAHS?

A: RAHS was my very first teaching position. I did teach in Elroy my 2nd and 3rd year, and then Portage for 1 year, but then I came back to RAHS and have been here ever since.

Q: What is the difference between Reedsburg and the other places you have lived/taught, community wise? 

A: All the districts I taught in were "small towns". Portage and Reedsburg were very similar; Elroy was even more rural, though. I'll never forget one of my students did a speech about castrating sheep. That was culture shock for me, but it was a great speech.

Q: What classes do you teach and which one is your favorite?

A: I teach English 11, Intro to College Reading and Writing, and British Literature. They all have their perks, but if I had to choose, I'd say Brit Lit is my favorite.

Q: Why is that class your favorite to teach?

A: I love the things we read in Brit Lit and I love the personalities of the students who typically choose to take the class. Since it's an elective and I am the only one who teaches it, I have more freedom in what and how I teach, as well. 

Q: what is one fact you want our community to know about you?

A: I really do enjoy my job. I don't do it for money, summers off, recognition, etc. I truly don't know what else I would do if I couldn't teach and feel my job is a "calling". 

Reedsburg Features: What is your name and department?

Mr. Smuksta: Matt Smuksta, Social Studies.

Reedsburg Features: Why did you become a teacher?

Mr. Smuksta: I kind of grew up in a family related to education; my parents were both teachers. Initially, I didn't know what I wanted to do, so I just majored in what I was interested in—history and political science—at UW-Madison.

During college, I studied abroad in Europe, and after graduating, I wanted to get over toward Asia. I saw a cool program called the JET Program (Japan Exchange and Teaching Program), so I went over to Japan to teach English. I found I really enjoyed working with young people and helping them learn. I liked the energy they have; it was never a boring job.

I had previously worked at a U.S. Senator's office and a State Assembly person's office in Madison. It was okay and could be interesting sometimes, but it wasn't nearly as much fun as teaching. After being in Japan for a couple of years, I came back and worked toward getting a teaching license through Viterbo University in La Crosse, and then I came to Reedsburg.

Reedsburg Features: Why did you choose social studies?

Mr. Smuksta: I just always loved social studies. I grew up around it a lot. My dad was a high school history teacher and then a college history professor. I also had some great history teachers in high school who definitely started me down that road as well.

Reedsburg Features: What did you do before coming to RAHS?

Mr. Smuksta: After college, I taught English in Japan for two years and discovered I really loved teaching. Then I worked in a coffee shop in downtown La Crosse while taking classes toward a teaching license here.

Reedsburg Features: What is the difference between the school you taught at in Japan and RAHS?

Mr. Smuksta: You know, there are actually a lot of similarities. Both towns were about 10,000 people. The kids were really good and the townspeople were really nice, and I think that applies to Reedsburg, too.

In terms of differences, Japan is a more formal culture, so that takes some getting used to, although there was a lot of respect accorded to teachers. The school I taught at was quite a bit smaller; it was a middle school maybe a quarter the size of this high school. So for me, that has been different. But kids are kids anywhere. Whether it was Japan or here, I’ve enjoyed the energy that young people bring and the questions and curiosity they have about the world.

Reedsburg Features: What classes do you teach and which one is your favorite?

Mr. Smuksta: I teach Western Civilization, Asian & African Studies, and Modern World. I really like them all, but the one I teach the most and like the best is probably Western Civ. The Greeks and Romans were pretty awesome.

Reedsburg Features: Why specifically is Western Civ your favorite class to teach?

Mr. Smuksta: I think because the Greeks and the Romans are great subject matter. A lot of people are interested in them, and there are great questions to dive into—like why the Roman Empire declined and fell, which is actually what we are working on right now. There is something for everybody: dramatic battles, mythology, and the beginnings of our government systems, democracies, and republics. Even though it is history from 2,000 years ago, it feels really alive today.

Reedsburg Features: What is your name and department? 

Mr. Runde: Kevin Runde, Social Studies.

Reedsburg Features: Why did you become a teacher? 

Mr. Runde: I was struggling in college, so I went back and talked to one of my former social studies teachers, Richard Ducker. He taught in the Dells his whole life, and he gave me some food for thought. He reminded me that I like working with kids because I was coaching at the time. He said, "Why don't you think about teaching?" It just took off from there. I had to decide what age group I wanted to teach—high school or elementary. I figured elementary wasn't right for me, so I went with high school.

Reedsburg Features: Why did you choose social studies? 

Mr. Runde: Because I have a passion for history. I am an absolute total geek when it comes to history.

Reedsburg Features: What did you do before coming to RAHS? 

Mr. Runde: I was a college student at UW-Platteville and worked in the Wisconsin Dells.

Reedsburg Features: What would you say the differences are between the communities of Platteville, the Dells, and Reedsburg? 

Mr. Runde: Platteville is a typical college town. It was a "suitcase college"—at least that is what it was when I went there back in the 80s. Kids came, went to school, and then left because there wasn't a lot to do in the town. For me, because I was paying for college out of my own pocket, I went back home to work in the Dells on weekends.

Regarding Reedsburg, I initially chose this town because it was close to home, but then I developed a distinct love for it. I can't say enough about it; the town is very, very welcoming.

Reedsburg Features: What classes do you teach and which one is your favorite? 

Mr. Runde: Early 20th Century U.S. History, Modern U.S. History, and Economics. My favorite is Early 20th Century U.S. History.

Reedsburg Features: Why is Early 20th Century U.S. History your favorite class to teach? 

Mr. Runde: Because it is the period in history with the most change. I try to reiterate to my students that so many things happened then that affect them indirectly now. If they understand how it affects them today, they might understand why things are the way they are.

Reedsburg Features: What is your name and department? 

Mrs. Huber: Katie Huber, Science.

Reedsburg Features: Why did you go into teaching? 

Mrs. Huber: Mr. Huber had started teaching first, and I really liked the idea of having summers off with him! Honestly, that is probably why in the beginning, but I have also always enjoyed helping people.

Reedsburg Features: Why did you choose science? 

Mrs. Huber: Because it is amazing. I think science has so many connections to our life. I really enjoy the "living" aspect of science and trying to connect those pieces with things that you see on a daily basis.

Reedsburg Features: What did you do before coming to RAHS?

 Mrs. Huber: I was a teacher at a junior high in Stevens Point for several years. Before that, I worked in training and rehabilitating birds of prey.

Reedsburg Features: What would you say the differences are between the communities of Stevens Point and Reedsburg? 

Mrs. Huber: The size is very different. Stevens Point was a lot larger. When I worked at the junior high there, we had two junior highs and probably nine different elementary schools that fed into the high school. It was really big compared to here. I like the small-town feel of Reedsburg.

Reedsburg Features: What classes do you teach and which one is your favorite? 

Mrs. Huber: Biology and Zoology/Captive Wildlife. I love both for different reasons!

Reedsburg Features: What do you love about your classes? 

Mrs. Huber: Well, the Zoology course is sort of my baby, and I absolutely love animals. I find it very fascinating to fit together the pieces of the puzzle regarding all the different species and phyla that exist, but also how we handle them when they come into captive care. I have really enjoyed building that class.

Reedsburg Features: What is one fact you want our community to know? 

Mrs. Huber: I wish the community knew how hard teachers work to provide their students with the best education possible.

Reedsburg Features: What is your name and department? 

Mr. Cannistra: Joe Cannistra, Science (Chemistry).

Reedsburg Features: Why did you go into teaching? 

Mr. Cannistra: I kind of fell into teaching. Back in 2000 or 2001, when I was an undergraduate at UW-Madison, a friend asked if I knew anyone who did well in chemistry and wanted to be a Teaching Assistant. That is how I discovered I liked teaching.

I was a 20 or 21-year-old undergraduate teaching 18 and 19-year-olds, and I just really loved it. I loved building relationships with students and watching them discover chemistry and have fun with it. That is what started me down this path.

Reedsburg Features: Why chemistry? 

Mr. Cannistra: I had a knack for science and math, and looking back, I had a couple of really good chemistry teachers. They were kind and built good relationships, but they also tested my abilities and pushed me.

I could have easily gone into electrical engineering, but my dad owned an electric motor company. I think I rebelled a little bit against electrical engineering and chose chemical engineering instead. Eventually, I found out that I liked the chemistry part of it much more than the engineering part.

Reedsburg Features: What did you do before coming to RAHS? 

Mr. Cannistra: Immediately prior to RAHS, I was a chemistry teacher at Plymouth Area High School, a similarly sized school near Sheboygan. Before that, I was a graduate student working toward a Ph.D. in chemistry.

Prior to grad school, I worked for my father for a year as a salesman for electric motors and controls, primarily for agricultural applications. And my very first job after graduating from UW-Madison was as a forensic toxicologist (chemist) for the State of Wisconsin!

Reedsburg Features: What would you say the differences are between Plymouth High School and RAHS? 

Mr. Cannistra: That is a great question. When I told people in Plymouth I was moving to Reedsburg, they would say, "Oh, I know someone in Reedsburg," and vice versa. They are very similar cities—both are small, rural, and have industry built up around them. The similarities far outweigh the differences.

The biggest difference for me is geographical location; here, I am closer to my family and friends in the Madison area. I also think RAHS has a very collegial atmosphere. The science teachers here work together and mesh very well.

Reedsburg Features: What classes do you teach and which one is your favorite? 

Mr. Cannistra: I teach Chemistry, AP Chemistry, and Organic & Biochemistry. My favorite class actually varies from day to day depending on what we are doing. However, I really enjoy the challenge of the fast-paced AP Chem, as well as the opportunity to introduce Organic & Biochemistry to students in more depth. I was trained as an analytical and organic chemist, so I really "nerd out" on organic chemistry.

Reedsburg Features: Is there anything specifically about organic chemistry that makes it your favorite? 

Mr. Cannistra: Initially, I liked it because it was supposed to be very hard—it is considered the "weed out" class for anyone wanting to go into the medical field—and I excelled at it. I tend to like things I am good at!

Beyond that, there is a concept called Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). It is the same physical phenomenon used in MRI scans, but at a particle level. Using NMR, you can identify the structure of a molecule. It is like putting a puzzle together. I really like solving problems, so I love that organic chemistry allows us to figure out how molecules are pieced together.

Reedsburg Features: What is one fact you want our community to know about you? 

Mr. Cannistra: I care deeply about each and every one of my students. If you think you are my favorite, then you are! Whether you know it or not, I am a big supporter of your growth as a human being and in your academic journey.

Reedsburg Features: What is your name and department? 

Mr. Lockwood: Drew Lockwood, Science.

Reedsburg Features: Why did you go into teaching? 

Mr. Lockwood: I worked in fisheries for a few years, but the jobs were mostly technician roles—essentially field seasons rather than full-time positions. I considered getting a master's in fisheries to stay in one place longer, but the jobs were still sporadic, and it was difficult to find one in Wisconsin, which is where I wanted to be.

I met my wife and decided I wanted to settle down. Teaching was a good option that allowed me to use my bachelor's degree, so I went back to school and got my license.

Reedsburg Features: Why did you choose science and biology? 

Mr. Lockwood: I really like the life sciences, specifically anything involving the natural world. I grew up fishing and being outside, and I was intrigued by fish, which is why I got a fisheries degree. Biology was naturally attached to that. Once I learned that about myself, I was able to apply it to the classroom. I really enjoy teaching people about science; it is fun when students make a connection with the living world around them.

Reedsburg Features: What did you do before coming to RAHS? 

Mr. Lockwood: After high school, I went to UW-Stevens Point for a Bachelor of Science degree in Fisheries and Biology. I worked as a fisheries technician for a few different jobs, including lake trout suppression in Yellowstone National Park and various work with lake sturgeon with Michigan State University and the Michigan DNR. After a few years of fisheries work, I went to UW-Milwaukee for my teaching license.

Reedsburg Features: Other than the fact that they are colleges, what would you say the differences are between Stevens Point, Milwaukee, and Reedsburg? 

Mr. Lockwood: Stevens Point is a really good natural resources school. Outdoors, you have the river, so I could go fishing whenever I wanted outside of class time. Everyone wears flannels there, so it makes sense to compare it to the more rural feel of Reedsburg.

Milwaukee, on the other hand, is much more urban. I didn't live on campus in Milwaukee like I did in Stevens Point, so I have a different perspective, but it was definitely more of a city environment.

Reedsburg Features: What classes do you teach and which one is your favorite? 

Mr. Lockwood: I currently have four different preparations in the Science Department: Freshman Biology, Ecology, AP Environmental Science, and AP Biology. In the spring semester, Environmental Science will replace the semester-long Ecology course.

My favorite class to teach is AP Environmental Science. It carries a lot of relevance to my previous career, and the students are very hardworking and focused.

Reedsburg Features: Why is AP Environmental Science your favorite to teach? 

Mr. Lockwood: The first half is all ecology, and I love teaching ecology. But then we take that knowledge and apply it to real-world issues, like how to protect our environment. We cover a lot of content, and students start to come up with reasons to be better stewards of the earth. It allows us to discuss what gives us food and the ability to live here. Also, because it is an AP course with high-achieving students, the class flows well, and we can dive deep into the topics.

Reedsburg Features: What is one fact you want our community to know about you?

 Mr. Lockwood: My family and I love the sense of community here in Reedsburg. I grew up in a town similar in size, but I had a family name that was very well-known there. Here, we get to be the only Lockwoods, which makes this town feel like our own home. I am excited to see my children grow up here and be a part of this community.

By, McKenzie Osborne

Q: What’s your favorite part about your job?

A: “Meeting people. I love being a part of the community.”

Q: What are you hoping to accomplish here at RAHS?

A: “For staff I hope to learn everyone’s names, and a little something about them. For the innovation center, I hope to support students and staff by combining things in unprecedented ways.”

Q: What was your favorite subject when you were a student, and why was it special to you?

A: “It’s hard to pick, I’ve had so many great teachers. Art history was my major in college. I really liked it because it bridged subjective subjects like art and history, but required you to be objective to get a transcendental truth. I don't know, it's something you need to experience.”

Q: If you could instantly become an expert at one thing, what would it be?

A: “Being a mom. If I could somehow be an expert at that.” 

Q: If you could travel anywhere for a holiday, where would you go?

A: “Back to Hawaii. Pictures and videos don’t do it justice, it has quite the energetic spirit.”

Q: What’s the most surprising or interesting thing you’ve learned recently?

A: “Time blocks and scheduling are very complex. I’ve subbed at Prairie Ridge and Pineview, and here as well, but for the last eight years I’ve been a stay at home mom. It was difficult to come back from a fluid schedule to high school because everything is a very minute to minute structure.”

Q: What is your name and department?

A: My name is Kristen Sporkowski. 
I work in the music department as the choir director.

Q: How did you get into teaching?

A: It was a career path that I didn't think I was going to do, but when I got to college, my first class was a music class and I fell in love. 
Music has always been a passion of mine, so it seemed like a natural place to go in my career path.

Q: What did you do before coming to Reedsburg?

A: I was a teacher at Waupaca High School in Waupaca, Wisconsin for 14 years. It was my first job out of college, and I taught choir and band.

Q: What would you say the difference between that community and our community is?

A: I would say that similar sized communities, the arts were very, very prevalent in Waupaca, and where I feel Reedsburg is a growing community of the arts. 
So I want to continue to see it thrive and grow in our community.

Q: What's a fact do you want our community to know about you?

A:I was born and raised in Ripon, Wisconsin. 
I went to school in Iowa at Cornell College, which is one of only four colleges in the United States that teaches one course at a time.

Q: What classes do you teach and which one would you say is your favorite?

A: I teach three choirs during the school day, Chamber Singers, Coro Belle, and Chorale. I also teach many extracurricular ensembles, like our competitive show choir, the Choraliers, Vocal Jazz, and our current musical, Newsies, in which I'm the vocal director. I can't really say that I have a favorite, but a new exploratory class that I started last year was a musical theater performance class. 
So all of those things are very different in a lot of ways and give me joy in a different variety of ways.

Reedsburg Features: What is your name and department? 

Ms. Gibbons: My name is Jennifer Gibbons, and I work in the Technical Education Department as a Computer Science and Business teacher.

Reedsburg Features: What brought you into teaching? Ms. Gibbons: I enjoyed working with computers in the business sector. After working as a programmer analyst for a regulation company, I decided to get my teaching certifications in business and computer science.

Reedsburg Features: What did you do before coming here to Reedsburg?

 Ms. Gibbons: Before coming to Reedsburg, I was a middle school teacher in Hillsboro. I was also an FBLA advisor.

Reedsburg Features: What would you say is the difference between Reedsburg and Hillsboro? 

Ms. Gibbons: In Reedsburg, we have a lot more opportunity in terms of the types of classes we offer and what students have access to. There is more funding here—which is unfortunate for Hillsboro—but as a result, we are able to do more for our students. We also have a great network of teachers to work with and a great administration.

Reedsburg Features: What classes do you teach? 

Ms. Gibbons: I teach several classes, including Computer Graphics, App Design, AP Computer Science, and Principles of Web Design. I also teach Animation, IT, and specialize in teaching Computer Programming with Python. Occasionally, I teach Personal Finance and Accounting as well.

Reedsburg Features: Which one is your favorite to teach? 

Ms. Gibbons: That is hard to choose; I have several favorites. I really enjoy Computer Graphics and Animation because I get to be more creative. I also enjoy Computer Science and Web Design because of the programming aspect and the creativity involved in building apps. I really enjoy them all.

Reedsburg Features: What is one fact you want our community to know about you? 

Ms. Gibbons: I work really hard to make sure all students' needs are met and that students of all abilities are able to learn and succeed in my classes.

Reedsburg Features: What is your name and department? 

Mrs. Olson: Mrs. Olson, Family and Consumer Science (FCS).

Reedsburg Features: Why did you start teaching? 

Mrs. Olson: I just always wanted to teach, from a young age on. I had a really good first-grade teacher who I thought was really cool, so I decided teaching would be a good path. That goal never changed.

Reedsburg Features: Why did you choose Family and Consumer Science? 

Mrs. Olson: I chose it because I get to teach real-life things every day. When I was in college, I actually started out studying to be an elementary teacher. The director of the Family and Consumer Science Department met with a group of us and asked if we wanted to chat.

She talked to us about FCS, and it sounded cool because it focuses on practical skills. We can make cookies or learn life skills that students can take home and use immediately. That is the cool thing about what I do—everything is relatable right now.

Reedsburg Features: Where did you go to college? 

Mrs. Olson: I went to UW-Stevens Point, majoring in Family and Consumer Science. I also have my Master’s in Child and Family Studies in Psychology.

Reedsburg Features: What classes do you teach and which one is your favorite?

 Mrs. Olson: I teach Foods, Culinary Hospitality, Early Childhood Health Safety and Nutrition, and Early Childhood Child Development. I love them all; they all have something about them that I enjoy.

Reedsburg Features: What did you do before coming to RAHS? 

Mrs. Olson: I was an FCS teacher in Baraboo.

Reedsburg Features: What is the difference between our community and Baraboo? 

Mrs. Olson: I don't know that I notice a huge difference between the two communities. The districts are both pretty supportive, and the kids are great in both places.

Reedsburg Features: What is one fact you want our community to know about you? 

Mrs. Olson: I love my job and I am thankful for the wonderful community we have.

Reedsburg Features: What did you do before coming to RAHS? 

Mr. Pittman: I came to the school district in the fall of 1996 and started teaching as a Special Education Teacher at Webb when it was still the high school. I then started teaching at RAHS when the building opened in 1998.

Prior to that, I taught one semester in Watertown, Wisconsin. I have also been a theater technician, designer, and technical director, as well as a mental health counselor, a salesperson, and an installer in the communications industry.

Reedsburg Features: What is your job in the School District of Reedsburg?

 Mr. Pittman: My teaching job is not a "class" as you know it. I am the Coordinator and Teacher of the RAHS Vine Street GED Option 2 Program. This is an off-site alternative education program for students 17 and older who are at risk of not graduating with their class. My classroom is housed in the Boys and Girls Club building in downtown Reedsburg. Vine Street provides instruction in Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Math, and Employability Skills.

I do that part-time. The other part of my job—and the one that puts me at RAHS—is serving as the Technical Director for the C.A.L. Center. I am in charge of the lights, sound, staging, and all other technical elements of operating the facility. I am also the Drama Club Advisor, the Technical Director and Director of the RAHS plays and musicals, and the Mock Trial Coach.

Reedsburg Features: What is one fact you want our community to know about you? 

Mr. Pittman: A fact about me that many know is that I was a Civil War reenactor portraying a Union Cavalry Officer for nearly 30 years. I have provided the Civil War Day activities held annually for the district's 5th graders.

Though I am no longer actively reenacting, I do still occasionally participate in local events. Most recently, I portrayed Reedsburg area Civil War veterans at cemetery events in Loganville and Reedsburg. Over the years, my reenacting hobby and theater background have given me the opportunity to be in several movie, TV, and video projects.

Q: What is your name and department?

A: Mike McCarville, Tech ED

Q: What did you do before coming to RAHS?

A: RAHS was my first teaching job out of college, so I was just a college kid.

Q:Why did you go into teaching?

A: I was convinced in my senior year of high school by my tech ed teacher to become a teacher but before that it wasn't on my radar at all.

Q: Why did you go into tech ed?

A:My father was a carpenter so I was kind of drawn to that and I had some prior experience and wood working was always a hobby of mine.

Q: Where did you go to college?

A: Uw Stout

Q: What is the difference between the communities of Menemonie and Reedsburg? 

A: A lot of similarities! Stout is a little bigger because it is a college town and has a few little extra things to do, but it is similar in regards of people and community.

Q: Why is House Flipping your favorite class to teach?

A: As a teacher we get to plan a curriculum. And with that class there is a structure to building and fixing, but there is a lot of freedom in what we do and its very much about problem solving 

Q: Why did you choose to come to Reedsburg?

A: I went to UW-Stout and my home town was Silver Lake Wisconsin so Reedsburg is in the dead center of college and home, but my family went to Wisconsin Dells every summer so I knew the area well!

Reedsburg Features: What is your name and department? 

Ms. Howe: My name is Meg Howe, and I teach in the Art Department at Reedsburg Area High School.

Reedsburg Features: Why did you choose to go into teaching? 

Ms. Howe: I have a background in art and art history—a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) and a BA from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.

I kind of fell into teaching. At my old high school, where I eventually taught for my first eight years, they needed a long-term sub. They called me, and even though I was always super passionate about my subject, I needed to make sure I enjoyed working with students. I didn't want to be one of those teachers who doesn't like kids!

After that first year of subbing, I realized I really loved teaching, so I got my teaching certificate and never looked back. I love that "aha moment" when it just clicks for a student and they suddenly see three-dimensional space when they never have before. I talk about art as a "coded language." You can say what you need to say in your work, and even if you are the only one who understands it, you have taken it from within and put it out there. You have taken control over that, and I love that about art.

Reedsburg Features: What classes do you teach?

 Ms. Howe: I teach quite a variety of classes: Drawing, Advanced Drawing and Painting, Ceramics, Advanced Ceramics, Adaptive Art for the Special Education Program, and AP Art and Design. Next semester, I will also be teaching Painting for the first time here. I teach the whole gamut—everything but Foundations.

Reedsburg Features: Which one would you say is your favorite? 

Ms. Howe: That is a tricky one. At my previous school, I taught the foundation-level classes, so it is interesting that here I get to teach the more advanced courses.

I love seeing how students take the skills taught in foundation classes—like drawing and ceramics—and apply their own spin and creative ideas in the advanced levels. That is really cool to watch, so I would say the advanced courses are my favorites across the board.

Reedsburg Features: What is one fact you want our community to know about you?

 Ms. Howe: I love my subject and I love being in Reedsburg. A lot of students ask me why I came to Reedsburg, and I tell them I love that this community is super open to the arts.

I also want the community to know that I practice what I preach. I create art in my personal practice as well. "I teach and I do," and I think that is really important for an art teacher.

Reedsburg Features: Why did you go into the teaching profession? 

Mr. Huber: I have always loved sharing information with people. Teaching is a really good way for me to do that while still having time for my family and being close to them.

Reedsburg Features: Why did you go into the science department? 

Mr. Huber: Science has always been one of my favorites. I love the ever-changing nature of it and the ability to discover new things.

Reedsburg Features: What subjects do you teach? 

Mr. Huber: Right now, I teach Wildlife Conservation, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, and Earth and Physical Science. I have also taught Chemistry here.

It is hard to pick a favorite; it really depends on the specific lab or unit. I like them all for different reasons. It is fun to have that variety throughout the day; it keeps you well-versed.

Reedsburg Features: What were you doing before you came back to Reedsburg? 

Mr. Huber: Before coming to Reedsburg, I taught in Stevens Point and at Pepin, Wisconsin, which is along the Mississippi River. Before teaching, I worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the DNR.

Reedsburg Features: What would you say are the differences between the three communities that you taught in? 

Mr. Huber: I would say the differences come down to expectations and workload. In Reedsburg, I have a lot of family and old friends, so I have a built-in support system here.

In Pepin, the workload expectation was huge. I taught seven different science subjects and coached three sports, plus summer activities. Everybody there taught a lot of different things.

In Stevens Point, it was much more narrowed down. I usually taught just one class subject all day long, so it was quite different from the other two.

Reedsburg Features: What is one fact you want our community to know about you? 

Mr. Huber: I have lots and lots of enthusiasm, energy, and passion for helping teach kids.

Reedsburg Features: Why did you go into the teaching profession? 

Mrs. Williams: I didn't initially plan on it; I was not an education major. After college, I was working at a diner in my hometown with a lot of high school students, and I realized that I really liked that age group.

I found a program that would allow me to go back to school and get certified to teach in my initial bachelor's degree field, which was English. So, I went back and got my teaching degree.

Reedsburg Features: Why was your initial bachelor's degree in English? 

Mrs. Williams: I was very undecided when I started college. When I finally needed to decide, I chose English because it focused on reading and writing—things that I liked to do and was good at.

I knew I could find a job doing something with language, and I thought the major capitalized on my skills, even though I still didn't know exactly what I wanted to do with my life at that time.

Reedsburg Features: What classes do you teach and which one is your favorite? 

Mrs. Williams: I teach Intro to College Reading & Writing, AP English Literature, and Intro to Education & Teaching. I honestly love all of them, but something I really love about AP Lit is getting to talk about books every day!

Reedsburg Features: What did you do before coming to RAHS? 

Mrs. Williams: Before I worked at RAHS, I taught English in Montello for five years. Before I started teaching, I worked in Madison at the Red Cross in the Emergency Services Department.

Reedsburg Features: What, in your opinion, is the difference between the communities of Reedsburg and Montello? 

Mrs. Williams: They are similar in a lot of ways, specifically regarding demographics and the type of students and families that live there. However, Reedsburg is larger in size, so it has more to offer within the community.

Reedsburg Features: What is one fact you want our community to know about you? 

Mrs. Williams: I really hate wearing shoes. I just don't like how they feel on my feet!

Reedsburg Features: Why did you choose teaching as a profession? 

Mrs. Bestor: I wanted to be a teacher my whole life. I really liked school, school work, and pretending to play school. As I got into it more in college, I knew for sure that I wanted to pursue it.

I should probably add that my dad is a teacher, and his dad and mom were both teachers, too. That didn't hurt the cause, because they really liked their jobs!

Reedsburg Features: What classes do you teach and which one is your favorite? 

Mrs. Bestor: Algebra B, Geometry 9, and AP Precalculus. I like them all for different reasons.

Reedsburg Features: What is one reason you like your classes? 

Mrs. Bestor: I like the diversity in my schedule; I teach a couple of sections of freshmen, and a couple of sections of juniors and seniors.

I also like the complexity of Precalculus. I love it when kids "get it." But I feel that way in Geometry too, because it is something different that they usually haven't seen before.

Reedsburg Features: What did you do before coming to RAHS?

 Mrs. Bestor: RAHS was my very first teaching job. I came here when I was 24 years old in 1998, when RAHS was brand new. I was hired as a math teacher and the varsity girls' basketball coach.

Reedsburg Features: What is one fact you want our community to know about you? 

Mrs. Bestor: I am so happy that my path brought me from Gilman, WI, to UW-Eau Claire, and then to Reedsburg. It has been my home for over half of my life now. The Reedsburg, Lake Redstone, and Beaver communities have been amazing places to raise our family and carry out my goals as a teacher.

Reedsburg Features: How would you say that the communities of Gilman, Reedsburg, and Eau Claire differ? 

Mrs. Bestor: Definitely in size. In Gilman, my high school class had 42 kids. Reedsburg has roughly 200 kids per class, and Eau Claire North had probably close to 400 or 500. So size was one of the big differences.

But at the same time, there is still a sense of community within the departments and among the teachers. Regardless of the size of the school, you still get to know the students you have in class really well.

Reedsburg Features: How did you get into teaching? 

Mr. Moon: Well, it is kind of embarrassing. I was a history major in college, and by the time I was a senior, I realized I needed to figure out a way to pay bills. So, what do you do with a history degree? You teach.

Reedsburg Features: Why did you choose social studies as your department? 

Mr. Moon: I have loved history since I was probably five years old. My grandparents brought back these little View-Master souvenirs from Mount Rushmore, and I got interested in the Presidents. That led me to just love history, and I always have.

Reedsburg Features: What did you do before coming to RAHS? 

Mr. Moon: I taught social studies at Wisconsin Dells High School.

Reedsburg Features: How would you compare teaching in different communities?

 Mr. Moon: It is pretty much the same. The difference isn't between Reedsburg and the Dells; the difference is that it was 25 years ago. Times were different back then.

Reedsburg Features: What classes do you teach and which one is your favorite?

 Mr. Moon: AP U.S. History, AP U.S. Government and Politics, Civil War & Aftermath, and—my favorite—History of Imperial Europe.

Reedsburg Features: Why is History of Imperial Europe your favorite class? 

Mr. Moon: Well, I created the class based on content that I enjoyed learning about in college. It is kind of personal; I get to take what I enjoyed and share it with students.

Reedsburg Features: What is one fact you want our community to know about you? 

Mr. Moon: I care about what I do.