Ms. Sakai

I was born in the suburbs of IL (yes, I was a Cubs and Bears fan) and lived there until I was 17, although I spent a lot of time at my grandparent's lake cottage on Lake Kegonsa near Madison. I earned my undergraduate at UW-SP. I started out in biology and after a naturalist job at the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station working with 1st-high schoolers, I changed to Elementary Education because I loved working with this age the most (especially third and fourth graders!)

After teaching summer school in Stevens Point, I applied for jobs near my grandparent's cottage since they had retired there. Teaching first grade, third grade, multi-age first through third and multi-age third and fourth have been wonderful experiences for me. It's been over 30 years and I am still excited about teaching! I honestly can't imagine teaching any where else and I am so grateful to be a part of the Atwater/Shorewood family!

Somewhere in there, I was married to Mr. Stanco, 5th grade teacher at Atwater, and we adopted Miya from China when she was 16 1/2 months old. She's now a Sophomore at SHS and loves being away from her parents (and that we're not her teachers anymore!) Mr. Stanco and I also have six grandchildren! Bryan, the oldest son, and his family are stationed in Virginia. Brendan, the youngest son, and his family live in Texas with three children. When I'm not teaching, you can find me walking in state parks, enjoying nature, biking, kayaking, cooking new recipes and trying out yoga.

Contact me: dsakai@shorewood.k12.wi.us 414-963-6962 X5210