Meet Our Staff

Deb Sixel
Administrator
I am Deb Sixel, Kiel Middle School principal and co-administrator for the Between the Lakes Virtual Academy. With 30+ years of experience in education, I’ve held roles as a teacher, principal, curriculum/technology coordinator, online teacher, and adjunct professor. I am excited to see the expansion of e-learning for elementary and middle school students! In my free time, I enjoy reading, traveling, cooking, and hiking the Ice Age Trail with my adult children.

Chad Ramminger
Administrator
I am Chad Ramminger and I am an administrator for the Between the Lakes Virtual Academy. I am excited to be part of this new journey for our students, parents and staff. I have been an administrator in the Kiel Area School district for 18 years and have the privilege to work at all levels within the district. I have three sons who enjoy sports and spending time outdoors. You will find me on the golf course when I have a free moment.

Katrina Pionek
Program Leader & Elementary Local/Mentor Teacher

Chris Christopherson
Middle School Local/Mentor Teacher
I am Chris Christopherson and I’m a mentor teacher for Between the Lakes Virtual Academy. I’m looking forward to this opportunity to meet you, give support, and help ensure a positive online learning experience. I have taught K-12 physical education and adaptive physical education for 10 years and have mentored online algebra courses for the past two years. I also have a Masters in Sports Administration and experience as an athletic director. When I’m not teaching or coaching athletics, I enjoy spending time with my wife and our son, playing golf, volleyball, hunting, and fishing.

Christine Clements
Specials Coordinator

Cari Schmidt
Kindergarten Teacher
I’m Cari Schmidt the Kindergarten teacher for Between the Lakes Virtual Academy. I’ve been an educator for the past 28 years and find true joy and passion working with little ones. I’m excited to meet you and your family as we begin this journey together. I live in Manitowoc with my husband. We have three children and one grandchild. I love to ride my bike, golf and be near the water.

Sandra Weber
Kindergarten Teacher

Amanda Sieracki
1st Grade Teacher
I am Amanda Sieracki the first-grade teacher for Between the Lakes Virtual Academy. I have been teaching for 16 years in different capacities and am so excited to have this opportunity to work with your child and your family. I live in Manitowoc with my husband and 3 children. My children keep me busy with all of their activities. Whenever we get the chance, as a family, we love to travel! We are trying to hit all the national parks! During the summer, you will find us at our cottage or camping! I am excited for this virtual adventure!

Sarah Tegen
1st Grade Teacher

Sharon Driessen
2nd Grade Teacher
I am Sharon Driessen the second-grade teacher for Between the Lakes Virtual Academy. I have been teaching for 26 years and am so excited to have this opportunity to work with your child and your family. I live in Fond du Lac and have 1 daughter. As a family, we love to bike, kayak, camp, read, and hike. During the summer, you will find us with our softball family at many different complexes throughout the state. I am excited to see where this learning adventure takes us!

Nicholas Propson
2nd Grade Teacher

Nancy Casper
3rd Grade Teacher
Hi, I’m Nancy Casper and will be the third-grade teacher for Between the Lakes Virtual Academy. I have been teaching for 23 years. 15 of those years have been in third grade and 8 have been in second. I am excited to be able to have this opportunity to work with you and your child. I feel that having a variety of learning opportunities for students makes for a successful educational process. I live outside of Kiel with my family. I have 3 daughters and one son. We spend much of our time enjoying many sporting activities.

Judy Meyer
3rd Grade Teacher

Jenny Neils
4th Grade Teacher

Karen Propson
4th Grade Teacher
I am Karen Propson and I’m the fourth-grade teacher for Between the Lakes Virtual Academy. I love working with fourth graders and am excited to meet your child and family. I have taught fourth grade for 11 years and have a master’s degree in educational technology. I currently live in School Hill with my two children and husband. I love watching my children play sports, participate in scouts, and dance. Whenever we get the chance we head to our cabin in Wausaukee, Wisconsin.

Jennifer Garty
5th Grade Teacher
My name is Jennifer Garty, and I’m the fifth-grade teacher for Between the Lakes Virtual Academy. I have my Bachelor of Science from Cardinal Stritch University, with minors in both Mathematics and English, and an Associate degree in Arts and Sciences. I have my Master’s degree from Concordia University of Wisconsin, with my 316 Reading Teachers License, and my 317 Reading Specialist License. I have taught for the past 13 years, at both the elementary and middle school levels, and absolutely love it. Working with kids is a passion of mine. When not teaching, I enjoy being active, rummage saling, fishing, reading, traveling, and spending time with my husband and two kids.

Mary Lamberson
6th Grade Teacher

Tavia Manz
6th grade Social Studies Teacher

Kari Migacz
6th grade Science Teacher

Bridget August
7th grade ELA Teacher

Melissa Ebert
7th grade Science Teacher

Mackenzi Schwarz
7th Grade Social Studies Teacher

Alice Wanty
7th Grade ELA and Math Teacher

Emily Wegner
7th Grade Math Teacher

John LeBlanc
8th Grade Teacher

Paula Emme
8th Grade ELA Teacher
I am Paula Emme, and I will be teaching Communication Arts for grade 8 at the Between the Lakes Virtual Academy. I am in my 30th year of teaching. The last 29 years I have spent at Kiel Middle School – I taught Social Studies and Communication Arts in Grade 7 for seven years and then moved to Grade 8 where I have been teaching Social Studies or Communication Arts. I graduated from Silver Lake College and obtained a Masters in Education at Lakeland College. I enjoy supporting my husband who is a mountain bike and dirt bike racer and also spending time with my family. I am looking forward to this teaching and learning opportunity.

Randy Koppenhaver
8th grade Science Teacher

Brenda Schmitz
8th Grade Math Teacher
I am very excited to be the eighth-grade math teacher for the Between the Lakes Virtual Academy. I have thirty years of experience teaching both at the elementary and middle school level. I have a passion for teaching and get excited when students learn. I look forward to getting to know the Between the Lakes Academy students and their families. When I am not teaching, I enjoy traveling, cooking, going for walks, reading, crafting, gardening, and spending time with my husband and two sons.

Katie Thibeault
8th Grade Social Studies Teacher
My name is Katie Thibeault and I am an 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher at Between the Lakes Virtual Academy. I have my Bachelor of Science from U.W. Green Bay in Education, with a minor in History. I have been a teacher at Kiel High School since 2009 in the Social Studies Department. Classes I have taught over the years are U.S. History, World History, Human Behavior, American Government, and World Geography. When I am not teaching, I love to be with my family, read, and spend time outside. Our family spends a lot of time at our family cottage kayaking, swimming, or paddle boarding.

Rita Liliyquist
ESL Teacher

Sheila Ramminger
MS Visual Arts Teacher
Hello and Welcome! I am Sheila Ramminger, and I am excited to serve you as a Visual Arts teacher for Between the Lakes Virtual Academy and Kiel eSchool. I will be teaching MS 2D Studio Art, Drawing, Beginning Painting, and Digital Photography. I have a K-12 Art Education License and my Master’s Degrees in Curriculum and Instruction license, Director of Pupil Services license, and Administrative Leadership license.
I have been teaching since 1996, and am in 18th year at Kiel High school. Over my 24 years teaching I have had the true pleasure of teaching Art to students at all grade levels as well as some adult education classes. I am the Head Coach for Kiel High School Girls Tennis Team. Outside of teaching and coaching you will find me spending time with my husband and 3 kids, friends and family.

Olivia Durant
Teacher

Jess Gruenke
Teacher
I am a National Board Certified Teacher, and also completed my Masters degree in educational leadership. My WI certification is in General (k-8) and Special Education (k-12). I worked as a high school Special Education teacher for three years in Vancouver, WA, and then nine more years at Kiel High School before I changed paths to open a yoga studio and stay home with my daughter.
Teaching mindfulness to students, tutoring elementary kids, and mentoring teachers kept me connected to student learning. Now, I am excited to return to a “classroom” with you.
My husband, daughter, dog, and I all enjoy finding new adventures and experiences.
Lastly, together we are going to make it a great year!
Our Mission
It is the mission of the Between the Lakes Virtual Academy to provide student access to a challenging, high-quality, curriculum, in a flexible home environment. The Between the Lakes Virtual Academy provides a standards-based, online or blended instructional program through a personalized learning approach.