Meet Our Staff
Administrator
Sarah Scovell Muraski
Meet Your Administrator
Welcome to Between the Lakes Virtual Academy and the Kiel eSchool!
My name is Sarah Scovell Muraski, and I am honored to be of service as your administrator. I have been an educator in some capacity for twenty-five years in public, private, charter and virtual schools. To date, I have earned degrees in English, French, history, and Educational Administrative Leadership from Silver Lake College and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and recently added a certification in Structured Literacy and dyslexia intervention from Carroll University. Current professional adventures also include teaching high school English and providing support as an interventionist for middle and high school students in reading.
When not enjoying the hiking trails, fishing holes, and inspirational views for painting around my home in Door County, Wisconsin, you’ll find me reading or writing, having adventures with my creative and brilliant daughter, learning more languages, traveling with friends, volunteering, or growing things to eat!
Teaching and learning are my passions. Everything I do – for fun or to live – has something to do with those two things. There is no greater thing we can aspire to as human beings than discovery — of the world, the universe, each other, or ourselves — and ultimately love and respect for what we find.
Program Leader
Jennifer Owen
Meet Your Program Leader
Hello, I’m Jennifer Owen and I’m the BTLVA and Kiel eSchool Program Leader. I have been teaching with the eSchool since 2009. I earned my bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Montana State University -Billings and my Master of Science in Science Education degree from Montana State University – Bozeman. I teach a number of science classes for the eSchool and have enjoyed researching blended learning. I appreciate the opportunity to work with such a diverse group of students in the online environment, learning about their stories and what has brought them to the eSchool. I have been married to my husband since my undergraduate years and we have two sons who are both pursuing STEM careers.
Email: jowen@kiel.k12.wi.us
Social Worker
Tay Hoffman
Meet Your Social Worker
Hello All, I am Tay Hoffman, Kiel’s first-ever school social worker! In May I finished my master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay in School Social Work. I am excited to meet the needs of students and their families district-wide. Feel free to reach out at any time and I will do my best to follow up in a timely manner. I look forward to working with you all. Go Raiders!
Email: thoffman@kiel.k12.wi.us
Teacher Liaison
Rita Lilyquist
| Monday-Friday | 7:00am – 3:00pm |
| 1st and 3rd Friday of each month: Lego Challenge Club 4K-4th grade | 10:00am – 10:55am |
| 1st and 3rd Friday of each month: Lego Challenge Club 5th-8th grade | 11:00am – noon |
| 2nd and 4th Friday of each month: In-person hours (Room 312) | 9:00am – noon, afternoons by appointment |
Meet Your Liaison
My name is Rita Lilyquist. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (grades 1-9) with a minor in English from Lakeland University. I have over 25 years experience teaching grades K-8 both in public and private schools and my own children via homeschooling. I have spent the past five years as an Online/Virtual Teacher and have been a part of the BTLVA team for the past two years. I look forward to meeting you and your family and assisting in this journey!
I reside in Plymouth with my husband, two children (one in high school and one in college), a Goldendoodle, and a Great Dane. When I’m not teaching, you will find me attending local high school sporting events, playing board games with my family, trekking along on the Ice Age Trail, or cheering on the state’s many sports teams.
You’ll be hearing from me each month via our Between the Lakes Newsletter with opportunities for you and your family to be part of the BTLVA family.
Email: rlilyquist@kiel.k12.wi.us
Grades 4K-5
Olivia Durant
Welcome Video
| Monday-Thursday: Morning Meeting (K-5) | 9:50am – 10:00am |
| Monday-Thursday: K-1st Grade Live Lesson | 10:00am – 10:20am |
| Monday-Thursday: 2nd Grade Live Lesson | 10:20am – 10:40am |
| Monday-Thursday: 3rd Grade Live Lesson | 10:40am – 11:00am |
| Monday-Thursday: 4th Grade Live Lesson | 11:00am – 11:20am |
| Monday-Thursday: 5th Grade Live Lesson | 11:20am – 11:40am |
| Wednesday: Club Time (2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month) | 1:30pm – 2:15pm |
| Friday: FUN Friday! (Grades K-2) | 11:00am – 11:30am |
| Friday: FUN Friday! (Grades 3-5) | 11:30am – noon |
Meet Your Teacher
My name is Olivia Durant. This will be my third year with Between the Lakes Virtual Academy teaching grades 4K-5. I received my Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education from William Woods University in Fulton, MO. My family resides in Shawnee, Kansas and before moving here, I taught grades 4 – 8 for five years in Green Bay, Wisconsin at Leonardo da Vinci School for Gifted Learners before transitioning to the virtual platform. My husband, Tyler and I have two kids, Sutton and Tatum and a Goldendoodle named Piper. We love to spend time with family, travel and get outside as much as possible! If I’m not doing those things, then I’m usually running. 🙂 I’m looking forward to meeting you and learning alongside you and your family this school year!
Email: odurant@kiel.k12.wi.us
Grades 6-8
Alice Wanty
Welcome Video
| Monday-Tuesday: ELA 7th Grade Wednesday-Thursday: Math 7th Grade | 9:00am – 9:45am |
| Monday-Tuesday: ELA 8th Grade Wednesday-Thursday: Math 8th Grade | 10:00am – 10:45am |
| Monday-Tuesday: ELA 6th Grade Wednesday-Thursday: Math 6th Grade | 11:00am – 11:45am |
| Wednesday: Coding and Gaming Club (Email me if you are interested in signing up.) | 2:00pm – 3:00pm |
| Friday: Middle School Friday Fun Day | 9:00am – 10:00am |
| Friday: BTLVA Middle School Newspaper Staff Meeting (Email me if you are interested in signing up to be an editor. All students are welcome to submit articles, stories, essays, artwork, poems, etc.) | 1:00pm – 2:00pm |
| Individual help is available when I am not teaching a live lesson or involved in a club. Use my My Calendar Link to see when I am available and to schedule a time. | |
Meet Your Teacher
When I am not teaching, I love spending time with my family kayaking, fishing, hiking, skiing, and having adventures, learning about the natural world around me. I live in a rural unincorporated town of Charlesburg, Wisconsin.
When I am forced to be inside, I enjoy going to libraries or museums and researching random topics. Some of my favorite topics are: plants and weeds that can be used for food or medicine, how to build solar panels, weird facts about historical events and people that aren’t taught in school, and how to make art out of junk. I want to learn more about electrical circuits and soldering of all kinds, and I would love to start my own maker space. I also enjoy all things Star Wars, Legos, and games of all kinds.
I look forward to working with you and finding out what inspires you to learn!
Email: awanty@kiel.k12.wi.us
Grades 6-8
K-12 Special Education
Jess Gruenke
Welcome Video
| Tuesday-Thursday: All Grade Talk Time | 8:30am – 9:00am |
| Monday and Wednesday: World Hist 6th Grade Tuesday and Thursday: Science 6th Grade | 9:00am – 10:00am |
| Monday and Wednesday: Civics 7th Grade Tuesday and Thursday: Science 7th Grade | 10:00am – 11:00am |
| Monday and Wednesday: US Hist 8th Grade Tuesday and Thursday: Science 8th Grade | 11:00am – noon |
| Friday: Office Hours | 8:30am – noon |
Meet Your Teacher
Hello and welcome to Between the Lakes Virtual Academy! I am Jess Gruenke, the 6-8th grade science and social studies teacher and the K-12 special education teacher. I aim to ensure students reach their full potential, embrace challenges, connect with others, and meet individual needs.
Besides teaching with BTLVA for the past four years, I have previously been a special education teacher at Kiel High School and a high school in Vancouver, Washington. In addition to my previous teaching experience, I am a National Board Certified teacher- Exceptional Needs Specialist. My WI certification includes General Ed. (K-8) and Special Education (K-12).
My husband, daughter, dog, and I all enjoy finding new adventures and experiences. You will find us packing for road trips, exploring the outdoors, spending time with friends, reading many books, and watching everything MARVEL.
Lastly, together we are going to make it a great year!
~Ms. Gruenke
Text/call: 920.838.1326
Email: jgruenke@kiel.k12.wi.us
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.