Elmbrook Spotlight: Meet Mary Barker, Jill Brantman

Tonawanda teacher and Wisconsin Hills teacher share about working in the Elmbrook School District.

What’s the best part of teaching in the Elmbrook School Distict: Support from parents and working with professionals who love what they do.  Why I wanted to be a teacher:  I was all set to enter grad school and specialize in cleft lip/palate in a hospital setting, yet I was fortunate as an undergrad to have to student teach at Kegonsa Elementary School in Stoughton, WI. During student teaching, I finally understood “language” and the impact of “language disorders” on academic and social development in students.  I was hooked, loved every moment of student teaching, and changed my focus to apeech/language services in the schools. If I wasn’t a teacher, I’d be: Some type of mental health professional working with children and social skills…

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Elmbrook Spotlight: Meet Mary Beth Bauer, Nikki Haskey

Tonawanda Elementary School teachers share about teaching in the Elmbrook School District.

Best part of teaching in Elmbrook Schools: Quality of families, students and staff Why I wanted to be a teacher: I grew up in a family of teachers and as far back as I can remember, it is what I wanted to do! If I wasn't a teacher I would be: Traveling more to far away places.  My least favorite subject in high school was: Science  My favorite school lunch menu item: I am a cold luncher.  The best thing about teaching in the Elmbrook District is: the joy of spending my whole day with kindergartners and their unending excitement for learning! Our district's dedication to our children is evident. Why I wanted to be a teacher: I wanted to be a teacher because my own teachers were my superheroes. Growing up, I easily discovered that working …

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Elmbrook Spotlight: Meet Tonawanda Teachers Heidi Hudson-Mairet and Susan Mildren

Brookfield Patch and the Elmbrook School District is highlighting teachers each week. This week, we catch up with two Tonawanda Elementary School teachers.

  What’s the best part of teaching in the Elmbrook School District: New and interesting challenges and rewards daily with each group of eager students / connection with students and parents   Why I wanted to be a teacher: I love learning. I love working together to share/learn information.  I thrive on connecting with kids and problem solving in various situations.  I think that teachers make a difference, and I have always wanted to be a part of making a difference. If I wasn’t a teacher, I’d be: A naturalist - I love being outside and would enjoy spending my time outside, gardening, creating...   My least favorite subject in high school was: Economics  My favorite school lunch menu item was: As a student: pizza.  As a teacher: chocolate …

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Elmbrook Spotlight: Tonawanda Teachers Dish About High School, Elmbrook Schools

Michele Hoffman and Molly Hopp are featured in this week's teacher profiles. The Elmbrook School District is working with Brookfield Patch to highlight district teachers each week.

What’s the best part of teaching in the Elmbrook School District: I love the way the teachers, staff and parents work together to support the needs of our students. Teaching at Tonawanda is like working with my extended family. Why I wanted to be a teacher: I have always loved the community feel in the school setting. As a young child I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I was inspired by my third grade teacher. She was loving, nurturing, and inspired me to learn.  If I wasn’t a teacher, I’d be: I am a teacher to my core. I can’t imagine a career more fulfilling or that I would rather do. My least favorite subject in high school was: Science My favorite school lunch menu item was: Pizza What’s the best part of teaching in the Elmbrook School …

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Tonawanda Elementary School Celebrates 100 Days of School [PHOTOS]

Penny drive raises nearly $2,000 for families in need.

Editor's Note: The following column was provided to Brookfield Patch via Tonawanda Elementary School Principal Alix Kasmarick. Happy Day 100!  This Wednesday, we celebrated the one hundredth day of school in many mathematical ways!  Kindergarten mathematicians created “one hundred things” vests and “built” the number 100 in a variety of ways throughout the day.  We kicked off the day with a grand parade, led by Zero the Hero, singing all the way (to the tune of It’s a Small World): We have studied hard and we’ve made new friends We’ve got much to do ‘till the school year ends We can read, write, and spell, and do math very well It’s the hundredth day of school It’s the hundredth day of school, it’s the hundredth day of school It’s the …

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Elementary Class Sizes Hit Maximums at Tonawanda, Swanson

Elmbrook plans to have teaching assistants help fifth grade teachers instruct classes with 30 or 31 students.

A summer surge in elementary school enrollments has caused fifth grade classrooms at two Elmbrook schools to hit maximum desired class sizes. The Elmbrook School District budgets for "placeholder" teaching positions to address such summer fluctuations — and thought six such placeholders would be enough, said Kristi Foy, district director of human resources. Due to a larger than normal increase, it wasn't. Swanson Elementary enrolled 59 new students between June 11 and the first day of school Tuesday. "That's unprecedented," Foy said. The surge prompted the district to add new sections for kindergarten, first and second grade at Swanson, hiring three teachers. At Tonawanda Elementary another third grade section was opened and at Dixon, …

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Meg Sier

9:27 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012

Wait a minute. They have 30 plus an assistant??? OMG. Try 40 to one and then try to understand why Milwaukee teachers were a bit "upset" last year.   more ›

Meet Jesse Graves, New Art Teacher for Three Elementary Schools

A 2011 UW - Milwaukee graduate, Graves taught in Shorewood last year before joining Elmbrook. He's an art lover, avid bicyclist and gardener.

About 30 new teachers are joining the Elmbrook School District this year, and Brookfield Patch is introducing some to the community as the 2012-13 school year gets underway. You can read their stories here. Today, we feature Jesse Graves, who will be teaching art at Burleigh, Swanson and Tonawanda Elementary Schools. Teaching assignment: I will be teaching Art at Tonawanda, Burleigh and Swanson. Hometown, current community: I grew up in Cross Plains and went to high school in Middleton. I currently live in Milwaukee. Education, experience: I attended UW Milwaukee and double majored in Art Education and Jewelry Metalsmithing. I graduated in the Spring of 2011. Last year I taught in the Shorewood School District. Hobbies: I am a practicing …

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PHOTOS: Kindergarteners Give Mother's Day Spa Treatment

Students at Tonawanda Elementary School gave their moms special attention on Spa Day Saturday, in this ElmGroveNOW.com photo gallery.

Elmbrook School Board Votes to Close Hillside

Despite strong pleas from residents and a city alderman representing the Hillside community to keep the school open, School Board members said it was time to be a five-elementary school district.

After emotional debate from residents who begged the Elmbrook School Board to not close any elementary school, board members voted 6-1 to shut down  Hillside Elementary after this school year to close budget gaps amid declining enrollment. Only board member Bob Ziegler urged against closure, winning applause and standing ovations from the packed Brookfield Central High cafeteria when he also objected to a closure vote before an acceptable redistricting plan was created. But Board President Tom Gehl echoed other board members when he said the district could not keep operating six elementary schools with about 30 percent unused space while facing budget deficits and no sign of substantial enrollment increases on the horizon. Parents said the…

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Elmbrook School Board Recommends Closing Hillside Elementary

Tonawanda in Elm Grove would remain open under a recommendation the Board will take to two community meetings to get feedback before final vote in October.

With difficulty getting board majority support, the Elmbrook School Board recommended Tuesday that the district close one elementary school at the end of the year — Hillside. Board members will ask community members at two upcoming meetings to offer feedback on closing Hillside before members vote on any school closure in late October. Those meetings are scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 29 at Brookfield East High School and 7 p.m. Oct. 4 at Brookfield Central High School. The recommendation would save Tonawanda Elementary School in Elm Grove from closure. But two board members supported closing it and one warned if enrollment continued to decline and budget pressures persist, it could be closed in the future. Tuesday's meeting was packed with an…

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Susan C

9:18 pm on Sunday, September 18, 2011

Not surprised. Hillside sould be the choice over Tonawanda. Losing Tonawanda would be a bigger community impact because it's the only elementary school in Elm Grove. Losing Hillside is less of an impact because Hillside homes are within 1 to 1.5 miles of Brook El which is a newer school their tax dollars paid for. And all kids are bussed anyway, even if you live next to the school. So, bussing …   more ›