FACULTY & STAFF | Madison Country Day School

Leadership Team

Dana Asmuth

Strategic Advisor

_{BBA, University of Wisconsin-Madison}
_{MBA, Harvard Business School}

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Mark Brooks

Head of School

_{JD, Loyola Law School}
_{AB, University Of Southern California-Los Angeles}

Contact >

Adina Gasser

Interim Director of Development

_{BA, Michigan Tech University}

Anthony Goglio

Director of Facilities

Annie Gravel

Athletic Director

_{High School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)}
_{BA, Dickinson College}
_{MA, Columbia University}

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Michael ("Mo") Heath

Director of Finance

MBA, University of Notre Dame
BS, Brigham Young University

Bobbie Jean Huerth

Director of Enrollment Management

BA, University of Wisconsin-Madison
MS, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"Find out who you are. And do it on purpose."

_{—DOLLY PARTON}

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Kristina Luedtke

Head of Lower School

Lower School; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

BS, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
MS, University of North Dakota

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Michelle Meyers

Dean of Students (High School)

Middle School and High School

BS, Viginia Tech
MEd, George Mason University

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Rebecca Polak

Head of Middle School

_{Middle School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)}
_{BA, Washington State University}
_{MEd, Willamette University}

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Nate Ruhter

Director of Technology and Innovation

BA, Valparaiso University
MEd, Endicott College, Switzerland

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts."

_{—MARK TWAIN}

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Brian Salzer

Head of High School

High School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and IB Diploma Programme (DP)

BS, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
MS, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

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Megan Thornburgh

Head of Early Childhood Education and
Safety Coordinator

BA, University of Wisconsin-Madison
MA, Edgewood College
EdD, National University

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All Departments

Kevin Acuña

Music Teacher

Middle School and High School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and IB Diploma Programme (DP)

BME, University of Illinois-Champaign
MME, Northwestern University

Diane Angelucci

Lower School Receptionist

Sam Arneson

PHE Teacher

Middle School; High School

BS, University of Wisconsin-Madison
MA, Carroll University

Ana Banomera

Spanish Teacher

High School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and IB Diploma Programme (DP)

BA, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador
BA, Kalamazoo College
MS, Boston University

"Caminante, no hay camino. Se hace camino al andar. Traveler, there is no path. The path must be forged as you walk."

_{—ANTONIO MACHADO}

Elizabeth Behrens

History Teacher

High School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

BA, University of Wisconsin-Madison
BA, University of Wisconsin-Superior
MEd, DePaul University

Kristine Bengtson

Music and Theatre Teacher

Middle School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

BFA, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
MM, University of South Florida–Tampa
MM, Temple University-Philadelphia
DMA, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"My heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary"

_{—MARTIN LUTHER}

Megan Bennett

Advancement Projects Coordinator

BS, Western Michigan University

"Treat people with kindness."
_{—HARRY STYLES}

Rebecca Lemar Bloedorn

Math Specialist

Lower School; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

BS, Evergreen State College
MEd, Loyola University

Holly Bobula

Senior Web & Graphic Designer

BM, University of Wisconsin-Madison
MM, Wichita State University

Patty Breun

Japanese Teacher

High School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and IB Diploma Programme (DP)

BA, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"Pay attention to the details along the way, but in the end it's all about the big picture."

Stephanie Burgess

First Grade Homeroom Teacher

Lower School; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

BS, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
BS, Bemidji State University

“To every child—I dream of a world where you can laugh, dance, sing, learn, live in peace and be happy.”
_{—MALALA YOUSAFZAI}

Katy Carlson

Fourth Grade Homeroom Teacher

Lower School; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

BS, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right."

_{—HENRY FORD}

Allison Chamberlain

Educational Assistant

_{Early Childhood; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)}

BA, University of Central Arkansas

Zoe Chierico

Fourth Grade Homeroom Teacher

Lower School; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

BS, Northeastern University
MA, Northeastern University

"Never underestimate the value of just being you!"

Mark Childs

Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Teacher

IB MYP and DP Coordinator

Middle School and High School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and IB Diploma Programme (DP)

BA, Monmouth College
MA, University of Maryland

"Simple design, intense content."

_{—EDWARD TUFTE}

Cathleen Childs

Mathematics Teacher

High School; IB Diploma Programme (DP)

BS, University of British Columbia
BEd, University of British Columbia

Edwin Chinyemba

Physical and Health Education Teacher

Middle School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

BA, University of South Africa-Pretoria
MSc, Adelphi University

Drew Ciancia

History Teacher
History Department Chair

Social Emotional (SE) Specialist

Student Services

High School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and IB Diploma Programme (DP)

BS, Cornell University
MA, University of Michigan
MA, University College London
JD, University of Pittsburgh School of Law

"Nature gave us two ears and one mouth so we can listen twice as much as we speak."

_—EPICTETUS

Kassi Conditt

Interim Dean of Students (Middle School)
Physical and Health Education Teacher
PHE Department Chair

Middle and High School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

BS, Oregon Institute of Technology
MEd, Grand Canyon University

Katherine Dalland

Humanities Teacher

Middle School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

BA, Westmont College
MA, George Mason University

"Words are not only meaning, but music and magic and power."

_{—FREDERICK BEUCHNER}

Samuel Dean

Kindergarten Associate Teacher

Early Childhood; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

BS, University of Wisconsin-Madison
MS, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Pearce Devlin

Educational Assistant

_{Lower School; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)}

Allison Dickman

Mathematics Teacher
Mathematics Department Chair

High School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and IB Diploma Programme (DP)

MEd, University of Wisconsin-Stout
BS, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

"Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow."

_{—ANTHONY D'ANGELO}

Amber Dolphin

Orchestra Director & Music Teacher

Middle School and High School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and IB Diploma Programme (DP)

BA, Luther College
MM, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Kellys Dominguez

Spanish Teacher

Middle School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

BA, Universidad Popular del Cesar
MEd, Utel Univerisy, Mexico

Christopher Dougherty

Mathematics Teacher

Middle School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

BS, Kennesaw State University
MA, Universidad Camilo José Cela

Erin Drewes

Teaching Associate

Early Childhood; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)
BA, University of Minnesota-Morris

_{"Try to be a rainbow in someone else's cloud."}
_{—MAYA ANGELOU}

Stephanie Drews-Sheldon

Visual Arts Teacher

Middle School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

BA, East Carolina University
MFA, East Carolina University

Jake Eaton

Science Teacher

Middle School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

BA, Carleton College
MS, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"Leap in, get stuck, push through."

Leah Faherty

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Specialist

Student Services; Early Childhood and Lower School; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

BS, University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Rachel Fleming

Database Administrator

ALA, Madison College

Diane Flynn

Educational Assistant

_{Middle School;}_{IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)}

BS, Eastern Illinois University: Charleston, IL
MEd, DePaul University

Kathleen Franzen

Science Teacher

High School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

BS, University of Wisconsin-Madison
MS, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Allison Geisler

Reading Specialist

Lower School Student Services

BS, Arizona State University

Emily Glick

Theatre Director

Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Teacher

Middle School and High School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and IB Diploma Programme (DP)

BFA, University of Michigan

Bailee Greer

Mathematics Teacher

High School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and IB Diploma Programme (DP)

BS, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."

Samantha Grill

Pre-Kindergarten Homeroom Teacher

Early Childhood; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

_{BA, University of Wisconsin-Madison}
_{PGCE and QTS, University of Sunderland (UK)}

Verónica Guevara

Spanish Teacher

Middle School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

BA, University of Houston
MAT, University of St. Thomas

Anne Gustafson

Visual Arts Teacher

Early Childhood and Lower School; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

BA, Lawrence University
BS, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he/she grows up."

_{‚—PABLO PICASSO}

Beth Hall

First Grade Homeroom Teacher

Lower School; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

BS, Edgewood College
MA, Cardinal Stritch University

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye."

_{—ANTOINE DE ST EXUPERY,}_{THE LITTLE PRINCE}

Molly Herdrich

Instructional Coach

BA, University of Iowa
MS, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"Live life in crescendo."

_{—STEPHEN R. COVEY}

Hans Holzen

Science Teacher

Mathematics Teacher

Middle School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

BA, University of Miami
MAT, Piedmont College

Jordan Hoover

School Nurse

BS, The College of St. Scholastica

Heather Jones

Development & Social Media Manager

BA, Saint Mary’s College, University of Notre Dame

James Kilgarriff

Assistant Director of Technology and Innovation

BA, University of Sunderland, UK
MS, Northumbria University, UK

Katie Klitzke

Science Teacher

Middle School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

BS, DePauw University
MEd, Edgewood College

"A great challenge of life: Knowing enough to think you are right, but not knowing enough to know you are wrong."
_{—NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON}

Breanna Kluz

Middle and High School Receptionist
Summer Discovery Co-Director

BS, Edgewood College

Matt Koehler

Director of College Counseling

_{High School}

_{MS, Austin Peay State University}

"An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind."

_{—MAHATMA GANDHI}

Contact >

Shelly Kramer

Science Teacher

High School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and IB Diploma Programme (DP)

BS, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
BS, University of Wisconsin-Madison
MS, Mississippi State University

"Stay curious!"

Chris Kratochwill

Associate Teacher

Lower School

BS, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
BS, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Chris LaMaster

MYP Design Teacher

Middle School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

BA, Western Kentucky University
MA, Aurora University

"Enjoy every sandwich."
_{—WARREN ZEVON}

Rachael Lancor

Science Teacher

Science Department Chair

Research Program Coordinator

MYP Personal Project Coordinator

High School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

BA, Hamilton College
MS, University of Rochester
PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"Every brilliant experiment, like every great work of art, starts with an act of imagination."

_{—JONAH LEHRER}

Rachel Langeberg

Music Teacher

Lower School; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

BS, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Angela Larson

Third Grade Homeroom Teacher

Lower School; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

BA, Ohio University
MEd, University of Dundee

Maria Lundin Gaona

Spanish Teacher

High School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and IB Diploma Programme (DP)

BA, Universidad Diego Portales, Chile
MA, University of Victoria, Canada

Sheillah Lupao

English Language and Literature Teacher

High School; IB Diploma Programme (DP)

BEd, University of Nairobi
MFA, Middlebury Bread Loaf

"Just when the caterpillar thought her life was over, she began to fly."

Bonnie Manley

Event Logistics/Photography

"The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away."

Mary McDonald

Third Grade Homeroom Teacher

Lower School; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

BEd, University of Edinburgh

Shira Moyer

Communications & Enrollment Office

BA, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"Try new things!"

Raymond Nall

Science Teacher

High School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and IB Diploma Programme (DP)

MEd, Michigan State University

"Question what you know. Care for those less fortunate. Always ask questions and never stop learning."

Olivia Nelson

Humanities Teacher

Middle School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

BA, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
MA, Teachers College, Columbia University

Uyen Nguyen

IB PYP Coordinator

Lower School; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

BA, Hendrix College
MEd, University of Arkansas

"Children are the living messages that we send into a time that we will not see."

_—JFK

Kallie Opel

Admissions Family Liaison

BS, University of Wisconsin-Madison
MA, University of Colorado Boulder

Maheen Ott

Kindergarten Homeroom Teacher

Early Childhood; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

BS, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

"When you doubt your power you give power to your doubt."

Andrea Ouimette

Spanish Teacher
MYP Design Teacher
World Languages Department Chair

Middle School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

BAA, Central Michigan University
MAT, Chapman University
MAET, Michigan State University

Kristin Peterson

Auxiliary Programs Coordinator
Summer Discovery Co-Director

Shelley Petzold

Science Teacher

Early Childhood and Lower School; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

BS, Valparaiso University
MS, University of Maryland

"Somewhere something incredible is waiting to be known."

_{—CARL SAGAN}

Maria Ponce Del Alcazar

Spanish Teacher

Early Childhood; Lower School; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

BA, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador

Karla Rempe

History & English Teacher

Middle School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

BS, University of Wisconsin-Madison
MA, Chapman University

"This is your world. Shape it or someone else will."

Karen Rendall

Educational Assistant

BA, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
BS, University of Wisconsin-Superior

Kimberly Rhodes

Pre-Kindergarten Homeroom Teacher

Early Childhood; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

BS, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
MEd, Northern Illinois University

"The expert in anything was once a beginner."

Nicole Roetter Gresback

Homeroom Teacher

Lower School; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

BA, Hamline University
MEd, University of Minnesota-Minneapolis

Laura Romeyn

English Language and Literature Teacher

High School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

Wallace Stegner Fellow, Stanford University

BA, St. Olaf College

MFA, Columbia University

"Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts"

_{—RACHEL CARSON}

Danika Rzentkowski

Music Teacher

Lower School; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

BS, Edgewood College

"You learn by making mistakes! Never give up."

Rattanjit Sachdeva

Educational Assistant

Middle School

BA, BBK DAV College, India

"Always believe in yourself and that you can do it."

Maryna Sanchez

Humanities Teacher

Middle School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

BA, University of California-Los Angeles
MAT, Western Governors University

Colleen Schmidt

Assistant to the Head of School

BS, Edgewood College
MEd, Viterbo University

Bethany Schmidt

Physical and Health Education Teacher

Early Childhood and Lower School; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

BS, University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse

"Live in such a way that if someone spoke badly of you, no one would believe it."

Bethany Schultz

Music Teacher

Middle School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

BM, Arizona State University
MM, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"The most valuable thing you can make is a mistake—you can't learn anything from being perfect."

_{—ADAM OSBORNE}

Mykenza Selbach

Assistant Director of Facilities

Morgan Sowerby

Mathematics Teacher

Middle School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

BA, University of Hull, UK

Hilary Stein

Business Office Coordinator & Human Resources Liaison

BS, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."

_{—HELEN KELLER}

Micah Swesey

History & English Teacher

English Department Chair

Middle School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

BA, Luther College

"Knowledge is power."
_{—FRANCIS BACON}

Julia Taylor

Visual Arts Teacher

Visual Arts Department Chair

High School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and IB Diploma Years Programme (DP)

BA, National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture, Kiev, Ukraine
MA, National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture, Kiev, Ukraine
MFA, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"Learning never exhausts the mind."

_{—LEONARDO DA VINCI}

Alice Torti

Consultant-Special Projects

BS, University of Wisconsin-Madison
MBA, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Emily Townley

Admissions Coordinator

BA, University of Minnesota

Ellie Tyranski

Student Support & Enrichment Specialist

Student Services

BS, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Kayla Van Eperen

Community Coordinator

Middle School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

BA, Marquette University

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new"

_{—ALBERT EINSTEIN}

James Waldo

Music Teacher

Middle School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

BA, University of Wisconsin-Madison
MA, The New School for Music
DMA, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Kristin Warner

Music Teacher

Lower School; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

BME, University of Wisconsin-River Falls

"Never, ever, ever, ever give up."

_{—WINSTON CHURCHILL}

Genevieve Welch

Music Teacher

Middle School and High School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and IB Diploma Programme (DP)

BA, Wellesley College
MM, University of Michigan

Shannon Whitmus

Second Grade Homeroom Teacher

Lower School; IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)

BS, Edgewood College

"Teachers encourage minds to think, hands to create, and hearts to love!"

Tara Williams

Science Teacher

DP Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) Coordinator

High School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and IB Diploma Programme (DP)

BA, Wake Forest University
MS, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"Don't let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity."

—MAE JEMISON

Christopher Wilt

Humanities Teacher

Middle School; IB Middle Years Programme (MYP)

BS, Missouri State University
MS, State University of New York

Leadership Team

All Departments

OUR MISSION