Meet our team
Elementary School Staff
Our elementary teachers have years of experience in online teaching and can't wait to provide instruction and support to help your child succeed.
Robin Bradford | Elementary Teacher (History and Science)
Mrs. Bradford earned her bachelor's degree from NIU and her master's degree in school psychology from Capella. She has teaching experience in grades K–2 and 5 in Virginia and Wisconsin. Most recently, she taught 2nd grade at Leopold Elementary in Madison. Mrs. Bradford is married with a daughter; she enjoys time with family, reading, movies, sewing, and bowling. She is also a Girl Scout Troop Leader. She is looking forward to engaging WIVA students and being a lifelong learner who is honing her skills to become an even better educator.
Jaime Burskey | Elementary Teacher (Math and Science)
Ms. Burskey earned both her elementary and alternative learning teaching certifications through Marian University and her bachelor's degree from University of Wisconsin – Green Bay. She is also studying toward her master's degree in education. Before joining WIVA in the 2011–2012 school year, she had a variety of education experiences, including being a private tutor, substitute teacher, and 3rd grade teacher. She is an advocate for the flexibility and the many other benefits of virtual education and is excited to partner with her students and their families to make education meaningful and fun in her virtual classroom.
Linda Churchwell | Elementary Teacher (English Language Arts [ELA] and History)
Ms. Churchwell is thrilled to be WIVA's ELA and history teacher. She began her career as a 6th grade teacher shortly after graduating from the University of Wisconsin – Parkside with a double major in elementary/middle school education and dramatic arts. Over the next several years, many opportunities for growth and change—both professionally and personally—presented themselves and were wholeheartedly embraced. One journey took Ms. Churchwell to North Carolina where she earned her master's degree in curriculum and instruction with a concentration in reading. When she returned to Wisconsin, she spent the next 13 years as the 3rd through 6th grade reading teacher with the Waterford Graded School District. Most recently, she taught 7th and 8th grade drama for the Greenfield School District. Ms. Churchwell's enthusiasm for the WIVA family continues to grow; her new virtual reality with students is a future to which she is very much looking forward.
Brianna Hubbard | Elementary Teacher (Math and Science)
Teacher bio coming soon!
Amanda Kimpel | Elementary Teacher (ELA and Social Studies)
Ms. Kimpel obtained her bachelor's degree in elementary and middle education with a minor in social studies from Marian University. Her previous teaching experience includes working as a substitute teacher in all grade levels. She also has more than 10 years of experience working with people with special needs, including being a Special Olympics coach. She is excited to help students work toward success and make learning fun.
Kassandra Locken | Elementary Teacher (Math and Science)
Ms. Locken is the 5th grade math and science teacher for WIVA. As a recent graduate from University of Wisconsin – Superior, with a degree in elementary education and a minor in early childhood education, she is passionate and eager to build an inclusive classroom of learners within our virtual setting. She believes that excellent teaching directly correlates to the success of students and is so excited to join the WIVA family, where our students are encouraged and supported to develop not only cognitively but socially and emotionally.
Ashley Mallo | Elementary Teacher (ELA)
Ms. Mallo went to Northern Illinois University for her bachelor's in elementary education and to Olivet Nazarene University for her master's in curriculum and instruction. She previously taught for four years in the Mukwonago School District (grades 1–3 and 5). Ms. Mallo joined the WIVA teaching team in 2015 and is very excited to be here.
Shawna Stueck | Elementary Teacher (Grades K–5 Lead Teacher and Reading Intervention Teacher)
Ms. Stueck holds two master's degrees in educational leadership with focuses on literacy and administration, PK–12. Prior to serving as assistant principal, she has been a K–2 teacher, K–5 team lead, new teacher mentor, and a K–8 literacy interventionist. Additionally, Ms. Stueck holds a license in early childhood special education and finds that working with children with varying needs and abilities—particularly those on the autism spectrum—is near and dear to her heart. She believes in servant leadership and uses coaching as her opportunity to raise others up—staff, students, and Learning Coaches alike—as they grow together in our unique virtual, public, charter school environment. Ms.Stueck believes in the ability of our school to be a place for students to thrive—so much that she's also familiar with the essential role of Learning Coach, successfully supporting two of her own children through to graduation at WIVA, and currently, seeing her youngest excel at Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin (DCAWI)!
Outside of work, Ms. Stueck enjoys remodeling her 120-year-old historic home; spending quality time with her family; reading, researching, and writing; music; and doing anything by the water. Her favorite quote is by Theodore Roosevelt, "Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." Ms. Stueck feels that her role as interim principal at WIVA K–5 is far and away work worth doing.
Angie Zak | Elementary Teacher (ELA and Social Studies)
Ms. Zak graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater with a degree in elementary education, pre-K through grade 6. She went on to obtain her master's degree in quality teaching strategies from Graceland University's online program. Currently, she is working toward a degree in the Reading #316 program. Ms. Zak spent 10 years teaching for Milwaukee Public Schools. Having participated in an online master's degree program, she is a cheerleader for the virtual environment and is thrilled to be working with Wisconsin Virtual Academy (WIVA) families.
Stephen Zerebny | Grades K–5 Math Intervention Teacher
Teacher bio coming soon!
