Meet our team
High School Staff
Our high school teachers are passionate about the subjects they teach and dedicated to helping students discover possibilities and fulfill their potential.
English Teachers
Christine Carlson | High School English Teacher
Ms. Carlson is passionate about literature, writing, and working with kids. She joined our English department in the 2019–2020 school year and is excited to start her new adventure with K12-powered high schools in Wisconsin! Born and raised in Minnesota, she now tells people she lives in Minnesconsin because it feels like home to her here. When she was little, Ms. Carlson knew she wanted to be a rock star or a teacher, and you can guess which career prevailed. You might find her hiking, kayaking, or cross-country skiing on weekends—unless it's a Sunday during the NFL season!
Maxwell "Max" Folkman | High School English Teacher
Mr. Folkman has taught English at Wisconsin Virtual Academy (WIVA) since the 2019–2020 school year. After taking a semester off to finish his master's degree in applied linguistics, he is excited to be back in the classroom. Mr. Folkman is passionate about making sure his students are successful, develop a love for learning, and are prepared for their future. In his classroom, he likes to facilitate a collaborative environment where students have choices in their learning and can work together toward a common goal. In his free time, you can find him reading or playing the piano or guitar.
Desirae Nault | High School English Teacher
Ms. Nault graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2003 with a bachelor's in English education. She went on to teach 8th grade language arts in a brick-and-mortar environment. Wanting to experience a new frontier in education, she joined the K12 team at Arizona Virtual Academy (AZVA) in January 2008 as the 7th grade English B teacher. In May 2008, she joined the AZVA high school team and loved the accountability and rigor of the program. After moving back to Wisconsin in the fall of 2009, Ms. Nault worked both as a middle and high school teacher for WIVA. She then returned to the traditional classroom, but she is excited to be back in the virtual environment at WIVA!
Cassie O'Rourke | High School English Teacher
Teacher bio coming soon!
Ginger Riehle | High School English Teacher
Ms. Riehle earned a master's degree in English literature from Northern Illinois University (NIU)-DeKalb in 2001 and has taught in brick-and-mortar schools for 14+ years. Prior to teaching, she was a reporter/editor for a local newspaper and a small trade magazine for about 10 years, having received a BA from NIU in journalism. Working with young people as a reporter, Ms. Riehle realized she wanted to become a teacher. She took a class in online teaching with the hope that one day she would be out of the traditional classroom and into a more exciting and challenging online environment. Her favorite part of teaching is connecting with students and seeing them grow to their full potential as readers and writers.
Amelia Roehle | High School English Teacher
Mrs. Roehl holds a bachelor's degree in education with an emphasis on English from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, and a bachelor's degree in advertising and marketing. She taught in a brick-and-mortar school for five years before entering the virtual arena. She lives in the Janesville area with her husband and three daughters. Mrs. Roehl loves connecting with students and is excited to teach at WIVA.
Amber Van Hale | High School Language Arts Teacher
Ms. Van Hale graduated from St. Cloud State University in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in speech communication. She earned a second bachelor's degree in English in 2004 from The College of St. Scholastica. She is certified to teach English in grades 6 through 12. Before moving to Wisconsin, Ms. Van Hale taught high school English for five years in brick-and-mortar schools in Minnesota. Her favorite part of teaching English is watching students explore literature and connect with their own lives and the world around them.
Math Teachers
Jenny Bock | High School Math Teacher
Mrs. Bock joined the high school team at the beginning of the 2019–2020 school year. She earned her Bachelor of Science in teaching from Winona State University and a master's in education psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is married and has a daughter, two Janesville Jet billet sons, and two dogs. Mrs. Bock has taught high school for more than a decade and one year of 8th grade math. She also did homebound instruction and real estate part-time for five years.
Carrie Cherney | High School Math Teacher
Ms. Cherney obtained her bachelor's degree in mathematics with a minor in education from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. She has been a part of the WIVA math team since 2009. She looks forward to helping her students develop their math skills and become self-advocates in their careers as students.
Alex Riddle | High School Math Teacher
Teacher bio coming soon!
Jennifer Vandeleest | High School Math Teacher
Teacher bio coming soon!
Nicole Williamson | High School Math Teacher
Mrs. Williamson obtained her bachelor's degree in mathematics education from the University of Wisconsin-Steven's Point. She taught at Edgewood High School for three years, followed by two and a half years as a 4K aide. Most recently, Mrs. Williamson tutored at Gateway Technical College in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, and currently teaches one math section as an adjunct instructor there. She is married with two daughters. She enjoys traveling with her family. Mrs. Williamson is excited to begin her career at WIVA and looks forward to helping a new group of students.
Science Teachers
Devon Passno | High School Science Teacher
Mr. Passno earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Massachusetts (UMass), Boston. After graduating from UMass, he returned to his native California and obtained his teaching degree. His traditional teaching experience includes chemistry and physics primarily at the high school level, though he has also taught earth/physical science, math, and health. Mr. Passno also spent several years coaching high school track and football before moving with his wife and three boys from California to the Madison area in 2011. He enjoys being part of the WIVA team and having the opportunity to share his love of science with his students.
Farah Stevens | High School Science Teacher
Mrs. Stephens is a Wisconsin native whose passion for the environment was inspired by her high school teachers. She earned a BS in environmental education/interpretation and a minor in conservation biology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Upon graduation, Mrs. Stephens worked for the U.S. Forest Service as a naturalist guide for the Chugach National Forest in Alaska, interpreting the natural and cultural history of the area. She pursued her formal teaching license and master's degree in curriculum and instruction at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has more than seven years of teaching experience in the traditional classroom, both here in Wisconsin and in Alaska. Mrs. Stephens has taught physical science, oceanography, marine biology, earth science, honors biology, and biology. In 2019, with her husband and two sons, she moved to the driftless region of Wisconsin to build a small farm and restore the land. She is excited to be a part of the WIVA team to round out her teaching practice in an online capacity tailored to the needs of diverse learners.
Social Studies
Brandon Heidt | High School Social Studies Teacher
Mr. Heidt joined WIVA during the 2019–2020 school year. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with degrees in history and economics. Additionally, he earned his teaching certification in economics, history, and broad-field social studies from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Between both stints in college, Mr. Heidt spent time as a tour guide at the Capitol building in Madison. There he showed school groups around the building, filling them in on the history and daily goings-on that occurred there. He most recently worked at a boarding school up north that catered to international students. Students at the school came from many different countries, including Vietnam, South Korea, Russia, Albania, Egypt, and Turkey, among others. This will be Mr. Heidt's first year in the online school setting, and he looks forward to the exciting new challenges this experience will bring.
Colleen Loveless | High School Social Studies Teacher
Mrs. Loveless joined WIVA in the 2019–2020 school year. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside with a degree in history in 2008. While there, she earned a Recognition of Excellence on the Praxis II Broad Field Social Studies exam. She has resided in Trevor, Wisconsin, for two decades with her husband, two children, three cats, and two dogs. After several years of serving as a substitute teacher and educational assistant in several Southeastern Wisconsin schools and working with students from K–12, she completed a licensure program to become certified to teach secondary English, history, and cross-categorical special education. In June 2019, Mrs. Loveless returned to school at the University of Wisconsin-Stout to work toward a reading teacher certificate and a Master of Science in education. Last year, she worked as a learning strategist in a brick-and-mortar school. This is her first year teaching English and teaching in a virtual setting.
Brandon Radford | High School Social Studies Teacher
Bio coming soon!
Stuart Vandervort | High School Social Studies Teacher
Bio coming soon!
Matt Watson | High School Social Studies Teacher
Mr. Watson spent the past two years prior to WIVA teaching U.S. history and current events writing at Milwaukee Collegiate Academy. Before this, he had experience teaching at South Milwaukee High School, substitute teaching, working with the special education department at Waukesha Central Middle School, and coaching JV tennis at Waukesha South High School. He is a graduate of Marquette University, completing his post-baccalaureate teaching degree in secondary social studies in June 2010 and completing his student teaching at Wauwatosa East High School in the spring of 2009. Mr. Watson graduated from the University of Illinois with a political science and history degree in 1991 and received his master's degree in international relations from Northern Illinois University in 1994. He is certified in broad field social studies, history, and political science. He also received the ETS Recognition of Excellence on the Praxis II exam.
Electives Teachers
Jeanne Boettcher | High School Spanish Teacher
Ms. Boettcher is a University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate with her bachelor's degree in Spanish and education and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction. She is completing her bilingual education and social studies certifications from Edgewood College and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She has taught K–12 Spanish for 20 years and spent 15 years teaching postsecondary college transfer courses at Madison College.
Maureen Madden | High School French Teacher
Bio coming soon!
Karen Ogier | High School Family and Consumer Economics Teacher
Ms. Ogier graduated from Cardinal Stritch College in 1981 with a bachelor's degree in home economics education. In 1995, she received her master's degree in curriculum and instruction from National Louis University. Ms. Ogier taught family and consumer education in the Mequon Thiensville School District for 32 years. She is excited to be part of the ever- changing and challenging world of education.
Bennett West | High School German Teacher
Mr. West has his BA in International Studies and German from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He spent his junior year at the Albert Ludwig's Universitat in Freiburg, Germany. After five years of working for an international trading company in New York, he moved to Wisconsin to become a teacher. Mr. West received his BS from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1993 and is certified in German, history, broad field social studies, political science, and economics. In 2001, he completed his master's in technology in education from Lesley University. He has 15 years of experience teaching high school-level German and has extensive travel experience in German-speaking countries.
