Our Head Administrator
Mrs. Carla Koepp
As one of the founders of Lake Country Academy , I have been active in developing and supporting the growth of a Direct Instruction, Core Knowledge and Core Virtue school. Education is about helping children realize their potential. The assets of LCA provide the opportunity to reach this goal. I have spent nine years developing a world-class school at LCA. It has been a labor of love. I bring to the table 16 years of administrative experience in private, parochial and public environments and 8 years as an educator at the high school and elementary levels. I obtained my undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and my administrative degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I have had extensive training and professional development in Direct Instruction and Core Knowledge. My initial training took place in Baltimore . I work with a staff that is devoted to academic excellence and strive to work as a team to promote that ongoing mission. Our students and families take ownership in the educational goals and objectives that are the foundation of LCA. LCA prides themselves on the accomplishments of our students. The product that flows out of the school on a daily basis exemplifies our world-class status. The strong levels in academics not to mention the leadership skills and independent work habits our students develop are a direct reflection on the three components of LCA – Direct Instruction, Core Knowledge and Core Virtues. As LCA moves into a new phase as a charter school with the Sheboygan Area School District we have opened up a doorway of opportunity to a wider range of students and families. Lake Country Academy will continue to be a leader in education in the Sheboygan County and will continue to promote academic excellence.
To email Mrs. Koepp click here.
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Our 4K Teacher
Mrs. Michelle Wagner
I began teaching at LCA during the 2001-02 school year. I am a graduate from St. Norbert College with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in Early Childhood Education. Following graduation, I worked for three years at Random Lake Elementary School, as a special education assistant, substitute teacher, and summer school teacher. I also worked at the Sheboygan Child Care Center , teaching two and three year old children for a year before starting at Lake Country Academy . Although I am currently teaching two half-day Pre-Kindergarten classes, I started at LCA teaching Kindergarten and Music. In 2002 we added Pre-K, so I taught Kindergarten in the morning and Pre-K in the afternoon. Now we have enough students for two separate Pre-K classes, which is wonderful (although I miss teaching the Kindergarten curriculum)!
No matter what I teach at LCA, I am always amazed by how much the students remember. I love watching the children learn, and parents often tell me that they were doing something at home when their children were reminded of something they learned at school. I am also thankful for all of the LCA staff members I work with. When I am not teaching I enjoy reading, exercising, and spending quiet nights at home with my husband and our dog. In March I will have less time to relax since I will be pursuing a Masters degree!
To email Mrs. Wagner click here.
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Our 5K Teacher
Ms. Teresa Bell
My career with Lake Country Academy began in 2005 when I was hired as the all-day Kindergarten teacher. I graduated from Concordia University in Irvine , Ca in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and an Elementary Teaching degree. I am currently working towards my goal of obtaining a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. It is a privilege to work with the students, families, and staff here at Lake Country Academy!
To email Ms. Bell click here.
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Our 1st Grade Teacher
Miss Amy Carriveau
Hello, my name is Amy Carriveau and I am the first grade teacher here at Lake Country Academy . I was a substitute teacher in the Roseville Area School District in Minnesota for two years after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education K-6 from Northwestern College in Saint Paul Minnesota . Later, I decided to move back home to Sheboygan and found temporary employment as a four and five year old kindergarten teacher at Knowledge Learning Corporation.
In my spare time I like to sing, write books for children, read and write poetry, play piano, garden, and spend good quality time outdoors. A random hobby of mine is collecting squirrels! I just adore them! I also enjoy teaching Sunday school on the weekends and being a camp counselor at Camp Victory during the summer months.
To email Miss Carriveau click here.
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Our 2nd Grade Teacher
Mrs. Ruth Van Der Puy
I began my career at LCA at the end of 2005-06 school year as a substitute teacher and educational assistant. I graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan in May 2005 with a B.A. in Elementary Education with concentrations in German and Fine Arts. I obtained a Michigan teaching license for Elementary, Elementary German, and Elementary Fine Arts. I am married to Tom Van Der Puy. My hobbies and interests outside of school include camping, hiking, running, reading (especially about different places around the world), and gardening. I love the unity of the staff and students at this school. It is amazing to see what a community working towards a common goal can look like and what we can accomplish together.
To email Mrs. Van Der Puy click here.
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Our 3rd Grade Teacher and Primary Team Leader
Mrs. Ruth Scharenbroch
I am starting my fifth year at Lake Country Academy. I graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a double major in Special and Elementary Education. I have had the opportunity to teach in both parochial and public school settings. I truly enjoy working at Lake Country Academy. The academics are well-defined, discipline is not an issue, and the curriculum is sequential and purposeful. The learning and growth that takes place with our students is phenomenal. I am proud to be a part of this wonderful facility and its dedicated staff.
To email Mrs. Scharenbroch click here.
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Our 4th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Jackie Gruenke
As a founder and board member of LCA I began teaching in our MindWorks Tutoring program and in the school from its inception. I have a B.S. degree in Elementary Education from U.W. Stevens Point with a certification in grades 1-8. I earned my masters in Educational Leadership from Marian College, Fond du Lac, in 2004 and hold licenses in administration, as well as curriculum and instruction. My experience includes many years of classroom teaching mostly in grades 1-5, in both public and parochial schools. I also taught and helped build curriculum in grades 6-8. The aspect I love most about teaching at LCA is knowing that my students are really learning!
To email Mrs. Gruenke click here.
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Our 5th Grade Teacher
Ms. Melissa Neese
I began working at LCA in 2005 as an Educational Assistant. I have four children ages 12, 10, 8, and 7. Three of my children currently attend LCA. We reside in Kohler with two couch-potato Labradors and a gerbil. I attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh for a LONG haul and will receive my Bachelor's Degree in May 2007. My major is English and my minor is German. I enjoy spending time with my children, reading, walking for exercise and baking. In the classroom, I am thrilled to witness the 'ah-ha' moments when a new concept is mastered. I especially enjoy teaching students one-on-one and in small group environments.
To email Ms. Neese click here.
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Our Intermediate Science Teacher
Mrs. Nicole Braun
I began working at LCA in the fall of 2006. I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Lakeland College in 2004 with a B.A. in Elementary and Middle School Education and a minor in Broad Field Science. After graduation, I substitute taught for several local school districts. In 2005-2006, I was a paraprofessional in a special education classroom at Valder's Middle School. In the summer, I teach a couple classes at Northview Elementary in Howards Grove. My husband, James, and I live in Kiel with land on the Sheboygan River. The students at this school are wonderful to work with! The level of academics at this school is extraordinary. It is a dream to be part of such a devoted and supportive team. I look forward to continuing my career here and helping all my students achieve success.
To email Mrs. Braun click here.
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Our Intermediate History Teacher and Intermediate Team Leader
Mr. Shawn Dzwonkowski
I began teaching at Lake Country Academy in 2005. I am a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Bachelor of Science in Education. I was previously employed with the Sheboygan Falls School District as a permanent substitute teacher, where I taught Pre-K through 12th grade. I believe the two years I spent as a substitute teacher allowed me to develop better classroom management skills and allowed me to grow as a teacher. I appreciate all the hard work the staff puts in to Lake Country Academy. Through their efforts and along with our parents we will continue to be a success!
To email Mr. Dzwonkowski click here.
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Our Intermediate Literature Teacher
Mrs. Lori Safly
I began teaching full-time at LCA in 2002 after working part-time as both an educational assistant and as the Director of MindWorks. I have a BA with a double major in Journalism and Folklore from Indiana University , a Post-baccalaureate Certificate in English and Education from Louisiana State University , and I attended Tulane University where I began my M.Ed. I previously taught high school English and Journalism and supervised both school newspaper and yearbook production in Elkhart , Indiana . I love working at Lake Country because I believe our investment in these children and in this educational method will be far-reaching—far-reaching for the children in terms of a firm foundation from which to build their lives, and far-reaching for the community as LCA becomes established as a pioneer and leader in demonstrating an educational system that works for all students.
To email Mrs. Safly click here.
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Our Spanish Teacher
Mrs. Camile Olig
I began teaching at LCA in 2003. I am a 2002 graduate of Lakeland College with a degree in Elementary/Middle Education and minors in both ESL and Spanish. I am married to Scott Olig and we have two daughters, Kaelei and Adyson. Outside of school I enjoy playing with my daughters, volleyball, and scrapbooking. The aspect I enjoy the most about working at Lake Country Academy is the success the students have from the programs we run and the staff who support these programs!
To email Mrs. Olig click here.
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Our Physical Education Teacher and D.I. Instructor
Mr. Greg FitzMaurice
I have been fortunate enough to be teaching at LCA for the past three years. I am married and have two wonderful children, one who will be off to college soon and one who is in high school. I enjoy working with the great staff and bright kids here at LCA. When not at LCA I enjoy working with power tools to make woodworking projects and taking Sunday afternoon naps, but not at the same time. I am also attempting to learn to play the guitar and I love to read.
To email Mr. FitzMaurice click here.
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Our Art Teacher
Mr. Michael Meilahn
I am certified in Art Education and have a four-year degree in the same. I first went to UW Fond du Lac, and then finished my degree at Marian College in Fond du Lac. My philosophy about being an art teacher is very simple. I am a teacher first and an artist second. I believe that my art should never be more important than the students I teach. I believe that parents put a lot of trust in teachers to not only teach their children, but also to guide and shape the people that they will become. I take that trust very seriously. My approach to teaching art is not to make a pretty picture. Rather, I want to teach the skills needed to be creative and solve problems; skills that I know will benefit my students in all aspects of life, not just art.
To email Mr. Meilahn click here.
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Our Band Teacher
Mrs. Bonnie Feld
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Our Music Teacher
Mrs. Roxanne Perronne
To email Mrs. Perronne click here.
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Our Librarian
Mrs. Sharon Zabrowski
As one of the school founders, I bring with me the firm belief that the combination of Direct Instruction, Core Knowledge, and Core Virtues develops academically curious wholesome students who love to learn and are fun to be around. The greatest gift we give our students is high expectations and the means to achieve them. As a librarian, I have the fun job of inspiring and challenging their minds still further with science, history, and great literature. My background includes a BA in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin - Madison (a long time ago) and life-long learning ever since. My hobbies are reading, of course, travel, and making gift baskets.
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Direct Instruction Educational Assistant
Mrs. Karen Mani
I began teaching at LCA in 2001…the 1 st school year we were at Ebenezer Church. I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from U.W.-Milwaukee. My husband is Jim Mani. We have a son, Jimmy who is 16 years old and in 10 th grade and a daughter Anna who is 13 years old and in 7 th grade at LCA. For the past 20 years I have been performing the violin and managing The Shoreline Quartet of Sheboygan. I have also been involved with The Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra for the past 20 years. My other hobbies include swimming, skiing and reading. The thing that I most appreciate about being at LCA is the opportunity to work with Carla Koepp and the staff. I feel honored to work with professionals who care deeply about children and their future.
To email Mrs. Mani click here.
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Direct Instruction Educational Assistant
Mrs. Tammy Holtz
This is my first year at Lake Country Academy and I am enjoying working with the staff. It's great to work with people that believe in and support you! There is no teacher at this school who isn't willing to find a solution to any of my problems. I earned my BA in elementary and early childhood education from Lakeland College . During the past 20 years, I have worked with children ranging in ages 6 weeks to 6 th grade. I look forward to working this school year with LCA students, parents and staff and to be a part of this wonderful school!
To email Mrs. Holtz click here.
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Direct Instruction Educational Assistant
Mrs. Karen Noble
I am a native of Sheboygan and have been teaching at LCA since 2004. I have a BS degree in Business Management and have held jobs as a legal, sales and marketing secretary as well as a buyer for the Kohler Company. My husband Greg and I have lived in several parts of the United States. While living in West Virginia I volunteered for the United Way and helped at an after-school program for troubled kids. After our daugher was born we moved back to Wisconsin where I volunteered at the Family Resource Center and was a Board member for Rainbow Kids, a local nonprofit organization. I continue to facilitate a class each year for Rainbow Kids. I love working with children and nurturing their potential. My husband and I have a daughter Alison, who is a student at LCA.
To email Mrs. Noble click here.
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Our Direct Instruction Educational Coordinator
Mr. Don Kollath
I returned to teaching following retirement due to my enthusiasm and commitment as one of the founding board members for Lake Country Academy and the MindWorks Tutoring Program. I am a graduate of Wisconsin University-La Crosse with majors in Physical Education and Recreation and eventually earned my Master's Degree as well. I taught in Wisconsin for 35 years and Kansas for an additional three years. My experience also includes 25 years as a football, basketball, wrestling, track, baseball, and swimming coach. I have taught at the Pre-K, Elementary, Junior High and High School levels and I also hold a lifetime degree in Health Education at UW-Sheboygan. I have had extensive training in Direct Instruction attending seminars in Chicago and Madison before beginning teaching at MindWorks. At the present time I have 30+ credit hours earned toward my Master's Degree.
To email Mr. Kollath click here.
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Our Direct Instruction Educational Coordinator
Mrs. Katie Beine
I have been a part of the LCA staff since 2002. I am a graduate of UW-Whitewater where I received my Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. My first year at LCA, I taught the 3rd/4th Grade. Then I moved to 1st Grade for the following 4 years. Currently, I am the Direct Instruction Coordinator at LCA. My role is to help both students and teachers in all aspects of Direct Instruction. I help place students accordingly in their leveled groups, observe teachers to help improve their teaching techniques, plan teacher in-services and train new teachers in Direct Instruction Our Direct Instruction programs are awesome and I love watching both teachers and students do Direct Instruction, because of the success I can see in both the instructor and pupil.
To email Mrs. Beine click here.
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Our Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Jeanine Claypool
This is my second year at Lake Country Academy and I love it. The staff, students and parents are so wonderful and it makes coming to work very enjoyable. I graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Urban Planning. Though I'm not “in my field”, I enjoy the challenges of each day and working in such a variety of situations. It is inspiring to watch what goes on here – how much the children learn, the parent commitment and the level of professionalism from the staff. My husband, George, and I have two children and are so pleased to have them enrolled at LCA. As a family, we enjoy cross country skiing, riding bikes and traveling.
To email Mrs. Claypool click here.
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Our Financial Assistant
Mrs. Cindy Heinen
I began working at LCA in June of 2005. I work one day a week doing the bookkeeping for the school. I am also the Treasurer of St. Luke United Methodist Church in Sheboygan . My husband Steve and I have three adult children. Our oldest daughter is married and living in Minneapolis , MN and will be having our first grandchild in March of 2007. Our son and youngest daughter both live in Milwaukee . We enjoy walks, spending time with our kids and traveling. At LCA I enjoy listening to the sounds of the kids during the day and I love working with the great staff.
To email Mrs. Heinen click here.
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Our Custodian
Mr. Richard Kramer
I have been with Lake Country Academy since 2005 and am responsible for the upkeep of the building and grounds. Although my responsibilities keep me quite busy, I find my job very rewarding and enjoy working in an environment with children. I have been married to my wonderful wife Diane for 33 years and have been blessed with two lovely daughters. My oldest daughter is married and has three children. My youngest daughter recently received her Ph. D in Pharmacology and is currently a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Minnesota . When I am not busy working at LCA I enjoy spending time hunting, fishing and golfing.
To email Mr. Kramer click here.
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LCA Executive Committee of The Governing Board:
Carrie Bonk - Board President
Sharon Zabrowski - Vice President
Jackie Gruenke - Secretary
Peggy Ayers - Treasurer
Carla Koepp - Head Administrator
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LCA Governing Board:
Mary Graves
Greg Grose
Tom Kohlbeck
Lori Siddique
