In response to the desires of some families to continue to learn from home due to the pandemic, GRACE launched an online learning platform in Fall 2020 titled Our Lady of Grace Virtual Academy for students in preschool through eighth grade. The Virtual Academy provides instruction at our high academic standard, while faithfully integrating our Catholic values in an online environment. Details regarding the Virtual Academy can be found HERE.
VIRTUAL ACADEMY ADMINISTRATORS
Home GRACE school: St. John the Baptist School
Education: University of St. Thomas at St. John Vianney College Seminary, 2 years; UW-Green Bay, bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education; Cardinal Stritch University, master’s degree in Education and Leadership
Teaching/administrative experience: 11 years, including 4 years at GRACE
Ms. Laura Blicharz, Curriculum Coordinator
Home GRACE location: GRACE Administration
Education: St. Norbert College, bachelor’s degree in Elementary/Middle School Education; UW-Stout, Reading Certification Licensure; Cardinal Stritch University, master’s degree in Educational Leadership
Teaching/administrative experience: 12 years, all at GRACE
Mrs. Carrie Gossens, Technology Integration Coordinator
Home GRACE location: GRACE Administration
Education: UW-Stevens Point, bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education; Marian University, master’s degree in Education
Teaching/administrative experience: 30 years in Catholic education, including 5 years at GRACE (3 years as part of the GRACE Technology Team)
VIRTUAL ACADEMY TEACHERS
Mrs. Rachel Soderdahl, Preschool and Kindergarten
Home GRACE school: St. Bernard Catholic School
Education: St. Norbert College graduate
Teaching experience: 22 years overall, including 12 years experience at St. Bernard Catholic School
Home GRACE school: Our Lady of Grace Virtual Academy
Education: UW-Oshkosh, Economics BBA and Teacher Certification from American Board
Experience: 2 years, first year with GRACE
Home GRACE school: Our Lady of Grace Virtual Academy
Education: St. Norbert College, bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Middle Education with a Broadfield Science minor
Experience: 5 years
Ms. Lizabeth Baranczyk, Grade 2 Math and Fundations
Home GRACE school: St. John the Baptist School
Education: Ripon College, bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Psychology
Experience: 6 years overall in Catholic education, including 1 year experience in GRACE
Home GRACE school: St. Bernard Catholic School
Education: UW-Oshkosh, bachelor’s degree in International Studies; Cardinal Stritch University, Graduate Certification Program
Teaching experience: 15 years, including 5 years at St. Bernard
Home GRACE school: Holy Family Catholic School
Education: UW-Stevens Point, bachelor’s degree in Education
Teaching experience: 40 years overall, including 39 years experience at Holy Family Catholic School
Mr. Jordan Thill, Grades 5-8 Math
Home GRACE school: Holy Family Catholic School
Education: UW-Eau Claire, bachelor’s degree in Statistics and Comprehensive Mathematics Education
Teaching experience: 3 years, all at Holy Family
Mrs. Kristi Kerscher, Grade 5 ELA and Homeroom
Home GRACE school: Our Lady of Grace Virtual Academy
Education: University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, bachelor’s degree
Experience: 5 years, all in GRACE
Mrs. Jackie Crown, Grade 6 Reading
Home GRACE school: Father Allouez Catholic School
Education: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, bachelor’s degree with double major in Spanish PK – 12 and English 6-12
Experience: 22 years, including 11 years in GRACE
Mrs. Michelle Wagnitz, Grades 6-8 Religion
Home GRACE school: Our Lady of Lourdes
Education: St. Norbert College, bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and master’s degree in Theological Studies
Teaching experience: 40 years, including 20 years at Our Lady of Lourdes
Mrs. Jodi Lange, Grade 6 Science, Grades 7-8 Reading, Language Arts
Home GRACE school: St. John the Baptist School
Education: UW-Platteville, bachelor’s degree in Business Administration; Marian University, graduate certification in Education
Teaching experience: 8 years, including 7 at St. John the Baptist
Mrs. Ginny Neitzel, Grade 6 ELA, Grades 7-8 Personalized Reading/ELA
Home GRACE school: St. Thomas More Catholic School
Ms. Carrie Lundy, Grade 8 Health and Homeroom
Home GRACE schools: Holy Cross Catholic School and St. John Paul II Classical School
Education: Northern Michigan University, bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Health Education
Teaching experience: 14 years
Ms. Elizabeth Sauer Pries, Grade 5 Science
Home GRACE school: Our Lady of Grace Virtual Academy
Education: UW-Stevens Point, bachelor’s degree; Central Washington University, master’s degree; Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, master’s degree
Experience: 15 years
Dr. Steve Kimball, Grades 7/8 Science
Home GRACE school: Our Lady of Grace Virtual Academy
Experience: 45+ years
Home school: Notre Dame Academy