By CLAIRE GIESE

The Mirror reporter

The new school year has kicked off and new faculty have been a part of that moment. This is the first of two-part series which introduces the public to those educational leaders.

Rebecca Johannes, the newest member of the Special Education department said, “I enjoy working with such a supportive staff.” Johannes is originally from Amherst and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) in 1995 and the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse in 2002. She has a bachelor’s degree in Exceptional Education and a master’s degree in Education. Johannes has been teaching for 21 years. Her travels took her to Russia where she had the opportunity to teach.  She enjoys running, scrapbooking and traveling.

School psychologist Eryn Nagy is originally from Elgin, Illinois. She spent the last two years with the Milwaukee Public School district. Nagy graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2011 where she triple majored in Rehabilitation Psychology, Legal Studies, and Psychology and obtained a certificate in Criminal Justice. She also obtained her Ed.S. in School Psychology. Nagy enjoys baking, reality TV, thrift shopping, hiking and traveling. Nagy has been to the Bonnaroo, Pitchfork and Lollapalooza music festivals. She is obsessed with Beyoncé and has been to two of her concerts.  Her first impressions about SPASH have been positive. “I love how welcoming and supportive everyone is to a newbie like me.”

Corey Opper is from Merrill.  He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in 2000. The technology education courses he teaches are Auto Awareness, Small Engines and Digital Photography.  Opper’s hobbies include anything having to do with baseball, sports and fly fishing.  He said he appreciates working at SPASH.

Brandon Stremkowski is another new faculty member. He is originally from Stevens Point where he attended Bannach Elementary, P.J. Jacobs Junior High, and graduated from SPASH and UWSP. Stremkowski teaches in the special education department, specializing in math.  “SPASH is a school with a community presence unlike any school I’ve been at.  People are invested in this school district and that is why it is continues to be one of the best in the state of Wisconsin,” Stremkowski said.

Laura Wedekind is from Baraboo. She graduated from UWSP with an undergraduate degree in Health Promotion /Wellness and a Family and Consumer Science Graduate Certification in 2010 and currently teaches Infant and Toddler Development. Wedekind said, “Our mission at SPASH is to ‘Embrace The Challenge Of Learning To Create A Better Community’ and I’m delighted that I’m able to support that every day in my curriculum. ” Wedekind enjoys biking and kayaking and has visited all of the state parks in Wisconsin.

Kelly Zywicki is originally from Stockbridge, WI but has lived in the Stevens Point/Plover area for the last 14 years.  Zywicki graduated from Gill-Tech Academy of Hair Design in Appleton and UWSP.   She is part of the Family and Consumer Science Education Department where she teaches culinary classes along with Personal Finance.   Most of her free time is devoted to her husband, Dave, and their two children. As a family they enjoy going up north, sturgeon spearing, gardening, taking walks, and spending much of their time at baseball diamonds.  “I am amazed at all of the wonderful opportunities at SPASH, not only for the students but for staff as well,” Zywicki said.