By CLAIRE GIESE

The Mirror reporter

Editor’s Note: This is the second and final installment featuring new teachers at Stevens Point Area Senior High.

“Everyone is so incredibly friendly” was Katherine Kaster’s impression about Steven Point Area Senior High (SPASH) where she teaches business and computer science classes. Kaster previously taught in the Pittsville School District. This Marshfield resident received her undergraduate degree in computer science from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse in 1988 and her master’s from Cardinal Stritch College in 1995.
One unique experience she has had was hitchhiking from Alaska from Wisconsin when she was 19.   She enjoys reading, running and working out.

Sandra Lewens currently lives in Mosinee. Lewens grew up on a hobby farm with cows, horses, pigs, sheep, peacocks, goats, turkeys, quail and a pet raccoon. She graduated from Wausau East High School in 1988, earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and learning disabilities in 1992 from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UWEC). She also attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP), earning her master’s and received a reading specialist license.
Lewens enjoys reading, gardening, walking and coaching children’s sports. Lewens said she enjoys that SPASH has “friendly students and staff” and that it’s a “large school with a small town feel.”

Elizabeth Potter-Nelson grew up in the Stevens Point area but more recently taught high school in the greater Chicago area for the past 10 years. She graduated from SPASH in 2001 and earned her bachelor’s and master’s at Iowa State University in 2005 and an education leadership certificate from Aurora University in 2006. Potter-Nelson teaches chemistry in the Science Department.
She has participated in scientific research in a variety of labs and two of her experiences have led to publications in peer-reviewed journals.  Right now her hobbies are limited to spending time with her young family. Potter-Nelson said, “There is a strong sense of community, which is one of the things that drew me back to the area.”

Hannah Reimer is originally from Green Bay. She attended Notre Dame Academy High School and graduated in 2013 from UW-EC. Reimer teaches special education at SPASH.
Reimer was the Punt, Pass, and Kick state champion two years in a row when she was in middle school.  Her hobbies include watching and playing sports and spending time with her family and friends. Reimer said that since coming to SPASH she’s realized, “SPASH is a big school, there are a lot of opportunities for students.”

Amanda Sweet hales from Lansing, Michigan and graduated from UWSP in 2012.  Sweet teaches Creative Expression in Writing, Key Concepts in Literature and Composition, and English 10 in the English Department.  Sweet studied abroad in London and while there met Sir Ian McKellen.
She enjoys gardening, crafts, reading and watching sports. “I am excited to meet new people and work with new students. I am very excited to be back in Stevens Point after three years of being gone.”

Anna Tempus is originally from Shawano where she graduated in the class of 2012. She then made a second home in Eau Claire where she went to the university and graduated in May 2016 with a degree in English Education. She teaches English 10 and Advanced Composition II.

Her interests vary widely; she enjoys reading and writing although her hobbies expand to watching movies, listening to all kinds of music, horseback riding, kayaking and canoeing, cross-country skiing and trying new recipes in the kitchen with her friends.
Tempus, who is also the National Honor Society adviser, said, “I love the fact that the community and parents are so involved in school events! The support from my students’ families makes all the difference in the world!”