Walbridge Teachers and Staff
Nancy Donahue, Director
Nancy has been the Director of Administration and Education since 2009 and continues into her sixth year as a part-time teacher. She has taught Art, World History, Social Studies, and English as well as integrative project-based classes. Over the past two years Nancy has been developing a high school transition program that offers high school students blended online learning opportunities through Walbridge School or in partnership with public high schools. Nancy has a BA in Psychology (1986), MA in Education (2005) and has recently pursued doctoral studies at the UW–Madison School of Education. She has nearly 20 years of experience in classroom teaching and educational program development as well as experience in business management and administration. nancy.donahue@walbridgeschool.com
SueAnne Boyum, Office Manager
SueAnne has been at Walbridge since 2007. She sincerely enjoys how her position impacts her personal growth and professional career, but also loves being a resource for parents and prospective families looking for alternative schooling options for their children. SueAnne could not be more proud of working with such a dynamic staff that emanates compassion for every single child with a genuine care for the students’ unique learning differences. info@walbridgeschool.com
Sally Allen, Teacher
Sally first joined the Walbridge team in 1987 with a masters and teaching degree in Special Ed. She quickly recognized that Walbridge encourages an environment that respects individual learning differences and provides a team approach that promotes self-esteem and success in all of our students. Sally has taught reading/literature, writing, and math to students across grade levels and thrives on watching the students learn and grow. Walbridge continues to be an exciting place for students and teachers to experience success in the classroom. sally.allen@walbridgeschool.com
Karen Bakken, Teacher
Karen has been at Walbridge since 1998. She is trained in Orton-Gillingham and tutors at her home in her "spare" time. Karen loves teaching and strives to teach children in ways that they can best learn. She is a graduate of UW - Whitewater and lives with her husband in Mt. Horeb and has three grown daughters. karen.bakken@walbridgeschool.com
Colleen Lourigan, Teacher
Colleen has taught at Walbridge since 2004. She is trained in Orton Gillingham, Project Read, Making Math Real, and Sensory Processing Approaches to Learning and Self Regulation. She has a B.S. in Geology & Geophysics from UW-Madison and a M.A. in Education from Edgewood College. Colleen uses multi-sensory teaching methods in her instruction. Her goal as a professional educator is to help all students work to their potential by working with their strengths and challenging them to stretch beyond their areas of weakness. She hopes to impress upon her students that learning is a life long process. colleen.lourigan@walbridgeschool.com
Julie Mazer, Teacher
Julie Mazer has lived and worked in Madison as a music teacher for the past seven years. She graduated from UW-Oshkosh with a degree in Music Therapy. Her background includes work with early childhood, adults/children with developmental disabilities, and the elderly. Julie has been trained in the Orff Schulwerk philosophy of music education and has completed the Orff Levels courses. Through active participation in movement, poetry, singing/chanting, and instrument play, this child-centered model of education fosters a strong foundation of rhythm and melody to inspire children to be creators of their own music. Outside of Walbridge School, Julie is the children's music director at Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ and is a private piano teacher. julie.mazer@walbridgeschool.com
Jessica Jones, Teacher
Jessica Jones joined our teaching team as an Art Teacher in October of 2011. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Art History with minors in History and Art and recently received her certification for teaching art from WI DPI. Jessica will also be assuming responsibilities as a Teaching Assistant with our high school students and supervising our after-school program. In her own words, “ I love producing fun and creative art lessons that leave students with an excitement and appreciation for the visual arts as well as the educational process.” She also serves on the Board of Directors as the Membership Chair of the Wisconsin Art Education Association. jessica.jones@walbridgeschool.com
Brian Jordan, Teacher
Brian has a BS in Environmental Studies and Italian from UW-Madison. Brian joined us at the end of last school year as a TA for the High School Transition Program and is continuing on as a Teaching Assistant at Walbridge. In the mornings Brian continues to work as a learning coach for the online classes in the high school program. In the afternoons he teaches cooking and nutrition, as well as Fundamentals of Conversational Spanish, to our older middle school group. Brian is also a jazz musician; playing guitar and composing his own music. brian.jordan@walbridgeschool.com
Last updated November 17, 2011