For the Tomahawk Leader
TOMAHAWK – The School District of Tomahawk welcomed about a dozen new members to the staff as the 2021-2022 school year kicks off.
While some new teachers come to Tomahawk from various communities around the state, others are returning to the district they call home.
Along with the new staff listed below, the district also hired Scott Parsons as its new Athletic, Pool and Recreation Director, as well as 1st grade teacher Amanda Timm.
Baylee Dallman
Position: 2nd Grade Teacher
Hometown: Tomahawk
Education: Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Family: Matt and Michelle (parents), Rachel (sister), Taylor (fiancé)
Interests/hobbies: Walking my fox red/yellow lab named Winnie, spending time with family and friends, doing outdoor activities like swimming, camping, boating and fishing. I also love to read in my free time.
What are you most excited about in your new role? I am most excited to teach in the school that I went to when I was in elementary school because I want to instill a love of learning in every child in the classroom. I am also excited to create a positive learning environment where all students have the opportunity to learn and grow. Not to mention, I am looking forward to meeting and building relationships with the students and my coworkers and other staff at Tomahawk Elementary as well.
Sarah Hauge
Position: Elementary Special Ed Teacher
Hometown: Little Chute, Wis.
Education: Graduated from UWSP in 2008
Family: Dustin (husband), Claire (7.5 years), Natalie (22 months)
Interests/hobbies: Reading, baking, camping, Packers, Bucks
What are you most excited about in your new role? Meeting our students and becoming a part of the Tomahawk community.
Billy Jelinek
Position: Elementary Special Ed Teacher
Hometown: Tomahawk
Education: Graduated from UW-Stout with a Cross-Categorical Special Education degree
Family: Both of my parents still live in the Tomahawk area and I enjoy spending time with them.
Interests/hobbies: I enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, and traveling. If it involves being in the outdoors most likely I will enjoy doing it!
What are you most excited about in your new role? I am most excited about working in the community I grew up in. It has always been my dream to come back to our beautiful community and work in the school district.
Rachel Morrison
Position: Kindergarten Teacher
Hometown: Mukwonago, Wis.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Sciences from UW-Madison and Master of Science in Early Childhood Education from Northern Illinois University
Family: My husband Jay and I just celebrated our 20-year anniversary. We have two sons. Trey is 15 years old and will be a sophomore this year, and Luke is 11 years old and will be in 6th grade this year.
Interests/hobbies: I love to travel and enjoy spending time with my family on the lake.
What are you most excited about in your new role? To share my passion of teaching and make connections with students and their families in the community.
Julie Oehmichen
Position: Director of Teaching & Learning
Hometown: I grew up in Colby, Wis. I currently live in Weston and my family’s cottage on the Willow Flowage.
Education: After high school I attended UWSP and earned a BS degree in Education. I earned my Master’s degree in reading through Viterbo University and my Administrative degree through Concordia University. I have taught at all three levels: elementary, middle, and high school.
Family: My boyfriend and I love to hike and watch the Brewers. I also spend a great deal of time with my nieces and nephews. I especially enjoy watching their sporting events, like cross country, track, and football.
Interests/hobbies: I love to knit, be outside, find panda videos, listen to and make music, and watch movies. I am also a huge Harry Potter fan as I have read all the books at least 45 times and watched the movies even more.
What are you most excited about in your new role? I am most excited about helping support the great things that are happening in the Tomahawk School District.
Courtney Sennett
Position: 4th Grade Teacher
Hometown: I am from a small town called Somers, Wis. I lived there until I moved to Green Bay to go to college.
Education: I went to UW-Green Bay to get my Teaching Certification and Bachelor’s Degree. I then ended up staying in Green Bay after I graduated to teach at a school I student taught at. I was a fourth grade teacher at Nicolet Elementary for four years.
Family: My husband and I were married in February. Our two dogs, London and Lucky, complete our little family for now. We came to the area for his new role at Miron Construction in Wausau.
Interests/hobbies: I love to knit, be outside, find panda videos, listen to and make music, and watch movies. I am also a huge Harry Potter fan as I have read all the books at least 45 times and watched the movies even more.
What are you most excited about in your new role? I am so excited for this new journey and to make an impact in students’ lives. I’m already loving the staff I have met and feel right at home. I hope to make a difference in every person’s life I touch as much as my teachers did with me.
Julia Schroder
Position: Middle and High School Art Teacher
Hometown: Moved to Merrill from the Madison area
Education: 2010, Bachelor’s Degree from UW-Stout; 2021, Associate’s Degree from Gateway Technical College in Graphic Communications.
Family: Husband Ryan, daughter Claire, and beagle Lulu.
Interests/hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, trying new foods, and camping.
What are you most excited about in your new role? I’m excited to offer opportunities for students to learn new skills, express themselves, appreciate art, and have fun!
Katie Pintens
Position: 7th Grade Teacher ELA/SS
Hometown: Merrill
Education: UW-Oshkosh
Family: My parents, an older sister named Kelsey, and a puppy named Stassi.
Interests/hobbies: I love playing and coaching sports. I’m thrilled to be coaching middle school volleyball at TMS this fall! I also enjoy the outdoors, going to concerts, reading, traveling, and being with friends in my free time.
What are you most excited about in your new role? I am excited to share my love for learning with students and am looking forward to creating positive relationships with them!
John Roberts
Position: Elementary Physical Education Teacher
Hometown: Wausau
Education: Graduated from Wausau West High School and Wayne State College (Nebraska)
Family: My wife’s name is Morgan and we have a dog named Mya.
Interests/hobbies: Anything outdoors, hunting, fishing, baseball and spending time at our lake house.
What are you most excited about in your new role? Making a positive impact on our students through physical activity.
Scott Wendt
Position: High School Special Education Teacher
Hometown: Milwaukee
Education: I attended Wauwatosa West High School and UW-Whitewater for my undergraduate degree. I received my Master’s degrees in Educational Leadership from Marian University and Social Work from Aurora University.
Family: I am married to my super awesome wife Robin and am a very proud father to my two amazing kids, young adult son, Jake, and my daughter, Emily. My own family is small. Robin’s family is huge and we are the fun aunt and uncle of one niece and five nephews. We look forward to making the Tomahawk area our home.
Interests/hobbies: I love music, sports, coaching, the outdoors, art, and anything on, near, or in water. They say it takes 10,000 casts to catch a trophy musky – I am still casting. Hoping to catch and release the big one someday.
What are you most excited about in your new role? I am most excited to work with our students, staff, and parents. Everyone has been so welcoming. I’d like to give the same back to others.