Medford Schools welcome new educators to start year

Maria Schroeder Maria Schroeder will be the new Library Media Specialist in the Medford School District. Schroeder is a graduate from UW-Eau Claire and recently received her Master’s degree from UW-Milwaukee.

Coming into her ninth year of teaching, Schroeder previously taught middle school ELA at Columbus and Social Studies at St. Mary’s. Schroeder grew up in Pickett and enjoys reading, spending time in nature, hiking in new places with her sister, and hunting, fishing, and spending time outside with her fiancé and their dog.

Ashley Nelson Ashley Nelson is an incoming Special Education Teacher at Medford Area Senior High School.

Nelson was born in Paintsville, Ky., and graduated from the Kentucky Christian University.

After moving to Medford three years ago, Nelson worked as a special needs paraprofessional for two years. This is Nelson’s first year as a teacher. Nelson and her husband, Billy, have a 5-year-old daughter named Annley. Nelson spends her free time with her family, especially fishing in the summer with her husband and their little girl.

Kailee Mann Kailee Mann, a Rib Lake native, will be a Social Studies teacher at Medford Area Senior High School.

Mann graduated from MASH before attending college at UWStevens Point.

When she isn’t teaching, Mann enjoys tennis, basketball, watching tv shows, visiting with her friends and drinking coffee.

Jenae Weyer Jenae Weyer is an incoming Social Worker at the Medford Area Senior High School.

Weyer graduated from UW-Green Bay in 2011 and UW-Whitewater this year. Weyer is from Ashland, but worked as the area director for a non-profit and in human services in Green Bay. Weyer also taught four year old kindergarten and worked as the 4k-12 school social worker, both in Loyal. Weyer is married to her husband, Derek, and they have three children. Weyer enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Brenda Mahner Brenda Mahner is an incoming Cross-Categorical Special Education Teacher in the Medford School District. Mahner is originally from Rib Lake where she attended high school before graduating from UW-Superior earlier this year. Mahner has previously taught K-9 general education and K-12 special education. She was also a paraprofessional at Medford Elementary in 2023 and a student teacher at Stetsonville Elementary this year. Mahner and her spouse, Rodney, have three children, Michael, 22, Jillian, 21, and Aaron, 18. Mahner enjoys crafting, knitting, art, drawing, and gardening.

Cassidy Balciar Cassidy Balciar, a current graduate school student at UWGreen Bay, will be a middle school Social Worker in the Medford School District.

Balciar recently graduated from UW-River Falls and completed an internship in Woodbury, Minn. Balciar is a Medford native and graduate from MASH. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family, and traveling.

Kiah Ching Kiah Ching will be teaching Small Group Instruction for 5th grade and coaching 7th grade volleyball. Ching is from Medford where she graduated high school before going on to UW-Eau Claire, where she recently graduated. Ching likes spending time with her family and friends as well as engaging in sports, volleyball in particular, traveling, and being outdoors.

Cassie Rudolph Cassie Rudolph will be teaching Kindergarten at the Stetsonville Elementary School.

Rudolph,anAthens native, graduated high school in Athens before going on to UW-Stevens Point, graduating in 2020. Rudolph taught 4K in Abbotsford for three years before coming to Stetsonville. Rudolph and her spouse, Cole, have one child, Levi. Rudolph enjoys hiking, spending time outside and shopping.

Katie Sackmann Katie Sackmann will be teaching 5th grade at Medford Area Middle School. Sackmann attended UW-Marathon and Northcentral Technical College for healthcare, later attending Western Governors University to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Prior to coming into the 5th grade teaching position, Sackmann was a long term substitute teacher for the same grade. Sackmann and her spouse, Jake, have two children, Amelia, 10, and Calvin, 8. A Medford native, Sackmann enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, camping, geocaching and traveling.

Lauren Gierl Lauren Gierl is an incoming 3rd grade teacher at Medford Area Elementary School. Gierl attended UWStevens Point and became a student teacher at MAES, later going on to teach 3rd grade at the Holy Rosary Elementary School. Gierl, who is originally from Medford, enjoys spending time with her friends and family, reading, traveling and seeing new places. Gierl is also an active participant in community theater during the summer months.

Dilan Schneider Dilan Schneider will be teaching Physical Education at the Medford Area Elementary School.

Schneider, who is from Rib Lake, attended college at UW-Steves Point.

This is Schneider’s first year of teaching. When not in the classroom, Schneider enjoys working out and spending time with his family.

Chelsea Pipkorn Chelsea Pipkorn is an incoming Special Education Teacher at Medford Area Elementary School. Pipkorn grew up in Madison and graduated from Northcentral Technical College in 2016 before going on to attend UW-Whitewater, graduating earlier this year. Pipkorn spent two years as a daycare provider and seven years as a paraprofessional with five of those years taking place at MAES. Pipkorn is married to her husband, Scott. She enjoys fishing, gardening, spending time with her family and friends and being outside.

Kiera Weiler Kiera Weiler will soon be teaching 3rd grade at Stetsonville Elementary School. Weiler graduated from Athens High in 2020 and from UW-Stevens Point in 2023. Weiler is going into her first year as a teacher. Originally from Athens, Weiler likes to read and spend time up north.

Paige Brandner Paige Brandner, a Medford native, will teach Pre-k at Stetsonville Elementary School.

Brandner graduated from MASH in 2020 and later graduated from UW-LaCrosse this year. Brandner is a first time teacher. She enjoys spending time on the lake at her cabin in Northern Wisconsin.

Ross Weinert Ross Weinert will be teaching English at Medford Area Senior High. Weinert is from Bruce where he attended high school before graduating from Ripon College. Weinert spent five years as a substitute teacher and is going into his 4th year as a full-time teacher. Weinert enjoys reading, gaming, and playing golf.

Sami Breneman Sami Breneman will be teaching Kindergarten at Medford Area Elementary School. Breneman is originally from Denver, Colo. She attended high school there, graduating in 2017 before later attending and graduating from the University of Northern Colorado in 2021. She then spent three years teaching 1st grade in Greeley, Colo. Breneman enjoys spending time with her family, reading, watching movies, and doing yoga.

Marissa Ellenbecker Marissa Ellenbeeker is a new 1st grade teacher at Medford Area Elementary School.

Ellenbeeker graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato this year. Ellenbeeker is going into her first year as a teacher, though she was a student teacher at St. Peter South Elementary in Minnesota. Ellenbeeker, who is from Edgar, has a boyfriend, Cade. Ellenbeeker enjoys working out, going on adventures and exploring the outdoors, playing sports, being active, relaxing, and especially likes family board games.

Ashley Nelson

Kailee Mann

Jenae Weyer

Brenda Mahner

Cassidy Balciar

Kiah Ching

Cassie Rudolph

Katie Sackmann

Lauren Gierl

Dilan Schneider

Chelsea Pipkorn

Kiera Weiler

Paige Brandner

Ross Weinert

Sami Breneman

Marissa Ellenbecker