Tara Ellenbecker
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Ms. Ellenbecker is a 7th grade Math & Science teacher at Kaleidoscope Academy.  She has been teaching in the Appleton Area School District since 2005 and is so excited to be at KA.  Her favorite part of teaching is building relationships with students and learning as much from them as they learn from her.

Before joining the teaching profession, Ms. Ellenbecker earned her Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Communication from UW-Eau Claire and worked in sales and marketing for a local paper mill. In that position, she lived in Atlanta, Georgia and Stamford, Connecticut and traveled all over the U.S. before moving back to Wisconsin to pursue teaching.  She earned her Teacher Licensure from UW-Oshkosh and has never looked back!

Ms. Ellenbecker has two daughters, Claire and Avery, who keep her very busy, but she also enjoys playing the piano, crafting, spending time with family and friends, and traveling when she gets the chance.

 
Paula Hacker
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Mrs. Hacker teaches 7th grade Humanities (ELA and Geography) on team Inquire. In 1994 she began her teaching career teaching 4th grade in Arizona.  

In 1996 she moved to Appleton to get married. She then taught 5th grade in the Hortonville School District. In 2000, Mrs. Hacker began teaching 6th grade at Lincoln Elementary in Appleton. Seven years later she moved over to Franklin and then in 2016, jumped to middle school to teach at KA.  

She is super excited to be teaching in the middle school atmosphere with the energetic and unpredictable middle schoolers! KA has amazing teachers and she loves working with such a dedicated and knowledgeable staff! Her favorite aspect of teaching is the interactions she has with the students and each year looks forward to getting to know all of her students well!

Mrs. Hacker is originally from Neenah and she and her husband have three children: Dallas, Caitlin and Carson. We love to be outside, especially on the boat and watching our youngest son’s sporting events!

Craig Morois
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Mr. Morois is a 7th grade math/science teacher here at Kaleidoscope Academy. He joined the KA staff in 2017 and loves being part of the team. Originally from Peshtigo, WI, Mr. Morois graduated from UW-Green Bay in 2009 with a major in Education. He has taught in Wisconsin for his entire career in the following cities: Stevens Point, Marinette, Sheboygan, and Appleton.He has taught math, science, humanities, and geography throughout his career. Mr. Morois also coaches on the KA Cross Country team.Mr. Morois loves to spend time with his wife, Brooke, and son, Luke. Luke was born in January of 2020. He also enjoys playing golf, working in the garage, playing retro video games, and watching his favorite sports teams: the Cubs and Vikings.

Travis Olsen
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Mr. Olsen is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh where he received his degree in Elementary Education (1-8).

He began his career teaching summer school Math at Edison Elementary in Appleton before moving to Elroy, WI where he taught 7th grade Math/Science/Reading. Mr. Olsen is currently  teaching 7th grade Math and Science at Kaleidoscope Academy.
In his free time, Mr. Olsen enjoys reading, exercising, spending time with family and friends, and playing, coaching, and watching sports. Mr. Olsen has coached middle school basketball for multiple years where he is able to positively influence and motivate students and student athletes alike.

 

Mike Schroeder
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Mr. Schroeder is a 7th grade Math and Science teacher at Kaleidoscope. Mr. Schroeder’s has been with the Appleton Area School District for four years and taught 5th grade students in Orlando, Florida for five years. The weather is beautiful in Florida, but it has been a dream of Mr. Schroeder’s to have his own classroom in Wisconsin.
Mr. Schroeder attended UW-Whitewater, where he double majored in elementary/middle education and geography. He is a Fox Cities native, growing up in the shadow of Lambeau Field in Ashwaubenon.

In his free time, Mr. Schroeder loved going to the Florida Amusement Parks, training for half-marathons, golfing on prestige courses and going to the beaches. With the new move to Wisconsin, he is already enjoying being closer to family. He has enjoyed golfing and exercising in the cooler temperatures. He mostly enjoys going to the family cabin in Door County with his wife Aubrey and Gia, their Shih Tzu. Mr. Schroeder is very excited about the year ahead and is enthusiastic about working with a committed staff.

Leah Rubsam
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Mrs. Rubsam teaches 7th Grade Humanities at Kaleidoscope Academy! She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from UW Oshkosh in 2017, and her Master’s Degree in English Learner Education from UW Oshkosh in 2021. She began her journey with the Appleton Area school district back in 2018 and has previously taught both 5th and 6th Grade!

Mrs. Rubsam and her husband Alex have two dogs named Lucy (golden retriever) and Charlie (german shepherd). They all love to go for walks, go swimming, and go camping together! Mrs. Rubsam also enjoys playing soccer, reading, and running in her free time.

Mrs. Rubsam is so excited to work with the 7th Grade students at KA! She is passionate about reading and inquiry, and is so excited to bring the arts, technology, and fun into the Humanities classroom! 

Megan Geffers
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Mrs. Geffers is a 7th grade Humanities teacher! After graduating from the University of Northwestern, she taught 5th and 6th grade in AASD from 2017-2021. She then moved on up to middle school for the 2021-2022 school year.

Mrs. Geffers’ main priority is her students and it shows in the classroom community. She loves watching her students grow in confidence and content! Mrs. Geffers loves being a part of the Kaleidoscope Academy community for their students, staff, and flexible curriculum. Welcome to the family!