Tara Ellenbecker
ellenbeckertar@aasd.k12.wi.us
Mrs. Ellenbecker is a 7th grade Math & Science teacher on Team Inquire. She has taught in the Appleton Area School District since 2005 at the elementary level until switching to middle school at KA this year.
She is so excited to be here! 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, Mrs. 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!
Mrs. Ellenbecker has two elementary-aged daughters who keep her very busy, but also enjoys playing the piano, reading, spending time with family and friends, and traveling when she gets the chance.
Paula Hacker
hackerpaula@aasd.k12.wi.us
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
moroiscraig@aasd.k12.wi.us
Mr. Morois is extremely excited to be joining the Kaleidoscope Academy staff! He is new to AASD this year, but has taught the previous eight years in different districts. Having traditionally taught 8th grade algebra and pre-algebra, "Mr. Mo" is looking forward to the challenge of a new grade and additional curriculum, science!
Mr. Morois graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay in 2009 and joined the workforce the following school year, teaching 6th grade math and science in Stevens Point, WI. His next stop was teaching 8th grade math in Marinette, WI from 2010-2015. His previous two school years were spent in Sheboygan, WI, also teaching 8th grade math along with American History. Mr. Morois has also coached boys and girls basketball at multiple levels.
Originally from Peshtigo, WI, in his free time Mr. Morois enjoys the simpler things from small town life. He loves to golf, play basketball, and visit with his friends around a campfire. He is an avid baseball fan and is extremely passionate about his favorite sports team: the Chicago Cubs. He has relocated to Appleton to be closer to his fiance, Brooke.
Travis Olsen
olsentravis@aasd.k12.wi.us
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
schroedermicha@aasd.k12.wi.us
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 Bengson
markerleah@aasd.k12.wi.us
Bio and Picture coming soon!
Megan Geffers
bengsonmegan@aasd.k12.wi.us
Bio and Picture coming soon!