Middle School

	Katie Jamieson Email 262-367-2000 x146 Spanish

	John Marzion Email 262-367-2000 x306 Math & Math Support I am thrilled to be joining the Swallow school community this year! This will be my 20th year in education, all at the middle school level. I have 13 years of experience as a 7th grade math teacher in Kenosha, Greendale, and Oak Creek and 7 years of experience as a math learning coach at Oak Creek East Middle School, where we implemented many innovative ideas to substantially improve student’s perceptions of math and our school’s overall math achievement. My journey into education was a bit unorthodox. I graduated from Marquette University in 1989 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. After 4 years in the corporate world, I started my own software design business. In 2002, at the least logical time in my life (3 sons under 4, just finished construction on a new house) I decided to make the least logical decision of my life and pursue teaching. Three months later I was in front of my first class of students, with no student teaching, no classroom experience, and it was….AMAZING. Twenty years later and I still have the same passion and joy for working with young adults and finding ways to make a traditionally dry subject more engaging. I love using math to teach students to become critical thinkers and problem solvers. I earned my Masters of Science in Brain-based Teaching and Learning from Nova Southeastern University in 2009. When I’m not at school, I spend the majority of my time outdoors: camping, fishing, hunting, kayaking, and attempting to golf. I’m a diehard Packers and Bucks fan. I also enjoy sitting around a fire on the patio with my wife Wendy, my sons Anthony, Nathan, and Trevor, our 5 month old chocolate lab, Cami, and extended family and friends.
	Gretchen Nelson Email 262-367-2000 x300 Literature Education and Experience: Education and Experience: Mrs. Nelson is a UW-Madison alumni where she completed her undergraduate degree in Elementary/Middle Education (1-9), with a minor in English. She went on to further her education by receiving a Master's degree in Education from Cardinal Stritch. She has taught at Swallow School since 2003. Prior to teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th grades she taught 5th grade and was the district’s reading specialist. Mrs. Nelson was proudly honored with the Herb Kohl Fellowship award in 2017. Personal Life: Mrs. Nelson enjoys spending time with her family; she has three children Bennett, Addie, and Olivia. Together their family loves to ski, go boating, and travel. They all enjoy cheering for the Wisconsin Badgers and especially love football season. Mrs. Nelson can always be found with a book and looks forward to talking about literature with her many students.
	Susie Polentini Email 262-367-2000 x306 Math & Math Support
	Andrea Rice Email 262-367-2000 x304 Social Studies I have been so fortunate to be a part of the Swallow learning community since 1990, first as a student and starting in 2006 as a teacher. It has been a unique opportunity to continue my learning in this wonderful school as an adult after having an amazing experience here as a child. Prior to teaching 6th, 7th and 8th grade social studies I taught 3rd grade for 11 years and 6th grade for 2 years. Before coming to Swallow I taught 3rd and 4th grade in Milwaukee, at The Academy of Accelerated Learning, and 1st grade in Beloit Public Schools. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in 2001 with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance, and in 2003 with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education, grades 1-8 with a social studies minor. In April 2010, I earned my Master's of Science in Literacy Education Degree from Walden University. In May of 2016, I received my 316 Reading Teacher License from Concordia University. In my time away from school I love spending time with my husband Pat and our blended family of 5 children. Together, we love to play in the backyard, travel to fun places, make fun new foods, and enjoy time with our dogs! We are very blessed. Each new school year I look forward to helping all students thrive while reaching academic goals, and creating happy memories of their time at Swallow!
	Charlie Smith Email 262-367-2000 x310 Science Mr. Smith started teaching at Swallow in 2014 and he became a teacher way back in 1992! His past experiences include teaching all subjects in grades 5-8 and freshman social studies. He has experience coaching track & field, football and basketball. Education: Mr. Smith graduated from Carroll College with an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education. He has a Master's degree from Carroll in Curriculum and Instruction as well as a Master's degree from Cardinal Stritch in Educational Leadership. Personal Life: Mr. Smith enjoys spending time with his family, playing guitar, reading, and traveling.
	Anna Spears Email 262-367-2000 x302 Communications I am extremely excited to be welcomed into the Swallow School community this year as the Communications teacher! I am from Muskego, having gone to school there K-12. After moving away for college and completing a few years teaching up in Door County, I am thrilled to be back in the area I call home. I graduated from UW - La Crosse in 2020 with a major in English Education and a minor in Psychology, then went on to teach for two years at Sturgeon Bay High School at the 9th and 10th grade levels. I am greatly looking forward to switching gears to middle school and getting to know all of the new and wonderful students! In my free time I love to read, travel, and hike with my fiancé and two dogs, a German Shepherd named Xena and an Irish Setter/Husky mix named Teddy." Please let me know if there is anything else that you need from me!