Ms. Ayvazzadeh has been teaching at Honey Creek since 1992. She holds a teaching degree in Early Childhood Education–Birth to Age 5 and Kindergarten to Grade 3. She obtained her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from UW-Milwaukee. Ms. Ayvazzadeh enjoys teaching Kindergarten and grade 1 children. Her language-rich classroom focuses on the MPS Learning Targets through theme-based units. Learning centers are set up around the room to meet the unique developmental level of each student.

Her favorite aspect of teaching is the positive impact she has on the lives of others. Students respect Ms. Biesterveld as a fair adult to interact with and know what to expect from her. She is firm but consistent with clear boundaries. She is proud that most students not only meet, but exceed the high expectations she sets for them. The power of positive thinking is amazing!

She likes Honey Creek because the parents and families are very involved in their child’s education. The staff has formed a strong professional learning community that works collaboratively to meet the learning needs of all students and is truly centered on what is best for the students.

Ms. Buschmann began her career as a school social worker in 2007. Prior to working for Milwaukee Public Schools, Ms. Buschmann was a social worker at a residential treatment facility in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She obtained her bachelor’s degreee in Family Social Science from the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities in 2004. She went on to earn her master’s degree in Social Work from UW–Milwaukee in 2007. Her favorite aspect of being a school social worker is helping children and their families. One thing students should know about Ms. Buschmann is that she is a graduate of MPS. She is fluent in German and loves to travel. She likes Honey Creek because of the welcoming environment and high involvement from the parents and staff.

Ms. Chawla started her educational journey in the United States in 1995 and it continues even today. She considers herself a lifelong learner along with Honey Creek students and has taken multiple courses in teaching, learning and instructional leadership. Her favorite aspect of being an educator is the growth one undergoes when surrounded by young, dauntless and inspiring scholars. You learn from them!

One thing students should know is that Ms. Chawla came to the United States to pursue a career as a dietician. She switched careers to make the intercontinental transition smoother for her family — she embraced this change and has never looked back. She feels good about where she is today and cherishes the opportunity to work with children.

Students enjoy Honey Creek because the staff cares and the parents are involved. The school atmosphere is like a family. Her favorite aspect of the school is that it resonates with positive energy. The environment is rife with trust and respect. The staff works collaboratively to meet the needs of the children. Honey Creek is a great place because the staff truly cares! “It takes concerned and caring people in the village to raise a child.” This value is what Honey Creek is all about.

chawlagx@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

Ms. Cherry began teaching in 2001. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and is certified to teach preschool through grade 6. She obtained her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Viterbo University. She enjoys teaching kindergarten because the students are excited to come to school and are interested in learning about a variety of subjects. It is exciting to watch students grow academically and socially during the school year. The progress children make from September through June is phenomenal and they have so much fun along the way! Honey Creek is a wonderful place to work! The staff, students and families go out of their way to help one another reach their maximum potential.

Ms. Ciepluch began teaching in 1975. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Bowling Green State. She obtained her master’s degree from the University of Toledo. Mrs. Ciepluch continues to take classes for Library Media and Computers through Cardinal Stritch University. Prior to her position as a library media specialist, Mrs. Ciepluch taught grades 3 and 4 for more than 20 years. One of her favorite aspects about the school is the enthusiasm of the students and staff. She says, “Everyone at Honey Creek goes that extra mile to help each other.”

Nursing has been an integral part of Ms. Creighton’s entire life. She has learned to identify a patient’s challenges and then watch and work with him or her to comfort and heal. She works well independently as a healthcare professional and also cooperatively as part of a team. It is a great feeling to be part of the healing process and Ms. Creighton feels privileged to have such a great profession.

Ms. Creighton truly enjoys her position as school nurse at MPS because she looks at the future leaders every day. The children are so bright and giving and they make Ms. Creighton feel both confident and optimistic about the country’s future. She is honored to work with such a dedicated principal and staff at Honey Creek. The entire staff has only the best interests of each child at heart, no matter what difficulties or challenges may be faced.

Married for 40 years, Ms. Creighton became a widow in 2006. She has three daughters and two grandchildren and is also a proud mother-in-law. She enjoys reading, gardening and walking her dog.

Ms. Hagan holds both bachelors and masters degrees in Business Administration. She earned her teaching certification in Special Education, grades Pre-K through 9, from UW-Milwaukee, and is presently working on a second masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction for At-Risk Learners. She has worked as a paraprofessional in the classroom for children with special needs and began her teaching career 1997.

Ms. Hagenow has been teaching since 1990. She earned her bachelor’s degree from UW–Milwaukee and her master’s degree from Mount Mary College. She is a national board certified teacher. Prior to joining the Honey Creek team, Ms. Hagenow worked in MPS at Maple Tree School and Doerfler School. She enjoys reading, traveling and spending time at home.

Ms. Harris has been teaching since 1996. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Advertising and her teaching certification. She obtained a master’s degree in Administrative Leadership and is currently pursuing a second master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. As a lifelong learner herself, Ms. Harris is a firm believer that all students can and do learn, but sometimes at varying degrees, as all children do not have the same learning styles. She strives to bring out the best in her students with academic achievement as the ultimate goal. Ms. Harris also recognizes the importance of student evaluation, analysis and critical thinking skills that offer alternative perspectives and solutions.

With her former experience as an employee of a major company, Ms. Harris has firsthand knowledge of the reasons for which people are not hired. These reasons include an inability to pass a math aptitude test, failure to recognize proper sentence structure or main ideas, and the lack of the necessary skills to analyze problems and propose solutions. Ms. Harris explores multiple ways in which she can expose her students to these concepts through practice and research of national events, as well as current topics that impact the community.

Ms. Heideman earned a bachelor of arts degree in Pre-Kindergarten Through Primary Education from Cardinal Stritch University and a master’s degree in Education from Viterbo University. She has also completed additional coursework at Alverno College, Marquette University and UW–Milwaukee.

Ms. Heideman’s favorite aspect of being a teacher is facilitating the phenomenal growth and development of young children through the course of each school year. Students enjoy her classroom because the environment is carefully prepared to offer the students a variety of hands-on learning experiences. One thing students should know about Ms. Heideman is that she loves art and music and uses both areas extensively to enhance classroom lessons and learning.

She likes Honey Creek because the early childhood and kindergarten teachers work together as a team. These teachers plan thematic units, field trips and in-school educational activities for all the early childhood, K4 and K5 students. The school year begins with Color Days and continues with November’s Harvest Taste, December’s Holiday Program and Breakfast with Santa, January’s Pajama Day and so on. The early childhood teaching team is serious about teaching, and serious about making learning fun!

Honey Creek is a great place to work because of the caring and contributing staff. The staff shares ownership of the students and cares about them long after they leave the classroom. Teachers collaborate on methodology and expertise with fellow staff members. The school welcomes parents into the classrooms to further enrich the students’ experiences.

Ms. Kavanagh has been teaching since 1987. She attained an associate degree in Exceptional Education from Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) in 1985. Her favorite aspect of being a teacher is seeing children become excited about learning. Sometimes when a child learns something for the first time, a little light goes on in them and makes them shine from the inside out. Students enjoy Ms. Kavanagh’s classroom because she makes learning fun by singing songs and playing games! Often times, she hears kindergarten students say, “Ms. Kavanagh, you’re funny.” She finds this to be a flattering compliment.

Students should know that Ms. Kavanagh loves to read and play cards and other games with her family. Spending time with her daughters is very important. Honey Creek is a great place to grow. Both of Ms. Kavanagh’s daughters have attended Honey Creek, where they received a strong and firm educational foundation. Her daughters still miss their teachers. The school has a warm, family feeling about it and the entire staff truly cares about the children. Ms. Kavanagh feels privileged to be a part of the Honey Creek team.

Ms. Kooi has been teaching at Honey Creek since 2001. She has teaching degrees in Special Needs, General Education and Middle School English. She prefers to teach in the area of Special Education. Mrs. Kooi has been teaching with Milwaukee Public Schools upon graduation from UW-Whitewater and the start of her teaching career.

She enjoys the challenge of reaching goals set for students with significant educational needs. Mrs. Kooi’s classroom is a language-rich environment primarily for 4- and 5-year-old multilevel learners with significant developmental delays. Students have the opportunity to learn and practice pre-academic skill development, learn classroom functioning skills and grow socially. Mrs. Kooi incorporates the love for learning using general themes, the seasons and items of interest discovered by the students. Along with Mrs. Kooi, the staff at Honey Creek collaborate for the continued progress of the students.

Christine Milani has been teaching since 1980. She obtained her degree in Art Education and Elementary Education from UW-Milwaukee. She continued her studies and received degrees in Learning Disabilities and Emotional Disturbance, as well as being trained as a Direct Instruction Consultant. Ms. Milani was awarded the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Fellowship for demonstrating superior ability to inspire love of learning in her students.

Ms. Milani enjoys the personalities of the children she teaches and loves getting to know all their wonderful families. Students like being in Ms. Milani’s classroom. She is fair and consistent and the children work on creative activities infused with art education concepts. Ms. Milani appreciates Honey Creek for many reasons but is proud of the way the entire staff respects the talents, differences and the opinions of one another.

Honey Creek is a tremendous place where the children and the staff love coming together every day.

Ms. Mueller began her teaching career in the year 2000 as a substitute where she taught K4-12th grade.  Concurrently, through 2006, she worked evenings as an Instructor for the Department of Health Sciences at Madison Area Technical College.  Her substitute teaching coincided with occasionally  administering medications and assisting injured or ill students with the school nurse was absent.  In 2007, she began working for MPS at Morgandale Elementary School.  She enjoys the challenges of teaching and is looking forward to many years with MPS at Honey Creek.  She likes helping students read, write, and work out problems.  Outside the classroom, she likes to see children eating all their food in the cafeteria and playing safely outside on the playground. 

Mr. Pantea recently began teaching after practicing law in Milwaukee for 18 years. Holding a bachelor’s of arts degree in economics and art from Grinnell College and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he received his Early Childhood, Exceptional Education certification from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he is also pursuing a Master’s degree in Exceptional Education.

Mr. Pantea’s decision to switch careers and become an early childhood teacher evolved from his working within the Milwaukee community and observing that quality early education was an indispensable component in providing the necessary opportunities for children in our community to obtain the knowledge and experiences they require as future adults. “In the short time I have been at Honey Creek Elementary School I have found that the high standards set by the entire staff and the very active participation of parents are contributing not just to the high achievement of its student body but also allows its teachers to remain focused and up-to-date on their essential function of teaching.”

Melannie Trudeau, Grade 1