Faces of GBAPS has a new look! The Green Bay Area Public School District is lucky to have staff and students with a wide range of talents, interests, and rich life experiences. The Faces of GBAPS series profiles these unique members of our community each month during the school year.
Nou Her
Nou Her is an ESL teacher at Howe Elementary Community School. Nou has been with the Green Bay Area Public School District for seven years at a variety of schools, in a variety of roles.
She started her career in education as a noon hour supervisor and moved into other roles as a Hmong interpreter and a paraprofessional.
With assistance from the District’s Master’s program, Nou is currently pursuing her degree and teacher certification.
“I really enjoy working with the students and I’ve had the opportunity to meet several amazing staff that really inspired me to want to teach,” Nou said. “I actually went to Howe School as a child so it really feels like full circle to come back as a teacher and teach students who are just like me.”
Hear from Howe Elementary Community School Principal Amy Kallioinen and Nou in this month’s Faces of GBAPS.
Steve Vande Walle
Steve Vande Walle is the Operations Supervisor under the Department of Technology for the Green Bay Area Public School District. Steve has been with GBAPS for 12 years, after joining the technology team while still attending NWTC. As someone passionate about education, Steve is pursuing his Bachelor’s degree through an online program through UW-Milwaukee.
Steve has worn many hats at GBAPS, first starting out on the deployment team, and taking on a variety of technology roles from Help Desk to PC Network Support Specialist to his current position.
Steve said he pursued a career in technology because he loves problem-solving.
“Technology is just every day is a problem, sometimes every minute is a problem,” Steve said. “I say the heart of my job is, I’m just a problem solver. The technology stuff it’s all nice and fun and stuff, but really it's just you bring me problems, I’ll bring you answers.”
As for working technology within Education, Steve said it's all about making a difference for our teachers and students.
“I’m not in a classroom every day or in a school every day even,” Steve said. “[But] knowing that there’s kids out there whose education is better because of the work I do; That really is what keeps me here and keeps me doing what I do.”
Years ago, Steve said he assisted in helping a student who was undergoing cancer treatment with the proper technology so she could continue her schooling and stay connected with her teachers and peers.
“Things like that are really why I keep doing my job,” Steve said.
Hear from Executive Director of Technology and Information Amy Jaeckel and Steve in this month’s Faces of GBAPS.
Hailee Rader-Moses
Hailee Rader-Moses is a senior at Preble High School. She is set to graduate in June 2024 and plans to go on to get her associate’s degree. She is pursuing a career as a kindergarten teacher.
“I love kids,” Hailee said. “I love being surrounded by kids. I grew up as the oldest out of five, so I had that kind of parent role growing up. I’m just so excited to teach little ones their direction in life.”
Hailee’s value for education comes from personal experience. After dealing with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hailee said she struggled with school.
Thanks to the dedicated team at Preble High School and her hard work, Hailee got back on track and is set to graduate this year.
“Once she grasped the concept of like ‘yeah, you know what, I deserve to walk across that stage,’ she put forth that energy herself,” Innovative Learning Lab teacher Tonya Peotter said.
Principal Courtney Kuehn said Hailee has mastered educational grit.
“She’s figured out how to take different skills and different knowledge and learning in the classroom and to frame it and shape it in a way that she can demonstrate her knowledge and success,” Kuehn said.
Peotter said that it’s amazing to watch Hailee thrive after overcoming educational obstacles.
“As an educator, it is amazing,” Peotter said. “It gives you hope that there are many others that are in her situation that can also be that successful.”
“I’m proud to say that I am graduating this year and I’m going to walk across the stage,” Hailee said. “I’m looking at a bright future and meeting those goals I have in life.”
Hear from Principal Courtney Kuehn, Administrator Thomas Jennings, Tonya Peotter and Hailee in this edition of Faces of GBAPS.
Julie Srenaski
Julie Srenaski is a 6th grade science teacher at Franklin Middle School. She has been with the District for more than 20 years. Julie has spent most of that time being a part of the Franklin Middle School team, but started her career at Doty Elementary School.
Julie was born and raised in Green Bay and attended GBAPS schools growing up. She attended Franklin Middle School and is a West High graduate. She shares two daughters with her husband of more than 20 years, and one of her daughters is also a teacher in the District.
Julie is a devoted teacher who spends her time coaching multiple sports, co-leading the Franklin Anti-Racist Folx group, running the Franklin Fitness Club, and heading up the school’s science department.
“Julie brings energy and excitement and passion and authenticity to her work,” Franklin Principal Greg Lundin said. “It's hard to bottle up everything that she does because her reach is wide.”
Julie is also a dedicated athlete who recently participated in the 2023 Ironman World Championship in Hawaii. Julie shares the heartening story of her journey to the world championship, and details how her late brother inspires her to keep going.
Hear from Greg Lundin, Franklin 7th grader Zeylimar Ortiz Melendez and Julie in this edition of Faces of GBAPS.
Kominiko Sila
Kominiko Sila is the Manager of Student Engagement, Attendance and Advocacy and the head football coach at Green Bay East High School. Niko, as many call him, worked at Lombardi Middle School and Washington Middle School before joining the staff at East.
Niko was born in American Samoa and raised in Alaska. Growing up, respect and discipline were foundations of his Samoan culture. He carries those values with him both as a husband and a father, but also as a teacher, leader and football coach. Discipline, respect and integrity are at the forefront of the lessons he teaches the East High School Football team.
“I think the biggest thing with Niko is he’s a relationship builder,” East High Activities Director Stephanie Mathu said. “Kids gravitate to him. He’s firm with them, but he’s just great with relationships.”
Hear from Stephanie Mathu, East High football players and Niko himself in the first Faces of GBAPS of the 2023-2024 school year.