Witt-Birn prepared for 2022-23 school year

With the beginning of a new school year right around the corner, Wittenberg-Birnamwood administration, parents and teachers echoed a message of excitement and anticipation for the year at the district’s open house on Aug. 25.

Students at both the Wittenberg Elementary-Middle School and the Birnamwood Elementary-Middle School had a chance to meet their teachers, test out their lockers and generally drum up enthusiasm for the first day.

One of the biggest changes for the 2022-23 academic year is the arrival of three new principals.

“I am feeling super excited,” said Cole Irish, who is starting his role as principal at Birnamwood Elementary-Middle School. “We have a bunch of new staff members and a bunch of staff members taking new roles.”

Additionally, Nick Firari will begin his first year at Wittenberg Elementary-Middle School, and Stuart Russ is the new principal at Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School.

“It is exciting to see the kids trickle in and to see them with smiles and positive attitudes,” Irish added.

Nikki Steigerwald, the district’s literacy coordinator, noted that having three new principals in the district brings excitement for what is to come in the future.

“That sets the ground for the leadership in our district,” said Steigerwald. “Having new leadership in each building brings that sense of newness and excitement.”

At Birnamwood, social studies teacher Rachel Bauch said she is looking forward to that newness when the students return, but she added there is no tried-and-true way or set method to prepare for a new roomful of middle schoolers.

“You don’t really prepare for the dynamic of this age range,” Bauch said. “You just kind of have to have the personality.”

She noted that many teachers avoid middle school and the unique challenges that come from teaching students who are reaching puberty.

“When I was student teaching, I was petrified to do my middle school practicum, but I absolutely loved it,” said Bauch. “I like that they are kind of like adults.”

When preparing her classroom for the school year, Bauch said she keeps her room interactive but maintains a simple setup.

“The bulletin boards are always blank to start the year,” said Bauch. “As we are studying, components will be added to the board. I am a very visual person, so that is why I do it like that.”

Tanya Gehrig, who has two students attending Birnamwood Elementary-Middle School this year, said that her son’s autism gives her a unique perspective on preparing her children for school.

“He really struggles with change and going back to school, so we start our back-to-school preparation at the beginning of August,” said Gehrig. “We start talking about going back to the classroom and what school is going to look like again. By the time that we start school, he has a pretty good picture of what is going on and what to expect.”

Gehrig said that one of the most important aspects of returning to school for her and her children is getting back into a routine and following a schedule.

“I know that it is always a hard transition with parents working, but with all of the parents that I talk to, they want their kids back on that schedule,” said Gehrig.

With her son entering third grade and her daughter in first grade, Gehrig added that she tries to help them prepare both physically and mentally.

“As far as physically, we are getting clothes, shoes and supplies,” said Gehrig. “With my son, on the social and emotional part, we start talking about who is in his class, who his teacher is and — with us living in a small town — helping him to make a connection on who his teacher is. We just try to get those relationships built with him. We just want to mentally walk him through school before it starts.”

Gehrig added that even though the summers never have enough time for her and her kids to be together, she is excited for the school year.

“I feel like there was so many things that my children and I didn’t get to do this summer,” said Gehrig. “I am excited. My son and daughter both need routine and consistency. It’ll be good to get them back into a groove.”

In terms of what Gehrig is looking forward to this school year, she pointed to her son moving out of the elementary wing.

“He is a little nervous about the change,” said Gehrig. “He is excited though; he is excited for his teacher. I am just excited the differences and challenges that will come and to see how he does.”

Steigerwald and middle school interventionist Patrick Alcantara said that preparing for the school year in their positions is different than how a teacher prepares for the year.

“I think that when we were in a traditional teaching role, it was more of preparing a classroom, whereas now it is more behind the scenes,” said Steigerwald. “It is more of how can we help the teachers and how can we help the students transition into this year. We have to help get curriculum, assessments and intervention ready.”

Alcantara added that most people may think of teachers as the most important part of education, but the support for the teachers comes from positions like his and Steigerwald’s.

“Ideally, we are the support that not only the students need, but that the teachers need, too,” said Alcantara.

lreimer@newmedia-wi.com