eSucceed Teachers and Staff
Amy Russ-Director
Hello! As the new Director of eSucceed, I am looking forward to working with the students, families and staff of eSucceed. I have been in education my entire life; first as a student, then as an educator. I’ve worked with kiddos of all ages in grades PreK through Twelve. I love that every day brings new adventures with new experiences for everyone.
I grew up in Waukesha, WI, but I have been living in Sparta, WI, for the past sixteen years with my husband, Sam and daughters, Malory and Amelia. I attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where I majored in Elementary/Middle education and played soccer. I earned my Masters Degree at Silver Lake College and received my Administration and Director of Instruction licensure through coursework at Viterbo University. I am currently working on my Library Media licensure through the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
I love learning and reading – all the time. Sometimes so much so I find myself still reading into the midnight hours. My favorite thing to do is spend time with my family and our cat, Dorthy!
Amy Corr-Administrative Assistant
Hello Families and Students! I have lived in or near Boyceville, WI most of my life. I graduated from Boyceville High School and was involved in lots of activities in my time there. I went to UW-Eau Claire and graduated with a BS in Elementary Education. My husband and I started our family shortly before my graduation, so right out of college I was a stay-at-home mom. I have also spent time as a teacher in a daycare, as a substitute teacher for Boyceville, as an at-home medical transcriptionist, and have come to eSucceed from a position at a four-year university.
My husband and I have two sons, but are soon-to-be empty-nesters. We have thoroughly enjoyed attending track and cross country meets, drama productions, and Science Olympiad tournaments over the last several years, but are looking forward to the new adventures that await. In my free time, I enjoy reading and quilting and am hoping to be able to do some traveling soon!
While I never did become a classroom teacher, I have always loved being involved in the education field. I am very excited to join the eSucceed team and am looking forward to helping students and families any way I can!
Kate Kistner-Middle/High School Social Studies & Spanish Teacher
Hello! This is my fourth year teaching with eSucceed. I love the flexibility and pacing eSucceed has for our students. My students are able to work ahead or go at their own pace. I love the ability to incorporate culture into our learning and focus on more than just the language in Spanish. For Social Studies, I enjoy giving projects that allow students to direct their discovery of whichever historical topic we are learning about at the time.
I have a young German Shepherd called Bravo who does everything with me! He may even join a class or two on Zoom. When I am not teaching you can find me fishing, camping, enjoying the beautiful outdoors, or working as an EMT on my local ambulance. I also love to travel and am hoping to do more of it this summer! I completed my Master of Education last year and I hope to continue my education and to be a lifelong learner!
Adam Johnson -Technology Support
My name is Adam Johnson, and I am proud to serve as the Technology Coordinator here. I am always available to assist you, so please don’t hesitate to reach out for support with your educational technology needs.
I have been teaching Technology Education since 2007 and have held the Technology Coordinator position in the Thorp, Gilman, and eSucceed school districts. My passion for technology brings excitement to my days, as I embrace the new challenges each day presents. Originally from Gilman, I currently teach there while also fulfilling my role as Technology Coordinator.
I graduated from UW-Stout with a degree in Technology Education, focusing on Telecommunications. I earned my master’s degree in Principal Leadership from Silver Lake University and plan to return next spring for my master’s in Superintendent Education.
In my free time, I enjoy mowing the lawn, hunting, fishing, and spending time with my dog, Hammer, who keeps me on my toes!
I look forward to meeting each and every one of you!
Renee Chandler-Elementary Teacher
District Assessment Coordinator (DAC)
Special Education Coordinator
Hello! I started my teaching career with fifth and sixth graders face-to-face and have come full circle back to teaching grades 3, 4, and 5 online with eSucceed. In addition I am the special education coordinator.
I also assist with various administrative tasks related to scheduling and assessment. Over the years I have taught both elementary and middle school, general education and special education. I have also taught at the college level, both face-to-face and online, and worked as an administrator in higher education.
I really like eSucceed Virtual School because of the flexibility it gives families. I am looking forward to implementing some project based learning this year in addition to our regular curriculum. I enjoy interacting with the third, fourth, and fifth graders and reading the stories they are writing. Every week I see or hear something from them that makes me smile!
In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family on our tree farms and in the woods. We make firewood to heat our house and also produce lumber for various projects. We love visiting Lake Superior in the summer. Someday we would like to add a southern location to our winter plans.
Lisa Derfus -Elementary Teacher
Hi! I’m excited to begin the next phase of my teaching career as a K teacher for eSucceed virtual school. This will be my 37 year of teaching.
I grew up in a small town in Wisconsin, attended UW-Eau Claire for my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, and began my teaching career. Much later in life I returned to graduate school at Concordia University of Wisconsin to get a Master’s in Education. With that, I also obtained my Reading and Alternative Education licenses. I am licensed to teach students K-12 grade fit the state of Wisconsin.
I have three grown children and five grandchildren. I enjoy the outdoors, camping and other adventures. I love to travel!
I’m looking forward to being a part of the eSucceed team.
Samantha Klump – High School Math Teacher
Hello! This is my 9th year of teaching math and my 2nd year teaching with eSucceed. I have previously taught for Oshkosh, Menomonie and New Richmond. I graduated from UW-Stout with a degree in both science and math education. I became a teacher because I love connecting with students and helping them develop the skills to be successful in whatever they decide to pursue in life. I believe that every student can “do math” and one of my favorite things is seeing a student become more confident in their math skills throughout the year.
My husband and I have a son and a yellow lab named Sadie. We enjoy spending time in the beautiful outdoors hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and gardening.
I really enjoy the flexibility and endless opportunities that eSucceed offers for students. I am looking forward to an awesome year!
Sonya Kohls-Middle/High School Science Teacher
Hola!! Welcome to eSucceed Virtual School! My name is Sonya Kohls, and I will be your science teacher. This year will be my 12th year of teaching science, and my 4th year teaching virtually. In addition to teaching virtually, I work for our family’s business – demolition roll-off dumpsters. I am excited for this new adventure in learning and education.
Prior to entering public education, I spent countless hours encouraging, cheering, challenging, and facilitating groups on ropes and challenge courses and worked as a human resource generalist. While I worked as a human resource generalist, I missed motivating kiddos to be and do their best so much that I left the world of business and went back to school for my teaching licenses in science education and alternative education.
In my spare time, I find myself learning from my husband & newborn son, enjoying the outdoors (hiking, biking, kayaking, camping, etc), gazing through the telescope, gardening and canning, reading Harry Potter, and/or traveling to the North Shore of Lake Superior. One interesting thing about me is I have jumped out of an airplane more than a handful of times.
Here’s to an awesome ‘possum year of learning and adventure!!
Emily Meyer-Middle/High School English Teacher
My name is Emily Meyer and I am the English teacher for eSucceed. I went to UW-Whitewater and have experience teaching in Madison, Wisconsin Rapids, Port Edwards, and Milwaukee.
My husband and I have 3 children (twins and a 4 year old). We enjoy spending time taking walks at state parks with our 2 dogs, Merlin and Remi. It is and has been a joy to teach for eSucceed. I have really enjoyed the students, staff, and the courses offered through eSucceed.