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Elise Huggins (She/Her)

Vice Principal

Profile
What's not to like? Reconnection Center students are amazing. Many students did not find connection and support in schools they attended in the past. At the Reconnection Center we help students restore hope, reimagine themselves, and reconnect to their educational goals.

What I do for Fun
RIDE MY BIKE! Spend time with family and friends

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Amy Acquino (She/Her)

Teacher - Language Arts

I enjoy learning from my students and helping support them in their personal and academic goals. I try to tap into topics of interest for my students and create, adapt, and embed these frameworks into my units. Never hesitate to come to me if you need help or support or candy. Also, I will ask you for your feedback on my assignments because I can not grow as a teacher without your help and input. Also, you will know it's my classroom because I have to have music playing in the background.

What I do for Fun
I love to go out to dinner with my daughter, take my little pup, Stella, for long, destination walks, and I also love to explore and travel to new places. I also love music, binge watching Netflix shows, and hanging with my friends in my spare time.

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Emily Etzkorn (She/Her)

School Social Worker

I love being able to get the opportunity to truly connect with students, get to know them and work together around not only their education but building skills and engaging in self-discovery that helps them in all facets of their life. At the core in my work, I try to connect with students (and their families) and undestand how they see themselves, not just in school but in the world. My work is rooted in seeing the individual as a whole person, not just a student. Our work is about self-discovery, gaining and strengthening skills and building hope and confidence that spills over into all facets of the students life, not just in school.

What I do for Fun
Cook, play with my 5 year old son, make woodburning art, ride my bike, watch sports - especially college football/basketball.

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Susan Hay (She/Her)

Teacher - Math

I enjoy the luxury of being able to work with each student as an individual learner. In addition, our program allows students to work at their own pace, which I feel is particularly important in math.

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Francine Ivosevic (She/Her)

Learning Specialist

I enjoy working with students at the RC because it is a joy to help students reengage in school. I am working hard to incorporate the RC essential frameworks into all aspects of my classroom.

What I do for Fun
I love to read, go for walks in nature and travel.

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Theresa Jahangir (She/Her)

Counselor

I love working with students who are recommitting to their education. Education is a huge system that isn't designed for all students (which is terrible!), and I have a passion for helping all students learn to navigate that system so that it can serve them and their academic and personal/social needs.

What I do for Fun
I love to hike, play tennis and swim, but as a mother to a young kiddo, I often just end up walking around the block due to lack of time. That's fun (ish) too! Self care is sometimes just sitting in a quiet room alone, or in my car. Pandemic times are challenging for parents and children, and we must all support each other by being honest and open about the realities of life.

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Kendra Lloyd-Knox McDonald (She/Her)

Teacher - Success Academy

I enjoy helping students discover that education is not one size fits all. I work with students to create projects that they find value in, projects that they relate to.

What I do for Fun
I enjoy motorcycles, traveling, time with my family and pups.

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Jhaizmine Smith (She/Her)

School Social Worker

Getting to know students and families at the RC has been fun. Learning what excites a student and what they connect with the most is one of the many things that makes my job a great place to be. As a social worker I see the RC essential frameworks as a way of life.

What I do for Fun
Read, hike, exercise, family time. I really enjoy traveling

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Joanna Vausberg (She/Her)

Teacher - Art

I love making art with my students! Art is my passion, and I love sharing it with our students at the Reconnections Center. I create a safe space for students to learn and grow while doing something that they love. When I'm not teaching, I love getting outside, exploring new places and working on my newly purchased land in Taos, New Mexico. Ask me about it!