Heidi Brant
Teacher
I graduated from Trinity Bible School with a BA in Elementary Education. I taught at Christian Life School for 12 years and then took some time off to focus on being a mom. I started teaching at Open Wings in February of 2021. I love teaching at Open Wings because this school focuses on the child as an individual, not a label they have been given. Each child has an opportunity to succeed on their level.
Brandie Calabrese
Teacher
This is my third year being a part of the Open Wings family. I have had the pleasure of working with both our upper and lower school learners. I am truly enjoying teaching SEL and Service Learning in the upper school this year. My goal is to partner with families as I help our learners grow and develop from the inside out, so they can use their gifts and talents to better themselves, others, the Open Wings community, and ultimately the “world” outside of our school. I bring my experience working for a large non-profit in Illinois that serves complex learners of all ages and stages in life along with several years teaching and training traditional learners, as well as complex learners in the home, school, and community. What I admire most about Open Wings is the all-inclusive culture that it provides. This community is built on unity created by staff and students who genuinely care about one another and helping each other be the best version of themselves possible, and I am privileged to be a part of it!
Steve Drake
Teacher
I joined Open Wings because I visited the school and met the most delightful and eager group of learners I have ever encountered. These young people are a joy to spend time with. Our job together is upper school math and science. Every day we work together on new problems relevant to our learners’ lives and imagination.
Tom Eber
Literacy Coordinator
Thomas G. Eber is a retired school administrator with 28 years of administrative experience. Most recently, he was principal of The Skokie School in Winnetka. During those 13 years, the school was routinely recognized for excellence. His school received two special awards from The Northern Suburban Special Education District for inclusion and the development of a program for students with autism. The Skokie School was identified by The Chicago Magazine as a premier public school. Prior to working for the Winnetka Public Schools, he served as principal in a K-6 building in Des Plaines, Illinois and for seven years and a K-8 Catholic School in Chicago. Tom has presented at numerous conferences including ASCD, NCTE, and The Midwest Principal’s Association. He helped develop a staff development program with NCTE and continues to attend workshops at The Teachers College in New York to enhance his skills in the teaching of literacy skills. He has helped develop social emotional skills programs concentrating of developing problem solving skills.
Amy Gordon
Social Work Associate
My name is Amy Gordon and I am so excited to have joined the Open Wings family this school year as a social work associate. I couldn’t be more happy to be part of this amazing community that truly focuses on the whole child and celebrates every milestone. I am so honored to have the opportunity to link arms with our parents to be a team and to do life together with all of our families.
Hayley Henschel Jensen
Teacher
I am a Carthage College graduate and received my BA in Elementary Education. I have been teaching at Open Wings for 5 years now. Prior to coming to Open Wings I was the Preschool Director at St. Mary's Lutheran Church. The greatest joy for me as a teacher is seeing that lightbulb moment when a student understands and learns a new concept. What a celebration that is for all of us.
Jennifer Hendrick
Office
Jen worked overseas on a cross-cultural team helping children with special needs for 6 years before she and her family returned to the US in 2018. Since then she has enjoyed using her background and degree in business administration supporting Open Wings as the office manager.
Dr. Kim Hufferd-Ackles
Founder and Educational Advisor
Kimberly Hufferd-Ackles had the dream of opening a school where smiling students would enter the doors in the mornings for many years. This dream became a reality in 2012 when the first group of students came in the doors at Open Wings. She has devoted the past decade to the most rewarding and most challenging work of her professional career supporting students, teachers, and families at Open Wings. Kim received her PhD from Northwestern University in 1999. In addition to being the mother to four children, she thrives in her ongoing support of many aspects of Open Wings Learning Community and in knowing the amazing students that call this school home.
Petr Jaros-Vitacco
Drama Teacher
I believe exposure paired with tactile skills is crucial for the development of children. We learn how to communicate effectively by making informed opinions about all art forms. Art is not simply limited to paint on a canvas, clay in one's hands, or performing onstage. We learn through persuasive speech, creative storytelling, and proactive observation. Making art accessible to students means meeting them where they are at and helping them tell their story.
I am currently studying Theatre Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. In my free time I like spending time with my cat or with my friends.
Alicia Johnson
School Director
Alicia holds a Bachelors degree in Special Education with an emphasis in behavioral disorders from University of Wisconsin Whitewater. She taught at an alternative high school for two years before taking time off to raise a family. Alicia taught at Open Wings for three years before moving into the position of Executive Director. She loves that at Open Wings we have the ability to provide hands on, individualized instruction to our students and to work closely with families.
Christina Kostner
Teaching Associate
Delaney Leber
Teacher
My name is Delaney Leber and I am a graduate from Carthage College in 2017 with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences with an emphasis in Psychology as well as Education and Spanish. This will be my 5th year as a part of the Open Wings community. I am very honored to be at a place that really focuses on students learning in a way that best supports them and makes sure they know that they are always welcome at school. What I truly enjoy the most is the overall atmosphere of the school; the kindness, caring, and understanding nature of not only the educators, but the students and their families as well.
Amanda Leonard
Teacher
A lifelong member of the Kenosha community, Mrs. Leonard is a graduate of U-W Parkside with a BA in Psychology and Theatre Arts minor, followed by teaching certification and graduate coursework in education at Carthage College. While her professional experience has taken a long and winding path, she is very happy to be back at Open Wings this year, teaching science and social studies in the upper school.
Jon Ludtke
Teaching Associate
Jon Ludtke has been an upper school teaching associate at Open Wings for two years. Currently he holds an associates degree in early childhood education but is returning to school to seek his bachlores in English and specialize in special education. He has over ten years experience working with children of all ages and loves nothing more than to help each child grow by using their individual strengths to help them achieve their goals.
Susan Myers
Dance
Susan Ojala Myers holds a BA in Dance Performance from Northern Illinois University. She performed with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, as well as Momenta! Performing Arts Company before finding her true passion as a teacher. Susan has been working with dancers of all ages and abilities for over twenty years, and is proud to have earned her level two certification in Autism Movement Therapy in 2015. Besides teaching in the private dance studio world, she teaches AMT classes, and runs several outreach dance programs in Kenosha area schools. Susan’s professional goal to make the joy of dance accessible to all children led her to Open Wings. Her experience as a parent, challenged with finding the right learning environment for her own children, has made spreading awareness of this very special school a personal goal. Susan and her husband Eric live in the Kenosha area with their three children.
Naomi Petravich
Teaching Associate
Naomi worked for OW on and off starting 2014…this school year marks the start of her 5th year. Received bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies from UW Stout with concentration/special certificate in autism spectrum disorders. Mrs. Petrovich is mother to 4 biological and adopted children. Prior to being a Wisconsin native, she was born and raised in California
(snow = 
).
Kristi Rademaker
Teacher Associate
Hi, I'm Kristi Rademacher. I've worked in special education and alternative schools for ten years in the Twin Cities. When I moved to Kenosha and found Open Wings, I knew I had found the right place. I love Open Wings because it truly celebrates each student in their creativity, individuality, and empowers them to have their own voice. I've been here for three years now and I love unicorns, narwhals, and a stuffed cat toy named Hedgie (it's a hedgehog) and his many outfits which reside in my classroom.
Anthony Rowe
Teacher
Callie Saperston
Teacher
Kyrri Schober
Music Teacher
Kyrri holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music with a dual emphasis in vocal performance and arts administration from Trinity International University. Her senior research project was done on adapting live music performances to be inclusive for individuals with special needs, which culminated in producing a symphonic band concert and instrument “petting zoo” that was open to students with the North Suburban Special Education District and student family members. She has taught private music lessons for several years to students of all ages and abilities before joining the team at Open Wings this year, and she greatly enjoys helping individual students unlock their potential and achieve their personal best.
Bill Sneeberger
Teacher
Bill holds a Masters degree in special education, cross-categorical, and is certified to teach in Wisconsin K-12. He has been with special education departments in Door County and worked for three years in the Wisconsin Early Autism Project. He began as a regular education teacher in middle and high school English. He was with Open Wings our first three years, took a year to work in another district, and is now back. He has always felt that Open Wings is where he was meant to be and is proud to be part of such a talented and dedicated staff in a progressive school.
Mikah Steitz
Teacher
My name is Mikah Steitz, and this is my second year teaching at Open Wings. I grew up in Michigan and graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in Elementary Education in 2019. I moved to Kenosha to attend the Living Light School of Worship in 2019-2020, and began working at Open Wings the following school year. As a new teacher, I consider it such a privilege to learn from the amazing students and staff at this school!
Jazzy Thomas
Teaching Associate
Kayla Uhwat
Teacher
Hello! People in the building know me as Ms. Uhwat. I have been with Open Wings for 8 years now. I teach both online and in the building (Kinetic Wellness). Open Wings has a special place in my heart for many reasons, one of them being the relationships we build in the building and within our community. Our kids know that when they walk in our doors they will be heard, respected, cared for, and safe. A lot of us take those feelings for granted in our everyday lives and that is one of the many reasons why OW is such a special place for so many.
