New Faces At The Horicon School District

Horicon School District welcomes eight new staff members to their district for the upcoming school year.

Name: Kathryn Swenson

Position: District Speech-Language Pathologist

Hometown: Wauwatosa, WI

Hobbies: soccer, reading, writing and TV/Movies

College: UW Milwaukee - graduated May 2026

Past Teaching Experience: Internship at Cedarburg Middle/High School

What made you want to be a teacher? I always saw myself working in a school. I ended up finding Speech Pathology in college.

What do you look most forward to teaching in Horicon? I’m looking forward to learning from my colleagues with more experience.

Name: Noah Bestul

Position: Middle/High School Agriculture Teacher

Hometown: Tilleda, WI

Hobbies: Spending time with my fiancee Lillia and Corgi dog Winston. I also enjoy spending time outdoors hunting and swing dancing.

College: UW River Falls

Past Teaching Experience: I have taught Agriculture in two other districts.

What made you want to be a teacher? I wanted to help the future generations of agriculturists.

What do you look most forward to teaching in Horicon? I look forward to getting to watch my students grow as leaders.

Name: Emily Meyer

Position: Grade 6 Social Studies & Science

Hometown: Coleman, WI

Hobbies: hiking, travel and spending time on my family farm

College: UW Green Bay

Past Teaching Experience: first year teacher

What made you want to be a teacher? My high school principal Mr. Douglas Polomis - He truly believed that I could be anything or anyone I wanted to be.

What do you look most forward to teaching in Horicon? I look forward to gaining experience as an educator in addition to forming new and positive relationships with students and staff.

Name: Isabella Henkel-Hanke

Position: High School English Teacher

Hometown: Winneconne, WI

Hobbies: Dungeons and Dragons, Cosplay, drawing, reading, video games, and Magic the Gathering

College: UW Oshkosh

Past Teaching Experience: first year teacher

What made you want to be a teacher? I experienced some bullying when I was a student, and wanted to ensure that future students wouldn’t have a similar experience. I want to create good relationships with my students so none of them feel alone!

What do you look most forward to teaching in Horicon? The relationship centered team; everyone seems to care about one another, and care a lot about getting to know their students.

Name: Michelle Stewart

Position: High School English Teacher

Hometown: Watertown, WI

Hobbies: I love to read, make quilts and attend theater shows.

College: UW Whitewater

Past Teaching Experience: I taught English at Hustisford High School for 15 years.

What made you want to be a teacher? I love being able to talk about books and wanted to share my enthusiasm with others.

What do you look most forward to teaching in Horicon? I look forward to continuing to develop relationships in a small school setting.

Name: Derek Loomans

Position: Grade 4 Teacher

Hometown: Alto, WI

College: Undergraduate degree in marketing and computer science from Lakeland College and Masters Degree in Education Instruction from Marian University

Past Teaching Experience: 7 Years of Second Grade at Parkside Elementary in Fond du Lac

What made you want to be a teacher? When I was growing up I had family members who were teachers and strongly supported education. My grandfather taught art at Horicon High School and my mom taught technology courses at Moraine Park. I have always enjoyed school and the learning process, so I decided to pursue a career in teaching as well.

What do you look most forward to teaching in Horicon? I look forward to working in a community that I had spent a lot of time growing up in. Horicon Elementary has a reputation of excellence and I am excited to join such a talented staff. I can’t wait to meet my 4th grade students and share the many learning experiences and opportunities that we will get this school year.

Name: Debra Hardman

Position: High School Special Education Teacher

Hometown: Reeseville, WI

Hobbies: Kayaking, biking, playing catch with my dogs, and watching sports

College: University of Northern Iowa for my bachelor’s degree. Graceland University for my Master’s degree. William Penn University for my reading and ESL endorsements. Morningside University for my STRAT II in Special Education

Past Teaching Experience: Des Moines School District: Kindergarten 10 years, Special Education 3 years, Sun Prairie Special Education 2 years and Hustisford MS/HS Special Education 1 year

What made you want to be a teacher? It was in the back of my mind for years and then one day, don’t laugh, I caught an episode of Oprah. She said, “When I am gone, I want people to remember me as someone who made a difference in others’ lives.” I decided right then that I wanted to be that person, the one who makes a difference in others’ lives, so I filled out my paperwork and started my classes to become a teacher. I have loved it more than I ever could have imagined.

What do you look most forward to teaching in Horicon? Shaping the lives of students and being a positive, safe place for them.

Name: Andrew Selgrad

Position: Middle/High School Assistant Principal & Athletics/Activities Director

Hometown: Rosendale, WI

Hobbies: Snowboarding and Paintball

College: UW-Oshkosh (undergrad), Marian University (masters), Concordia University (masters)

Past Teaching Experience: Fond du Lac High 17 years (science), Columbus MS 1 year (science) and 2 years Instructional Coach for the district, Ripon HS 2 years (chemistry), Sun Prairie Special Education 2 years and Hustisford MS/HS Special Education 1 year

What made you want to be a teacher? I enjoyed science, my dad was a teacher, and I also wanted coach football.

What do you look most forward to teaching in Horicon? My family is very excited to be part of the Horicon community. Everyone has been so welcoming to us. I am most looking forward to working with the staff and students.