Director of Pupil Services

Email: slsheppard@bigfoot.k12.wi.us

Phone: (262) 394-4513

Room W12

Co-Curricular Responsibilities

• Assessment Coordinator

• McKinney-Vento Liaison

• Bowling Club Coach

About Me

I am a proud 2003 graduate of Big Foot High School and hold a bachelor's degree in History and Political Science from UW-Whitewater. My career as an Interventionist began in 2014 when I was hired by Big Foot High School to work with their Credit-Based Intervention Program. Since then, my goal has been to help all students achieve their academic goals and graduate from Big Foot High School.

To further this mission, I have continued my education, earning a Master's Degree in Educational Theory and Practice from Arkansas State University, a Certification in Alternative Education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a Certification as a Reading Teacher from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, and a Certification for Principal and Director of Special Education and Pupil Services from St. Mary's University.

For several years, I managed the Alternative Education Program at Big Foot, which offers GED and competency-based programming for students in need of alternative graduation pathways. Currently, I serve as the Director of Pupil Services, a role that has expanded my responsibilities to include Special Education, English Language Programming, Data and Assessments, and McKinney-Vento Services.

I love working at Big Foot High School. It has been a joy to return to MY school and help students realize their full potential.

Special Education Teacher/Pupil Services Department Chair

Email: jrfenrick@bigfoot.k12.wi.us

Phone: (262) 394-4431

Room W31

About Me

I graduated form Janesville Parker Senior High School in 1987 and attended University of Wisconsin-Parkside on a baseball scholarship. I graduated in 1992 with a bachelor's degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Delinquency and Minorities. My career started as a Lead Counselor at Sunburst Residential Treatment Center in Neillsville, WI. From there, I worked for Rock County as a Juvenile Corrections Officer. In 2000, I returned to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater earning my teaching certification in Special Education and started teaching at Monroe (WI) Middle School. After three years there, I taught for a year at Brodhead High School and finally ended up here at Big Foot High School. In 2020, I earned a Certification as a Reading Teacher from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. I have been the Student Services Department Chair since 2018. As an extension of the classroom, I am a Master Level Basketball Official licensed by the WIAA.

I am married to my wife Suzie, and we have two children. Suzie is a Physical Education Teacher and Athletic Director for St. John Vianney Catholic School in Janesville. My daughter, Alexis is an Assistant Athletic Trainer for Eastern Illinois University and my son, Addison, is a student the University of Wisconsin-Platteville majoring in Cyber Security.

English / Special Education

Email: dnlawler@bigfoot.k12.wi.us

Phone: (262) 394-4437

Room W37

Co-Curricular Responsibilities

• Asst. Boys Tennis Coach

• Student Council Co-Adviser

• New Teacher Mentor

About Me

I am a proud 2004 graduate of Big Foot High School. I graduated from Clarke University in Dubuque, IA with a bachelor's degree in Elementary and Special Education. I have my Reading License from UW-Stout and was recently licensed to English.

My career started in 2008 when I was hired at Reek Elementary and Traver Elementary Schools where I taught Special Education and 5th grade Language Arts for five years. In 2013, I accepted my current teaching position at Big Foot High School. I started off as a special education teacher, added reading, and then recently moved over to a fulltime role as an English teacher. I continue to work with the special education department, serving as a case manager.

In addition to teaching, I coach boys tennis in the spring and truly love getting to know the students and families in our community!

Art / Special Education Teacher

Email: mjpitassi@bigfoot.k12.wi.us

Phone: (262)-394-4461 Ext. 6033 (Art Room)

Phone: (262)-394-4432 Ext. 7032 (Spec. Ed. Room)

Co-Curricular Responsibilities

• Art Club

About Me

I am a graduate of Big Foot High School (Class of 2005).

Through my experiences as a Special Ed. teacher at the high school level, I have learned that every student has their own individualistic learning styles and that I must be able to adapt to ever changing situations when it comes to how I instruct my students. Working in Special Ed. has taught me how to better understand the needs of individual students because each student has unique personalities, skills, and tendencies. I believe cultivating learning relationships with my students to be important because it goes a long way to show the students that I’m respectful and responsive to their needs. I also found that collaboration between teachers, staff, and administration to be pivotal towards creating a solid support system for myself as well as bringing together ideas and methods of teaching that will help every student succeed. 

ELL Teacher

Email: amgump@bigfoot.k12.wi.us

Phone: (262) 394-4441

About Me

Since beginning my teaching career in 2008, I have taught elementary (kindergarten, 3rd grade), middle/high school (ESL and reading). My undergraduate degree is in Psychology from the University of Illinois @ Urbana-Champaign, and I received a Masters in Teaching from National-Louis University. I live in Williams Bay with my husband and our two children. My role at Big Foot is to support students with their English language acquisition. I am also the ELL teacher at Williams Bay, so I spend part of my day over there.

Alternative Education Programming

Email: amnickel@bigfoot.k12.wi.us

Phone: (262) 394-4515

Room: W15

Co-Curricular Responsibilities

• National Honor Society Advisor

About Me

I earned my bachelor's degree in International Relations and Russian Language from Beloit College in 2002. Then, I continued my education at UW-Whitewater for a second bachelor's degree in History and teaching. In 2006, I returned to my hometown of Janesville, Wisconsin, where I was a Social Studies teacher for sixteen years. In 2022, I started teaching at Big Foot High School as a Social Studies teacher and the Alternative Education coordinator. I strive to meet the social, emotional, and academic needs of all students to help them succeed in high school and beyond.

Paraprofessional

Email mdwarfel@bigfoot.k12.wi.us

About Me

I began working at Big Foot High School in the fall of 2019, where I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with teachers and students to create a supportive and engaging learning environment. My role allows me to assist in the classroom, help students with their academic progress and help with their overall success.

Outside of school, I am a proud wife and mother of three very active kids who keep me busy with their involvement in various sports and activities. Balancing family life and work has taught me the value of patience, teamwork, and flexibility, qualities I strive to bring into my role each day.

I’m passionate about helping students reach their full potential and am committed to creating a positive and encouraging atmosphere.

Academic Resource Center

Email: kapitassi@bigfoot.k12.wi.us

Phone: (262) -394-4456

Extension #: 7056

About Me

For the past 40 years, I have lived in the Village of Fontana. I have 4 children. All of them are Big Foot Graduates. I was hired over 27.5 years ago to help implement a new program called Back on Track. This program was developed to help struggling students achieve success and graduate. Due to the popularity and great success of the program, it was expanded to ‘Through New Eyes’  where we provided intervention at different levels to meet students’ needs.

Now we offer the Academic Support Center with Math Intervention, which is offered to all students. Math support is offered before school everyday 7:00-7:40, during all 8 periods, and after school Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 3:00-4:00 pm

I provide assistance and instruction along with a quiet organized atmosphere. Students feel comfortable attending and are not hesitant to ask for or seek help.

Students can come during the school day during their study hall with a pass, a teacher or counselor may recommend them or a parent can request it. 

My goal is to motivate and encourage students in positive ways to help them succeed not only in high school but in life.

Paraprofessional

Email: rlfreymiller@bigfoot.k12.wi.us

Phone: (262) 275-2116 Extension #: 5404

About Me

I'm starting my 7th year working at BFHS.  I'm a UW-Whitewater Alumni with a BA in Social Work.  I'm married and the mother of two young men who graduated from Big Foot in 2017 and 2023.  I used to live in Walworth, but now commute from Newville, WI (near Edgerton) each day.  I always say I live near the World's Largest Culvers!

I love singing, music, travel, photography, and enjoy learning.  I get to work with students and hang out in the classrooms so there is never a dull moment!