Leadership Spotlights

SASD Referendum Progress Report February 2025

Meet Dr. Clarissa Ramos, Principal of Pigeon River Elementary School and SASD Mentor Coordinator. Clarissa is also an Adjunct Instructor for Lakeland University and SASD’s joint Teacher Development Institute. For the past three years, Clarissa has taught a course titled “Establishing an Environment of Respect and Rapport,” which focuses on Restorative Practices.

Clarissa is a strong advocate for restorative practices in schools. These practices include tools that help students build relationships, improve communication skills, and resolve conflicts to foster a positive school environment. In the summer of 2024, she presented on this topic at the National Conference on School Leadership in Nashville, Tennessee.

Any details about your family you’d like to share? “My significant other and I have two fur babies and are excited to welcome a human baby to our family this summer!”

What is the best part of your job? "I appreciate the hugs and beautiful pictures I receive regularly from our students. I also really enjoy collaborating with and advocating for such talented and hardworking teachers who put our students first."

What accomplishment are you most proud of? "In 2023, I graduated with my PhD in Leadership for the Advancement of Learning & Service in Higher Education from Cardinal Stritch University. I also completed my coursework for a Superintendency license during this time."

Meet Jason Ledermann, the Director of Special Education and Pupil Services in the Sheboygan Area School District. For the past seven years, Jason has been an inspirational and dedicated leader in our Special Education department. Prior to his current role, he has held various positions within the SASD, including teacher, Activities Director, and school principal. His wife, Erin, teaches first grade at James Madison Elementary, and together they have two children who graduated from South High School and two children currently attending Horace Mann Middle School.

What is the best part of your job? The best part of my job is the opportunity to work within a team to create systems that enhance student learning experiences and provide staff support.

What is an accomplishment you are proud of? I am very proud that SASD services ALL students and ensures that every student receives the support they need.

Meet John Matczak, the Principal of Sheboygan North High School! With 36 years of experience in education—nine of which have been at North High—John exemplifies dedication to both his profession and the North High community. The Matczak family all share a connection to the Sheboygan Area School District. John’s wife, Amy, is a teacher at Urban Middle School, and their four children have attended Grant Elementary, Urban Middle School, and North High School.

What is something you look forward to at work? "I enjoy doing things for students and staff - and they don't even know about it. It's the biggest kick!"

Was there a teacher that inspired you to work in the education field? "Too many to name but my parents were exceptional. Neither was an educator, but they were both excellent teachers."

What is an accomplishment you are proud of? "My family and I took a risk moving to Sheboygan 9 years ago. We haven't looked back since! I'm really proud that we are part of the SASD."

Kyle was born and raised in Sheboygan and attended Wilson, Farnsworth, and South High School. He has worked in education for 25 years, serving as a teacher in Sussex, an associate principal in Wauwatosa, and a principal in Hartland before returning to Sheboygan five years ago to lead his former elementary school as the Principal.

Kyle’s entire family is involved with the SASD! His wife is a speech therapist who works in the district, and his two sons attend Farnsworth and South High.

What is your favorite day of the school year? I love 5th Grade Sports Day. Watching our students compete, persevere, and support each other exemplifies the values we hold at Wilson.

What accomplishments fill you with pride? Returning to Sheboygan to serve the students, staff, and families at Wilson has been a tremendous opportunity. The Wilson staff works together to ensure that our students receive the educational experiences that will allow them to be successful in the future.

Meet Jason Duff, Principal of Warriner Middle School and Warriner High School. Jason has worked in education for 22 years! In addition to serving as a charter school principal for the last four years, Jason has also served as the SASD Academic and Career Planning Coordinator for seven years. While not from Sheboygan, Jason has many connections to the SASD. His wife is a graduate of North High School and his mother-in-law is a school board member.

What is the best part of your job? Overall, I really like being part of a team -- working together to figure things out and working toward a common goal. I also really enjoy standing outside in the morning, greeting students and seeing smiles as they start their day.

What do you look forward to each school year? Without a doubt, my favorite day is high school graduation at Vollrath Bowl. Especially now that I've been at Warriner for nearly four years, it will be very fulfilling to see our seniors walk across the stage.

What do you like to do in your spare time? Most of my time outside of work is spent with my wife and my three kids, who are involved in a lot of activities. I also enjoy playing golf when I can.

Meet Lexi Foerster, Principal of Jackson Elementary School. Lexi is in her second year as a leader in the Sheboygan Area School District. She previously worked as a Principal in Neenah, Dean of Students in Appleton, and also as an elementary classroom teacher in Milwaukee.

What is the best part of your job? The best part of working at Jackson is the staff, students, and families! It’s very rewarding to know I am making a positive impact by loving and supporting others.

What do you like to do in your spare time? I love spending time in Eagle River, with my husband, daughter, and two sons. If it's warm enough to be on a boat, you can find me there!

What fills you with pride? I am proud to work with a staff that shares the same vision and mindset of, "What is best for kids?" At Jackson, we make all our decisions from a student-first perspective, which allows us to have the greatest impact on our students socially, emotionally, and academically.

Meet Amy Buffington, Principal of Sheridan Elementary School, which is home to the Dual Language program. Amy has worked in the Sheboygan Area School District for 13 years with the last seven years as Principal at Sheridan.

Amy's Path to SASD
"It was my hope upon my college graduation that my career would lead me to the SASD. When I learned that the SASD had a dual language program, as someone who is bilingual and passionate about language learning, I knew Sheridan was where I was meant to be! My oldest daughter, Lyla, is open enrolled in the Sheboygan Area School District and this year is especially exciting, because I get to watch her grow and flourish as a bilingual learner within Sheridan as a kindergarten student!"

What is something you look forward to each year? I genuinely look forward to every day and find so much joy in the small moments I am privileged to witness each day, however, if I had to choose a larger event I look forward to it would be our Family Nights. Each family night provides unique opportunities for our staff, students, and families to come together and celebrate what makes Sheridan such a special place.

What inspired you to enter the education field? In high school, all students participated in a college and career readiness mentoring program. My mentor was my elementary school principal. In a conversation with him we were discussing my future plans and when I talked about my career as a teacher he asked me, “What next?” I had never thought about anything other than teaching. He said “I see you in school leadership someday.” That comment stuck with me and the year he passed away, I was offered the elementary principal position at Sheridan. It was a full circle moment.

Meet Patrick Neils, Principal of Grant Elementary School. Patrick has worked in the Sheboygan Area School District for seven years - one year as Assistant Principal at Farnsworth and the last six years as Principal at Grant.

Patrick and his family have strong ties to the Sheboygan Area School District! He was born and raised in Sheboygan, attended Wilson Elementary School, Farnsworth Middle School, and graduated from South High School. His wife, Kela, works at Wilson Elementary School, his daughter Grace attends Farnsworth, and his daughter Faith attends Wilson Elementary School. Patrick’s mom worked as an Educational Assistant in the SASD for over 20 years.

What is something you look forward to each year? The excitement and possibility for the start of "a new year" on the first day of school.

What inspired you to work in the education field? I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in 4th grade, thanks in large part to the abundance of excellent teachers and educators I was fortunate enough to have throughout my academic career at Wilson, Farnsworth, and South. With too many to name, year after year, I am grateful for these phenomenal teachers who have helped me learn and grow. As an adult and educator myself, I am thankful for the wonderful examples they provided by modeling what it means to be a great educator.

Meet Ted Hamm, Director of The Étude Schools. Ted has worked in the Sheboygan Area School District for his entire career - 31 years and counting! Ted was one of the founders of the Étude charter schools 18 years ago and has been the Director since its inception.

What do you like to do in your spare time? I spend much of my spare time with my kids and their activities. This includes robotics competitions, debate competitions, and horse shows. I really enjoy watching my own kids grow in activities they enjoy!

What is something you look forward to each year? At Étude, we have Exhibitions of student learning each year. In these Exhibitions, students share their projects, including a product of their learning, their research, and most importantly, how they have grown in their Habits of Professionalism. Seeing students create something and reflect on their learning makes these events special.

What accomplishment fills you with pride? The greatest source of pride for me within the SASD is seeing a student who has struggled to overcome personal adversity turn around their school year and become successful in their lives and education.

Charity has worked in the Sheboygan Area School District for 10 years - four years as an Instructional Technology Coach and six years as the Principal at James Madison. Charity lives in Grafton with her husband and two young daughters.

What do you like to do in your spare time? I enjoy walking/running, going hiking with my family, reading, listening to podcasts, learning, and going to church. Recently, my husband and I learned how to sail.

What is something you look forward to each year? I look forward to our end-of-the-year field day and final school assembly. It is joyous to see the students reflecting on their year and time together with each other and staff. I also get to do fun things like having students throw a pie in my face or tape me to a wall. I love it because they love it!

What accomplishment fills you with pride? I am proud of the school and culture of excellence that James Madison has, which is displayed through our student's academic growth and achievement year after year.

Ms. Barttelt, as she is known to her elementary students, has worked in the Sheboygan Area School District for 14 years, with 11 of those years as the Lincoln-Erdman Principal.

Ms. Barttelt’s husband also works for the SASD as a technology education teacher at North and South High Schools. He oversees the home-building project. They have two sons - one at Lincoln-Erdman and one at Urban Middle School.

What is something you look forward to each year? My favorite two events are Trunk or Treat and Grub with the Grich (formerly Santa Breakfast). They are both family fun activities that allow me to interact with kids in a different setting.

What inspired you to work in the education field? I have always wanted to work with kids. Early on, I babysat my younger cousins, and in college, I spent my summers as a camp counselor. One of my favorite teachers was my High School German Teacher. He always held us to high standards but cared deeply about all of his students. He does his best to keep in touch with all of us, even those who graduated high school 25 years ago!