ELMWOOD – Elmwood School District has some new faces this year who are looking forward to getting to know the community. Find out a bit more about them here:

Katie Anderson

Position: Grades 4-8 school counselor

Hometown: Hawkins, but currently Menomonie

Experience: I worked as the elementary counselor in Arcadia for four years

Hobbies/interests: In my free time, I love to be outdoors (cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, kayaking, walking with my dog, etc.) and I love to cook.

What are you most looking forward to this year? I am from the very small town of Hawkins, Wis., so I’m excited to be working in a small area. I cannot wait to get to know the students, staff and families in Elmwood!

Marah Boyer

Position: Special education paraprofessional

Hometown: Plum City

Hobbies/interests: As a mom of two, most of my hobbies are spent with my family. We love to spend time together outdoors hunting, farming and watching baseball. I also enjoy reading, gardening, and spending time with family and friends.

What are you most looking forward to this year? I am thrilled to be joining the Elmwood School District and I look forward to meeting the students and being a part of the community.

Jovanna Furloni

Position: High school counselor, virtual charter school coordinator, district assessment coordinator

Hometown: Kenosha

Education: Bachelor’s degree from UW-La Crosse, Master’s from UW-Stout

Hobbies/interests: Reading, watching anything on Netflix, Hulu, Discovery+ and Disney+; hanging out with my fiancé, friends and dog; Harry Potter, going four-wheeling, soccer

Family: Right now my family is small and includes my fiancé and dog, Penny. My fiancé is the new middle school counselor at Spring Valley. I have five sisters, two brothers, and four nephews. Most of them still live in Kenosha, so I go there often.

What are you most looking forward to this year? I am looking forward to getting to know the staff, students and community of Elmwood. I am excited to attend football games as well. I am also looking forward to my wedding in October.

Sarah Giles

Position: Kindergarten teacher

Hometown: Prior Lake, Minn.

Education: UW-River Falls

Hobbies/interests:

Spending time outside, being with my family, completing DIY projects, and going shopping

What are you most looking forward to this year? Getting to know the Elmwood community and the new experiences and opportunities as a first-year teach er!

Kim Gunderson

Position: District office/ elementary school secretary

Hometown: Coon Rapids, Minn.

Education: UW-River Falls

Hobbies/interests: Gardening, traveling, watching my kids compete in archery tournaments

Family: I am married and have a daughter in her senior year at UW-River Falls and a son who is a freshman at UW-River Falls.

What are you most looking forward to this year? Being back with the students and getting to know the families in Elmwood.

Jodi Kendrick

Position: Paraprofessional

Hometown: Elmwood

Education: UW-Stout

Hobbies/interests: I enjoy kayaking, hiking, snowshoeing and spending time with my family and friends.

What are you most looking forward to this year? Meeting the students and being a part of the Elmwood staff.

Carissa Kirchner

Position: Second grade teacher

Hometown: I grew up in Beldenville and attended school in River Falls.

Experience: I have been teaching for the last eight years in St. Croix Falls.

Hobbies/interests: In my spare time I enjoy kayaking, hiking, snowboarding, and many other outdoor activities. I also enjoy reading, crafting and weight training.

Family: My family consists of my fiancé, Curt, my bonus son, Trey, our two dogs and cat. On the weekends you can catch us at various dirt bike tracks cheering Curt on.

What are you most looking forward to this year? I am excited to be teaching closer to home and to get to know the Elmwood community. I’m excited to meet my new students and begin working with all the staff at Elmwood.

Savannah Pearson

Position: Spanish teacher

Hometown: Janesville

Education: UW-River Falls

Hobbies/interests: Hiking, horror movies, reading, spending time with family and friends, officiating basketball

Family: I am super close to my family and love spending time with them! I am originally from Janesville and my parents still live there, so I make it home as much as possible. I even spent three weeks in Guatemala with my dad this summer! I currently live with my sister, Lauren and my fiancé, Jackson. My sister is in the Navy Reserves and Jackson is finishing his studies to be a teacher. Although we all have different schedules, we find as much time as possible to be together.

What are you most looking forward to this year? I am really looking forward to sharing my passion for the Spanish language and culture with the students at Elmwood this year. Speaking a second language can help students in so many ways and I can’t wait to help them achieve this.

Shawn Shepard

Position: Custodian

Hobbies/interests:

Spending time with family at our cabin, fishing, snowmobiling, and pretty much anything to do with being outdoors.

Family: I have been married to my wonderful wife Caron for 24 years and we have one daughter named Sira.

Sira Shepard

Position: Fifth/sixth grade math and fifth grade social studies teacher, interventionist, Middle School Writer’s Workshop Experience: The 20222023 school year will be my second year teaching!

What are you most looking forward to this year? I am so excited to continue my teaching career in the Elmwood School District! I look forward to watching your child grow throughout their middle school career and getting to know you!