The 7 new teachers who call Reagan home
Will Berger
Published April 8, 2022
Published April 8, 2022
In the past two school years, 7 new teachers have begun to call Reagan home. Despite these educators starting one to two years ago, they have all gone under the radar and have had little chance to introduce themselves to the student body. Let’s learn a bit more about them all and why they are excited to call Reagan home.
Ms. Ernster
Why did you decide to teach at Reagan and what is your educational background?
I originally went to undergrad at Marquette for Biomedical Sciences & Spanish (I doubled majored)! I then went to Grad School for Public Health and worked for a few years in that field, which even brought me to Washington DC to work at the National Institutes of Health. My favorite part about working in Public Health was when I got to work on educational projects. So I went back to school again at Marquette to earn my Masters in Education and end up here! I actually met Ms. Carpenter at a Student Teacher meeting that MPS hosted and that's where I first learned that Reagan would have an opening for a Science Teacher!
Where were you born and raised? I was born and raised in Chicago, IL - Go Cubs Go!
What's your experience at Reagan like?
My experience at Reagan so far has been such a wild ride! I started here last year while we were virtual, but I am so happy that we were all able to be back together in person this year! It has been really fun getting to see all my students from last year in real life and not through a computer screen and I've gotten to meet more teachers and staff at Reagan and they are all amazing! We really do have a great community here of both students and teachers and it's great to be a part of it! I have also loved to be able to attend the student performances that have happened so far this year like the Reagan Fall One Acts, Choir Concert and the Band and Orchestra Concert and I'm very excited to see the musical next month!
What room number are you in? 208
What’s an interesting fact about yourself?
My most interesting fact is that I have a home bakery, so I'm always baking - including things from cookies to giant wedding cakes! I also make sure my students get sweet treats every now and then so they don't feel too left out!
Why did you decide to teach at Reagan and what is your educational background?
I originally went to undergrad at Marquette for Biomedical Sciences & Spanish (I doubled majored)! I then went to Grad School for Public Health and worked for a few years in that field, which even brought me to Washington DC to work at the National Institutes of Health. My favorite part about working in Public Health was when I got to work on educational projects. So I went back to school again at Marquette to earn my Masters in Education and end up here! I actually met Ms. Carpenter at a Student Teacher meeting that MPS hosted and that's where I first learned that Reagan would have an opening for a Science Teacher!
Where were you born and raised? I was born and raised in Chicago, IL - Go Cubs Go!
What's your experience at Reagan like?
My experience at Reagan so far has been such a wild ride! I started here last year while we were virtual, but I am so happy that we were all able to be back together in person this year! It has been really fun getting to see all my students from last year in real life and not through a computer screen and I've gotten to meet more teachers and staff at Reagan and they are all amazing! We really do have a great community here of both students and teachers and it's great to be a part of it! I have also loved to be able to attend the student performances that have happened so far this year like the Reagan Fall One Acts, Choir Concert and the Band and Orchestra Concert and I'm very excited to see the musical next month!
What room number are you in? 208
What’s an interesting fact about yourself?
My most interesting fact is that I have a home bakery, so I'm always baking - including things from cookies to giant wedding cakes! I also make sure my students get sweet treats every now and then so they don't feel too left out!
Ms. Brandt
Why did you decide to teach at Reagan and what is your educational background?
I graduated from Reagan in 2016 and went to UW-Madison. I always knew that I wanted to work with people with disabilities and I loved education, so I decided to major in special education. I graduated in 2020 with my Bachelor's in Special Education and a certificate in Educational Policy. I grew up in Milwaukee and attended Milwaukee Public Schools, so I could not imagine working anywhere else. When I was looking for jobs in MPS, I heard Reagan was hiring. I had a wonderful experience here as a student and was sure the experience would be very positive in a teaching role as well.
What is your room number? 105
What’s an interesting fact about your life? My favorite thing is my dog, Chance! He is a 2-year-old pug with a very sassy personality.
Why did you decide to teach at Reagan and what is your educational background?
I graduated from Reagan in 2016 and went to UW-Madison. I always knew that I wanted to work with people with disabilities and I loved education, so I decided to major in special education. I graduated in 2020 with my Bachelor's in Special Education and a certificate in Educational Policy. I grew up in Milwaukee and attended Milwaukee Public Schools, so I could not imagine working anywhere else. When I was looking for jobs in MPS, I heard Reagan was hiring. I had a wonderful experience here as a student and was sure the experience would be very positive in a teaching role as well.
What is your room number? 105
What’s an interesting fact about your life? My favorite thing is my dog, Chance! He is a 2-year-old pug with a very sassy personality.
Ms. Voith
Hello! My name is Annie Voith, better known by my students as Ms. V. or Ms. Voith. Many people ask me if I am related to Mr. Voith, and I am! In fact, we have mirroring classrooms with him in room 327 and me in room 300. Mr. Voith is my uncle and we both teach Spanish, although neither of us are native speakers.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Milwaukee, in the same building that I took classes in at college 18 years later. This building used to be a Columbia St. Mary's Hospital and is now called the Northwest Quad on the UW-Milwaukee Campus.
Why did you decide to teach at Reagan and what is your educational background?
While I attended UWM, I struggled to find my calling. I had applied to the school with the intention of pursuing an interest in music and theater but decided to go a different route. I started taking Spanish Language classes again and realized that I was pretty good at learning a second language. So, I decided to pursue studies in Spanish. Not long after, I added Portuguese to my course load and ended up learning this as my third language. I knew that I wanted to serve my community and I thought a great way to do that would be to become a teacher. (After all, many teachers that I had in school are what made learning exciting and engaging and were what I looked forward to most when attending class.) This led me to my first professional position as a Spanish teacher at Ronald Reagan High School, and I couldn't be happier!
What's your experience at Reagan like?
My first-year teaching was very challenging, as I came into the profession by teaching virtually. I had never done something like this before, although I also had never professionally taught in-person before this either. That virtual year threw me for a loop, but I have settled into the Reagan Culture very well since the beginning of this year in-person. The connections that I have with students in-person are what make my day a good day and I wouldn't trade that for anything. There are still many things that I must learn, to which I continually try to improve and learn as I go.
Hello! My name is Annie Voith, better known by my students as Ms. V. or Ms. Voith. Many people ask me if I am related to Mr. Voith, and I am! In fact, we have mirroring classrooms with him in room 327 and me in room 300. Mr. Voith is my uncle and we both teach Spanish, although neither of us are native speakers.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Milwaukee, in the same building that I took classes in at college 18 years later. This building used to be a Columbia St. Mary's Hospital and is now called the Northwest Quad on the UW-Milwaukee Campus.
Why did you decide to teach at Reagan and what is your educational background?
While I attended UWM, I struggled to find my calling. I had applied to the school with the intention of pursuing an interest in music and theater but decided to go a different route. I started taking Spanish Language classes again and realized that I was pretty good at learning a second language. So, I decided to pursue studies in Spanish. Not long after, I added Portuguese to my course load and ended up learning this as my third language. I knew that I wanted to serve my community and I thought a great way to do that would be to become a teacher. (After all, many teachers that I had in school are what made learning exciting and engaging and were what I looked forward to most when attending class.) This led me to my first professional position as a Spanish teacher at Ronald Reagan High School, and I couldn't be happier!
What's your experience at Reagan like?
My first-year teaching was very challenging, as I came into the profession by teaching virtually. I had never done something like this before, although I also had never professionally taught in-person before this either. That virtual year threw me for a loop, but I have settled into the Reagan Culture very well since the beginning of this year in-person. The connections that I have with students in-person are what make my day a good day and I wouldn't trade that for anything. There are still many things that I must learn, to which I continually try to improve and learn as I go.
Ms. Nichols
My name is Kay Nichols, and I am the new PE and Health teacher at Reagan. I have been a teacher in MPS for 17 years. I spent those years as a PE teacher and Athletic Director at Hamilton. I’m also married and have 3 kids. My life outside of school is sports, sports, sports. I am either playing, coaching, watching, or driving my kids to their sports. I love being outside and enjoy swimming, camping, and exploring nature.
What's your experience at Reagan like? I love experiencing new things and challenges, so when the position opened at Reagan, I was very excited to join the Husky family.
What is your educational background? I went to college at UW-LaCrosse and played softball there for 4 years.
What’s an interesting fact about yourself? I played in the nation's first ever sanctioned High School Girls Hockey Game back in 1997.
My name is Kay Nichols, and I am the new PE and Health teacher at Reagan. I have been a teacher in MPS for 17 years. I spent those years as a PE teacher and Athletic Director at Hamilton. I’m also married and have 3 kids. My life outside of school is sports, sports, sports. I am either playing, coaching, watching, or driving my kids to their sports. I love being outside and enjoy swimming, camping, and exploring nature.
What's your experience at Reagan like? I love experiencing new things and challenges, so when the position opened at Reagan, I was very excited to join the Husky family.
What is your educational background? I went to college at UW-LaCrosse and played softball there for 4 years.
What’s an interesting fact about yourself? I played in the nation's first ever sanctioned High School Girls Hockey Game back in 1997.
Mr. Wenzel
Why did you decide to teach at Reagan and what is your educational background? I decided to teach at Reagan because it has a great reputation for being a school with high standards and high achieving students. Also, I like new challenges and this was a great opportunity to improve my curriculum. I have a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education with minors in Secondary Education and Health Education from Carroll University. My first Masters Degree in Public Health was from Carroll University. My second Masters Degree in School Administration, Curriculum/Design, and Special Education was from National Louis University.
What's your experience at Reagan like? I spend every day excited to see my next class. I have great interactions with students and when school is over I can't wait to get back the next day.
What is your room number? Physical Education is in the gym and Health in either room 242 or 242C.
What’s an interesting fact about yourself? My first teaching job was at Pearl City High School in Hawaii. I lived in Hawaii for 2 years. Also, I have done concert security for 27 years for such acts as Shawn Mendez, Pentatonix, and members of High School musical.
Why did you decide to teach at Reagan and what is your educational background? I decided to teach at Reagan because it has a great reputation for being a school with high standards and high achieving students. Also, I like new challenges and this was a great opportunity to improve my curriculum. I have a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education with minors in Secondary Education and Health Education from Carroll University. My first Masters Degree in Public Health was from Carroll University. My second Masters Degree in School Administration, Curriculum/Design, and Special Education was from National Louis University.
What's your experience at Reagan like? I spend every day excited to see my next class. I have great interactions with students and when school is over I can't wait to get back the next day.
What is your room number? Physical Education is in the gym and Health in either room 242 or 242C.
What’s an interesting fact about yourself? My first teaching job was at Pearl City High School in Hawaii. I lived in Hawaii for 2 years. Also, I have done concert security for 27 years for such acts as Shawn Mendez, Pentatonix, and members of High School musical.
Mr. Littel
Hi, I’m Mr. Littel! I teach MYP Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 in room 317. I was born and raised in Kenosha, WI and I have been living in Milwaukee for over 10 years.
Why did you decide to teach at Reagan and what is your educational background?
I double majored in Actuarial Science and Economics at UW-Milwaukee and I have a Masters in Education from Marquette University. This is my 7th year teaching math in MPS, and my second year at Reagan. I enjoy teaching a diverse student body and being a part of a district that celebrates culture and diversity and works towards equity.
What's your experience at Reagan like? My experience at Reagan so far has been great! It’s cool seeing how students here get involved and share their interests. Since I started teaching at Reagan during a virtual school year, I’ve loved being back in person; one of my favorite things about being a teacher is building relationships with students. The teachers, principals, and other staff have all been very welcoming to me, as well.
What’s an interesting fact about yourself? When I’m not teaching, I enjoy playing my violin with the Concord Chamber Orchestra, perfecting my golf swing, and spending time with family and friends. My wife and I enjoy camping in the summer and being active outside.
Hi, I’m Mr. Littel! I teach MYP Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 in room 317. I was born and raised in Kenosha, WI and I have been living in Milwaukee for over 10 years.
Why did you decide to teach at Reagan and what is your educational background?
I double majored in Actuarial Science and Economics at UW-Milwaukee and I have a Masters in Education from Marquette University. This is my 7th year teaching math in MPS, and my second year at Reagan. I enjoy teaching a diverse student body and being a part of a district that celebrates culture and diversity and works towards equity.
What's your experience at Reagan like? My experience at Reagan so far has been great! It’s cool seeing how students here get involved and share their interests. Since I started teaching at Reagan during a virtual school year, I’ve loved being back in person; one of my favorite things about being a teacher is building relationships with students. The teachers, principals, and other staff have all been very welcoming to me, as well.
What’s an interesting fact about yourself? When I’m not teaching, I enjoy playing my violin with the Concord Chamber Orchestra, perfecting my golf swing, and spending time with family and friends. My wife and I enjoy camping in the summer and being active outside.