Learn About UW-Richland
Middle School "U" Instructors
Instructors on this page:
Darby Brown
DNA: The Blueprint of Life
My PhD is in microbiology from UW-Madison. I worked for a year in New Zealand doing research on a soil bacterium and it was there that I fell in love with teaching. I am a recipient of a Howard Hughes certificate in instructional design from UW-Madison, and I have helped develop a genetics curriculum at Madison West High School. I also have worked with a Waldorf-based summer camp where I spent quality time with 5th graders. I was a "Saturday science" mentor for Madison-area 4th graders, and we explored terraqua columns and butterfly rearing. I currently teach anatomy and physiology, general biology and microbiology at UW-R.
Nick Ehlinger
A Week At The Improv
After teaching elementary music in the River Valley School District for seven years, I am now the district’s middle school vocal music and drama teacher. Since my early school days when I played the part of Noah in a first-grade production of Noah’s Ark, I have been involved in many dramatic productions, both on stage and behind the scenes. My interest in improvisational theater probably stems from that stint as Noah, when after all the animals unexpectedly started walking away from the ark toward their parents in the audience during the performance, I had to pretend that they were all still on stage and deliver my lines anyway!
Tracy Gobin
Tour de France
I have studied French for eight years, and I love to travel. I have traveled throughout France and Western Europe. I am a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a Bachelors of Arts in International Studies and French. January through May 2007 I lived in France with a family and studied the language and experienced the culture first-hand. It was an amazing experience! I can’t wait to share my love of all things French with the Middle School "U" students.
John Heasley
Mission to Mars
I connected with the cosmos when the Cub Scouts took me on a field trip to the Fels Planetarium in Philadelphia when I was in fifth grade. I teach English at Richland Center High School including our planet's only summer school course in Martian Literature. I enjoy stargazing, especially under the dark skies of Southwest Wisconsin. I have attended space education workshops at Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama, Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and Johnson Space Center in Texas and enjoy sharing the adventures with my students.
Michelle Keller
You Want Me To Do WHAT? Problem Solving and Teambuilding
I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse with an Exercise and Sport Science and Health Education degree. I have been teaching in the Richland Center School District for 9 years as an elementary, middle school, and adapted physical educator. I have also coached girls’ basketball, volleyball, and softball. My passion is keeping kids active and bringing new and exciting activities into the classroom. I like team building and problem solving because the activities allow students to interact with each other and show their ability to communicate, trust, and cooperate.
Jai Kellum
Yoga Lab
I am an organic fruit and vegetable grower, farming with my family on 50 acres of land. Farming is hard on the body and mind and I needed to find balance, so I started attending yoga classes. I knew Yoga would be good for my children also, so I went on a quest to learn how to teach kids. I didn't have to look far because there is a wonderful school of yoga in Chicago, Global Family Yoga, where I have completed instruction on how to teach children (5 and up). So now I farm and practice yoga with my family! I find that the children have fun, become engaged, and feel the benefits of yoga very quickly.
Jim Korb
Where in the World Are We? Images of Home from Space
I am a graduate of UW-LaCrosse and I have been teaching at the elementary level for 29 years. I am currently at Jefferson Elementary. I love working with kids. I have extended my reach by being part of the instructional staff at UW Richland's College for Kids and PreCollege Programs. My experience with NASA's EarthKAM Program began 6 years ago when I learned about it at Madison's Spring Harbor Environmental Magnet Middle School. I can’t wait to share it with Middle School "U" students.
Jordan Maclay
Black Holes, Space Warps, And Other Wonders Of Modern Science And Math
I am a physicist (Yale PhD), a NASA researcher, have 15 patents, and am a retired professor of electrical engineering and computer science. I love science and math! I have taught math and science in grades 2 and 3, middle school, and college. I love interesting ideas and I love taking things apart! The best way to learn and have some fun is by doing! So let's do it!
Wayne Morgenthaler
Electronics, Fishing and You
I taught high school for 37 years as a business education instructor and the past two years at UW-Richland and UW-Platteville. However, my true passion is fishing. I am an avid fisherman who wants to pass the sport on to the younger generation. I have been a certified DNR fishing instructor for the past 5 years and have run fishing camps through the local recreational department for last 6 years. I also write fishing and hunting articles for mwnews.net. I hope to see you at the local fishing pond!
Dan Nedrelo
Biodiversity in Our Changing World
I have been a herpetologist since 3rd grade. By the time I was in 9th grade I was doing local programs on reptiles and amphibians and using live specimens in 4-H and Boy Scouts projects. After attending the UW-Stevens Point I worked with the National Wildlife Federation and ever since I’ve maintained a lecture program in addition to working with the WI-DNR, Bureau of Endangered Resources, The Nature Conservancy and Dept. of the Army (Fort McCoy) doing wildlife work primarily with reptiles and amphibians. Additionally, my work as a wildlife photographer has taken me to most of the states in the USA along with Australia, Hispaniola, and most recently Costa Rica.
Dave Petrowitz
Sportsology 101
I have taught for 26 years in three different public school districts. During this time I have coached a number of sports from the 5th grade level to the varsity level, including football, volleyball, basketball, soccer, baseball, and track. I have also taught a class that utilizes Power Point at the College level. I love teaching "Sportsology" because it uses both the sport and the computer tools to develop the whole student in mind and body. When I am not teaching, my current hobby is in the martial art of Tae Kwon Do.
Jeffrey Rusk
Up a Creek...with a Paddle
I love the outdoors and especially the part of Wisconsin I am fortunate to live in. One benefit of living in this part of the state are the waterways I like to explore by canoe and kayak. I wanted to share my love of paddle sports so I became a Certified Instructor for the American Canoe Association. When I’m not pursuing other outdoor interests I am helping horses as a farrier, trimming and balancing horses’ hooves and fitting shoes to their feet.