Larry Jozwik
CDE Executive Director
My name is Larry Jozwik. I was a science teacher at McKinley Middle School in Racine, WI for over thirty years and have been a life-long resident of the city. My personal hobbies and activities include film production and photography, traveling, educational consulting, and student mentoring. I am presently Executive Director of the CDE program in charge of the program’s philosophy, curriculum design and implementation, and staffing.
CDE Executive Director
My name is Larry Jozwik. I was a science teacher at McKinley Middle School in Racine, WI for over thirty years and have been a life-long resident of the city. My personal hobbies and activities include film production and photography, traveling, educational consulting, and student mentoring. I am presently Executive Director of the CDE program in charge of the program’s philosophy, curriculum design and implementation, and staffing.
Kate Farrar
CDE Master Facilitator
Hi, my name is Kate Farrar, and I am a certified biology and chemistry teacher. I graduated from UW-Madison and received my Master’s in Teaching and Learning from Cardinal Stritch. I taught for nine years at Horlick High School and currently stay at home with my two wonderful children. I enjoy seeing the world come alive for students. In the past, I have coached girl's tennis and lead Western Field Studies, a wilderness adventure for high school students. Outside of school, you can find me either exercising or reading. I love to take Strength Training and Yoga classes and ride my bike. I am always looking for book suggestions.
CDE Master Facilitator
Hi, my name is Kate Farrar, and I am a certified biology and chemistry teacher. I graduated from UW-Madison and received my Master’s in Teaching and Learning from Cardinal Stritch. I taught for nine years at Horlick High School and currently stay at home with my two wonderful children. I enjoy seeing the world come alive for students. In the past, I have coached girl's tennis and lead Western Field Studies, a wilderness adventure for high school students. Outside of school, you can find me either exercising or reading. I love to take Strength Training and Yoga classes and ride my bike. I am always looking for book suggestions.
Ed McCarthy
CDE Master Facilitator
My name is Ed McCarthy. I am a retired science teacher and football coach. I began my career teaching in the junior high schools in Racine Unified. I coached and taught for 10 years in junior high and then taught and coached for 24 years at William Horlick High School. The philosophy that I have always lived by is that learning science should be hands-on, and above all, FUN. I love working with students and watching their joy when they discover something new and exciting. In my spare time I love to travel, hike and read.
CDE Master Facilitator
My name is Ed McCarthy. I am a retired science teacher and football coach. I began my career teaching in the junior high schools in Racine Unified. I coached and taught for 10 years in junior high and then taught and coached for 24 years at William Horlick High School. The philosophy that I have always lived by is that learning science should be hands-on, and above all, FUN. I love working with students and watching their joy when they discover something new and exciting. In my spare time I love to travel, hike and read.
Bryan Bassler
CDE Lead Facilitator
Hello, my name is Bryan Bassler. I have been married to Jennifer Bassler for 16 years. We have 4 children: Kira - 13, Caleb & Katelyn - 9, and Kyla - 6. I have been a teacher at Horlick High School for 11 years, teaching Chemistry and Advance Placement Chemistry. I also taught one year at Sussex Middle school, and two years at Greenfield High School. As you can see from my picture, I am a huge Green Bay Packer fan. This picture was taken on November 24th against the Minnesota Vikings ("Queens"). Unfortunately, the game ended in a tie, but this was my first regular season game ever at the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field...AWESOME !!! Anyway, I love teaching science and have enjoyed teaching the STEM classes during the summer, a great hands-on science learning experience. I hope you can join us during the summer, and I look forward to meeting you. Until then… GO - PACK - GO.
CDE Lead Facilitator
Hello, my name is Bryan Bassler. I have been married to Jennifer Bassler for 16 years. We have 4 children: Kira - 13, Caleb & Katelyn - 9, and Kyla - 6. I have been a teacher at Horlick High School for 11 years, teaching Chemistry and Advance Placement Chemistry. I also taught one year at Sussex Middle school, and two years at Greenfield High School. As you can see from my picture, I am a huge Green Bay Packer fan. This picture was taken on November 24th against the Minnesota Vikings ("Queens"). Unfortunately, the game ended in a tie, but this was my first regular season game ever at the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field...AWESOME !!! Anyway, I love teaching science and have enjoyed teaching the STEM classes during the summer, a great hands-on science learning experience. I hope you can join us during the summer, and I look forward to meeting you. Until then… GO - PACK - GO.
Rob Venne
CDE Master Facilitator
Hi, my name is Rob Venne. I teach biomedical science classes (Biomedical Innovations, Medical Interventions, Human Body Systems, and Principles of Biomedical Science) as part of the Project Lead the Way program at Horlick High School. I have always approached science with a hands-on philosophy and truly enjoy seeing students become fully engaged in what they are learning. Outside of the classroom, I helped coach students for Science Olympiad and prepared them for project-based competitions. I put lots of emphasis on teamwork and collaboration with my students, as most careers in the science field today require it. Besides teaching, I enjoy reading, camping, sports, and anything art-related.
CDE Master Facilitator
Hi, my name is Rob Venne. I teach biomedical science classes (Biomedical Innovations, Medical Interventions, Human Body Systems, and Principles of Biomedical Science) as part of the Project Lead the Way program at Horlick High School. I have always approached science with a hands-on philosophy and truly enjoy seeing students become fully engaged in what they are learning. Outside of the classroom, I helped coach students for Science Olympiad and prepared them for project-based competitions. I put lots of emphasis on teamwork and collaboration with my students, as most careers in the science field today require it. Besides teaching, I enjoy reading, camping, sports, and anything art-related.
David Venne
CDE Master Facilitator
Hi, my name is David Venne. I have just started my twelfth year teaching and am currently an instructional coach at Horlick High School. Prior to that role, I was a science teacher at Case High School. I have taught physics, PLTW engineering, Earth science, and general science. My approach to teaching has always been to generate curiosity about my subject area and then get students actively involved in learning through projects or lab activities. My hobbies outside of teaching include spending time with my family, camping, hiking, and exercising.
CDE Master Facilitator
Hi, my name is David Venne. I have just started my twelfth year teaching and am currently an instructional coach at Horlick High School. Prior to that role, I was a science teacher at Case High School. I have taught physics, PLTW engineering, Earth science, and general science. My approach to teaching has always been to generate curiosity about my subject area and then get students actively involved in learning through projects or lab activities. My hobbies outside of teaching include spending time with my family, camping, hiking, and exercising.
Joan Koenig
CDE Lead Facilitator
I am a middle school math, science and health teacher at Our Lady of Grace Academy. I have taught in the Racine area for the last ten years. Before coming to Racine I taught in Milwaukee. In my spare time I like to read, do crafts, go camping and travel.
CDE Lead Facilitator
I am a middle school math, science and health teacher at Our Lady of Grace Academy. I have taught in the Racine area for the last ten years. Before coming to Racine I taught in Milwaukee. In my spare time I like to read, do crafts, go camping and travel.
Joy Aragones
CDE Facilitator
My name is Joy Aragones. I am the 5/6 science teacher at The Prairie School. Prior to Prairie, I taught at public, independent, online and international schools. The one thing that has always remained constant is my love of science! I have been teaching for 18 years and still love to see those "aha!" moments for students. Outside of school, one would usually find me spending time with my wonderful husband and two small children. We love to visit museums, nature centers, and sporting events.
CDE Facilitator
My name is Joy Aragones. I am the 5/6 science teacher at The Prairie School. Prior to Prairie, I taught at public, independent, online and international schools. The one thing that has always remained constant is my love of science! I have been teaching for 18 years and still love to see those "aha!" moments for students. Outside of school, one would usually find me spending time with my wonderful husband and two small children. We love to visit museums, nature centers, and sporting events.
Tom Pfeiffer
CDE Facilitator
My name is Tom Pfeiffer, and I am a Biology, Ecology, Earth science, Horticulture, and PLTW teacher at Horlick High School. I graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a Conservation and Environmental degree. For the last nine years, I have been teaching at Horlick High School. I also coach at Horlick the JV boys volleyball and boy/girls golf teams. I love to play competitive sports like softball, flag football, gaming online, board games, and golf. My outside activities include, hiking, camping, birding, and fishing. I am a HUGE Brewers Fan, Go Brewers.
CDE Facilitator
My name is Tom Pfeiffer, and I am a Biology, Ecology, Earth science, Horticulture, and PLTW teacher at Horlick High School. I graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a Conservation and Environmental degree. For the last nine years, I have been teaching at Horlick High School. I also coach at Horlick the JV boys volleyball and boy/girls golf teams. I love to play competitive sports like softball, flag football, gaming online, board games, and golf. My outside activities include, hiking, camping, birding, and fishing. I am a HUGE Brewers Fan, Go Brewers.
Trent Wiesner
CDE Lead Intern
Hi, I'm Trent Wiesner (pronounced Weez-ner)! I'm a student at Northland College in Ashland, WI, majoring in Sustainable Community Development. I look forward to helping the campers through the fun that is STEAM Camp, which I myself did during middle school. I've helped out every year since freshman year of high school, and I look forward to returning again.
CDE Lead Intern
Hi, I'm Trent Wiesner (pronounced Weez-ner)! I'm a student at Northland College in Ashland, WI, majoring in Sustainable Community Development. I look forward to helping the campers through the fun that is STEAM Camp, which I myself did during middle school. I've helped out every year since freshman year of high school, and I look forward to returning again.
Laura Schulz
CDE Environmental Specialist (REC)
Hi, my name is Laura Schulz. I have served as the Director of the Root River Environmental Education Community Center (REC) since 2016 and am a Lecturer in the Environmental Studies Program at UW-Parkside. I am also the Water Sampling Manager for the Great Water Alliance. I earned my BS in Geosciences from UW-Parkside and my MS in Soil Science from UW-Madison. Previously, I have worked in research labs focusing on soil fertility, manure management, wastewater nutrient upcycling, and biofuels. In my free time, I like to kayak, hike, swim, read, play ukulele, and hang out with my pet guinea pig, Larry.
CDE Environmental Specialist (REC)
Hi, my name is Laura Schulz. I have served as the Director of the Root River Environmental Education Community Center (REC) since 2016 and am a Lecturer in the Environmental Studies Program at UW-Parkside. I am also the Water Sampling Manager for the Great Water Alliance. I earned my BS in Geosciences from UW-Parkside and my MS in Soil Science from UW-Madison. Previously, I have worked in research labs focusing on soil fertility, manure management, wastewater nutrient upcycling, and biofuels. In my free time, I like to kayak, hike, swim, read, play ukulele, and hang out with my pet guinea pig, Larry.
Gretchen Carlson
CDE Lead Facilitator
Hi, my name is Gretchen Carlson. I have been teaching middle school science for 13 years in Racine Unified. Currently, I teach 7th grade science at Walden III. Science investigations that are hands-on, which students can apply to real life situations, have always been my approach to science. Having students explore and collaborate builds the life-long skills for them to be successful. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, traveling, spending time with family, and baking.
CDE Lead Facilitator
Hi, my name is Gretchen Carlson. I have been teaching middle school science for 13 years in Racine Unified. Currently, I teach 7th grade science at Walden III. Science investigations that are hands-on, which students can apply to real life situations, have always been my approach to science. Having students explore and collaborate builds the life-long skills for them to be successful. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, traveling, spending time with family, and baking.
