Wildcat Nation expand through influx of new faces, new experiences, new energy

A new year brought new faces, and not just freshmen, as West welcomed several new staff members to its classrooms and departments. From coaching the adaptive sports league team to coordinating AP exams, each brings a different background and experience to Wildcat Nation. 

After student teaching at West last spring, special education teacher Kieran Maude was happy to return to the school for his first full-time teaching position.  

“I had a great student teaching experience. It was a great culture, and even within the special education department,” he said. “Everyone has been like a little kind of our own family, so everyone is very supportive.”

The biggest adjustment for Maude has been transitioning from student teaching to being full-time. 

“I want to get everything done, whether that’s planning for classes, paperwork, or just finally having all that responsibility on me,” he said, “I try to start every day like a fresh slate. I know a lot of either students and adults have rough days, so I’m trying to help my students know that.” 

In the physical education department, Nathan Wara begins this school year as a new teacher for strength and conditioning and team sports as well as being a football coach. Previously, he worked at Fond du Lac and made the move to West, which offers a shorter commute from home. So far, Wara has enjoyed his transition, but he recognizes that the beginning of the school year can be different from the months that follow.

“The first few weeks, it’s always the honeymoon stage, where everyone’s coming out of summer break and they are ready to get back to school. Everyone’s eager to see how it’s gonna be the rest of the year,” he said.

Wara was surprised by the competitiveness among West’s staff, who participate in team games and other activities to connect with colleagues.

“I’m very competitive in everything I do, and it’s kind of cool that they do that and everyone kind of gels together,” he said. 

One thing he looks forward to this year is bringing something different to the table, making a positive impact on students he interacts with.

“I’m looking forward to building my own culture, and kind of incorporating some things that I’ve seen, where it’s gonna help benefit in what we're doing in the curriculum,” Wara said. 

Additionally, Teri Rucinsky has joined the staff as the IST of media and information literacy. Rucinsky oversees library resources, assists with technology and works with students on research and information-literacy skills. She also helps select new books for the library, prioritizing student recommendations while ensuring the new materials meet district selection criteria. 

“I firmly believe that if a student recommends a book, I purchase it, that they get the first dibs on it,” she said.

 After previously working as a librarian at Emmeline Cook Elementary School, Rucinsky’s biggest adjustments at West has been learning the library’s collections. Becoming familiar with the library’s resources has been a challenge. 

“I am only here for 40% of the time,” she said. “It is difficult to try to figure out where everything is.”

Despite the adjustment, Rucinsky has found acceptance by the West community. 

“Everyone has been super welcoming, and students have not been afraid to stop and introduce themselves!” she said.

Rucinsky was interested in working at the high school level because she enjoys helping students explore their interests and think about their future. 

“High school students are really ready for that next level challenge,” she said. “They’re starting to find their passion with literature a little bit more, understanding what their future might look like, and what careers and opportunities exist for them outside of school.” 

Looking ahead, Rucinsky hopes to connect students with opportunities outside of the classroom. One of her goals is to bring community speakers into the library to show students how technology and other resources can connect to different careers.

“I like to bring those experiences to the real world,” she said.

Rucinsky also hopes to make the LMC a place where students can collaborate, learn, and find resources that connect with their interests.

“I think the library has a balance of all things,” she said. “It’s like a hub where people can come to collaborate and learn together.” 

 Jessica Petrie, another Wildcat transplant, will be serving as the instructional support teacher (IST). In her role, Petrie works with teachers to improve instruction and student learning.

“On a typical day, I meet with teams of teachers, and we talk about the courses that they teach and instructional practices,” she said. “We look at data and how we can improve instruction for students.”

Petrie worked for eight years in both Milwaukee and Fond du Lac. Petrie was drawn to West by its supportive school community and the opportunity to work with staff and students. 

“Mrs. [Becky] Montour’s vision was a staff that was ready to kind of go to the next level with instruction and move students forward in their learning, and I wanted to be a partner,” she said.

Since arriving, Petrie has enjoyed visiting all the classrooms. Her ability to move and interact with different environments makes her role unique.

 “Previously, I was just in my classroom unless I went to visit one other teacher during the day,” she said. “So now I get to be in all of the different classrooms and I really love that.”

As she begins this first year at West, Petrie hopes students get involved in school, taking advantage of all the opportunities they are given.

“Just find something that even sparks you a little bit and dive in,” she said. “Don’t have the attitude that ‘school is boring’ or ‘I’m too cool for this.’ Do the opposite.  High school is going to be something you remember for the rest of your life.” 

by Ayesha Zafar Ullah

Published October 5, 2026

Oshkosh West Index Volume 123 Issue 1