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Staff BiographiesDirectors/Assistants |
Financial Manager/Paraprofessional | Service
Coordinator |
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Directors/Assistants Terry
Knothe-Lash is the Early Intervention Program Director at the Coulee
Children’s Center. She is originally from La Crosse, Wisconsin. She has
her Bachelor’s Degree in k-8 Special Education and Psychology from
Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee. She also has her early
childhood special education certification through Winona State
University. Terry enjoys her job because she enjoys working with young
children with special needs and their families. Terry got into the early
intervention field because she volunteered at the Coulee Children’s
Center when she was in college. She felt like she could have a positive
impact on young children and their families. She started working at the
Coulee Children’s Center as a teacher and she enjoyed working with the
staff and families in the area. Terry was dedicated to early
intervention because she personally felt like she had more of an
influence on younger children. Terry says the most rewarding part of her
job has been “seeing how the Coulee Children’s Center has changed over
the years and how it has grown in many positive ways. I feel privileged
to see how the Coulee Children’s Center has reached out to more families
over the years.”
Financial Manager/Paraprofessional Staff Karen
Wolfe is the Financial Manager for the Coulee Children’s Center. Karen
is originally from La Crosse, Wisconsin. She has her Bachelor’s Degree
from UW-La Crosse in Accounting. Karen also has her CPA license and
likes to study Wisconsin employment law. Karen enjoys her job because “
the Coulee Children’s Center has a great environment. I get to be around
children all day, including my own, and hear their laughter.” Karen
wanted to be an accountant because she enjoys working with numbers.
Karen says that the most rewarding part of her job is “making decisions
that help with the financial stability of the Coulee Children’s Center.”
Karen is the mother of two young boys.
 Karla
Ronnenberg is the receptionist/ Paraprofessional at the Coulee
Children’s Center. Karla is originally from Shullsburg, Wisconsin. She
has her Associate’s Degree from Western Wisconsin Technical College in
La Crosse, Wisconsin. Karla is also certified in special education.
Karla is the co-founder of the La Crescent Animal Rescue organization
and takes care of many animals that need care. Karla enjoys her job
because of the personal contact with the children, families, and staff.
Karla wanted to be a receptionist/paraprofessional because working at
the front desk allows her to deal with families face-to-face. Karla
enjoys her job because she gets to be around the children and her job is
flexible. Karla has two stepchildren, Aaron who is twenty-four and April
who is twenty-two years old.
Service Coordinator
Early Intervention Teachers Sharon
Heim is an Early Childhood Special Educator. She is originally from
Holmen, Wisconsin. She has her Elementary Education Degree from UW-La
Crosse and her early childhood special education degree from Viterbo
University. Sharon is certified through the Department of Public
Instruction and continues to take courses in the education field. Sharon
enjoys her job because she gets to work with a variety of children while
getting to travel and have a flexible schedule. Sharon originally worked
in the medical field but wanted to teach. She was given an opportunity
through the Coulee Children’s Center and she worked for the Coulee
Children’s Center while working towards an additional certification in
special education. Sharon says the most rewarding part of her job is
“seeing the children progressively improve their skills and graduate
from the program.” Sharon has one son that is twenty-seven years old and
two daughters that are twenty-five and twenty-three years old. She is a
grandmother to one grandchild with two more on the way.
Physical Therapists
Occupational Therapists Charlene
Krocker is a Registered Occupational Therapist. Charlene is originally
from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She has her Bachelors of Science Degree in
Occupational Therapy from Mount Mary College in Milwaukee. Charlene is
N.C.B.O.T. certified. Charlene studies sensory integration dysfunction,
feeding disorders, and autism. She also has experience with brachial
plexus and nerve injuries. Charlene enjoys her job because she enjoys
working with children and helping families. Charlene was interested in
occupational therapy because she felt it was a good balance of working
in the medical field and helping people become more independent.
Charlene says, “Occupational therapy is always a challenge because you
are constantly learning new techniques and new information.” Charlene
says the most rewarding part of her job is “knowing that I make a
significant difference in people’s lives.” Charlene is a mother of one
son and one daughter.
 Laura
Paquette is a Registered Occupational Therapist. Laura is originally
from Chicago, Illinois. Laura has her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in
Occupational Therapy from the University of Illinois Medical Center.
Laura attends continuing educational seminars and courses in sensory
integration and feeding, as well as autism spectrum disorders. Laura
says, “I enjoy my job because I see a lot of progress and change in
children at a younger age. I get to see the happiness on family’s faces
when they see improvement. I wanted to become an occupational therapist
because I grew up with children of varying abilities. My dad was
involved with Easter Seals so I was around many people with varying
abilities at a young age.” Laura says the best part of her job is “being
able to share small progresses and steps with families.” Laura is the
mother of three children.
Speech Pathologists Kristin
Schuppert is a Speech Language Pathologist. She is originally from
Watertown, Wisconsin and moved to Wilkesboro, North Carolina at age
eight. She has a Masters of Science Degree in Speech Language Pathology
from Appalachian State in North Carolina. Kristin is A.S.H.A. (American
Speech and Hearing Association) certified and Kristin is interested in
studying more about autism and behavioral approaches. Kristin enjoys her
job because everyday is different for her. Kristin says that she,
“enjoys seeing children progress from making no words or sounds to
communicating and learning new words.” Kristin wanted to be a therapist
because she has always got along with children and she loves
communicating with them. Kristin says, “The most rewarding part of my
job is that I get to share the moment with parents when their child
speaks words for the very first time.”
 Ellen
Soper is a Speech Language Pathologist. She is originally from
Jamestown, North Dakota. She has a Masters of Science Degree in Speech
Therapy from Moorehead State University in Minnesota. Ellen is state
certified, as well as A.S.H.A certified. Ellen loves working with the
birth to three age group. She is interested in early language
development. Ellen wanted to be a speech language pathologist because “I
get to go to the child’s home and work with them in their natural
environment.” Ellen says, “The best part of being a pathologist is
seeing the children and families progress together.” Ellen is the mother
of four children.
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Lori
Arndt is the Assistant Program Director for the Early Intervention
Program. She is originally from La Crosse, Wisconsin. She has her
Masters of Science Degree in Social Work from UW-Madison. She is
interested in assistive technology and early literacy. Lori says that
she enjoys her job because “it is nice to know you work for a program
that is helping families and children at an important time in the
child’s life.” This field gives us a chance to make a difference for
families.” Lori says the most rewarding part of her job is “seeing the
children when they are older and knowing that the program helped enhance
their development.” Lori has two children, a son and a daughter. 
Nicki Kammel is Child Care Director at the
Coulee Children’s Center. She is originally from Barre Mills, Wisconsin.
Nicki has her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Sociology with a minor in
Psychology from UW-La Crosse. Outside of the Coulee Children’s Center,
Nicki enjoys playing volleyball and being with her family. Nicki says
she enjoys her job because “I really enjoy the people I work with and
the children that attend the center. I also really appreciate how this
job allows me to be near my own children everyday.” Nicki wanted to be
involved in childcare because “you never know what to expect with
children. Each day brings new challenges and rewards.” Nicki says the
most rewarding part of her job is “Watching the children learn new
things. It amazes me how fast a child can learn something and I love
watching that little light bulb go off when they figure something out.
Another rewarding aspect of my job is getting to know all of the
families.” Nicki is the mother of two daughters. 
Carrie Scharmer is
an Assistant Child Care Director the Coulee Children’s Center. Carrie is originally
from Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Carrie has a degree in Early Childhood
from Southwestern Wisconsin Technical College in Fennimore, Wisconsin.
Carrie enjoys her job because “I am able to be there for both children
and staff. My staff and the children that attend our center are very
important to me and I want to make sure they are happy and always in a
safe and fun environment.” Carrie wanted to work in childcare because
she enjoys working with young children. The most rewarding part of
Carrie’s job is “being apart of so many children and family’s lives and
watching them grow and learn throughout the years.” Carrie has a
young daughter that gets to come with mom to work every day. “It is
comforting as a parent to know that she is safe and with wonderful
teachers all day while I am working.” 
Lynda Christen is the Program Assistant at the Coulee
Children’s Center. She is originally from La Crosse, Wisconsin. She has
her Bachelor’s Degree from Alma College in Michigan in Education and
Speech. Lynda has also been a foster parent for 25 years. Lynda loves
her job because she enjoys working with children. Lynda was interested
in the child education field because she knew she wanted to work with
children since she was a little girl. Lynda says the most rewarding part
of her job is, “when someone graduates from the Birth to Three Program
before the age of three.” Lynda has four daughters and is the
grandmother of two grandsons. 
Michelle Kramer is the Birth to Three Program Service Coordinator for
Vernon County. She is originally from La Crosse, Wisconsin. She is
currently attending UW-La Crosse and taking classes in Child Development
and Pediatric Psychology which will lead to her getting her Master’s
Degree in Counseling. Michelle enjoys her job because “ I love making
differences in children’s lives. I get to work with many professionals
and collaborate early intervention for children.” Michelle was
interested in early childhood intervention because she has a daughter of
her own with special needs. Michelle says the most rewarding part of her
job is “...successfully providing comprehensive early intervention to
families and their children and seeing successful transitions following
the Birth to Three Program.” Michelle has a 15-year-old boy, a
seven-year-old daughter, and twin two-year-old boys. 
Lisa
Eddy is an Early Childhood Teacher. She is originally from Hixton,
Wisconsin. Lisa has a
Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Disorders and her Master’s Degree in
Early Childhood Special Education from UW-Eau Claire. She is certified
through the Department of Public Instruction. She enjoys her job because
“I get to play with children all day while watching them grow and
change.” Lisa was interested in early childhood education because she
liked the age group and she liked the in-home teaching setting. The most
rewarding part of Lisa’s job is “watching and seeing families be excited
about the changes in their child’s development and seeing how far they
can develop in a short time.” Lisa is the mother of two boys, five years
and nine months old.
Cindy
Felix is a Physical Therapist. She is originally from Pasadena,
California. She has her Master’s Degree from Hahnemann University in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Cindy enjoys her job because “I enjoy
working closely with families and caregivers to give them ideas to help
maximize their child’s full potential. I love helping children learn,
grow, and make developmental progress.” Ever since Cindy was a little
girl she wanted to work with children in some capacity. “I became
interested in the medical field and therapy in particular when I
realized healing and function could be made through exercise and
hands-on techniques.” Cindy says, “The most rewarding part of my job is
connecting with families and young children and making positive impact
in their lives. I enjoy witnessing the excitement of a family when they
witness their child’s first steps and I like empowering families to
advocate for their children and to help them lead happy and productive
lives.” Cindy has three children, six, nine and eleven years old.
Jenny
Lerens is a Registered Occupational Therapist. Jenny is originally from
West Salem, Wisconsin. She has her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and
Therapy from UW-La Crosse. Jenny continuously is studying sensory
integration, feeding skills, and neuro-developmental techniques. Jenny
enjoys her job because “ I love working with children and their
families. There is always new challenges that require creativity to find
a solution.” Jenny wanted to be an occupational therapist because “I
wanted to combine working with people and their daily activities while
working in the medical field. Occupational therapy is a broad field that
can incorporate many different skills and techniques.” When asked what
the most rewarding part of her job is, Jenny replied, “Seeing parents
and children have an improved quality of life through the techniques the
Coulee Children’s Center can teach makes every day rewarding.” Jenny has
two children, age two and a half years and seven months old. 
Theresa
Carlson is a Speech Language Pathologist. She is originally from
Lincoln, Nebraska. She has a Masters of Science Degree in Speech
Language Pathology from UW-Eau Claire. Theresa continuously attends
educational seminars in working with children with autism, hearing
impairment, and oral motor/feeding abilities. Theresa enjoys her job
because “It is very fulfilling to see the look on parent’s faces when
their children can communicate with them.” Theresa became interested in
speech language pathology because her own daughter saw a speech language
pathologist at a young age. “I went through the course catalog at school
and I was able to find the major that allowed me to become a speech
language pathologist,” says Theresa. “The most rewarding part about
being a pathologist is graduating children before the age of three and
helping parents become more involved in helping their child progress.”
Theresa is the mother of one son and one daughter, as well as the
grandmother of two grandchildren. 
Abbie
Dittman is a Speech Language Pathologist. She is originally from
Holmen/Onalaska, Wisconsin. She has a Masters of Science Degree in
Communication Disorders from UW-Eau Claire. Abbie is A.S.H.A. certified.
Abbie enjoys her job because she loves meeting families and working with
children. Abbie wanted to be a speech language pathologist because she
loves to talk and communicate and she wants to help other people be able
to communicate. Abbie says that the most exciting part of her job is
“seeing how excited parents get and being there for a child’s first
words.”