Governing Board

I have been a lifelong resident of the City of Kiel, including a long history with the Kiel School District programs. I graduated in 1971 from Kiel High School and then serviced 2 years in the United States Army. My work experience included 20 years at Tecumseh Products in the Payroll Department and Human Resources Department and 21 years with the City of Kiel, as a City Administrator, retiring in 2018. All 4 children were raised within the Kiel Public School System and were excited to watch them all independently succeed with lifelong dreams. Our oldest daughter, who is currently a teacher of online schooling in two different states and this has shown me the value of online teaching across our country.

We now have 8 loving grandchildren who have experience online teaching during the pandemic. It has opened our eyes to what the future holds and I feel this was a great time for me to hopefully become a team member and expand the vision of this growing program.

My hobbies include golfing, bowling, traveling, fishing and enjoying our beautiful family.

Email: ddedering@charter.net

Deb Sixel — Vice President

Retired Administrator
B.A. Lakeland University
M.A. Marian University
PH.D. UW-Milwaukee

My experience in education includes being a middle school teacher, an associate dean for English as a Second Language, a curriculum director, and middle school principal. I also taught as an online teacher in 2001 and helped in the planning and development of the current Kiel eschool. Likewise, I was involved in the creation of Kiel’s Between the Lakes Virtual Academy. I served as the co-administrator until my retirement in 2022 from the Kiel Area School District.

After 35 years in education, I’m enjoying retirement. I keep busy as an adjunct professor for area colleges and a tour director for Holiday Vacations. Other retirement joys include spending time with grandchildren, my rescue dog, and traveling. I can also be found in my lavender fields, hiking on the ice age trails, or reading a good book.

Email: dsixel12@gmail.com

Eileen Palmer — Secretary

Speech/Language Pathologist
Kiel Area Schools
B.S. Communication Disorders
M.S. Speech/Language Pathology

I have spent the bulk of my career as a PK-12 Speech/Language Pathologist in the Kiel Area School District. . I am passionate about helping students experience success and realize their potential.. By removing barriers for students, we can ensure all students have the opportunities they deserve to find their passion & identify their future path.

I have been involved with Kiel’s online learning programs since its inception in 2002. I was proud and excited to be a part of the process from the start, working with the administration, teachers and students to stay true to our mission and see the program grow to meet our vision.

I also enjoy reading, crafts, and enjoying the beauty of the outdoors.

Email: emapalmer@yahoo.com

Elaine Reiter — Treasurer

Retired Educator
B.A. University of Wisconsin—Whitewater
M.A. University of Wisconsin—La Crosse

A lifetime educator, I taught English and physical education at Kiel High School for 35 years and also taught for the Kiel eSchool during its first 14 years of existence. I discovered the positive impact technology could have on education starting in the 1980s and was an early advocate for its use to enhance student learning. My prior work with the Kiel eSchool and my current role on the KASD Governing Board are natural outgrowths of this background.

I chose to become a member of the KASD Governing Board because my background in education can provide valuable insight into student-teacher interactions in the virtual environment. I have confidence that the KASD administration and governing board can overcome any hurdles KASD’s virtual learning environment may encounter, and I look forward to helping mentor the continued growth of the Kiel eSchool and the Between the Lakes Virtual Academy.

Now retired, I find time to not only dedicate to causes that I believe in, but also to enjoy personal pursuits of leisure like travel, golf, pickleball, and reading.

Email: ereiterkiel@gmail.com

Sue Steiner — Member

Master of Science Degree, Computer Science Education (1987), Cardinal Stritch University,
Milwaukee; Bachelor of Education in Secondary Math & Elementary Education (1968),
University of Wisconsin – Whitewater.
I worked for the Kiel Area School District for 58 years (math and computer science
teacher/technology coordinator/Program Leader for Kiel eSchool/online instructor). I retired at
the end of May 2026. I co-founded Kiel eSchool in 2002 and helped form the Wisconsin
eSchool Network in 2007.
I want to continue helping Kiel eSchool and BTLVA find ways to help students succeed. I found
early versions of documents that helped the current staff develop handbooks and new job
descriptions. I was also interested in compiling the History of Kiel eSchool, which I researched
and compiled during the summer and fall of 2023 and eventually shared with the Governing
Board. I continue to update that document, including information provided in the Kiel eSchool
Annual Report.
I enjoy spending time with family, playing pickleball, golfing, riding my wave runner, fishing,
boating, kayaking, reading, and riding our e-bikes, especially on the trails in northern WI.
Email: suesteiner46@gmail.com

Vicmary Molina — Member, Parent Representative

Email: vicglo2008@gmail.com

Faye Billmann — Member

Retired Educator
B.S. University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh

I am a lifelong Kiel resident and graduated from KHS in 1973. My teaching career included one year at SSPP and 42 years in the Kiel Area School District, the final seven as a substitute teacher. During my tenure I taught high school English and German and spent 12 years as the middle school Foreign Language instructor. Both of my children are Kiel High School graduates and currently four of my six grandchildren attend Zielanis Elementary.

Education for all is one of my passions. As an educator at multiple levels I realize the importance of teaching to a child’s strengths. Students learn in different ways which is one of the reasons I chose to join the Kiel eSchool and BTLVA Board. All children deserve a chance to be successful in their learning endeavors.

Much of my retirement involves spending time with my grandchildren, and other family and friends, but I also enjoy traveling and reading. I am on the Kiel Library Board and am active in the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Alexia Rebne — Member

Email: Lexirebne@uwalumni.com

The Kiel eSchool Mission

All Kiel eSchool students will be provided an environment that promotes their social, emotional, academic, and vocational growth and development in a nontraditional school setting. The Kiel eSchool will: foster a safe, caring environment that accepts and encourages diversity; nurture personal growth through increased self-awareness, individual responsibility, and healthy risk-taking; maintain a learning environment characterized by academic achievement; encourage students based on their needs and life-long interests; strengthen school, community, and family partnerships; and, contribute to the community through developing a well-trained workforce.