Celebrate GSD!

GSD is excited to welcome more than 50 new team members/new roles for the 2021–22 school year. Thanks to all of our teachers and staff for making a commitment to work on behalf of the students of the Germantown School District. It's a privilege to work with inspiring professionals who are dedicated to education and learning. Thank you for what you do each and every day to make that happen. 

Below are just a few of the friendly faces you may encounter in the classrooms and hallways throughout the district. Join us in celebrating them and the start of the new year. Send your anecdotes to celebrate@gsdwi.org and let's remind one another that we have much to be thankful for.



Tony Gonzalez

I’m proud to serve as the new principal at MacArthur Elementary. I come to MacArthur with 14 years of educational experience—the last two years as the Principal at Catholic East Elementary and the 12 years prior at Milwaukee College Prep (MCP) where I spent six years as an administrator, six years as an educator, and 11 years coaching middle school girls basketball. My wife, Danielle, and I live in Germantown and will be celebrating our 10th anniversary this fall, and we are the parents of three healthy and vibrant children, Mia, Grace, and Cruz. 


Julia Leeson

Hello GSD! I’m the new Director of Instructional Technology. Prior to Germantown, I worked with teachers in Sheboygan as a Technology Coach and was a fourth grade teacher in Howards Grove. My husband and I have two kids and in our free time like to travel. I’m excited to become a part of the Germantown community and look forward to meeting you this fall.


Albert Allen-Jones

Working retail, wholesale, and promotions for major and minor recording labels has opened many knowledge doors for understanding complicated business procedures. I cherish relationships with colleagues in the music industry, and it seems lawn care cannot be labeled a chore but a work in progress. An occasional bike ride or fishing adds happiness to the day at hand. Family life is too remarkable to sum by language. Having owned businesses in the entertainment, insurance, and food & beverage industries, I bring realistic business practices and business office management skills to the classroom.


Natalie Ruedinger

I live in Germantown with my husband of 15 years and two children, a daughter in 7th grade and a son in 5th grade. I love hanging out with my family, traveling, and anything related to sports. I’m looking forward to cheering on the Warhawks this year! I’m very excited to be a part of the Germantown School District! 


Anne Thomas

I'm a Special Ed Aide in 8th grade at KMS. Prior to the pandemic I was a regular sub at KMS and thought I'd join them permanently because I liked hanging out with the middle schoolers and their teachers so much (I know, a little crazy). In my free time, I like to mountain bike, disc golf, and bake anything sweet.


Alexandra Knobloch

I’ve been teaching for nine years. This is my seventh year in the Germantown District—after six years as a sub, this is my first year as an aide. I enjoy working with students one-on-one or in small groups and building relationships with them. I also love reading, traveling, and spending time with my two children and our new dog.


Melissa Owens

Hi! I’m so grateful to be teaching kindergarten at Amy Belle Elementary. A native to Wisconsin, I made my way back to my home state after living in California and Washington. I have three wonderful kids Finnley (11), Fionna (9), and Fallyn (4), who all go to school in Germantown. I’m looking forward to a great school year!


Jenny Stavast

I'm from Wisconsin and grew up in Muskego. I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Communicative Disorders from UW-Madison and obtained my MA in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. I loved Minneapolis and decided to start my career there, working in the Anoka Hennepin School District for eight years. I met my husband in Minneapolis and we have two children, Elliott (4) and Indy (1). We recently moved to Wauwatosa and as a family, we love traveling, camping, swimming, cooking, and going to parks!


Jessica Imig

I’m excited to serve the students at MacArthur this year! I am originally from Northern Michigan and graduated from Michigan State with a double major in elementary education & deaf education. Additionally, I completed my Master's Degree in learning disabilities through MSU. After ten years teaching special education in other states, I moved to Richfield with my husband and now five- and three-year-old daughters. My older started kinder at Amy Belle this year and I’m looking forward to starting in GSD as well!


Kristin Jensen

Hi! I love sports, kids, teaching, and exercise... so naturally, PE is my jam. I've been happily married to my high school sweetheart, Peter, for 16 years and we have four amazing kids. Zander attends Kennedy Middle School and Hadley, Harper, and Madden are at MacArthur. I’m so excited to be teaching PE at Rockfield and MacArthur this year.


Christina Garthwait

I’ve been an educator for 19 years—in MPS, a private preschool, and as a sub in the Germantown district. I’m excited to take on this new adventure as a Special Education teacher at Rockfield. I’ve been married for 17 years to my husband, Matt, and we have two daughters: Adeline, 14, and Celia, 10. This year we’re hosting an exchange student, Liv, from Germany.