Dan Birr: Director of Education |  Since 1979, Dan has been serving in the education field teaching and as an administrator. Since 2004 Dan has been at Rawhide where he serves as the Principal of Starr Academy and the Director of Education.
Dan is committed to providing leadership and direction to the Education Team as they provide at risk young men with opportunities to make positive changes in their attitudes, behaviors, and academic skills through action and word.
Dan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Midwestern Bible College and later a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Along with his wife Roberta, Dan currently serves as a foster parent and has also served as a houseparent in the past. Dan and Roberta reside in Neenah, Wisconsin and have four children and seven grandchildren. Dan's hobbies include hunting, fishing, camping and spending time with his family. |
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Tony DeVine: Academic Instructor (Social Studies) |  Tony obtained his Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and International Studies from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh in 1989 and obtained his Teaching Certification in 1993.
Tony teaches Social Studies and Physical Education curriculum and feels fortunately that the Lord has made it possible for him to be at Rawhide. Tony stated, “I have had experiences in my educational walk to best serve the Guys at Rawhide.”
Tony interests are many but here are a few of his favorites: he likes to travel and to read, enjoys playing cards and board games with friends and family, and watching movies-especially documentaries.
Tony also enjoys a great video game with a wonderful and compiling storyline, martial arts and working out. |
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Connie Kimball: Academic Instructor (Science/HSED) |  Connie Kimball has been a teacher at Starr Academy since July of 2003. She teaches science as well as coordinates a competency based diploma program. Connie’s responsibilities include working with students who have questions regarding the HSED program as well as helping students who have begun HSED testing to omplete the process.
Connie would describe her position as challenging and rewarding. She not only enjoys seeing her students understand science, but watching them become better learners. She takes great pleasure in seeing her students perform far above what they thought they were capable of achieving.
Connie earned her Bachelor of Arts from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota majoring in Biology. She enjoys swimming, walking, motorcycling and spending time with her husband and four children. |
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Steve Noll: Academic Instructor (Title I Math) |  Steve earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Business from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. He also earned a teaching certificate from NORDA and currently has 10 credits towards his Master’s Degree from Silver Lake College.
Steve currently teaches Title 1 Math, Health and electives classes. He has also taught HSED and GED courses.
Steve believes that the young men at Rawhide need an intervention in their lives if they are to become responsible members of society and he feels drawn to being a part of that effort.
Steve is a married father of five and a grandfather of seven children. He has had a career for the past 35 years. Eight of those years were spent teaching at technical schools as well as public and private school.
Steve enjoys outdoor sports and spending time with his wife and family.
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Terri Simpson: Academic Instructor (Art, English) |  Terri Simpson has been the Art/English Academic Instructor since June of 2007. Terri received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Rockford College in Rockford, IL.
Terri is passionate about reading and writing and how students can learn to communicate better by improving their skills. When a student discovers that he can find out anything by reading a book, it is a breakthrough. Similarly, when one of her students finds that he may not communicate well verbally, but is a good writer, he learns a new skill that can help him in a practical way.
Terri enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, cooking, running, biking, being active and the outdoors. |
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Scott Wilson: Academic Instructor (Math) |  Scott, an Academic Instructor at Starr Academy since 1988. He received his MSE in Special Education from UW-Oshkosh in 1996.
His primary responsibility is math instruction; and secondarily is responsible as the head basketball coach, Starr Academy Racing team manager, and Gillespie House education liaison.
Scott’s passion and ability to work with at-risk young men helps him meet his goal of seeing his students become future productive and positive leaders in our communities. This instructor believes that his at-risk students have the capability to develop their skills to meet their goals of future employment and leisure activities.
Scott’s personal interests or hobbies include coffee shops, food cuisine, home remodeling year round, motorcycling in the summer, snow skiing in the winter, and attending competitive motorsports events. |
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Anna Fulk: Academic Instructor (Title I Reading/PT) |  Anna received her cross-categorical teaching license through Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois.
She began teaching all subject areas as a special education case manager in Naperville, Illinois and continued teaching as an EBD teacher in the Fox Valley area. Anna excitedly took the opportunity to teach at Rawhide a year ago because of her passion to work with the specialized population in an environment conducive to teaching academics, as well as vital life skills.
Anna has taken great joy in helping these young men problem solve in different areas of life, academic and outside academics. She currently teaches Title I Reading. Anna takes a personal interest in health and wellness.
She and her husband love to spend time with their daughter, run, and do other physically active activities as well as spending time with people they love. |
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Natalie Sarazin: Academic Instructor (Title I Reading/PT) | 
Natalie received her education at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She received her Bachelor of Science in Exceptional Education K-12. She has obtained her reading license as well as a license in special education for Emotional Disabilities. She has earned six credits toward her master’s degree through the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Natalie currently teaches Title 1 Reading and has also taught Careers, Science, English and Communications.
Natalie has a passion to work with youth especially those with a history of adjudication.
Before joining the staff at Starr Academy she taught at Lincoln Hills. Natalie has taught at Starr Academy for eight years and her mission is to continue to support, teach and guide youth.
Natalie has young son and a recent new born son. Her husband is a police officer and her hobbies include: crafting, cleaning, reading, health and wellness and sports. |
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CJ Behnke: Academic Instructor (About Face) |  Christopher’s (CJ) undergraduate studies were at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse where he earned a teaching degree in Physical Education. Recently, he completed a Master’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in Cross Categorical Special Education and Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities.
At Rawhide, he is the About Face academic instructor. CJ is responsible for a self-contained classroom in which he primarily teaches life skills within the core subjects of English, Math and Social Studies. The students engage in such subjects as: Manhood, Fatherhood, Communication, Independent Living, Perspectives, Problem-Solving, and Employment Skills.
CJ stated, “My daily goal at Rawhide is to inspire and encourage students inside and outside of the classroom by challenging the intellect and attitudes of my students. My passion for the young men is that they would someday become devoted, successful fathers and husbands.”
Christopher’s personal interests and hobbies include: being an energetic and creative husband and father, participating in endurance sports, and studying Biblical values and World cultures.
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Bruce Miresse: Wood Shop Instructor |  Bruce graduated from Marquette University High School and then attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Bruce worked in the carpentry field for 20 years at Quad Graphics in Lomira, WI before being hired at Rawhide.
In 2006 Bruce was hired as the woodshop instructor and was instrumental in setting up Starr Academy’s new woodshop after a generous donation of equipment. He continues to expand and improve the class. Students study safety skills, machine knowledge, basic carpentry skills and furniture/cabinet making.
Bruce stated, “I am at Rawhide because there is a need to educate young men in the trades and this allows me to do so. The skills I teach can be used in everyday life as well as lead to a career. I enjoy working with the young men. It is important to me to encourage them to learn new skills and consider entering the trades. I teach them the value of hard work and pride in a well finished final product.”
Bruce’s interests outside of Rawhide include: building anything, gardening and preserving food, golfing, reading, hunting and spending time at his cabin up north. |
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Ben Schmidt: Life Skills Instructor |  Ben earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Ben has been employed at Rawhide for the past four years and began his employment as a Resident Instructor in the About Face Program before transitioning to the Standard Residential Program where he worked as a Senior Resident Instructor and Professional Youth Care Worker. In May of 2011 he began working for Starr Academy as the Life Skills Instructor.
Ben enjoys working at Rawhide because it provides him a wonderful opportunity to offer guidance to youth in crisis. Ben used his experience and education to instruct the young men at Starr Academy in life skills, physical activities and managing their emotions.
Ben met his wife, Angie, at Rawhide. They have been married for two years and are the proud parents of Baby Bea (aka “beetle bea”) who is 16 months old. Ben enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf, tennis and video games. As a parent of a young child his favorite thing to do is get a good night’s sleep! |
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Jeff Schillinger: Academic Instructor (English/Physical Education) |  Jeff is a new staff member at Rawhide, but not new to the education field. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Madison with a degree in Physical Education and he recently obtained a Wisconsin Cross-Categorical Special Education Certificate. He also holds a master’s degree in Christian School Administration from Grace College and Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana and has served in Christian schools for over twenty years as a teacher, administrator, student government liaison, tutor and coach.
At Rawhide, Jeff will teach Physical Education and English classes and help out with coaching. Since he is a big kid at heart, he loves competition and good team play. His teaching goals are to help the boys get and stay involved in recreational sports and activities for life, as a help to developing the healthy mind and body that God has graciously given us to take care of as His “Temple”.
Jeff is married to his best friend Jackie and has two grown sons, Jacob and Josiah. He loves to fish, hunt, camp and be in the great Wisconsin outdoors.
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