Staff

  • Bailee Karolchyk
    Bio
    Bailee Karolchyk
    Science
    Bailee Karolchyk
    Science

    Bailee Karolchyk is the high school science teacher at PASS. She holds a pre-veterinary medicine degree and chemistry degree, as well as her certificate in teaching in secondary content. She grew up in Wisconsin and is a big Packers fan. She has 3 dogs and loves being outdoors every moment that she can.

    bailee@poderacademy.com

  • Hunter Handzus
    Bio
    Hunter Handzus
    Social Studies
    Hunter Handzus
    Social Studies
    Hunter teaches Social Studies here at PASS. She received her undergraduate at Minot State University. She is currently in the process of obtaining her MA in History at the University of Nebraska at Kearny.


    hunter@poderacademy.com

  • Sandi Arnold
    Bio
    Sandi Arnold
    Math
    Sandi Arnold
    Math

    Sandi Arnold is a high school math teacher at PASS. She earned a Mathematical Science degree from South Dakota School of Mines. After working for 10 years in the corporate world, she returned to school to get her teaching degree. Since then, she has taught for 11 years in South Dakota and before moving to Wyoming. She received her Masters in Mathematics Education three years ago and has been teaching at PASS since then. Her family enjoys camping and exploring the great outdoors. She has also competed in the Wyoming and the National Senior Olympics.

    sandi@poderacademy.com

  • Gabrielle Sunderman
    Bio
    Gabrielle Sunderman
    English
    Gabrielle Sunderman
    English

    Gabrielle is originally from Laramie, Wyoming, and received her Bachelor or Arts degree in English from the University of Wyoming in 2010 and returned for a post-baccalaureate in English Secondary Education. In her free time, she absolutely loves scouring Gryphons Games & Comics for the newest comic books, playing video games and watching horror movies with her husband, running with her Siberian Husky, and going to heavy metal concerts.

    brie@poderacademy.com

  • Heather Roland
    Bio
    Heather Roland
    Science
    Heather Roland
    Science

    My name is Heather Roland, and I will be teaching 7th, 8th and 9th grade Science for the 2022-2023 school year. This will be my first year at PODER Academy Secondary School (P.A.S.S.) and my first year teaching Science.  I am originally from Cheyenne, Wyoming, and I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Sciences concurrent with Earth Space Sciences from the University of Wyoming in 2022, and I am currently working on completing an endorsement in ESL, English as a Second Language.  In my free time, I absolutely love playing video games and watching movies with my children, working out at the gym, and going to sporting events.

  • Austin Fermilia
    Bio
    Austin Fermilia
    Tennis
    Austin Fermilia
    Tennis

    Austin Fermelia is the Tennis Director at PODER Academy. Tennis, teaching and coaching have always been huge passions of his and luckily he gets to do all three at PODER. Some of his other passions are running his general contracting business during the summers, staying fit, and hanging out with his two Shih Tzu's Atlas and Ellie.

    austin@poderacademy.com

  • Ronald Piccirilli
    Bio
    Ronald Piccirilli
    SPED Director
    Ronald Piccirilli
    SPED Director

    Mr.  Piccirilli grew up near Buffalo, New York. He is a life-long learner and has attended multiple universities and holds three degrees. He has been in education for over 20 years and has taught in four different states. He enjoys hiking and visiting new places. Currently, he is a PhD candidate.

    ronald@poderacademy.com

  • Mason Munford
    Bio
    Mason Munford
    Interventionist
    Mason Munford
    Interventionist
  • Shane Brown
    Bio
    Shane Brown
    Social Studies
    Shane Brown
    Social Studies
  • Yuri Link
    Bio
    Yuri Link
    Spanish
    Yuri Link
    Spanish

    I am from Mexico City where I lived until I was 24 years-old. I got my Bachelors degree from the Universidad del Valle de México. This will be my first year teaching at P.A.S.S; previously I worked as an Speech Language Therapist Assistant for 3 years. As a native Spanish speaker, I want to share my love for the language and culture with young people. Also, I consider being bilingual is a great tool in today’s diverse world.

  • Morgan Stroh
    Bio
    Morgan Stroh
    PE / Health
    Morgan Stroh
    PE / Health

    Morgan is excited to be the Physical Education teacher at PODER and P.A.S.S! He's originally from Madera, California where he taught high school Physical Education. He was also the Defensive Coordinator of the Varsity Football team at Madera South High School. He graduated from Fresno State University in 2018 and has always been passionate about Physical Education and health. He loves anything outdoors; hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and is a huge LA Charger Fan!

    morgan@poderacademy.com

  • Dominic Martinez
    Bio
    Dominic Martinez
    Chess
    Dominic Martinez
    Chess

    Dominic is the Chess teacher / coach at PODER and P.A.S.S. He has been a Chess teacher for many years and has been in the education field for over 10 years. He loves what he does and loves helping and seeing students grow in a multitude of ways.

  • Derek Schaneman
    Bio
    Derek Schaneman
    Guidance Counselor
    Derek Schaneman
    Guidance Counselor

    Derek is the School Guidance Counselor at P.A.S.S. As a native to Wyoming, he was raised just beyond the summit in Laramie, WY. He graduated with his Masters in School Counseling, from the University of Wyoming. He is a sports enthusiast and ex-collegiate athlete in both Football and Rugby and also able to connect with students of many interests as he enjoys video games and board games as well. His goal is to help students meet all academic requirements for graduation and to attend the college that best fits their personal interests. He will work with your student to overcome any hurdles that may get in their way, on their academic journey.

    derek@poderacademy.com

  • Jessica Rader
    Bio
    Jessica Rader
    Social Worker
    Jessica Rader
    Social Worker

    Jessica is a Cheyenne, Wyoming native who attended the University of Wyoming for both her undergrad and graduate degrees. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has experience in various areas of mental health including family therapy; substance abuse; social and emotional disabilities; suicidality and self-harm. She loves spending time with her pets, reading, and traveling the world. She is very passionate about working at PODER and hopes to help in any way she can!

  • Rhonda Snavely
    Bio
    Rhonda Snavely
    SPED assistant
    Rhonda Snavely
    SPED assistant

    Rhonda is excited to be at PODER Academy.  She received her degree at the University of Wyoming. She's lived in California, Arizona and Wyoming and loves to do things with her family on her days off. She enjoys doing crafts and being outdoors, and also enjoys watching movies and reading.

  • Stephen Burke
    Bio
    Stephen Burke
    ESL
    Stephen Burke
    ESL
  • Nicole Brinkman
    Bio
    Nicole Brinkman
    Bus monitor / PARA
    Nicole Brinkman
    Bus monitor / PARA
  • Person placeholder image
    Bio
    Jennifer Gritten
    Facility Management
    Jennifer Gritten
    Facility Management
  • Ken Stofflet
    Bio
    Ken Stofflet
    Kitchen Manager
    Ken Stofflet
    Kitchen Manager
  • Samantha Strickler
    Bio
    Samantha Strickler
    English
    Samantha Strickler
    English
  • Nancy Petersen
    Bio
    Nancy Petersen
    Math
    Nancy Petersen
    Math
  • Natalie Hennek
    Bio
    Natalie Hennek
    Nurse
    Natalie Hennek
    Nurse


Photos by: www.christinekronz.com