Events

Description
WSD is offering your child to join a classroom with another student to experience what a WSD classroom is like. Does your child wonder what it is like to have full access to his/her education through Sign Language? Does your child wonder what it is like to have a classmate who also has hearing loss? Does your child wonder what it would be like if the teacher has a hearing loss too?

Presenter Bios
Ryan Gollner is the current Elementary/Middle School Principal at the Wisconsin School for the Deaf (WSD) in Delavan, WI. He grew up in Milwaukee and eventually graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) with a Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary Education in 2003 and Deaf Education in 2005. In 2005, Ryan and his wife moved to Baton Rouge, LA and became a teacher at the Louisiana School for the Deaf (LSD). During his 14 years at LSD, Ryan taught Middle School Math and was also the IEP Facilitator, Assistant Principal, Principal and recently, the Interim Director. Ryan also graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) with a Masters of Education degree in Educational Leadership in 2011. This past summer, Ryan, his wife, four children, dog and cat moved back home to Wisconsin to be closer to Wisconsin family and friends.

Brian Lievens is currently the High School/Transition Principal at the Wisconsin School for the Deaf. He has been the principal for four years. He has a master’s degree in Exceptional Education from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He also obtained principal licensure from Viterbo University. Brian taught reading, social studies, math, and Deaf Studies in the middle school department for 9 years before becoming the principal. He is married to Bethany and is the father of 5 CODA daughters. Brian loves reading sci-fi books and enjoys vegetable gardening in his spare time.

Jeffrey Rawlings is currently the Director of Residential Life at the Wisconsin School for the Deaf (WSD) in Delavan. He has been in this role since 2018. Before that, he served for over 16 years under the Student Life Program at WSD as the Residential Advisor (formerly known as Child Care Counselor). Jeffrey was promoted to CCC3 as a work leader in 2006, and then in 2013 was promoted again to Assistant Dean of Students. Jeffrey is a WSD alumni from the class of1997. Upon WSD graduation, Mr. Rawlings attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Jeffrey enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife, Jennifer and 2 boys, Trevor (17) and Cayden (15).

Description
We get many questions from parents and school districts about the Wisconsin School for the Deaf (WSD). This workshop is an opportunity for parents to learn about WSD and ask the questions you’ve always wanted to ask. Are you curious about the Wisconsin School for the Deaf, Bilingual Education, the residential program, day school options, transportation, IEPs, how Speech and Language Services fit into an all sign language school, or the Social and Emotional Learning opportunities at WSD? If yes, this workshop is for you.

This is an opportunity for parents, guardians, and caregivers to learn about WSD and its programs that are available for all Deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind students in Wisconsin.

Presenter Bios
Ryan Gollner is the current Elementary/Middle School Principal at the Wisconsin School for the Deaf (WSD) in Delavan, WI. He grew up in Milwaukee and eventually graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) with a Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary Education in 2003 and Deaf Education in 2005. In 2005, Ryan and his wife moved to Baton Rouge, LA and became a teacher at the Louisiana School for the Deaf (LSD). During his 14 years at LSD, Ryan taught Middle School Math and was also the IEP Facilitator, Assistant Principal, Principal and recently, the Interim Director. Ryan also graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) with a Masters of Education degree in Educational Leadership in 2011. This past summer, Ryan, his wife, four children, dog and cat moved back home to Wisconsin to be closer to Wisconsin family and friends.

Brian Lievens is currently the High School/Transition Principal at the Wisconsin School for the Deaf. He has been the principal for four years. He has a master’s degree in Exceptional Education from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He also obtained principal licensure from Viterbo University. Brian taught reading, social studies, math, and Deaf Studies in the middle school department for 9 years before becoming the principal. He is married to Bethany and is the father of 5 CODA daughters. Brian loves reading sci-fi books and enjoys vegetable gardening in his spare time.

Jeffrey Rawlings is currently the Director of Residential Life at the Wisconsin School for the Deaf (WSD) in Delavan. He has been in this role since 2018. Before that, he served for over 16 years under the Student Life Program at WSD as the Residential Advisor (formerly known as Child Care Counselor). Jeffrey was promoted to CCC3 as a work leader in 2006, and then in 2013 was promoted again to Assistant Dean of Students. Jeffrey is a WSD alumni from the class of1997. Upon WSD graduation, Mr. Rawlings attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Jeffrey enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife, Jennifer and 2 boys, Trevor (17) and Cayden (15).