Dr. Margaret Hudson
Principal
Dr. Margaret Hudson is beginning her 24th year at the UW Lab School and her 13th year as principal. She spent four years at Linford Elementary School as a Title I Reading paraprofessional and then as a 5th grade teacher. At the Lab School, she taught 2nd/3rd grade and then worked for eight years as the school’s Reading Specialist.
Dr. Hudson is a University of Wyoming alumnae with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction (in the Area of Reading and Writing), a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.
Dr. Hudson received the International Reading Association’s Eleanor M. Johnson Elementary Teacher Award which recognizes an outstanding Reading/Language Arts teacher. She also received a distinguished paper award from the Northwest Regional American Educational Research Association. Dr. Hudson is co-director of the Rocky Mountain Region of the National League of Democratic Schools and serves as an adjunct instructor for the UW College of Education teaching a variety of courses in Elementary Education and Educational Leadership. She attends and presents at a variety of state, regional, and national meetings and conferences.
Dr. Susan Augustine
Counselor
Dr. Susan Augustine started working as the school counselor at the Lab School in 1995 when she was a graduate student in Counselor Education. She has worked as a special education resource teacher at Beitel Elementary from 1986-1993 and at Rock River High School from 1979-1986. Before moving to Wyoming she was a special education resource teacher at West Junior High in Roosevelt, Utah and at the Ute Tribal Youth Camp from 1976 to 1979. She has also worked as a grief counselor for Hospice of Laramie and taught university classes for the College of Education.
She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, a Masters of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wyoming, and a PhD. in Counselor Education from the University of Wyoming. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wyoming and works with families, adults and couples in the private sector.
Dr. Augustine has two adult daughters and enjoys doing outdoor activities such as skiing, rafting, hiking and traveling with them.
Mrs. Gina Sigel
School Counselor
Mrs. Gina Sigel has previously served as a school counselor in Albany County School District for more thanseven years. Shealsoworks as a mental health provider for CLIMB Wyoming.
Ms. Sigel has a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications/Theater Arts from Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Inaddition to being a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), she has a Master of Science in Counselor Education from the University of Wyoming.
In 2012, Mrs. Sigel was the Wyoming Counselor of the Year Award recipient. She is a National Board Certified Counselor, and a member of the American School Counselor Association.
Ms. Amy Applegate
Kindergarten Teacher
Ms. Amy Applegatehas 7 years of teaching experience. Most recently, she taught 3rd grade and 1st grade in Rock Springs, Wyoming. Prior to that, she was a Shoshone Tribe Early Intervention certified pre-K teacher, working with special needs children. She also worked as a pre-K teacher and Title I teacher for Fremont County School District 6 in Pavillion, Wyoming.
Her educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Early Childhood from the University of Wyoming and a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a Reading emphasis from Chadron State College.
Ms. Applegatebrings a variety ofexperience to the UW Lab School, includingProfessional Learning Community (PLC) work, Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) work, and mentoring pre-service teachers from Western Wyoming College.
Mrs. Dee Swanson
Kindergarten Teacher
Mrs. Dee Swanson has taught at the UW Lab school for 8 years. She has a total of 23 years of teaching experience in pre-school through 1st grade classrooms. She was also a Mathematics Program Specialist for the First People Center for Education (FPCFE) for 6 years. For the FPCFE, she worked with schools in the western part of the United States coaching teachers, providing professional development, and teaching exemplary lessons in Mathematics for Kindergarten through 8th grade students.
She has a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from the University of Wyoming. She earned a second Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education, and a Master’s Degree in Child Development from UW. She has mentored many practicum students and pre-service teachers.
As a certified Math Recover Specialist, Mrs. Swanson has a strong background in Early Numeracy and was recently elected to serve on the board of directors for the United States Math Recovery Council. She frequently attends national conferences and has travelled to Australia with UW and ACSD#1 colleagues to study mathematics instruction.
Ms. Ashley Koch
1st/2nd Grade Teacher
Ms. Ashley Koch has been teaching for 21 years. Her experience includes working in Douglas for two years as a high school Special Education teacher and Case Manager as well as teaching special education at Beitel Elementary School in Laramie. At the UW Lab School, she has had the opportunity to teach 2nd/3rd grade, 3rd grade, 3rd/4th grade, and 1st/2nd grade.
Ms. Koch attended the University of Wyoming and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and Special Education. She also obtained a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in literacy from UW.
Ms. Koch is currently finishing coursework to obtain certification for working with English Language Learners. Throughout her career, she has mentored many practicum students and pre-service teachers. She also serves as the director of the annual Summer Odyssey program.
Ms. Marla Scherr
1st/2nd Grade Teacher
Ms. Marla Scherr began her career teaching 1st and 2nd grade in Dubois, Wyoming. She is now in her 11th year at the UW Lab School where she has taught K/1 and 1st/2nd.
Ms. Scherr received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, with a concentration in Early Childhood, from the University of Wyoming. During this time, she also served as an apprentice teacher in a K/1 class at the UW Lab School. She is completing a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wyoming.
Ms. Scherr has mentored many practicum students and pre-service teachers during her career. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys traveling with her husband to places like Mexico, China, Scandinavia, and the Baltic. She also directs the Lab School’s elementary summer reading program.
Mr. Aaron Wamsley
1st/2nd Grade Teacher
Mr. Aaron Wamsley has 4 years of elementary teaching experience. Before coming to the UW Lab School, he taught 2nd grade in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
He has an undergraduate degree in Secondary Education from the University of Vermont, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Political Science and a Master's degree in Elementary Education, both from Metropolitan State University of Denver. He also earned a STEM certification with a focus on ESL studentsfrom Adams State University.
Mr. Wamsley has a variety of professional experience including coordinating an after-school tutoring program and implementing a school-wide (grades 1-4)Lego robotics curriculum. He is well versed in Professional Learning Communities, was a member of his building leadership team the last 2 years, has led professional development, and has experience supervising student teachers.
Ms. Elizabeth Clower
3rd/4th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Elizabeth Clower began teaching at the UW Lab School in 2015. Her teaching career began in 1985 and she has taught Kindergarten, 1st grade, 3rd grade, 5th grade, 6th grade, 7th & 8th grade Science, and K-8 Physical Education.
Ms. Clower received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Mississippi College, a Master of Education degree from the University of Oklahoma, an Administrative Principal Endorsement from the University of Wyoming, and has completed 15 hours toward an Educational Leadership Doctorate at the University of Wyoming.
Ms. Clower has experience coaching basketball and tennis at the junior high school and high school levels. She is currently the Laramie High School tennis coach.
Mr. Cody Craigie
3rd/4th Grade Teacher
Mr. Cody Craigie has 5 years of experience as an elementary teacher. He has been teaching 2nd grade for the past three years in Carbon County School District #1. Other positions he has held include K-5 Science teacher Carbon County School District #1 and 4th/5th grade teacher at St. Lawrence Elementary School.
Mr. Craigie has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Cultural Diversity from the University of Wyoming. He is working on a Master's degree at the University of Wyoming.
His experience includesleading his previous 2nd grade Professional Learning Community through effective organizational skills and relationship building skills. Mr. Craigieis committed to making a positive difference in the lives of our youth and giving back to the community through teaching. He is particularly passionate about Science and has experience with outdoor educationincluding Teton Science School.
Mrs. Julie Kortum
3rd and 4th Grade Teacher
Mrs. Julie Kortum has been a classroom teacher at the UW Lab School since 2013. She is a veteran teacher with over 14 years of experience in the classroom. She holds a Master of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction (with an emphasis in elementary reading and literacy) from Walden University. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Black Hills State University.
Mrs. Kortum has taught, over the course of her career, every elementary grade level. She has also worked as a reading interventionist and as a Title One teacher. She has mentored many practicum and pre-service teachers and she has taught Education courses as an adjunct professor for Laramie County Community College.
In 2011, Mrs. Kortum received an Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award. As an undergraduate, she published a scholarly article in the journal Education, and she continues to attend and present at regional and national conferences.
Mrs. Abby Markley
5th-8th Grade English and Social Studies Teacher
Mrs. Abby Markley is beginning her 10th year of teaching and this is her third year at the UW Lab School. Prior to teaching in Laramie, she taught at Cheyenne East High School and in the St. Vrain Valley School District in Longmont, Colorado. While in Colorado, specialtiesof Mrs. Markley’s wereteaching language arts to second language learners as well as teaching honors English courses. At East High, she taught 10th grade English and beginning speech. At the Lab School, Abby has taught 6th-9th grade English/Language Arts and SocialStudies; she looks forward to teaching 5th graders this year as well.
Mrs. Markley has a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. She also earned a Master of Arts in English Literature from William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey.
Mrs. Markley has participated in numerous professional development courses and district committees as wellas mentored dozens of practicum and pre-service teachers. She also hascoached volleyball and track at the middle and high school levels at various points in her career.
Ms. Meredith McLaughlin
5th-8th Grade English and Social Studies Teacher
Ms. Meredith McLaughlin has been teaching Language Arts and Social Studies at UW Lab School since 2001. She serves as Lead Teacher for the Lab School and as the Force of Altruism advisor. She has been teaching children since she was 15 and in places as far away as Jamaica and England. She has particular expertise working with homeless youth and in Croatia, a country she has been visiting and working in since the war in 1992. She has travelled throughout Europe as well as to South Africa, Turkey, and Mexico.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Beloit College in Wisconsin. She also earned an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from University of North Dakota.
Ms. McLaughlin is a Nationally Board Certified teacher who has received the Albany County School District Teacher of the Year Award, the American Legion Teacher of the Year Award, the Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award, and the Von-Eschen Steele Award for Teaching. She was awarded a Fund for Teachers research grant which resulted in coordinating a service learning trip to Croatia for Lab School students, LHS students, and UW students. Throughout her career she has served as a mentor for many practicum students and pre-service teachers.
Mr. Andy Pannell
5th-8th Grade Math and Science Teacher
Mr. Andy Pannell has 17 years of teaching experience. He has taught all content areas to 5th and 6th graders in Albany County School District at Slade Elementary School, Laramie Junior High School, and the UW Lab School. He has also taught 8th and 9th grade Math at the UW Lab School. He has used his ability to speak Spanish to do community outreach and teach ESL in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
Mr. Pannell holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Master's Degree in Middle Level Math from UW. He has served as a mentor for pre-service teachers for many years and also has experience as an instructor for the College of Education.
In 2016, Mr. Pannell travelled to Benin, West Africa with Lab School students and colleagues from UW and the Lab School. He coaches 7th and 8th grade boys’ basketball. He also coached soccer at Laramie High School where his teams were a perennial power house achieving multiple state championships.
Ms. Teresa Strube
5th-8th Grade Math and Science Teacher
Ms. Teresa Strube has been teaching Math and Science at UW Lab Middle School for the past 5 years. Previously she taught Physics, Biology, Chemistry and Geology at Laramie High School and Honors Biology and Physical Science at Laramie Junior High. She started teaching at Riverton High School and taught Science and Geometry.
Ms. Strube received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Science in Natural Science from the University of Wyoming. She has served as a mentor for many practicum and pre-service teachers. She also completed a Train the Trainer program to implement co-teaching strategies with student teachers.
Ms. Strube is a National Board Certified Teacher, received the Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award, and is the 2016 STEM Secondary Science Teacher for Wyoming. She attends and presents at state and national meetings and conferences. She also traveled to India with the University of Wyoming Science Posse and ACSD#1 colleagues to work with the Tibetan Children’s School to evaluate water quality.
Mrs. Kim Tillman
5th-8th Grade English and Social Studies Teacher
Mrs. Kim Tillman has taught for over 10 years in multiple grades and teaching positions. She has taught 3rd through 6th grades in an elementary classroom format and 5th through 9th grades in a middle school format. She has taught in Arkansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming. All of her experience teaching middle school has been at the UW Lab School. She has taught Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Math, and coached for National History Day. She has also been an Instructional Facilitator for the PBIS program at the Lab School.
Mrs. Tillman received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Middle School Language Arts and Social Studies at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. She has participated in numerous professional development opportunities and mentored many practicum and pre-service teachers during her career.
It has been Mrs. Tillman’s life-long pursuit to teach and inspire children. She knew she wanted to teach since she was six years old. As the oldest of 5 girls, she started her experience with supervising and teaching children at a young age.
Mrs. Theresa Williams
5th-8th Grade Math and Science Teacher
Mrs. Theresa Williams has been teaching 6th through 9th grade Math and Science at the UW Lab School since 2000. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biology, a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Science Education and a Master of Science in Math Education from the University of Wyoming. Prior to teaching, she was a field biologist with Wyoming Game and Fish and the UW Fisheries and Wildlife Cooperative and an analytical scientist at Western Research Institute.
Mrs. Williams is a National Board Certified Teacher. She attends and presents at state and national meetings and conferences. She received the Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award, and she was a state finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching.
She has traveled to India to teach water science with the UW Science Posse and to China on a Fund for Teachers Grant to learn about sustainability in a high population area. This year, she is participating in a Pacific Ocean research expedition funded by the National Science Foundation. She will be providing educational outreach for our Lab School students as well as other students around Wyoming and the United States.
Mrs. Shelly Coulter