Ms. Ringelspaugh and Mr. Palmer

Meet Ms. Ringelspaugh

I started teaching in Adams-Friendship in the fall of 2005, after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a degree in English Education and a writing minor. I earned my Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning from St. Mary's University of Minnesota in 2009. I know that in order to teach well I need to keep learning, too, so I read a lot about teaching and am nearly always taking classes to improve my skills. I won the Herb Kohl Teacher Fellowship in 2009 and the Ann Lydecker Award for Diversity in Education in 2008. I also write about teaching for Wisconsin Education Association Council and Eye on Education and am a ASCD Emerging Leader.
When not at school, I walk, run, bike, rollerblade, read, write, quilt, and embroider. I hate ladybugs and am totally freaked out by hail. I eat too much popcorn and not enough vegetables. I am almost always cold but hate wearing shoes. And when I smile really big, I kind of look like a muppet.
However, haunting my life this year: My father was diagnosed with cancer last May and died this summer, in late June. He and I were very close. He is still my super-hero. I'm grieving. I don't have the attention span I did before, or the problem solving skills, or the linear thought processes. My life seems pretty messy right now and I'm asking the universe some tough questions. I trust that you'll be understanding and supportive of me throughout the school year.
The most important thing is that I love teaching, love working with teenagers, and love talking about literature and writing and words all day. I believe that every student can learn; I will work with every kid until they learn. Please contact me if you have any concerns!

Meet Mr. Palmer

I was born and raised in Oakland and San Leandro, California. After high school, I came 2,000 miles away from family and friends to Wisconsin to go to Ripon College, all by myself, knowing no one. I chose Ripon College for its small town feel, small classes, and small student body. The personal attention and small classes were the keys to my success in college.
    I graduated college in 2000, married my college sweetheart, and began working at Adams-Friendship High School in the fall of 2001. I earned a master's degree in the spring of 2009 from St. Mary's University of Minnesota.  In addition to teaching, I advise the Forensics Program and serve as Social Studies Department Chair and on the School Improvement Team (SIT).
    My time away from school is spent almost exclusively with my wife and three children. My wife, Jessica, teaches 3rd grade at Adams-Friendship Elementary School, and we have Andrew, Lydia, and Emily to keep us on our toes. I love baseball and help with my son's coach pitch baseball during the summer. I am a full time dad, husband, teacher, tall person with big feet which means I can't find shoes anywhere...never mind. I love Disneyland and will almost always relate complex American History content to a Disney movie. I occasionaly act and play trombone, and I always have trouble getting rid of passives!!
    I love working with high school kids and I hope we can enjoy our time together. While my own children are the lights of my life, watching you all surpass your own expectations keeps me coming back to work everyday.
     Never be afraid to ask me for help, even if I don't know the answer...I am sure Ms. Ringelspaugh will know...or we will look it up! I look forward to working with you all! Enjoy and work hard in American Experience. (Please keep your minds open and your effort in high gear...here we go!!) Please contact me if you have any concerns!