Pecatonica Area School District is welcoming new staff members to the Viking Nation team. The district is sharing introductory bios of Kyle Brockmeyer, Amy Francis, Hailee Kammerud and Cassie Colson Perenchio in this staff spotlight series.
Kyle Brockmeyer
Kyle Brockmeyer brings a philosophical lens to social studies education – it’s no surprise, really, because he appreciates great literature and how it informs and transforms lives. He’s excited to begin teaching Pecatonica High School students social studies this school year after working at Monroe High School for the past two school years.
Kyle’s appreciation for social sciences began at 8 years old when he received a copy of J. R. R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” from his uncle on Christmas morning. Exactly 30 years later, he laid that copy next to Tolkien’s headstone in England to show gratitude for creating transformational literature! He enjoys traveling when he can, and also loves theater – he helped direct
Monroe Theatre Guild’s “The Great Gatsby” last year. Kyle is no stranger to the area, graduating from Verona High School in 2004 and UW- Madison in 2009.
“I am most excited to explore social studies through an interdisciplinary lens – how can history, philosophy, literature, art, and poetry help students create meaning for their lives,” he said.
Amy Francis
Amy Francis loves Pecatonica and cannot wait to start her newest role as a middle/high school special education teacher. She credits the late Johanna Chenous, past director of special education and school psychologist, for encouraging her to pursue this path. In fact, just two years after the conversation, Amy earned her master’s degree.
She previously worked as a paraprofessional at the elementary and middle school levels and thoroughly enjoys building relationships with the Viking Nation community. A 2007 graduate of Middleton High School, she’s attended UW-Milwaukee, UW-Superior, and UW-Whitewater where she double majored during all her degrees! You might recognize her from another community role working at Mckellar Park Swim Pond in the summer.
“Pec is the place where I want my career to be. I love the community and the families around here,” she said. “I’m excited about getting to know and building relationships with new students.”
Hailee Kammerud
Hailee Kammerud cannot wait to get creative in her new high school English classroom. The Black Hawk High School and UW-Oshkosh grad comes to Pecatonica after 12 years teaching middle and high school English/ELA and special education. Her new classroom will be all about students challenging themselves and discovering their strengths as writers, readers, and communicators.
Hailee’s love of English and the arts is due, in part, to her interest in musical theater and performing, including directing, stage management, costume design, speech, and drama. A mother of five children, there’s “never a dull moment in her house,” she shared.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to join the Pecatonica team and to bring my experience, creativity, and love of English and the performing arts to the classroom,” she said. “I’m looking forward to getting to know the students, staff, and families and to making this a great school year!”
Cassie Colson Perenchio
Cassie Colson Perenchio is excited about sharing positive and meaningful Pecatonica stories! She started in May as the district’s communications and community relations director after spending 20 years working in journalism, marketing, and communications, most recently as communications director for a state nonprofit focused on early care and education. Cassie returned home in summer 2025 and is grateful for this new opportunity as a 2005 Pec alum and 2009 UW- Madison grad.
The way to her heart? Talking cheese, orange cats, oboes, and mental health. Some around here know her grandparents made Swiss cheese in copper kettles in the basement of their town of Moscow home. When she has a few free moments, she enjoys spending time with her nephews, photography, and hanging out with her “baby,” an orange tabby named Chester.
“It’s a privilege to support students, families, and my home community in this way,” she said. “Let’s work together, Viking Nation!”
