Karen Bauer
Karen is the 4K teacher for both our AM and PM programs. Karen grew up in Menomonie, Wisconsin and attended the University of Wisconsin – Stout. There she earned her bachelor of science degree in Early Childhood Education.
She married her husband Dick in 1976, moved to Madison and has worked with young children ever since.
She has also furthered her education by attending Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center in Chicago, where she received a primary teaching certificate.
Karen likes the open, welcoming environment of St. Dennis School and the excellent teachers and staff. She looks forward to the “ability to actively practice our Catholic faith with children on a daily basis.”
Karen sees her mission to instill the love and wonder of learning in children. “I love to see the excitement on their faces when the ‘light goes on' and they understand a new concept.”
She also likes to show them that work can also be fun and rewarding. Adds Karen, “I want them to be excited to come to school every single day!”
In her spare time Karen enjoys flower gardening, trying new restaurants, and singing in the Praise Choir and volunteering at St. Dennis.
Betsy Jansen
After teaching the afternoon 4K program last year, assisting Karen Bauer with the 4K program the year before that, and after many years prior to that as the kindergarten teacher when it was a half-day program, this year Betsy will be helping our youngest students with reading.
Betsy grew up in Milwaukee and after marrying her husband, Jim, moved to Madison where he attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison Law School.
She earned a degree in Early Childhood Exceptional Education, Grades K-3, from Edgewood College in Madison. She began teaching at St. Dennis School in the fall of 1998.
What Betsy loves most about St. Dennis is its spirit – religious and community. Betsy's adult son and daughter are graduates of the school and both have graduated from college and her son also earned a Master's degree. Betsy says they went on to excel at Edgewood High School and beyond because of the “commitment and personal touch they received from the St. Dennis teachers and staff.”
Betsy has a long list of activities on her resume, including Girl Scout leader, St. Dennis Athletic Committee member, festival chairperson, St. Dennis Count Team, serving meals at Luke House, bringing communion to residents of local nursing homes, neighborhood association board member, parent member for the DPI superintendent of schools and St. Dennis School Craft Day, Catholic Schools Week and Field Day volunteer, both as a parent and teacher.
Betsy and Jim enjoy golfing, swimming, boating, board games and travel.
2011 - 2012 Class Representative
4K Classroom Updates: