About Our School
Meet Our Team
We're Dedicated to Serving You
At Destinations Career Academy of Wisconsin, it's not their job, it's their passion! Get to know the people who are dedicated to seeing students succeed in the classroom and in life.
Sara Cutler, Head of School
Dr. Sara R. Cutler has been a leader in public education for over 20 years. She lives in Madison, WI and has two teenage sons, who have had divergent experiences in our public education system. Sara has a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, through the Executive PhD cohort program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as well a master’s degree in Educational Philosophy. Her doctoral research was an interracial examination: White Teacher, Black Students: Racializing Successful Mathematical Pedagogy.
Sara began her career in California as a bilingual teacher, advocating for the rights of Spanish speakers in the public-school system. Later she became an instructional coach and content specialist, working for the Department of Education in New York State. In 2003 she returned to Wisconsin where she served as an elementary classroom teacher, curriculum/professional developer and a school-wide facilitator, followed by the school principalship.
Sara became an educator in order to shift the paradigms that traditionally control our public-school systems. She is committed to developing a school culture that is relentlessly focused on equitable outcomes where all children believe in their gifts, identifying as scholars headed toward college and careers.
Jen Wegner, Academic Administrator
Ms. Wegner joins DCA-WI, and Stride, with extensive experience in Career and Technical Education serving in several leadership roles. Most recently, she has been the Director of Personalized Pathways & Career/Technical Education (CTE) for the Madison Metropolitan School District. Prior to joining the Madison Metropolitan School District, she held the following positions as Assistant Director, Career & Technical Education, and as Education Consultant, Business & Information Technology with the Wisconsin Department of Instruction (DPI). Her extensive experience includes teaching Middle and High School business & information technology classes.
Ms. Wegner has dedicated her career to providing CTE opportunities to students. She currently holds her Administrative License from St. Mary’s University, Master of Arts in Education from Michigan State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Marian University.
Becky Eberhardt, Manager of Special Programs
Becky Eberhardt is happy to be a part of the DCA-WIVA team! She obtained her master's degree from Cardinal Stritch University in May 2003. Becky has been a special education director for approximately 11 years, spending four of those years in a dual role as both director and preK–12 principal in a small, rural district. She is married and has four sons ranging in age from seven to 19. She also has three dogs and two cats that complete her family. In her spare time, Becky enjoys camping with her family and spending time with friends.
Carrie Cherney, Assistant Academic Administrator 9–12
Carrie Cherney obtained her bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in mathematics, with a minor in education. She is obtaining her master's degree in educational leadership while teaching pre-calculus and AP® calculus and serving as the assistant academic administrator. Carrie taught at the middle school level for a year in the brick-and-mortar setting, followed by two years of teaching high school. She has been with WIVA since 2009 and looks forward to continually helping DCA-WIVA high schoolers reach their full potential.
Erin Haugom, Operations Manager
Erin Haugom joined the WIVA team as the operations manager in 2012. She has a bachelor's degree in human services and more than 10 years of office experience in program coordination, data tracking and reporting, IT support services, and customer service. Erin looks forward to being part of DCA-WIVA and using her expertise to support the virtual learning community.
Jodell Gagnow, Student Support Administrator
Jodell Gagnow is passionate about transforming academic growth through motivation, encouragement, and supporting others in finding their inner spark. She has been affiliated with K12 Stride Learning since 2015. Jodell’s education consists of a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and she has a technical degree in Dental Assisting. She also continues to participate in continuing education.
Her personal mission statement is “fear not, every dawn opens hope and opportunity.” Jodell is an imaginative leader that focuses on an individual’s uniqueness as a strength.
Venessa DeCosse, Career Learning Coordinator
Venessa DeCosse worked in Business for 13 years. She graduated from Capella University with a Bachelors in Business with a specialization in Human Resources and an MBA. She then enjoyed serving in the AmeriCorps helping individuals in poverty obtain and keep jobs. This reignited her childhood dream of becoming a teacher. She has taught college and high school both online and in brick and mortar schools. She is extremely passionate in developing programming for our school and students such as: work based learning, business and higher education partnerships, industry recognized credentials and project based learning.
