Meet Our Team

Saycha Basken has been the Assistant Academic Administrator for the Department of Special Programs since 2022. Saycha earned her Education Specialist and Master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2006. Saycha began her career as a School Psychologist, supporting students’ academic, social, emotional, and behavioral development through assessment, intervention, and collaborative consultation. She’s passionate about innovative program development, transformational leadership, reducing barriers, and supporting equitable outcomes for all learners. During her free time, you might find Saycha in her art studio, gardening, listening to live music, or traveling.

Carrie Cherney has worked at our schools for 16 years and has successfully served in the role of Assistant Principal at WIVA High School and Principal at WIVA Middle School. She has proven to be a strong leader connected to the mission, vision, and purpose of Wisconsin Virtual Academies.

Carrie earned her bachelor’s degree in mathematics at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and her Master’s in Educational Leadership from Viterbo University. She started her career with WIVA High School, teaching various math courses. From 2017 through 2021, Carrie served as the Assistant Academic Administrator for WIVA, DCAWI, and Insight School of Wisconsin (ISWI). She was named as the Middle School Academic Administrator (Principal) in January 2022 and is now looking forward to this new endeavor, serving as Principal for grades 6-12 at WIVA! Please join us in congratulating Carrie on her new role!

Dr. Cutler has been a leader in public education for more than 20 years. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin, and has two teenage sons who have had divergent experiences in the public education system. Dr. Cutler has a PhD in educational leadership and policy analysis through the Executive PhD cohort program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and master’s degree in educational philosophy. Her doctoral research was an interracial examination: White Teacher, Black Students: Racializing Successful Mathematical Pedagogy.

Dr. Cutler 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.

Dr. Cutler became an educator 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.

Becky Eberhardt has served as the Academic Administrator for Special Programs at Wisconsin Virtual Academies since 2014. She holds a master’s degree from Cardinal Stritch University and a bachelor’s degree from Silver Lake College. Her career has included roles as a special education teacher, K–12 principal, and director of special education. Becky is passionate about creating strong programs that support students with diverse learning needs, fostering collaboration among staff, and providing professional development in special education compliance and best practices. Outside of work, she enjoys camping and boating with her husband and is embracing the adventure of being an empty nester for the first time.

608.838.9482 ext. 1100

Erin Haugom is the Manager of School Operations at Wisconsin Virtual Academies, where she oversees Enrollment, Assessment Coordination, Compliance, and Onboarding. With 13 years of school operations experience coupled with a history in project management in a corporate setting, she has been able to streamline tired practices and innovate change leading to process improvement. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Upper Iowa University. She believes that education is not one size fits all and will always fight for students needing an alternative path.

Ms. Wegner joins DCAWI and K12 with extensive experience in career 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. Before joining the Madison Metropolitan School District, she was assistant director of career & technical education and education consultant of business & information technology with the Wisconsin Department of Instruction (DPI). Her extensive experience includes teaching middle and high school business and information technology classes.

Ms. Wegner has dedicated her career to providing CTE opportunities to students. She holds her administrative license from St. Mary’s University, a Master of Arts in education from Michigan State University, and a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Marian University.

Ms. Wolfe joins Destinations with a strong commitment to college, career, and community readiness. She most recently comes from the Madison Metropolitan School District, where she has served as the academic and career planning coordinator at the central office level. While there, she supported system-level work to ensure equitable experiences for all students that focused on reflection, identity, and experiential learning as they made important decisions about their next steps.

In addition to her role at the central office, Ms. Wolfe also held a position at Wright Middle School as an instructional coach. Her strong commitment to future readiness was first fostered when she became an AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) teacher/coordinator at Wright Middle School, where she paved a path for them to become Wisconsin’s first middle school to receive demonstration status.

Ms. Wolfe received her Bachelor of Arts in education and communication arts at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Ms. Armitage is passionate about helping students discover their path after high school, whether college, technical school, workforce, or military. She loves working with students to find what they enjoy doing and want to pursue in the future.

Ms. Armitage joins DCAWI with 15 years of experience as a school counselor in a rural Wisconsin community. She has managed a variety of programs, from an international student program to alternative education, career fairs, health care academy, and youth apprenticeship programming.

Ms. Armitage graduated in 2004 from UW-Stout with a Bachelor of Science in human development and family studies, and in 2007 she obtained a Master of Science in school counseling.

She lives in Northern Wisconsin with her two girls, husband, and dog Rolo. She enjoys spending time with family, camping, reading, and hiking.

Ms. Krueger just completed her third year teaching at Destinations Career Academy, but has been teaching for a total of 12 years. She lives in Butternut, WI with her boyfriend, Joe, two boys Dustin and Kaden, and chocolate lab, Nelli. Outside of school fishing is, by far, what they enjoy doing the most. They also enjoy a lot of hunting, camping, and really anything that gets them outdoors!

Ms. Flood comes from a teaching family with a sister and brother who are or were teachers. She was a homeschooling parent and Learning Coach, having educated her three sons for all their schooling and three nephews through high school (she taught world history so many times she could CLEP out of Western Civilization when she returned to college). Ms. Flood and her family were a part of the first Wisconsin virtual charter school and the first year of WIVA. When she finished with the responsibilities of their education, she returned to being a student. She completed her undergrad degree at the college her grandmother graduated from 75 years earlier. And, yes, her grandmother was there for her graduation ceremony!

Phone: 608.838.9482 ext. 2130

Kandi Bretl is thrilled to join DCA after 33 years of service in special education at all levels. She loves anything related to math and science, but her passion is connecting people as well as sharing new and exciting experiences and opportunities. Kandi lives on 20 acres in Southern Door County with her husband of 33 years and enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, cooking with fresh ingredients grown on their land, learning new things, and creating. She is very excited to support all the students at DCA!

Mrs. Orr grew up in Northern Wisconsin and did not go far, as she now lives in a small town 10 miles south of where she grew up. Stacy and her husband have raised three children that have now made them empty nesters. She owned a floral shop for 12 years in her home while her children were growing up, then she worked at the local high school for 11 years before joining the DCA Team. Stacy loves spending her spare time on her small hobby farm. She has goats, donkeys, cows, pigs, and chickens. They have many dogs and a couple cats too. Stacy and her husband love hunting and eating the food they raise or hunt. She has also become addicted to gardening and crafting.

Phone: 608.838.9482 

Miss August joins the team after working several years with children in diverse situations in the Greater Green Bay area. Coming from working with students in high needs, she’s eager to work with students in a nontraditional setting and is passionate about students finding success that fits their personal vision. In her time away from the school, Miss August loves spending time with people she cares about (and her cat), engaging in various outdoor activities, and creating arts and crafts.

I am a school counselor with experience supporting students across all grade levels. I began my counseling career in 2002 as a high school counselor. After staying home with my family, I returned to education in 2021 and most recently worked as a K–8 counselor supporting student growth, promoting social-emotional well-being, and guiding students through academic planning. I am excited to return to the high school setting, especially DCA, to focus on my passion for academic, postsecondary, and career exploration.

Being a parent of three teenagers has given me real-world experience navigating life’s challenges and adjusting accordingly. I bring this background and compassion with me as I work with the students and families of DCA.

I hold a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay and a Master’s degree in School Counseling from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.

I am excited to be a part of DCA with a focus on empowering student voices and creating an inclusive environment where every student feels valued. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay and my master’s degree in School Counseling from Lakeland University. I have enjoyed working with students from a variety of backgrounds at the elementary, middle, and high school level. I live in the Kenosha area with my fiancé and puppy. I enjoy arts and crafts, baking, being with family, and spending time at the beach.

Ms. Liebenthal is excited to join Destinations Career Academy as the Student Programming Coordinator for the Construction and Engineering Pathway. She has been in public education for over 29 years, first serving as a Business and Information Technology Teacher and later as an Academic & Career Coordinator, providing students with comprehensive academic and career advising services and resources.

Throughout her career, Ms. Liebenthal has been dedicated to career and technical education. She looks forward to collaborating with students and staff to continue guiding learners as they explore opportunities, build skills, and pursue meaningful pathways toward their futures.

Ms. Liebenthal received her Bachelor of Science in Business and Marketing Education from the University of Wisconsin Stout.