Our Staff

Our staff is a crucial element to the school’s success and future.
They are a big part of what sets us apart.
It is their unwavering dedication to our students and school that have made
St. Coletta Day School of Milwaukee such a critical element
in the lives of students with cognitive disabilities.

William A. Koehn, aka Mr. Bill ~ Administrator/Teacher
I am a teacher to students with special needs and have been doing what I love for over 40 years.
You might say I have a passion for what I do. I have a Master of Science degree in Educational Administration, and for the past 25 years, I have been the Administrator and Lead Teacher at St. Coletta Day School. My students are a great inspiration to me. They are also a source of renewed energy for my spirit.

Quote to live by: To be happy, free your heart from hatred, free your mind from worries, live simply, give more, and expect less.

Rachel Lustig, aka Ms. Rachel ~ Teacher
I am proud to be a classroom teacher at St. Coletta Day School of Milwaukee. My grandmother always told me that everything in life happens for a reason. I believe this to be true and that my coming to St. Coletta Day School 11 years ago, as a Paraprofessional Educator, happened for all the right reasons. I am pleased to announce that after completing my post baccalaureate certification program with honors, that I will complete my Masters of Science in Exceptional Education in the summer of 2017. I now have an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree from Marquette University and Post Baccalaureate Certificate and Teaching License in Cross-categorical Special Education, Middle Child-Early Adolescence. This long journey from Paraprofessional to Teacher to Master’s degree will be finished soon and I thank the St. Coletta Day school for their support during this process. I am a wife and mother to four children who attend or attended St. Sebastian, our host school. The connection to St. Sebastian was one of the reasons I was initially drawn to St. Coletta. The inspiring students and the environment of providing an education with integrity is the reason I have made St. Coletta my home and working with kids with special needs my passion.

Quote to live by: Grow where you are planted and bloom into the best you, you can be.

Jessica Giese, aka Ms. Jess ~ Music Therapist
I come to St Coletta Day School from Music Therapy Services of Waukesha County, LLC where I have been working as a Music Therapist for the past seven and a half years. I graduated from Alverno College in 2009 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Therapy. I enjoy teaching, singing, songwriting and playing the guitar.

Cindy Sue Nielsen, aka Ms. Cindy Sue ~ Transition Program Coordinator
I am a passionate person who finds great peace; satisfaction and happiness in helping others succeed. It is those virtues that align so well with St. Coletta’s mission and vision statements and has led me to this position. I am a student of life; hold a Master’s in Adult and Continuing Education along with Educational Studies from Carroll University, am a mother to one amazing son. I enjoy animals, the outdoors, living in the moment and a hearty laugh . I look forward to supporting the unique culture at St. Coletta’s, helping our students grow, pursue their dreams and success.. however they define it.

Quote to live by: “When the student is ready, the teacher appears”. Buddha

Julie Borouchoff, aka Ms. Julie ~ Teaching / Classroom Assistant
I was born and raised near Jefferson, Wisconsin. After graduating from Marquette University with a degree in Theatre Studies, I was hired by Friends Mime Theatre (n/k/a Milwaukee Public Theatre). During my time with Friend’s Mime Cream City Semi Circus, I became an accomplished juggler, puppeteer, mime, balloon artist and plate spinner. I also discovered my alter ego; Violet the Clown. I worked for Milwaukee Public Schools for 22 years. Most of my time at MPS was spent teaching children with special needs. This led me to discover that my passion in life was to use theater as a life skills teaching tool. In 2010 I founded The SuperStars Camp - A summer performing arts camp for children on and off the autism spectrum. In 2015 I found a new family at St. Coletta Day School; I assist in the classroom, as well as directing school plays and teaching a social skills class using puppets & role play.

Traci S, aka Ms. Traci ~ Teaching / Classroom Assistant.
I graduated from Southern Illinois University, and have worked with students of all ages and backgrounds at different therapeutic day schools before joining the St. Coletta team. I moved to the Milwaukee area in 2015.

Thomas Klawien, aka Mr. Tom ~ Teaching / Classroom Assistant.
I recently retired from Milwaukee Public Schools after teaching Special Education at Rufus King High School, Neeskara and Luther Burbank Schools for 26 years. I have degrees in Special Ed, Regular Education and Art, plus a Master in Education with an emphasis in Autism from Cardinal Stritch University. My wonderful wife Sue, and I have been coordinators for the ARISE Program (Association for Religious Instruction, Special Education) at St. Gregory the Great Parish for six years. We have two awesome children, Paul and Leanne and two cats; Leo and Liger. I am looking forward to being a part of St. Coletta Day School Family!

Jennifer Sowinski, aka Ms. Jen ~ Administrative Assistant.
I am the proud Mom of a St Coletta Alumni. Although I have been part of the St Coletta Family since 2010 as a parent - In early 2017 I followed my heart, and joined the staff of St. Coletta’s. I truly love coming to work every day and seeing the kids, they are my Heroes! I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design with a minor in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin Stout, and many, many years of experience as an Executive Administrative Assistant. My Husband and I have lived in the Milwaukee area for over 25 years, and have two teenage children who are a constant source of pride, laughter, and a few gray hairs.

Quote to live by: "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless." Mother Theresa