Alix returns to W-F schools
By Angie Landsverk
Jodi Alix is the new principal of Weyauwega-Fremont’s middle and high schools.
The school board unanimously approved hiring her for the position during a special meeting on Aug. 20.
“It’s an opportunity I didn’t want to pass up,” she said.
Alix grew up in the district and graduated from W-F High School in 1990.
Her first day working on the campus was Aug. 23.
Alix just completed her sixth year working in the Hortonville School District, where she wore a number of hats the last three years.
She was the youth apprenticeship and school to work in transition coordinator, Perkins Grant and CTE Grant coordinator, Academic and Career Planning building leader, youth service learning coordinator and chair of the Special Education Department.
Alix was also the student council adviser.
“I was pursuing something in administration, so when this opened up, I felt like this could be a great opportunity to use my skill set, as well as serve the community which I’m passionate for,” she said of the W-F position.
Alix was one of 40-some people who applied for the position.
Seven people were interviewed in the first round, with three of them chosen for the second round of interviews.
Alix replaces Jeremy Schroeder, who left the district to become Weyauwega’s new city administrator.
She acknowledged his work and how much he did to prepare his predecessor before taking the city position.
“He has made the transition seamless for me to step into,” Alix said.
Alix grew up in West Bloomfield.
She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a degree in special education.
Alix decided to pursue that degree after having a positive experience volunteering at a camp for children and adults with disabilities.
She was about 13 years old when she first volunteered at the camp and continues to volunteer there for a week each August.
Alix began her teaching career in Wisconsin Rapids and then taught in the Denver area for three years.
When she and her husband Tony had their first child, they wanted to move back to the area.
He also grew up in the district and graduated from W-F High School.
A position was open in the Manawa School District, and Alix taught there nine years before joining the Hortonville School District.
She has a master’s degree in special education from St. Mary’s University in Minnesota and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Marian University.
“I like going to school,” she said.
Alix and her husband have four children in the W-F School District: Twyla, Taya, Tellyer and Tonaya. They live in West Bloomfield.
What she shared with the school board during her interview is how she realizes there are many opportunities and options to enroll children in school.
She and Tony wanted a family atmosphere for their children.
“There’s great staff here that do amazing things that go unnoticed,” Alix said. ‘I feel like that’s what I would like to draw upon.”
Student engagement is one of her goals for this school year.
“Research shows that engagement in school and academic achievement go hand in hand to produce positive results,” she said.
That is also her philosophy for behavior.
“We want to engage students to be part of the school,” Alix said.
She wants to tap into and embrace the strengths of students, whether they are academic or cultural.
At the high school, the construction and remodeling project is wrapping up.
“I would encourage everyone to come and take the time and visit our school at various school functions,” Alix said. “We want to share the investment of our community. See the wonderful opportunities it provides our students that they didn’t have before.”
The high school feels like a new school, while respecting the district’s history, she said.
On the first day of school, Alix will talk to the students about the investment their parents and grandparents made in it and how they are responsible for being stewards of it.
She is excited about being the principal of the middle and high schools.
“I look forward to spending more time within my home community,” Alix said.