Arnie Birren teaches English at El Puente. He earned his teaching certificate at UW-Milwaukee after graduating with a Creative Writing degree in 2009. Originally from Madison, he has lived in Milwaukee since 2002 and has family connections to the city going back 100 years. He enjoys soccer, music, poetry, and historical fiction and nonfiction. Arnie’s favorite part of working at El Puente is working with individual students to help them accomplish their goals in the classroom and in life.
Nate Crawley is a science and math teacher at El Puente. He teaches classes such as Pre-Algebra, Physical Science, Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, and Physics. Nate enjoys having high expectations regarding knowledge acquisition and proper student conduct in his classroom. Nate earned his bachelors in physics and secondary education from Marquette University. He has been a teacher at El Puente since 2009. Nate’s favorite part about working at El Puente has been increasing our expectations for student behavior, work ethic, and skill development.
Adam Kassulke is a social studies and physical education teacher at El Puente. He currently teaches World History, Civics, and Physical Education. Adam earned his Bachelor of Science in Broadfield Social Studies and Secondary Education from Edgewood College. Adam additionally has A Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and one in Psychology. Adam recently earned an Associates of Science in Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement and has worked extensively in school safety plan development. Adam is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Astrophysics and has a lifelong passion for astronomy and music. Adam loves the individual attention El Puente gives to each student and the incredible opportunities for growth El Puente offers its students.
Molly Imbrie is one of El Puente High School’s two co-directors. She is responsible for overseeing guidance counseling, student scheduling, and the dual-enrollment program. Molly earned her Bachelor’s degree in English Education (EA-A), her Bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies, and her Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction: Composition and Rhetoric from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Molly completed both her Principal and Director of Instruction licensure in 2023 through Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Molly started working in education as a special education paraprofessional in 2012. In 2015 she began her English teaching career at El Puente, and in 2021 transitioned out of the classroom and into administration. Molly’s favorite part about working at El Puente is the small community and the relationships it allows her to build with families and their students.
Julio Fuentes is the IT Coordinator at El Puente. He is responsible for managing the technology needs of staff and students, as well as teaching two sections of Computer Programming. Julio earned a bachelors of computer science from Saint Norbert College in 2017. He started working as technical support soon after, helping people with their technology, computer and software issues in Green Bay. In early 2020 he moved to Milwaukee and eventually found his way to working at El Puente later that year. Julio loves learning, helping people and solving problems and his favorite part of working at El Puente is being able to do just that, in a non-profit setting.
Brenda Aranda Gomez is El Puente’s Bilingual Administrative Assistant. She assists the co-directors with attendance and enrollment for new and continuing students. Brenda completed her high school education at Badger High School in 2006. She was a professional retail manager with experience in managing a team, operationalizing systems, marketing and sales. She continues to volunteer for Voces de la Frontera, a non-profit immigration advocacy organization. Brenda’s favorite part about working at El Puente is the sense of community between staff members, students and their families.
Alex Meylink is one of El Puente High School’s English teachers. Alex earned his Bachelor’s degree in English Education from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse and has earned additional credits in various subjects from MATC and the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Alex started working in education as an English teacher at Shalom High School in 2013. In years following, he has worked as a restaurant manager, musician, and in juvenile rehabilitation. He runs a recording studio and loves sharing his passion for music and audio production. In 2020, he went back to education and taught virtually at El Puente for the school year. In 2024 he decided to return to El Puente. Alex’s favorite part about working at El Puente is the community feel of a small school and helping students make steps towards their post-high school plans.
Renee Morrow is one of El Puente High School’s two co-directors. Renee’s responsibilities include enrollment, overseeing the Special Needs Scholarship Program, and working closely with families and students to help everyone find success. Renee earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Michigan Technological University and her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Cardinal Stritch University. Along with earning her Master’s degree, Renee has received her Principal and Director of Instruction licensure. In 2002, Renee started working in education as a math teacher. In 2015 she began at El Puente as a math teacher, and in 2019 transitioned from the classroom into administration. Renee’s favorite part about working at El Puente is helping students prepare for their futures.
Ashley Parrish is a teacher’s aide at El Puente and provides support to students as they pursue their high school diplomas. She has been a part of the team since 2017, and primarily works with SNSP students. Ashley’s favorite part about working at El Puente is seeing the students she works with walk across the graduation stage each year.
Andrea Senske teaches math, including Algebra, Geometry and Algebra II at El Puente High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, majoring in Finance from Florida Atlantic University in 2004. After a few years working in the business industry she moved to Wisconsin and decided to go back to school at UW-Milwaukee to study math in secondary education with a minor in bilingual education in 2016. Andrea’s favorite part of working at El Puente is building meaningful relationships with students and helping them succeed in math.
Tim Steen is one of El Puente High School’s two social studies teachers. He teaches U.S. History, Health, World Geography, Psychology, Sociology, History of War, Economics, and American Legal System. Tim earned his Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies Education (EA-A) from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Tim completed his student teaching at Alexander Hamilton High School in Milwaukee. In 2017 he began his social studies teaching career at El Puente. Tim’s favorite part about working at El Puente is that it gives him the opportunity to provide individualized education to help students earn their high school diplomas and start the next chapter of their lives as young adults.
John Surges is one of the Co-Founders of El Puente High School and has been an important presence since 1997. He is responsible for teaching science and art and overseeing building maintenance. John earned a bachelor’s degree in Broadfield Science and Earth and Space Science from the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point and has a Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Saint Mary’s. He has been teaching since 1988 and still enjoys being in the classroom. John’s favorite part about teaching at El Puente is having the opportunity to create his own curriculum and working to positively impact youth in our community.
Jaquelin “Jacky” Zaragoza is the student support specialist at El Puente High School. Jacky provides support to the students and families of El Puente by helping in every process from admissions to after graduation. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside with a bachelor of science in Psychology with a concentration in Neuroscience and a minor in medical Spanish. Before coming to El Puente she worked as a residential case manager for UCC. In 2022 Jacky went back to school and earned her master’s in Educational Psychology with a concentration in cognition and development. Her favorite part about working at El Puente is helping students reach their full potential and helping them work on both academics and their mental health.