Email Shelly Severson

Dr. Severson began her teaching career teaching elementary general music and middle school vocal music in the School District of Black River Falls.  She worked for two years as an assistant principal in a neighboring district before returning to the SDBRF as an elementary principal, where she served for 11 years.  Dr. Severson is humbled and proud to serve this wonderful community as the district administrator since 2013. 

Dr. Severson’s education includes a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Silver Lake College, a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Marion University, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Edgewood College.

Dr. Severson is an active member of our community and currently serves as a member of the Black River Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, Co-Facilitates the Servant Led Community coalition, as well as a member of the local Rotary Club.  Dr. Severson volunteers at many school events and thoroughly enjoys being a Tiger fan!  She and her husband Larry, a Black River Falls alumnus,  have raised their two sons in the Black River Falls community.  Zach is a 2016 graduate of BRFHS, and Abe is a 2018 graduate. 

Email Jill Collins

Jill Collins graduated from Winona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and minor in Accounting. She  also earned a Master of Science degree in School Business Management from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.  Additionally, Jill has earned a Certified School Risk Management designation.

Jill is a life-long member of the Black River Falls community and has worked for the School District of Black River Falls as the bookkeeper/accountant from 1994-1998 and as the Director of Business Services since 2000.  She has also worked in the Wisconsin Rapids Public School District and the Wilmot Union High School District as the Director of Business Services.  Professionally, Jill was elected as a director to the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials (WASBO) Board, was the chair of the annual WASBO Fall Conference for seven years, and a committee member of several WASBO committees for many, many years.

Jill volunteers and serves the community in many facets.  She currently serves on the Jackson County Child Care Network Inc. board as the treasurer and is a member of the Jackson County Child Care Task Force, a member of the Co-op Credit Union Advisory Board, and keeps the financial books in order for Black River Youth Hockey Inc. by providing accounting services.  Over the years, Jill has served in various leadership roles on the Black River Falls Tiger Athletic Boosters board, the Black River Youth Hockey Inc. board, the Jackson County Crime Stoppers board, the Black River Area Child Care board, the Black River Falls Figure Skating board, and she also coached youth softball and volleyball for many years.

Jill enjoys watching Tiger athletics, playing volleyball, and is an avid golfer.  Jill and her family also enjoy boating, traveling, snowmobiling, downhill skiing, and participating in most any other sport or yard game.  Jill is married to Steve, also a Black River Falls HS alum, and they have two adult children, Hailey and Matt, both BRF graduates as well.

Email Nichole Sullivan

Dr. Sullivan began her teaching career as a special education teacher in Montana. For the first years of her teaching career, she worked in settings outside of traditional schools, an institution for individuals with developmental disabilities and a children’s mental health hospital. Dr. Sullivan worked in the traditional school setting in Montana as a special education teacher, 5-8 Language Arts Teacher, Instructional Coach and Vice-Principal. Dr. Sullivan returned home to Black River Falls in 2019 and worked for the school district of Black River Falls as an instructional coach; she is honored to now serve the district as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction. 

Dr. Sullivan is a proud graduate of Black River Falls High School; she attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she earned a BA in English. She attended the University of Montana where she received a master of arts degree in Curriculum and Instruction with certification in English teaching and special education. Dr. Sullivan continued her education at Montana State University where she earned a masters of arts degree in Educational Leadership and a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership. She focused her dissertation on the implementation of Science of Reading instruction.

Dr. Sullivan lives on her family’s farm outside of Black River Falls. She enjoys spending time with family, watching Wisconsin sports, traveling, boating on the Mississippi and snowboarding.

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Mrs. Floyd began her career teaching first grade for the Department of Defense - Education Activity on Fort Moore, GA. Mrs. Floyd and her family returned to Wisconsin in 2013, where she became a special education teacher and later an Emotional Behavioral Disabilities teacher for the Oshkosh Area School District. Mrs. Floyd eventually moved to the Green Bay Area Public School System to become an administrative intern (Assistant Principal) and Site Director of After School Programming. Mrs. Floyd joined the School District of Black River Falls as the Principal of Forrest Street Elementary in 2018. In 2024, Mrs. Floyd moved to the role of Director of Special Education and Pupil Services.

Mrs. Floyd's education includes a bachelor's degree in dual Elementary Education and Special Education from Western Governors University. She also earned Master's Degrees in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University, in Educational Administration from Concordia University, with licensure for Principal and Director of Instruction, and in Behavior Analysis from Capella University. Currently, Mrs. Floyd is completing her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis at UW-Madison.

Mrs. Floyd and her husband, Mario, reside in Tomah. The Floyd's have three children, Cassandra, Isabella and Andrew. In her free time, Mrs. Floyd enjoys camping, being outdoors, traveling, reading, going to school and sporting events, and volunteering within the community.

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Mr. Jahr began his teaching career as a fourth-grade teacher and then a sixth-grade teacher within the Whitehall School District. In addition to his teaching experience, Mr. Jahr was the program director of the after-school program. He came to be a part of the School District of Black River Falls as the Assistant Principal at Red Creek Elementary. He is now Principal at Red Creek.

Mr. Jahr attended Winona State University for his Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Minor Degree in Mathematics. He obtained a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Viterbo University.

Mr. Jahr’s wife Toni is a fourth-grade teacher at Whitehall Memorial Elementary. Together they have two children: Maverick and Jayda. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends while camping or attending community and sporting events.

Email Rachael Gamroth

Mrs. Gamroth started her career in education as a 3rd grade teacher at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School in Independence.  She was there for three years before transitioning to a 4K teaching position with the Independence School District.  While working for the Independence School District, Mrs. Gamroth also taught 3rd grade and 1st grade.  She later accepted a position with the Whitehall School District and taught 1st grade there for nine years.  In 2021, Mrs. Gamroth joined the amazing SDBRF as an instructional coach at Forrest Street Elementary School, and in 2022 she became the Assistant Principal at Red Creek Elementary School.  

Mrs. Gamroth earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Winona State University and a master’s degree in Education from UW River Falls.  She is currently working towards her administrator’s certification through Saint Mary’s University. 

Mrs. Gamroth resides on her family farm in rural Independence with her husband, Nick, and their two beautiful children, Josephine and Abram.  Along with the joys of spending time with her family, friends, and pets, Mrs. Gamroth loves traveling, anything related to art, and photography.

Email Dan Nortman

Mr. Nortman began his teaching career as a fourth and fifth-grade teacher in the Wisconsin Rapids School District. In 2001, he returned to his hometown of Black River Falls and taught grades 1, 2, 3, and 4. Mr. Nortman is currently the Principal at the Black River Falls Middle School. In addition, Mr. Nortman is the School Forest Coordinator for the district.

Mr. Nortman attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education. He received his Master’s Degree in Professional Learning Community from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and his Principalship license from Viterbo University.

Mr. Nortman and his wife Melissa have two children: Makayla and Breanne. He enjoys coaching, camping, hunting, and fishing.

Email Kim Penza

 Mrs. Penza began her career in education as a school counselor in Neillsville, WI.  After   working in Neillsville for two years she moved to East Troy, WI where she continued her role as a school counselor.  Three years later she moved again to Sauk Prairie as the  Assessment Coordinator for the high school.  After a couple years, Mrs. Penza missed spending time with students and so she took a role as the Alternative Education Coordinator.  Mrs. Penza is excited to now be the Assistant Principal at Black River Falls   High School.

 Mrs. Penza attended UW-Madison where she earned a degree in Social Welfare.  Her next   stop was UW-Milwaukee where she earned a Masters Degree in School Counseling.  Mrs.   Penza earned her administration license from St. Mary's University.

 Mrs. Penza is married to her husband, Chris.  They have three children, Warren, Louise,   and Lorelei.  The Penza's also have two dogs, Lucy and Tripp.  Mrs. Penza enjoys running, crafting, and camping in her spare time.

Email Nate Erickson

Mr. Erickson began his career in education at Rice Lake Middle School where he taught 6th and 7th grade math. While at Rice Lake, he helped coach boy's basketball. After two years at Rice Lake, he took a 6th grade math job in Edgerton Middle School. His next stop was Black River Falls where he served as the Dean of Students at the middle school. After a couple years in that role, he accepted the Assistant Principal job at Black River Falls High School. He is excited to continue to work in the Black River Falls School District and continue to lead the girl's basketball program here at Black River Falls. 

Mr. Erickson received his undergrad degree at UW-Eau Claire. While working in Edgerton, he continued his education through UW-River Falls where he would earn his master's degree and licensure in administration. 

In his free time, Mr. Erickson enjoys spending time with family and friends. He loves supporting Tiger athletics as well as many of the Wisconsin sport's teams.