Jason Arndt, jarndt@shawanoleader.com
Jane Wonderling
Jane Wonderling will be making a large transition as the new principal of Bonduel High School.
The Prairie du Chien native will succeed Patrick Rau, who was elevated to the role of district superintendent following the retirement of Peter Behnke.
Wonderling began her new job July 1.
“The biggest challenge was to get moved from Prairie du Chien and get my family settled down here,” Wonderling said. “From the school side, it will be familiarizing myself with not only the students but the families and community.”
She and her husband, Tom, have been married 10 years and will reside in Pulcifer in the town of Green Valley. They have two sons: Dillon, who attends the University of Minnesota-Mankato, and Kirk, who goes to Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
Wonderling was part of the Prairie du Chien School District for 16 years before taking a role as internal building coach, tasked with developing goals and objectives for students, at Dodgeville High School last year.
She received her undergraduate and master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 1985 and 1990, respectively, her principal license from Winona State University in Minnesota in 2012, and certification as director of special education and pupil services from Viterbo University in La Crosse this year.
One of the programs that attracted Wonderling to Bonduel was the school’s partnerships with Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and UW-Green Bay, she said.
Wonderling also likes that her predecessor will be nearby and available to help.
“I think it’s a wonderful situation where Patrick worked under Dr. Behnke, and to have that support is critical,” she said.
While she will miss some of her colleagues, friends and family in Dodgeville and Prairie du Chien, Wonderling said she expects to be comfortable working the Bonduel School District.
“The staff I worked with, administration I worked with were outstanding (at Dodgeville). I noticed similarities between there and Bonduel, so I knew it was a good opportunity,” she said.
Her family supported the move.
“When an opportunity like this arises, you have to take advantage of it and my whole family is very proud of this achievement,” Wonderling said.
For now, Wonderling is getting to know the Bonduel community and said she looks forward to meeting with parents and students when the school year starts.