Contact us! EMAIL: [email protected] PHONE: 385-428-9051 (Terri), 385-428-7012 (Dagmara)
ALEX TAVES- CHAPTER PRESIDENT
Alex graduated from WGU in 2023, and has been an active member of KDP since 2021. He has served on the Executive Board previously as Membership Chair, and now as President. Having worked in education as an advisor, tutor, and Program Manager, he currently enjoys working in his 2nd year as a 5th grade teacher at his childhood elementary school. Alex is passionate about closing the achievement gap, as well as access to a quality public education for students from all backgrounds.
In the very little free time he has, Alex enjoys relaxing with his wife, their 2 cats + 1 dog, reading science fiction, watching soccer, and enjoying the company of his friends and family.
ROSE SALIGER - CHAPTER VICE PRESIDENT
Rose graduated from Western Governors University in 2018 with an undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8).
She also completed an M.A. in Science Education (Secondary Earth Science) in 2022. Rose has been a member of Kappa Delta Pi since 2018. She has worked in both the Celebration of Teaching committee and the Professional Development Committee.
Rose is currently working as a substitute teacher and lives in Texas. she enjoys reading novels from a variety of different genres.
Rose graduated from Western Governors University in 2018 with an undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (K-8).
She also completed an M.A. in Science Education (Secondary Earth Science) in 2022. Rose has been a member of Kappa Delta Pi since 2018. She has worked in both the Celebration of Teaching committee and the Professional Development Committee.
Rose is currently working as a substitute teacher and lives in Texas. she enjoys reading novels from a variety of different genres.
TBD - CHAPTER SECRETARY
This is an open position as of Spring 2025
KORA DAKE - MEMBERSHIP CHAIR
Kora Learden Dake is a passionate advocate for children's development, living in Upstate New York with her wife and two daughters. After the birth of her first daughter in 2018, Kora pursued an associate's degree in early childhood education and launched her private nanny service. Following the arrival of her second daughter in 2022, she enrolled in the Dual Education program at Western Governors University, earning recognition from the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in 2024 as well as the National Society of Leadership and Success. Kora's career took a meaningful turn when she became a Behavioral Therapist specializing in autism support, seamlessly merging her expertise with her unwavering passion for helping children and their families. She currently spends time outside her career, gardening, with family/friends, and teaching Sunday school at her local church. Kora's journey exemplifies the power of dedication and education in fostering inclusive environments for all children.
KORA DAKE - MEMBERSHIP CHAIR
Kora Learden Dake is a passionate advocate for children's development, living in Upstate New York with her wife and two daughters. After the birth of her first daughter in 2018, Kora pursued an associate's degree in early childhood education and launched her private nanny service. Following the arrival of her second daughter in 2022, she enrolled in the Dual Education program at Western Governors University, earning recognition from the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in 2024 as well as the National Society of Leadership and Success. Kora's career took a meaningful turn when she became a Behavioral Therapist specializing in autism support, seamlessly merging her expertise with her unwavering passion for helping children and their families. She currently spends time outside her career, gardening, with family/friends, and teaching Sunday school at her local church. Kora's journey exemplifies the power of dedication and education in fostering inclusive environments for all children.
JESSICA MARTZ - SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Jess received her Bachelor's degree in secondary education from Penn State in 2009, a Master's in teaching ESL from WGU in 2016, and a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction from WGU in 2021. She has been a member of KDP since 2016, has enjoyed serving on the AES executive board in several different capacities during most of those years, and has also become a member of the national KDP executive board.
Jess currently lives in central Pennsylvania and teaches high school English. She loves animals and currently has a Pomsky named Loki (she's his social media manager, too). In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, reading, traveling, and photography.
Jess received her Bachelor's degree in secondary education from Penn State in 2009, a Master's in teaching ESL from WGU in 2016, and a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction from WGU in 2021. She has been a member of KDP since 2016, has enjoyed serving on the AES executive board in several different capacities during most of those years, and has also become a member of the national KDP executive board.
Jess currently lives in central Pennsylvania and teaches high school English. She loves animals and currently has a Pomsky named Loki (she's his social media manager, too). In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, reading, traveling, and photography.
DOROTHY BAUMGARTNER - FACULTY CO-COUNSELOR
With career-long commitments to values-based leadership, systems thinking, and maintaining a growth mindset, I am rewarded when I can help support and empower others in their professional and personal journeys.
More than two decades of experience in higher education have given me opportunities to understand the life-long learner experience from several perspectives, first in private colleges and then as the Director of the Student Success Center at an R1 University, where I later I served as the Director of Strategy and Operations at the Teaching and Learning Center, collaborating with faculty and staff to provide opportunities for their professional development. Additional years of experience as a consultant and leadership coach gave me the opportunity to work with a variety of corporate and not-for-profit leaders in their professional journeys. I hold a Master of Arts in Organizational Design and Leadership Development.
An amateur musician, theater buff, believer in storytelling, , nature lover, and a better-gardener-wanna-be, I live in the greater Seattle WA area with my spouse, the rain, and occasionally with my two sometimes-home-from-elsewhere daughters.
With career-long commitments to values-based leadership, systems thinking, and maintaining a growth mindset, I am rewarded when I can help support and empower others in their professional and personal journeys.
More than two decades of experience in higher education have given me opportunities to understand the life-long learner experience from several perspectives, first in private colleges and then as the Director of the Student Success Center at an R1 University, where I later I served as the Director of Strategy and Operations at the Teaching and Learning Center, collaborating with faculty and staff to provide opportunities for their professional development. Additional years of experience as a consultant and leadership coach gave me the opportunity to work with a variety of corporate and not-for-profit leaders in their professional journeys. I hold a Master of Arts in Organizational Design and Leadership Development.
An amateur musician, theater buff, believer in storytelling, , nature lover, and a better-gardener-wanna-be, I live in the greater Seattle WA area with my spouse, the rain, and occasionally with my two sometimes-home-from-elsewhere daughters.
TERRI BRODEUR - FACULTY CO-COUNSELOR
Dr. Terri Brodeur, WGU Senior Manager, Strategic Operations for School of Education, works to help deliver a distinctive student experience across a portfolio of programs so that students have a seamless and integrated high-quality experience. Dr. Brodeur was in business administration/accounting before obtaining her master's degree in Elementary Education. She furthered her education to obtain her doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership. Dr. Brodeur has been in the field of education for over 15 years serving as an educator, literacy coach, STEM Coordinator and then Principal. Her passion for always growing and learning has been her driving force, so she looks to give back to the Educational Community through serving on various boards and outreach groups.
Terri is a military wife whose husband served for over 30 years in the Navy (just retired last year). Along with being married to her high school sweetheart, Terri is the mother of three beautiful children. Her oldest daughter followed in dad's footsteps, joining the military a few years ago. Their middle son is a current student in the College of Business at WGU, and youngest daughter is in high school. Much of their time is spent traveling for softball to watch their youngest daughter, her dream is to play in college being a scholar/ athlete. They recently made their dream a reality moving into a beach house so when not traveling for softball, they can be found relaxing on the sand or kayaking in the ocean. As avid outdoors people, they also love to hike, bike, and go for long walks on the beach.
Dr. Terri Brodeur, WGU Senior Manager, Strategic Operations for School of Education, works to help deliver a distinctive student experience across a portfolio of programs so that students have a seamless and integrated high-quality experience. Dr. Brodeur was in business administration/accounting before obtaining her master's degree in Elementary Education. She furthered her education to obtain her doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership. Dr. Brodeur has been in the field of education for over 15 years serving as an educator, literacy coach, STEM Coordinator and then Principal. Her passion for always growing and learning has been her driving force, so she looks to give back to the Educational Community through serving on various boards and outreach groups.
Terri is a military wife whose husband served for over 30 years in the Navy (just retired last year). Along with being married to her high school sweetheart, Terri is the mother of three beautiful children. Her oldest daughter followed in dad's footsteps, joining the military a few years ago. Their middle son is a current student in the College of Business at WGU, and youngest daughter is in high school. Much of their time is spent traveling for softball to watch their youngest daughter, her dream is to play in college being a scholar/ athlete. They recently made their dream a reality moving into a beach house so when not traveling for softball, they can be found relaxing on the sand or kayaking in the ocean. As avid outdoors people, they also love to hike, bike, and go for long walks on the beach.
DAGMARA OCHAL - FACULTY CO-COUNSELOR
Dagmara has been in higher education since 2005 in a variety of settings and roles including administration, mentoring, and teaching. Currently, she is a senior mentor at WGU, Teachers College where since 2014 she guided over 400 Educational Leadership students to graduation. In addition, Dagmara is a faculty co-counselor for KDP, AES WGU chapter. Dagmara’s passion is helping others to become successful and fulfilled. She especially enjoys supporting peers in recognizing their own leadership potential and becoming effective people leaders.
On a more personal note, Dagmara is fluent in Polish and English and currently in Arizona. Spending free time with family and/or friends is extremely rewarding for Dagmara. She cherishes the outdoors and enjoys hiking, backpacking, and skiing. She embraces volunteering opportunities which allow her to connect with local community and pay-it-forward for received blessings. Dagmara volunteers mostly at the local Ski Resort where she serves as AZ Region Women’s Ski Patrol Program Advisor, AZ Region OEC Advisor, Alpine Senior Ski Patroller, and OEC Instructor Developer. Overall, whether it is at home or work, Dagmara embraces a growth mindset and continues evolving.
Dagmara has been in higher education since 2005 in a variety of settings and roles including administration, mentoring, and teaching. Currently, she is a senior mentor at WGU, Teachers College where since 2014 she guided over 400 Educational Leadership students to graduation. In addition, Dagmara is a faculty co-counselor for KDP, AES WGU chapter. Dagmara’s passion is helping others to become successful and fulfilled. She especially enjoys supporting peers in recognizing their own leadership potential and becoming effective people leaders.
On a more personal note, Dagmara is fluent in Polish and English and currently in Arizona. Spending free time with family and/or friends is extremely rewarding for Dagmara. She cherishes the outdoors and enjoys hiking, backpacking, and skiing. She embraces volunteering opportunities which allow her to connect with local community and pay-it-forward for received blessings. Dagmara volunteers mostly at the local Ski Resort where she serves as AZ Region Women’s Ski Patrol Program Advisor, AZ Region OEC Advisor, Alpine Senior Ski Patroller, and OEC Instructor Developer. Overall, whether it is at home or work, Dagmara embraces a growth mindset and continues evolving.