Our Team

  • Tara Grignon

    PRINCIPAL

    Pōsōh, newīhswan Tara Grignon mesek Osawan Wapanukiw a͞ekaeyan. I am from the Eagle clan. My parents are Vincent Grignon Sr. and Georgia Frechette. My grandparents are Marie LaTender and Ronald “Ji” Frechette and Emmerine and Myron “Pat” Grignon Sr. My daughter is Anahkosaeh Fish. I graduated from Menominee Indian High School. I then graduated from College of Menominee Nation with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. I went on to University of Wisconsin-Superior and graduated with a masters degree in Educational Administration.

    Outside of work I love to spend time with my family and friends. My child, nieces and nephews mean the world to me. I love to bead, golf, read and enjoy boating. I knew since I was very young that I wanted to become a teacher. I wanted our native students to see and have educators and role models that looked like them, something I didn’t see a whole lot of when I was going through the school system. I wanted to make a difference in the lives of the children in my community.

    I absolutely believe our community needs this school. Language is the key piece to our identity. It is beautiful to watch our students be themselves and speak their own language while learning on a daily basis. The vision and mission of the school teaches so much more than just the language, students are learning their teachings as well. They learn to be brave, truthful, respectful and loving to themselves and one another and wise in their traditions and culture while learning by observing in a hands-on way where they take the lead on their learning.

  • Justine Pyawaysay

    Kindergarten Classroom Aide

    Pōsōh mawaw new weyak! Māēhtikokīw eneq āēkāeyan, mesek Justine Pyawasay newīhswan. Nenēkēhekok Patrick and Roberta Tourtillott. Netāqnawak Nīw nīcianok, Elana, Michael, Arlette and Jeweliah.

    I am so excited to join the Kaehkēnawapahtāēq team this year! I have been teaching and certified in the immersion program for 3 years now. I am currently working on my Associates in Early Childhood education and plan on graduating Fall 2025. I have worked with nīcianok at the Headstart for 5 years and I will be working as a classroom aide in the Kindergarten classroom this year.

    Wāēwāēnen!

  • Alexis Grignon

    Kindergarten Classroom Guide

    Pōsōh mawaw-new weyak! Alexis eneq āēs wīhsiyan! Nenēkēhekok Dennis Bear mesek Daynell Grignon awēwak.

    I’m very happy to be a part of the Kaehkēnawapahtāēq team this year. I received my Menominee Language certificate back in 2020 and I’ve been a part of the language revitalization efforts ever since. I worked in the daycare immersion rooms for 2 years, then at Menominiyou for another 2 years after that. I recently graduated with my degree in Early Childhood Education this past May, I’m definitely excited to be teaching in the classroom again!

    Wāēwāēnen!