HERC Fellowship program

Jess Monson-Donnerbauer was raised in rural northwest Wisconsin and holds a BA in history from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. While studying there she had the privilege of being a student under the late Dr. Stephen Feinstein who founded the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at the U of M. He inspired her to further her studies in Holocaust education. After earning her secondary education teaching degree from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls, she began her career in the classroom and in 2010 enrolled in Seton Hill University’s certificate program in Genocide and Holocaust studies. SHU’s National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education led her to a three-week institute for educators at Yad Vashem. In 2016, she earned her MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Gratz College and has been teaching middle and high school social studies in and around the Twin Cities metropolitan area since 2006.

Justin Glodowski is in his thirteenth-year teaching high school social studies. He currently teaches AP US Government and Politics, AP Comparative Government and Politics, and Genocide and Human Rights for Marshfield High School. He has served in the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies as a board member, Vice President, and, more recently, as President. Justin has also worked with the National Constitution Center and the RetroReport on teacher advisory committees. Lastly, he has been honored with awards in teaching Civil Liberties and Civil Rights and was recently named the 2023 Wisconsin History Teacher of the Year. Outside of teaching, he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling to National Parks, cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles, and reading fantasy novels.

Marisa Piper is a thirty-year veteran teacher with a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction with a social studies and adolescent emphasis from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (2006), as well as a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2019). Marisa currently teaches AP United States History, Unisted States History, Current Events, and World Cultures at Kettle Moraine High School. Marisa has been a leader and innovator in the classroom serving as a Department Head of Social Studies, leading social studies professional learning community, a Teacher Mentor, a Cooperating Teacher, an AP grader, and a member of the Teacher Advisory group for HERC. Additionally, Marisa has worked with DPI on the Forward Exam Item Review for Social Studies and the setting of Standards. She enjoys the collaborative process working with students and staff to improve learning, curriculum opportunities, and policy.

Maria Prust is a Special Education Teacher in her 15th year at D.C. Everest, serving as a Cross-Categorical Special Education Teacher.  She is dual certified in Special Education and Broadfield Social Studies and currently co-teaches English 10 and American Studies, a combined 20th Century History and English 11 course. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Maria serves as a Varsity Assistant Softball and Head 7th grade Volleyball Coach. 

She has served as the CESA 9 Holocaust Education Fellow since 2025, where she has continued her commitment to meaningful, inclusive Holocaust education.  In the past she helped organize a multi-school Holocaust speaker event at the Grand Theater in Wausau.

In her spare time, Maria enjoys spending time at her cabin with her husband Steve, fishing, playing slowpitch softball, and watching the Brewers.

Rebecca Huseman has been a Social Studies and Spanish teacher at Cassville High School for 14 years. She currenntly teaches all of the high school social studies courses, both required and elective. In her tenure in Cassville, she has expanded elective offerings, creating a dedicated Holocaust and Genocide Studies course, as well as others. She also helped to create a Wall of Honor at her school, honoring our alumni veterans. One of Rebecca’s educational passions is travel, and she has attended numerous professional development opportunities both domestically and internationally. One of Rebecca’s favorite experiences was the opportunity to study at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, Israel, which was a formative experience for her teaching. In addition, Rebecca is passionate about providing students with unique experiences and has led student trips to Mexico, Costa Rica, and Washington, DC.