Principal

Jacquline Smedberg
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Ms. Smedberg grew up in Appleton and is a proud graduate of Appleton East High School. She attended UW Stevens Point where she earned her teaching degree in regular and special education. After beginning her career with the AASD in 2006 at Roosevelt Middle School, she earned her Masters of Education in Reading through UW Oshkosh. She has served as a regular and special education teacher, a building instructional coach, and as Secondary District Instructional Coach. She earned her Principal and Director of Instruction License from eduCATE-WI. 

While not at school, Ms. Smedberg enjoys spending time with family and friends. Her two daughters are her pride and joy. Together, they enjoy traveling, going up north, and being on the water.

Ms. Smedberg is honored to serve as Principal of Appleton East and Tesla Engineering Charter School. As a proud alumni of Appleton East, it is important to her that the Appleton East community and families are involved in our student's education. She believes students come to high school to explore paths in life that will give them a great starting point when they venture into the community. When students leave East, she hopes they feel as proud as she does to say, "Once a Patriot, always a Patriot."

Associate Principal

Mrs. Van Fossen grew up in Colfax, Wisconsin and attended both UW Madison and UW Whitewater where she earned her teaching degree in regular education - mathematics. After beginning her career in Chicago at the Sonia Shankman Orthogenic school in 2012, she began working in the AASD in 2014 at Appleton North High School. While at North she earned her Masters of Education in Instruction through UW Oshkosh. She has served as a regular education teacher and as a Secondary District Instructional Technology Coach. She earned her Principal and Director of Instruction License from UW Oshkosh. 

While not at school, Mrs. Van Fossen enjoys spending time with family and friends, including her three sons. Together, they enjoy lots of time outside biking, hiking, and playing games.

Ms. Van Fossen is honored to serve as Associate Principal. When students leave East she strives to ensure they feel a true sense of belonging to the East community and reach high levels of learning.

Associate Principal

Shawna Waters
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Mrs. Waters grew up in Appleton and is a proud graduate of Appleton East High School. She attended UW Oshkosh where she earned her teaching degree in special education. In the early years of her career, she worked in both the Green Bay Area Public School District and the Oshkosh Area School District as a high school special educator. She began her career in the Appleton Area School District in 2007, the same year she completed her master's degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis through UW Madison. While in the Appleton Area School District, she has served as a special education teacher, a building reading interventionist, and a district program support teacher.  

While not at school, Mrs. Waters and her husband enjoy spending time with family, in nature, and making memories through travel. Her two sons attend school in Appleton and are future Patriots. 

Mrs. Waters is honored to serve as Associate Principal of Curriculum and Instruction at Appleton East. Ensuring high levels of learning for all students through a safe and welcoming school environment is very important to her. 

Activities Director

Tim Zachow
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Mr. Zachow received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin -Whitewater. He received his master’s degree from Winona State University. He taught special education in Park Falls, WI for five years and was the Assistant Principal at Wilmot Union High School for two years before coming to the Appleton School District.  

He has been an administrator in the AASD for 18 years. Mr. Zachow was the Assistant Principal responsible for Student Services at East High School for five years and has been the Activities/Athletic Director at East for the past 13 years. He has a wonderful, supportive family made up of his wife Carrie and two children Zachary and Summer.