School Leadership

Mr. Werner is a product of the Appleton Area School District (having attended Franklin Elementary, Roosevelt Jr. High and West High School). He attended the University of Wisconsin—Green Bay and earned a Bachelors of Arts in Broad Field Social Studies and Secondary Education. He earned a Masters of Science in Educational Leadership from Concordia University Wisconsin.

He taught social studies and was the CSS/Department Chair at Appleton East High School from 1997—2013. He then became the Activities Director/Associate Principal at Neenah High School from 2013-2017. After that, he served as the Activities Director/Associate Principal at Appleton North High School from 2017-2021. He then served as the District Activities Director for the Kaukauna Area School District from 2021-2023.

Mr. Werner is so excited to return to Appleton North as the principal. He is excited to work with the amazing North staff, students, parents and community. Appleton is very special to Mr. Werner and he is humbled to serve this community in this capacity. Mr. Werner has been happily married to his wife Nicole since 1997 and has two sons Isaac & Anthony. When Mr. Werner is not at Appleton North he enjoys watching the Badgers & Packers, exercising and reading. Mr. Werner can't wait for another awesome school year at Appleton North!

Stephanie Desens grew up in Appleton, attending McKinley Elementary, Madison Middle School, and graduating from Appleton East High School. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Childhood–Early Adolescent Education with minors in Math and Social Studies from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and later earned her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh.

Stephanie began her career in education, teaching 3rd grade in Milwaukee before returning to the Fox Valley to teach 8th grade for five years, three in the Oshkosh Area School District and two at Kaleidoscope Academy in Appleton. She then transitioned into administration, serving as Dean of Students at Appleton North before moving into her current role as Associate Principal of Curriculum and Instruction.

She is passionate about student success and is committed to ensuring every student feels seen, supported, and celebrated at Appleton North. Stephanie strives to make a large school feel personal and welcoming by helping students access the resources they need, when they need them, while encouraging them as they achieve their goals.

Outside of school, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her husband and their two young daughters. Together, they love being outdoors—especially at the lake, where they spend time swimming, relaxing, and enjoying the water.

As both a graduate of the Appleton Area School District and now a school leader within it, Stephanie is proud to serve the community that helped shape her and is excited to support students and staff at Appleton North.

Patrick Lee grew up in Wausau, WI and graduated from Wausau East High School in 1991. He has a twin brother who currently instructs at his high school alma mater in the IB program. His older brother is an executive living in Minneapolis. Patrick’s father was a syndicated outdoor journalist and his mother a paralegal. He attended UWMC in Wausau for two years where he played for their basketball team, was a member of their student council, and ultimately voted the school’s student Ambassador.

Mr. Lee transferred to UW-Stevens Point majoring in English with a minor in Writing. He graduated with an English degree and taught four years at Rio High School. Also at Rio he was a JV basketball coach, Sophomore class Advisor, District Technology Coordinator, Drama Director, and High School Attendance Officer. His first Administrative job was at Kaukauna High School in 2001. He spent five years there as an Associate Principal. In 2006 he was hired by DePere High School to perform Associate Principal duties there for the next six years.

Mr. Lee considered himself the happiest father and luckiest Principal alive when he was hired by the same school his three daughters would attend. He was hired as Principal of Fox Cities Leadership Academy as well as the Associate Principal of Student Services for Appleton North High School in 2012.