First Battalion
Administration & Leadership
Battalion Commander

Name: COL Kate Klontz
Position: Battalion Commander
Started at WLA: 2016
Education: Master of Arts in Education, Bachelor of Arts in English Writing University of Colorado
Comment: Teaching Leadership is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. I believe every person has the ability to learn, grow and become a leader. WLA provides the foundation for Cadet Leadership now and for the future.
Email: kklontz@wlacademy.org
Position: Battalion Commander
Started at WLA: 2016
Education: Master of Arts in Education, Bachelor of Arts in English Writing University of Colorado
Comment: Teaching Leadership is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. I believe every person has the ability to learn, grow and become a leader. WLA provides the foundation for Cadet Leadership now and for the future.
Email: kklontz@wlacademy.org
Alpha Company
1st Platoon |
2nd Platoon |
Bravo Company
1st Platoon |
Charlie Company
Delta Company
Company NCOName: MSG Nick Cayton
Position: Company NCO Education: Started at WLA: 2021 Comment: Email: ncayton@wlacademy.org |
Echo Company
1st Platoon![]() Name: 1LT Teila Brainard
Position: Platoon Commander Teaches: 7th and 8th grade Mathematics Education: Started at WLA: Comment: Email: tbrainard@wlacademy.org |
2nd Platoon![]() Name: 1LT Matthew Stemple
Position: Platoon Commander Teaches: 7th and 8th Grade Science Education: BS Biology & Chemistry, University of Oregon, 2008 MAT, Pacific University Started at WLA: 2019 Comment: "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. -Wayne Gretzky" - Michael Scott. No one is innately smart; intelligence is not a trait a person is born with. I was not personally born with the knowledge of how DNA is transcribed to make proteins or the nomenclature rules of organic chemistry. It is something I had to learn over time, it had to be taught and explained to me. When you first set foot in my science class, your personal science knowledge might be lacking and that is OK because I am your Sherpa and I am here to guide you up Mount Science. Email: mstemple@wlacademy.org |
Foxtrot Company
1st Platoon

Name: MAJ Andrew Potterf
Position: Platoon Commander
Teaches: 6th grade Language Arts and Social Studies
Education: BA English Literature U of O; MA Education U of O
Started at WLA: 2015
Comment: Helping students discover literature and a sense of intellectual curiosity is incredibly rewarding for me. I work hard to keep my curriculum fresh and interesting.
Email: apotterf@wlacademy.org
Position: Platoon Commander
Teaches: 6th grade Language Arts and Social Studies
Education: BA English Literature U of O; MA Education U of O
Started at WLA: 2015
Comment: Helping students discover literature and a sense of intellectual curiosity is incredibly rewarding for me. I work hard to keep my curriculum fresh and interesting.
Email: apotterf@wlacademy.org