Ms. Kestell has worked in the district since 1990. After teaching physical education and/or health education at Webster, Westlawn, and Cedarburg High School, she joined the Thorson staff in 2002. Ms. Kestell earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical and Health Education, and also obtained a Coaching Concentration from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She completed her Masters Degree at UW-Whitewater in the area of Curriculum and Instruction.

Ms. Kestell continues to seek out and provide professional development opportunities in the area of Health and Physical Education, and has attended many local, state, and national physical/health education conferences to stay current on issues concerning students' health and wellbeing and best practices in Health and Physical Education.

Ms. Kestell has a huge passion for promoting lifetime health and wellness within the Thorson school community and across the district. She established a Fuel Up to Play 60 Student Wellness Team in the 2014-2015 school year, and has helped students develop their student leadership skills while promoting fun, healthy activities through FUTP60. Thorson has formed a partnership with the district food service program, providing students with a variety of monthly veggie, dairy and grain taste tests. Thorson Elementary School was awarded the National FUTP60 MVP School Award in January, 2016 for submitting the top FUTP60 video out of 292 video submissions. Thorson received a FUTP60 MVP Celebration with Jeff Janis and Jared Abbrederis from the Green Bay Packers, and had an MVP day that we will remember forever! Ms. Kestell served as the FUTP60 WI MVP Ambassador with MVP WI Student Ambassador, Sophia Winterhalter, for the 2015-2016 school year, and helped Webster establish a FUTP60 program for the first time in 2015.

Ms. Kestell serves on the Thorson Leadership Team, the district Curriculum Council, and Parent Engagement Series Committee. Outside of school, Ms, Kestell has served as a leader on the board of directors for Wisconsin Health and Physical Education, as well as with Midwest District SHAPE and SHAPE America. She served as the WI State Jump Rope and Hoops for Heart Coordinator for WHPE, working hand in hand with AHA to promote JRFH/HFH across the state and across the country, served as the Elementary VP and was a member of the WHPE awards committee. She served as the Chair for the Sport, Dance, and Physical Education Council for Midwest District and currently serves on awards committees for Midwest District and SHAPE America. Ms. Kestell recently served as WHPE President for the 2016-2018 school years, and will be serving as Midwest District SHAPE President in 2020-2021.

Ms. Kestell received the Cedarburg School District Extra Distance Award and Thorson Oak Leaf Award in 2012. She was  recognized as the 2013 National Physical Education Elementary Teacher of the Year at the AAHPERD convention in North Carolina. She had, and continues to have, the opportunity to travel throughout the country sharing presentations with other physical educators, providing innovative ways to deliver quality physical education experiences for students.  She was also honored with the 2013 AAHPERD/SHAPE America National Jump Rope for Heart Coordinator Recognition Award and the 2017 WHPE Honor Award..