Our Team

My name is Ms. Renea Taylor and I’m honored to serve as your Principal for HOPE Fortis.  Ephesians 6:10 “Be strong in the Lord and his mighty power.”  We stand Fortis Strong!

About me: I have 3 beautiful children (2 girls and 1 boy). I love dance and music. My favorite color is burgundy. I bring with me 11 years of experience in the field of education, having served as a middle school math educator in the Milwaukee area, including 6 years at HOPE Fortis.  Last year I was Dean of Students at HOPE Fidelis where my duties were to build and support student success. I obtained my Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Alverno College, and I will graduate in December 2024 with a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Wisconsin Lutheran College (in partnership with the Center for Urban Teaching).

I am committed to building a culture that cultivates a love for Christ and learning in the classroom.  At HOPE Fortis, my primary goal is to ensure that each student feels valued, supported, and motivated to achieve their full potential. I believe a successful school is built on strong relationships among scholars, parents, and staff, and I am dedicated to working collaboratively with all members of our community to uphold the high standards and traditions of HOPE Fortis.  Communication and partnership with parents are crucial to the success of our scholars, and I am committed to maintaining an open and transparent dialogue. Together, we can create a nurturing and challenging environment that prepares our scholars for success in school and beyond.

“Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” –Jack Welch, former GE chairman and CEO. I believe that instructional leadership skills, restorative practices and effective teaching are directly related to the success of the scholars in a classroom setting. By allowing God to lead me in this role I know positive connections and lasting success of scholars and staff will be made.

Mrs. Curtain is a thought-provoking educational leader with 19 years of experience in the early childhood and educational fields.  Working with scholars and their families is her calling. “I believe all students can excel through opportunities for meaningful learning and given the appropriate resources.”  Mrs. Curtain also believes that partnering with families and displaying the love of God creates the most desirable learning environments. Mrs. Curtain earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Cardinal Stritch University and her Master of Education and Leadership from National Louis University.  Mrs. Curtain is also passionate about ministry, serving her community through programs led by her faith-based organization, and family. 

“By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35

As Dean of Students, my mission will focus on Christ centered values, while collaboratively working with my Administration team to promote and maintain a climate that is conducive to student learning, emphasizing mutual respect and safety. I will focus on attendance rates and disciplinary issues as I foster strong relationships with staff, scholars, and parents. Under my care, scholars will have the freedom of expression and creativity to aid in developing character and accountability.  Scholar development is vital to the growth of our youth, particularly in middle school. My mission is to create the path that produces responsible young people that are empowered, responsible, and has cultivated leadership skills that will trailblaze the future for the next generation.

I am proud to serve the Hope Fortis community as the school’s Office Manager.

Outside of the office, I enjoy spending as much time as possible with my personal community, which is my family. My husband, 2 adult daughters and their spouses, and 5 grandchildren fill my time with love and adventure.

I believe every child has the fundamental right to a safe and respectful education, that empowers them to develop into the best version of themselves, while paving a path to living their dreams. My mission is to provide a nurturing environment where scholars can confidently learn and creatively grow in God’s love. I commit to relentlessly supporting staff, scholars, and parents, fostering impactful relationships with all. 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” Together, we will encourage and build, sustaining a strong sense of connection throughout our school’s community.

I was born and raised in Milwaukee and find great pride and joy in knowing our scholars will continue to enrich our city. It has been a privilege to watch scholars grow over my seven years of service, and I look forward to the continued journey.

I am pleased to serve as the school operations manager. I am a mother of 7 kids (4 girls and 3 boys) and I graduated with my Bachelor's of Science in Education from the University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. With over 11 years of teaching experience, I am passionate about fostering both academic excellence and personal growth in every student. As a dedicated School Operations Manager, I believe that efficient operations are the backbone of a thriving educational environment. My journey in education has given me a deep understanding of the classroom, the needs of teachers, and the importance of creating an atmosphere where both students and staff feel supported and empowered.