Changing Faces at Crucifixion School, La Crescent

Submitted by Lori Datta, sixth grade teacher at Crucifixion School in La Crescent

Crucifixion School in La Crescent has seen several changes over the last few months. All the changes have been beneficial to our wonderful school.

First, two teachers retired last year, and we have two wonderful new teachers to take their place. Ms. Cali Hartsock is the new kindergarten teacher. She is from Apple Valley and did her student teaching at Crucifixion School. She graduated from Winona State University in May 2021 with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. She loves her role as a teacher. She enjoys teaching and guiding her young students. Her classroom is very inviting, and she always seems to have a smile on her face.

Nina Reed (L) and Cali Hartsock (R)

Ms. Nina Reed is the new fourth grade teacher. Ms. Reed is from Marengo, IL. She graduated from St. Mary’s University in Winona with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She fell in love with Minnesota and is happy to be teaching at Crucifixion School. She enjoys being with her students and getting to know them. Since we are departmentalized, Ms. Reed took over the teaching of English to grades 4, 5, and 6. She, along with Ms. Hartsock, is a blessing to our Crucifixion School family.

Along with our two new teachers, we have two wonderful student teachers from St. Mary’s University. Ms. Marian Hollenbeck will graduate in May 2022 with a double major in elementary education and Spanish. She is from Nowthen, has two younger siblings, and would love to find a teaching position in the Anoka area. She loves learning about nature and new cultures, especially new things in Spanish. She is crazy about nail art. She is currently student teaching in third grade and hopes to teach third grade in the future.

Maddy Long (L) and Marian Hollenbeck (R)

Ms. Maddy Long will graduate in December of 2021 with a degree in elementary education with a social studies endorsement. She is from Andover, is the younger middle child of four. She loves Disney and peanut butter, and she has a fear of drains. Maddy would like to visit all 50 states, and she informed us that she is half-way there. She would also like to learn a new language. She is currently student teaching in fifth grade. She likes teaching the upper elementary grades. Maddy has a position waiting for her in Maplewood at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She will be teaching fourth grade. We wish both of these wonderful young women the best of luck.

Crucifixion School has a partnership with the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. Each year, the university provides a PE teacher for Crucifixion. The PE teacher is in a graduate program at the university. This year, one wasn’t available. We were blessed to find Mr. Jared Anderson to take the position. Mr. Anderson recently moved back to the Westby, WI, area and is an assistant coach for the Westby football team. He teaches PE on Mondays and Fridays at Crucifixion and subs for school the rest of the week. He gets along great with the students and the staff. He will be a great asset for any school that hires him.

Jared Anderson