ALBANY AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Dawn Hilgers Lynette Thelen
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Early childhood coordinator for programs birth to kindergarten Family: I have three adult children.
Hometown: Minnetonka College or university: St. Cloud State University and Crown College
Years of teaching experience: 23-plus years
What are three things on your bucket list? Travel to Australia and Greece, publish a book, and start or manage an animal shelter or foster care when I retire.
What is one thing that people may not know about you? I am an avid reader and player of all board or card games.
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Ninth and 10th grade English, middle school reading Family: I am married to Curt Thelen, and we have one daughter, Abby.
Hometown: Avon College or university: University of North Dakota and Bemidji State University
Years of teaching experience: 8 years
What are three things on your bucket list? To visit Norway, to break 90 on the golf course and to finish writing at least one of the books I’ve started.
What is one thing that people may not know about you? I lived in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and worked for the ski corporation. One of my responsibilities was to teach preschoolers how to ski.
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Principal for sixth through eighth grades
Family: My husband, Tyler, and our son, Eli, and a daughter on the way this fall.
Hometown: Hibbing
College or university: St. Cloud State University
Years of teaching experience: 7 years
What are three things on your bucket list? To see the northern lights with my husband and children in Alaska, learn to play the guitar, and watch my children become successful adults. What is one thing that people may not know about you? I have climbed to the top of Mt. Vesuvius.
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Sixth through eighth grades
Family: My family consists of my husband, Eric; daughter, Payton; and son, Logan.
Hometown: I grew up in the country between Freeport, New Munich and St. Martin.
College or university: St. Cloud State University
Years of teaching experience: 18 years
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Seventh and eighth grade reading strategies and English language arts Family: My family consists of Alexandra, Dylan, Louis the cat and Silvy the pup.
Hometown: Princeton College or university: St. Cloud State University
Years of teaching experience: 26-plus years
What are three things on your bucket list? My bucket list consists of traveling and experiencing new things. I am drawn to any place with breathtaking views, whether traveling thousand of miles or exploring destinations closer to home. What is one thing that people may not know about you? I love genuine people who have no fear of being themselves and enjoying life.
What are three things on your bucket list? Travel everywhere, kiss a grandbaby or two, and find every silver lining life has to offer. What is one thing that people may not know about you? I took the last school year “off” to write a book. I published it in April.
ALBANY AREA continued on page 3
Hannah Carlson
Melissa Luethmers
Holly Wieber
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Licensed school nurse
Family: Kris, my husband, and our children — Harrison, Madelyn and Henry.
Hometown: Cold Spring College or university: College of St. Benedict and College of St. Scholastica
Years of teaching experience: I’ve been in the healthcare field for 12 years, nine years with my registered nurse license.
What are three things on your bucket list? To travel around Europe, to visit Hawaii and go hiking, and to learn how to golf.
What is one thing that people may not know about you? I studied abroad in Australia my junior year spring semester of college and traveled to New Zealand and Bali, Indonesia while abroad.
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? General music for kindergarten through fifth grade
Family: I have three brothers and two sisters.
Hometown: Foley College or university: St. John’s University
Years of teaching experience: This is my first year teaching. What are three things on your bucket list? Skydive, own a pinball machine and see a Broadway musical. What is one thing that people may not know about you? I enjoy board games and Magic the Gathering.
subject(s) will you be teaching? Principal for first through fifth grades
Family: I am the youngest of three children.
Hometown: Sauk Centre
College or university: University of Minnesota Morris and St. Mary’s University
Years of teaching experience: 29 years
What are three things on your bucket list? I love to travel and I need to see Israel, more of Europe and one day see a tennis match at Wimbledon. What is one thing that people may not know about you? I love to play games — trivia, Scrabble, any board games or card games.
Natalie Prasch
Gina Lomheim
Ben Kalway
AVON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Emily Schmidt
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Fifth grade Family: My boyfriend, Kajae; my daughter, Brooke; and my English springer spaniel, Sage. Hometown: St. Cloud College or university: College of St. Benedict Years of teaching experience: 6 years
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Special education for kindergarten through fifth grades Family: My son, Logan, age 7, and myself.
Hometown: St. Cloud College or university: University of North Dakota, Western Governor’s University and Minnesota State University Mankato Years of teaching experience: 20 years
What are three things on your bucket list? Travel to Banff, Alberta, Canada, explore Europe, and write a children’s book. What is one thing that people may not know about you? I love to bake, and I run a bakery out of my home kitchen, specializing in hand decorated sugar cookies.
Avon, MN
PASSION MEETS PURPOSE
of Minnesota, LLC
support@itsolutionsofmn.com
Michelle Possin
HOLDINGFORD PUBLIC SCHOOL
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Ninth, 10th and 11th grade English
Family: My parents, Doug and Ruth Brandanger, and my siblings, Kirk, Alex and Andrew.
Hometown: Breezy Point College or university: Bemidji State University
Years of teaching experience: 2 years
What are three things on your bucket list? I would like to go skydiving, travel to Egypt, and write and publish a book. What is one thing that people may not know about you? I’m a huge Harry Potter fan and a proud Hufflepuff! One of my favorite ways to kick off the school year is by sorting students into their respective Hogwarts houses. I love incorporating Harry Potter references into my lessons, and my prized possession is a Hufflepuff mug made for me by a student.
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Fourth grade
Family: My dad and mom, Mike and Kim Harren, and my younger brother, Luke Harren.
Hometown: Upsala College or university: Bemidji State University.
Years of teaching experience: This is my first year teaching. What are three things on your bucket list? Visit Alaska, go sky diving and travel through Europe. What is one thing that people may not know about you? I was born on April Fool’s Day.
Hometown: Avon
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Licensed school counselor for seventh through 12th grades
Family: We are a family of five. I am married to my husband and best friend, Kyle. Together we have three kiddos who keep us smiling, laughing and on our toes.
College or university: St. Cloud State University
Years of teaching experience: I have eight years experience working in the public school system as a licensed school counselor. What are three things on your bucket list? Travel, travel and travel! What is one thing that people may not know about you? I love doing yoga, dancing, playing volleyball, practicing self care, anything involving exercise, being outdoors, being on the lake, camping, jamming to my tunes and all things active and fun.
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? 4’s School
Readiness Teacher (preschool)
Family: My mom, Sandy; my dad, Keith; my brothers, Adam, Ryan and Mitchell; and my sister, Megan.
Hometown: Avon
College or university: St. Cloud State University
Years of teaching experience: This is my first year teaching. What are three things on your bucket list? Travel to Europe again, visit five NFL stadiums and learn to ski. What is one thing that people may not know about you? I like to design and decorate houses.
Ashley Spanier Ali Harren
Melyssa Sakry
Barbara Lee Dettler
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Art for first through sixth grades
Hometown: Melrose
College or university: St. Cloud State University, St. Mary’s University, and Alexandria Technical & Community College
Years of teaching experience: 25 years
What are three things on your bucket list? Go on a hot air balloon ride, have a great-grandbaby and teach until I’m 75. What is one thing that people may not know about you? I joined the National Guard at 16 years old.
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Third grade
Family: My husband, John, and our five kids — Cecilia, Zélie, John Paul, Rebekah and Audrey.
Hometown: Chatfield College or university: Winona State University
Years of teaching experience: 2 years full time, several years substitute teaching
What are three things on your bucket list? See a Broadway musical, golf in all 50 states and go on a cruise. What is one thing that people may not know about you? I’d love to become a proficient seamstress — maybe one day.
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? First grade
Family: My parents are Peter and Anne Welle. I have three siblings — Julia, Blaise and Max.
Hometown: Freeport College or university: Southwest Minnesota State University Years of teaching experience: This is my first year teaching.
What are three things on your bucket list? Travel to all 63 National Parks, travel to Rome and have a spectacular first year of teaching. What is one thing that people may not know about you? I lived and worked in Yellowstone National Park for two summers.
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Sixth grade, covering core subjects which include social studies, earth science, health, language arts/ grammar and math Family: I have been happily married to my husband, Matt, for almost 20 years. We are blessed with three children who attend school in Melrose. Our oldest, Ethan, will be a senior, Noah is in 10th grade, and Sydney is entering ninth grade.
Hometown: St. Cloud
College or university: College of St. Scholastica
Years of teaching experience: This is my first year teaching. What are three things on your bucket list? Earn a master’s degree in history or English to deepen my understanding and share my knowledge, write a book to inspire others with my stories, and travel the world to experience its diverse cultures and enrich my own perspective on life.
What is one thing that people may not know about you? I love documentaries, particularly those focused on history. I enjoy immersing myself in real-life narratives and uncovering the details of our past — it’s both fascinating and enriching.
Christie Zink
Gwen Welle
MELROSE AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Jesse Kuechle
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Music for middle school and high school students
Family: My wife is Jennifer, and we have three children — Andrew, Madelyn and Isabella.
Hometown: Watkins College or university: St. John’s University
Years of teaching experience: 16 years
What are three things on your bucket list? Help others succeed, fish in the Florida Keys and perform live music.
What is one thing that people may not know about you? I come from a family of J’s — Joy, Jacque, Jennifer, John, Jason and then me — Jesse.
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Special education preschool teacher Family: My parents, Brian and Dar, and my siblings — Amyia, Dillon and Kiara.
Hometown: Melrose College or university: St. Cloud State University
Years of teaching experience: This is my first year teaching. What are three things on your bucket list? See the northern lights, travel to foreign countries and have a family of my own.
What is one thing that people may not know about you? I’m an avid reader and love binge-watching crime TV shows.
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? English as a second language Family: My husband, Adam, and I have three boys — Hank, Gus and Sully.
Hometown: Sauk Centre College or university: Minnesota State University Moorhead and St. Cloud State University
Years of teaching experience: 4 years
What are three things on your bucket list? Visit all Seven Wonders of the World, successfully garden and can large quantities, and raise three kind boys.
What is one thing that people may not know about you? I battled cancer at the age of 26. Due to where my tumor was, I will have a foot/ leg brace for the rest of my life to help me keep up with my normal lifestyle.
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Preschool Family: I have a small family, but spending time with them sure makes my heart feel big. I spend most of my time with my mom and our two dogs, Niki and Millie.
Hometown: Paynesville College or university: St. Cloud State University
Years of teaching experience: 2 years
What are three things on your bucket list? Sail a boat, visit Ireland and hold a monkey. What is one thing that people may not know about you? I love boxed Kraft Mac & Cheese.
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Library/ media specialist for kindergarten through fifth grades Family: My husband, Mike, is a civil engineer in Willmar, and I live on the Horseshoe Chain of Lakes in Richmond. We have four adult children — Connor, Cole, Carly and Chloe.
Hometown: Grand Rapids College or university: University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Years of teaching experience: 32 years
What are three things on your bucket list? I would love to travel to Greece and Banff National Park. I also hope to write a children’s book one day.
What is one thing that people may not know about you? My family are fourth-generation University of Minnesota Twin Cities alumni and enthusiastic Gopher fans. We are football season ticket holders and host epic tailgate football parties.
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Second grade
Family: My husband, Ike, and son, Mack.
Hometown: Faribault College or university: Winona State University
Years of teaching experience: 5 years
What are three things on your bucket list? Visit all 50 states, explore Yellowstone National Park and learn to juggle. What is one thing that people may not know about you? I enjoy trying new recipes in my free time.
MELROSE AREA continued on page 8
Amanda Jensen
Holly Nelson
Lexi Haider
Megan Beckius
Sidney Vesel
Nate Schreiber
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Sixth grade
Family: My wife, Sara, and my dog, Gage
Hometown: Bemidji
College or university: Bemidji State University
Years of teaching experience: 10 years paraprofessional; this is my first year teaching.
What are three things on your bucket list? Visit Germany, coach varsity soccer and make a video game. What is one thing that people may not know about you? I’m a big old nerd! From amateur astronomy to video games and everything in between.
SAUK CENTRE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Maggie and Bear.
Hometown: Benson/Montevideo College or university: St. Cloud State University and Southwest State University Years of teaching experience: 25 years
What are three things on your bucket list? Travel the United States by motor home, be able to fly first class and finish my collection of Fisher Price Little People toys.
What is one thing that people may not know about you? Along with teaching elementary students, I was a building tech, software tech and technology/viewboard trainer for Montevideo Public Schools. I started the building tech position 22 years ago. For the past 15 years, I’ve taught fourth grade English language arts and technology. I am looking forward to starting my new position as tech integrationist for Sauk Centre Public Schools. Technology has drastically changed the way teachers teach. Some days can be overwhelming. I hope I can alleviate some of the stress that comes along with planning lessons and implementing technology in the classroom.
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Speechlanguage pathologist for prekindergarten through 12th grade Family: Raising my three boys, Alek, Grant and Brock with their father, Mitch, has been the greatest adventure of my life. I now have been blessed with a sweet ray of sunshine, a granddaughter, to love and spoil. In addition, I have a 9-yearold golden retriever that keeps me hopping.
Hometown: Grand Forks, North Dakota
College or university: University of North Dakota and Minnesota State University Moorhead
Years of teaching experience: 20-plus years of experience working with students with communication difficulties
What are three things on your bucket list? Learn how to play pickleball, walk on the beaches of Hawaii and volunteer for hospice. What is one thing that people may not know about you? I love cookies. I enjoy making, baking and eating all kinds.
Hometown: Zimmerman
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Seventh grade English Family: My husband Jake and I will be celebrating our fifth wedding anniversary this fall. We have two little ones, Ivy and Krew, with our third arriving in December.
College or university: University of Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State University
Years of teaching experience: 11 years
What are three things on your bucket list? Take a vacation on a cruise, eat at a James Beard award-winning restaurant and read a million books.
What is one thing that people may not know about you? I am on a mission to create the perfect home-brewed iced espresso.
Becky Anderson
Amy Gagne
SAUK CENTRE HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching?
Interventionist
Family: My husband, John, and our dog, Sadie.
Hometown: St. Cloud
College or university: Valley City
State University
Years of teaching experience: 26 years
What are three things on your bucket list? Travel to Banff, Alberta, Canada, with my husband, visit all the state parks in Minnesota, and buy a camper to travel the USA.
What is one thing that people may not know about you? I love to upcycle old items and create cool new things like desks, tables and bedside stands.
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching?
Kindergarten through sixth grades health and physical education
Family: My parents are Rodney and Sharon Hanson, and I have one sister, Kaylee.
Hometown: Sauk Centre
College or university: Minnesota State University Moorhead
Years of teaching experience: This is my first year teaching.
What are three things on your bucket list? Go sky diving, travel to all 50 states before I’m 50 and teach for as many years as I possibly can. What is one thing that people may not know about you? Despite growing up with tons of family members that are farmers, I am terrified of cows.
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Third grade
Family: My parents are Jason and Michelle Kortan. I have one brother, Isaac, and one sister, Cierra.
Hometown: Sauk Centre College or university: Central Lakes College and Mayville State University
Years of teaching experience: This is my first year teaching. What are three things on your bucket list? Attend the Division 1 NCAA Volleyball Final Four, go to Glacier National Park and visit all 50 states.
What is one thing that people may not know about you? I am also the head girls volleyball coach at Brandon-Evansville High School.
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Sixth grade, teaching subjects such as art, math, language arts, science, social studies, religion, computer, and social and emotional learning
Family: My parents are Tim and Stacy Kampsen. I have one sister, Kallie Kampsen, and one brother, Jamine Wiese. I also have one nephew, Landon, and two nieces, Kinley and Hazel.
Hometown: Sauk Centre
College or university: College of St. Benedict
Years of teaching experience: I was a long-term substitute at Holy Family School as well as a four-month full-time English as a second language teacher at Melrose Area Elementary School. What are three things on your bucket list? Travel to Hawaii, travel to Greece and go zip-lining. What is one thing that people may not know about you? I love to be outdoors; I enjoy deer hunting, fishing and camping.
Macy Hanson
Nicole Kortan
Riley Kampsen
Kayla Feldhake
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Third grade Family: My family consists of my two brothers and my mom.
Hometown: Alexandria College or university: University of Jamestown
Years of teaching experience: 3 years
What are three things on your bucket list? To travel to Hawaii and Banff, Alberta, Canada, go deep sea fishing, and visit Europe or a country overseas.
What is one thing that people may not know about you? If I wasn’t a teacher, I would be interested in real estate. I love looking at homes and touring new homes.
What grade(s) and subject(s) will you be teaching? Second grade
Family: My parents, Justin and Stephanie; my younger brother, Zach; and our three dogs, Molly, Mox and Hazel.
Hometown: Benson College or university: North Dakota State University and Valley City State University Years of teaching experience: This is my first year teaching. What are three things on your bucket list? To go to Hawaii, visit the Grand Canyon and ride in a hot air balloon. What is one thing that people may not know about you? My favorite place I have visited is California, because I got to go whale watching.
